novelraw Chapter 169 - 168 - Aether Divide
Chapter 169 - 168 - Aether Divide
Both Annabelle and Lind were leaning over as the disorientation washed over them. A short range teleportation array had brought them deeper into the Silver Peaks. A small lake was surrounded by sky piercing mountains with a river leading out of it.
Lind was extremely tired of the sensation that accompanied teleportation by array over distances that he felt should not be so bad. It was a clever way to make entry to the Aether Sect harder to find but it also explained the camouflaged guard.
The said guard was respectfully waiting for them to recover and Lind was slightly resentful that the Iron Tier feeling made the man immune to the distortion of space.
"I did not catch your name, senior." Lind bought some time with conversation and the guard smiled as he bowed once more.
"I am known as Cal. You saw my ability to blend which a few of us have some variation of. Others are usually able to work formations at the 3 teleportation arrays." Lind arched an eyebrow at the revelation of the number of arrays but took it with a grain of salt. There might be 3 official arrays, but Lind bet all his Sky Stones, currently at 550, that there were arrays only a few knew about.
Their current area had a more expected set up of the intricate teleportation array laid into a stone platform with several guards nearby to regulate who entered and left. All of them wore robes of a lovely blend of all 6 colors of the elements.
Rather than have one that was dominant, all 6 were spread out equally by design. The main colors of red, blue, green, and brown were used for the main body. Green was the outer body with blue on the inside while a dark green made the sleeves with red outlining the whole thing. Gold and black were used for the hoods.
It was a bit garish to Lind's tastes but he had seen far worse.
He noticed the badge on the hips of each guard were grade 4 artifacts but Cal's was only grade 3. They were likely both identity and key artifacts. He filed it away but just like the robes, all 6 colors made of 6 equal segments to make a hexagonal shape.
"Why such bad colors?" Lind almost stood up before stumbling at Annabelle's question. Rather than be insulted, the guards smirked and he realized they all shared the point of view.
"They are straightforward enough, all 6 elements give birth to us, so our founders chose to use them in our emblems and robes." Lind bowed but it was clear Cal shared the opinion on the fashion of the robes.
"Come, Master Frey, Lady Annabelle, please follow me." Once their names were spoken, Lind noticed all 4 guards around the array suddenly snapped to attention. They bowed to him but he noticed one of the male guards of fire and darkness seemed irritated.
He only noted it as Cal led them towards the lake. Lind looked up at the peaks and noted the various pagodas and palaces laid out. While it was not as fantastic as Cimmeria or the Heavenly Maiden Sect, Lind would rate it above the Lotus Empire.
There were 9 peaks nearby but he noticed at least 3 more with buildings set up on them past that inner ring. He also noticed one other thing. One side seemed fairly busy and he could discern laughter but the other side, while not as busy, gave off a rather grim feeling.
He noticed the grimmer side had signs of forges and he could see arenas set up where members were fighting hard. An arena on the more relaxed side also had a battle but Lind would rate it as a training fight rather than the desperate ones on the other.
"Cal, is there some division of the sect's responsibilities?" It was not unheard of. Some sects specialized in elements and would divide their resources between battle and support. Lind had not seen one, but he assumed it might look something like what was in front of him. One side focused on combat and the other support.
Lind noticed that Cal frowned but did not answer right away. He did not push but then he saw some flying bodies crossing between the peaks. Sky Realms! It was only a handful, but the Aether Sect had Sky Realms!
That was not something he had heard but it was only a matter of time. Compared to most human powers, they had nothing, but the Lotus Empire would be crushed easily by just one. Lind smirked that his point of view on what was normal for Sky Realms had drastically changed in just a few short years.
"They are angry." Lind glanced at Annabelle but saw Cal nod sadly. Something Sage told him came floating back that the Aether Sect was divided on how to approach outsiders of their race. It was not totally without cause but the approach alienated those that might ally with them otherwise.
"I do not say they are wrong but they do not let go of their anger." The words sounded like Sage to Lind but he nodded with its wisdom. They finally reached a set of steps that led up to a large palace about halfway up the peak.
It was made from well made stone and he saw some gilding of a metallic substance he could not immediately identify. It looked similar to the glimmer of the higher peaks but brighter. Lind was surprised to see it was actually metal near the peaks of each mountain.
How had that happened?
He pushed back his curiosity as a familiar symbol was on the silvery gate in front of them. He noticed the steps continued but he did not see any large structure higher than the palace along the current path. There were several more steps going out across the mountains to various halls and pagodas or other palaces.
"Master Frey and Lady Annabelle to see Lord Sage!" Cal called out but Lind's Eyes did not see anyone nearby, yet a short while later, the wind shifted and an audible click was heard before the gates swung inward.
"He is alone here?" Lind blurted out the words but saw Cal nod in response.
"The Lords of the Aether Sect have no servants but they may have direct disciples live with them. Lord Sage's disciple is currently at the Relic investigation team's location." The mention of the Relic piqued Lind's interest but he did not pry. Cal bowed and left to return to his job.
Annabelle grasped his hand but he smiled. They were meeting a friend so he was not worried. Once they passed the gate, the very air flowed once more as the gate swung closed on its own.
Lind did not perceive whatever formation allowed such a function but he suspected it was all Sage. He was a powerful Gold Tier cultivator and his control over his singular element far surpassed most humans that were mono-elementals.
The palace was quite large but Lind noticed right away that most of the courtyards were specialties in meditation, herbs, or other functions. Fine white dishes were arranged on some tables ready to use and finally there were formations maintaining their cleanliness for him to perceive.
The Qi was a much higher quality inside the palace compared to their arrival down by the lake. Even so, the concentration at the lake was higher than most of Cimmeria. It was a good place to set up a sect for certain.
Following a feeling, they ascended up the main spire at the center and saw several rooms that were very clean and noble looking but not overtly so. The whole ensemble of fine woolen curtains of several colors in each window with the beds, baths, and pure white stone walls made them feel like they were heading to royalty.
Finally, they came to an ornate double door. It was made from the first real wood they had seen since arriving. The dark wood was inlaid with several arrays with the same silvery metal that Lind could not identify.
"At last, you have come!" A boisterous male voice echoed from beyond it as the wind moved once more to allow the door to open. Lind was truly curious now as he still saw no array activate to cause that effect. The arrays in the door were charged with Qi but they did not open it.
"Senior Sage." Annabelle curtsied respectfully as they finally came upon the green skinned aether child. He wore robes that were lined in gold but were shades of green that enhanced Sage's appearance. Lind realized they had seen mostly the multi-hued robes but there had been a few of only a few colors instead.
They were clearly indicative of the Elders, or as they called them here, Lords, of Aether Sect. Lind bowed to Sage and smiled back to the man.
"Come, come, sit, sit." He motioned for them to relax on a feathered couch. It was cloth once more rather than leather like in Cimmeria or the Heavenly Maiden Sect. Lind realized they did not waste animal hides on furniture, the same with wood was reserved only for a few doors. Everything else was stone and metal.
A steaming pot of tea was on the table and the aroma was very enticing. They chatted and Sage learned of their journey from Cimmeria. He also relayed a surprising piece of information.
"I received a message from Vice-Sect Master Lydia a month ago. A new heir has been confirmed in their seat and began recruiting 6 elementals into some of their businesses." Lind smiled as Sage looked like he was enjoying withholding the name from them but Lind took the air out of his sails.
"Lady Delia had a rough road to her ascension, but I am curious to see how that recruitment goes. I may have solved some problems but each harmony seems unique to the cultivator." Sage frowned a bit but then shrugged. He also nodded in agreement.
"I like this side, Senior Sage." Annabelle was glancing out the window that looked across the lake to the more grim side of the sect. Lind was about to admonish Annabelle but then he saw Sage look sad rather than annoyed or aggravated.
"What is wrong, Senior Sage?" The older man looked out onto the sect as well and a very tired sigh left him. He seemed to age centuries just standing there.
"I wish it was simply a division of our pursuits but it is a bit worse than that. You see–" Sage was about to sit when he deeply frowned and glanced down to where Lind assumed the gate to be.
"SAGE! YOU HAVE A HUMAN HERE?! BRING THAT SCUM OUT SO WE CAN EXECUTE IT!" A male voice blared in the air and Lind noticed it was equal to Sage's cultivation from what he could tell.
Sage was about to open his mouth when another voice shook the windows.
"RAIN! SHUT YOUR DAMN FOOL MOUTH AND GET OFF OUR SIDE OF THE SECT!" A female voice that reminding Lind of Cyntilla's temper seemed to crush all in its way. The feeling of the Qi became Diamond Tier at that point.
Lind thought it was over but then more voices started shouting and it became impossible to make anything out as Sage put a finger to his temple to massage what seemed to be a throbbing vein.
"You see, we have a bit of a divide in philosophies and oddly enough, Master Frey, you made things a bit worse." Lind looked in shock at Sage but the man never blinked and looked totally serious.
What in blazes happened and why was he the cause of it?!