Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 187 - 186 - Trick to Ascension

"We want to leave this place!!  We will not be trapped here when that monster ascends!"  Angry shouts were heard but the caravan men had no interest in it.  While there were some powerful Iron and Gold Tiers, they did not work together nor could they control the graels.

Also, they had no idea how to navigate the Dread Desert.

Patience was usually hand in hand with most cultivators but many did not want to waste time where they could not advance.  The oasis was not a bad place but it had no resources aside from the Qi and food it could provide.

It was far from enough for anyone save Lind or other low tier World Realms to advance.  His own high Stone Tier foundation was getting closer to break through but the current situation was not ideal.

The truth about the Diamond Tier dread snake was now known to all as they had been stuck at the oasis for close to a week.  At first, no one complained because they had spent a week in the desolate dunes and high tension moments of the very snakes possibly being there at any time.

Now, however, they were ready to get going but discovered they were trapped.  The dread snake had taken up position at the mouth of the oasis, but came no closer.  The same natural rock walls that reflected Qi would actually hurt the snake if it got too close.

The dread snake's greatest feature was the supreme ability to drain Qi at a terrifying rate, but that made them massive existences of Qi as a result.  The reflective nature of the rock nullified their advantage and could easily rebuff them.  They would feel pain as their own power would be sent back at double the strength.

Thus, the oasis was safe from the snake but this one was clever.  It knew its time of ascension was near and wanted to increase its chances one way or the other.  Either it could get excess Qi from their dead bodies or it could use them as convenient lightning rods.

Lind had not been idle as he studied the rock walls themselves.  As something that could work on the snakes, it had been a thought to try and Forge them but the ability was granted by Heaven.  Lind could not replicate it nor adapt it into an armor directly.

He still studied it but only for research later.  He had an idea but had to prepare a few things before suggesting it.  Namely, he had to know how good Annabelle's illusions were.

In the 6 years he had been gone, she had advanced immensely.  She had thrown herself into formations and her illusion arts.  Thus, she was now a fully self-sufficient cultivator.  There were many missions the Heavenly Maiden Sect entrusted to her of a highly secretive nature and she had performed flawlessly each time he heard.

"Well, does it seem feasible?"  Annabelle was cultivating next to him as he studied the dark stone all around the oasis.  She was not trying to break through, but that thought had also crossed his mind.  It was immediately dashed as she assured him the higher tribulation would not care she was breaking through at the same time.

It might even make the Heavens more angry.

The thought of perhaps using her tribulation to escape was scrapped by Lind, himself.  While she could definitely do it, the more likely scenario was for the snake to kill her before the tribulation could completely form.

It would also endanger the whole caravan as she would have to start within the oasis to have a chance.

"I think I can do it but the caravan might have to run those poor beasts to death."  Lind acknowledged the sacrifice but he had thoughts on that as well.  Still, they had no choice if they wanted to survive and find Cyntilla.

"All right, here is a new bracelet but the elixirs inside are only peak grade 3.  It was the best I could do."  Annabelle smiled at him as her eyes rolled at his supposed humility.  The fact he had only a few elixirs left after his time in the Relic had been rectified quickly.

The new Elemental Truth Sect had allowed Lind to take some resources as compensation for all he had done and all he had suffered.  He had not taken as much as others and even left behind some elixirs for them to build up their strength.

The fact he only saw peak grade 3 as humble elixirs spoke to how hard he was pushing to reach mid-grade 4.

Lind stowed away the scroll he was using.  Jade slips would suffer outside the oasis so he used scrolls for now to study anything he noted later.  It did not take long to find the haggard caravan leader.

He was clearly reaching the end of his rope with the passengers and their situation as the compass kept glowing brighter as the days passed.  They were running out of time.

"I believe I have an idea, but it comes with several risks."  Lind's words made the slim man nearly shake Lind like he was a leaf in the wind.

"Esteemed Guest!  Please tell me!"  Lind waved his hands and a snap of thunder drew all eyes to him.  As his pale yellow robes were known, the higher tier cultivators did not mind and came over.

"I have a possibility but it is heavy with risk.  It hinges on several things, not the least of which is that all of you have discretion for my companion."  Lind waved once more and Annabelle pulled back her cloak to reveal her gold and sapphire hair.  Her gorgeous appearance would normally be a problem in such a rough crowd but the current situation left them no time for such idiocy.

"I am Annabelle of the Heavenly Maiden Sect on a mission here in Rith.  I am a Core Disciple of the sect."  Her words brought real hope to the crowd but then someone gasped and it was a larger woman pointing at her.

"The Mistress of Illusions!"  The moment that title came out, Annabelle blushed but the oasis was replaced by golden wheat fields for a heart beat.  All could not tell it was fake even as it disappeared.  She bowed and many bowed back in respect.

"As I said, discretion is requested but her illusions will be quickly drained so we need more speed."  Lind then turned to the caravan leader.  "I need all the graels to reach the Stone Tier.  I can help but it would be best to explain why none of them are."

The caravan leader nodded but then shrugged.

"Stone Tier is more expensive to care for."  It was his only words but a few in the crowd could only nod.  The higher tier beast, the more quality food it would need to survive not just advance.  Lind nodded but then marched over to the low Sand Tier best.

All were stunned as 6 elements began to flow around him and the beast as it suddenly nuzzled against Lind.  The handlers were stunned as they were trained to only respond to them but this man was able to get it to treat him as if he was an old friend!

It took longer for people to suddenly realize what they were seeing.  A 6 elemental in the high Stone Tier was incredibly stable with no sign of ruined foundation or Qi deviation.  How was that possible?!

"Who is this man?"  Someone spoke the question on all their lips but then a demon with bright pink eyes felt shock go through his limbs.

"Lind Frey!  It is Lind Frey!"  Murmurs started but then the mid-Iron Tier aura of the caravan leader swept over the crowd.

"These are Sapphire Auction House acolytes!"  The murmurs died as the handlers and drivers stood around Lind and Annabelle.  The firm look made all of them nod and watch on.

In a stunning turn, the low Sand Tier aura rose quickly and without issue until it smoothly broke into Stone Tier.  Lind was shaking but smiled.  It worked.  An elixir appeared in his hand and he downed it instantly.

They all watched as in less than half a day, all the graels were at the Stone Tier!  The beast naturally stabilized themselves but no one understood what they were seeing.  How was Lind Frey doing that?!

"Are you all right, Lind?"  The man himself had revealed his dirty blonde hair and sweating brow.  He drank water heavily as he cultivated.

"I am ok.  I was right.  Aether beasts absorb the Qi from meat directly so infusing Qi the same way allows them to break through but only a 6 elemental could do it."  He was not the first cultivator to try and raise a beast's foundation artificially but pills were usually the primary attempt.

The reason it failed was that beasts, while natural cultivators, did not understand how to use pills in the World Realm.  It was said at the Diamond Tier or Sky Realm they gained intelligence but to get that high was a massive investment of time and resources.

"Master Frey, what is the next step?"  The caravan leader looked with respect at him and Lind only smirked.  It would change once they were safe, he was sure, but survival made even enemies the best of friends.

"Get the caravan ready and use these."  He tossed a bag at the slim man and saw his face go slack jawed at the contents.  It was full of peak World Stones.  The arrays would be powered for far longer than before.

"EVERYONE!  GET READY TO MOVE OUT!"  The passengers smiled as things were finally going their way but Lind felt uneasy.  As he helped the beasts improve, he got a better feel for it.  Their way of cultivating was so different but effective.

Looking with his Eyes he grew concerned they had less time than they believed.

"Get ready, Annabelle.  We may only have one chance."  She nodded and gathered their cloaks to their carriage.  Lind recovered his Qi and joined her.

They seemed to float to the entrance but the feeling of pressure finally hit them.  The peak Diamond Tier snake was on the surface staring at them.

Its scales were white and black with white being the background and black diamonds on its sides.  The slitted golden eyes looked in amusement at them as they huddled inside the entrance.

"Now!"  Annabelle reacted to Lind's words and the skies suddenly filled with thunderclouds of fearsome power.  All understood instantly what she was doing.  Even those that had seen tribulation were terrified as it felt so real.

The snake was with them on that front.

The moment it looked to the sky in fear, the caravan jolted out.  The arrays were already active so the graels put their full speed into running away.  Directions did not matter as escape was their only hope.

The snake was only confused for a moment but when it saw its precious prey escaping, the sands swirled around it as it shot forward so fast it blurred.  All felt hope die as its maw opened but then Lind stepped forward.

His aura was Stone Tier without question, but his power jumped to Iron Tier as a massive black vortex appeared.  The winds shifted as all the sands were pulled towards the empty void.  That attack was no illusion!

The snake froze as it felt danger if it tried to swallow it.  The roiling black clouds were now thundering but no one cared.  Lind glanced up and smiled.

"Annabelle, you stopped?"  His question made them all freeze as she nodded but the dark clouds remained.  Finally, the pressure from above fell on them all and they felt so tiny compared to it.

"What is going on?!"  The passengers all shared the same thought but Lind only smiled and pointed.  The snake that had been so fearsome was now cowering in terror at the coulds above.

"It exerted its aura and took the final step.  The Heavens have come for it.  It is out of time.  GO FASTER MAN!"  The caravan leader needed no prompting as all felt the danger above them as the pressure built.  They had to get away, far away!