novelraw Chapter 203 - 202 - Greed Breeds Death
Chapter 203 - 202 - Greed Breeds Death
Just a kilometer away from the entrance to the Frey Clan was a distorted space. Anyone that came near it was suddenly directed to go around it while believing their course had never diverted. If there was any World Realm near the Iron Tier, they may have sensed something but the subtle misdirection was very difficult to feel unless one possessed a very high detection sense.
"The month finally came to an end." Annabell sat with 3 women inside the illusion shell she had created. Despite all 3 being at a higher tier than her, none of them would find the location if they stepped outside.
Inside the distorted area was a massive array that was surrounded by special formation plates. Only a few moments ago, it had lit up and was getting brighter. It meant Lind was coming.
The other 3 also seemed to relax as they observed the party approaching. Unlike anyone else in the Southern District, that party had deep gray robes that seemed to make the wearer miserable. The lighter colored hair matched with those robes told all 4 the annoying gnats had come back once more.
"Do they have nothing better to do?" Shoti was holding her whip handle. She and Cyntialla were a bit overprotective but the demoness was frowning as she looked at the group.
"Something is wrong. They are not arrogant, they reek of desperation." Qing looked up from her scroll she was studying and slowly nodded in agreement.
"They are disturbed but I am not sure what has set them off so close to Lind's return." All of them knew no one could grasp how Lind was traveling at the moment. He was not using an artifact or teleporting, but riding an actual bolt of lightning.
Technically it was being carried by lightning, but no one in the mortal realms could recreate such a formation no matter how hard they tried. Delenn had granted it to Lind when he requested a way to travel quickly that no one could intercept.
All of them had been stunned that she had such a method but it had severe limits. It required setting up formation plates at 2 locations and it could only carry 3 people at most, but 2 to be safe. Further, it was a one time use in the mortal realm.
The formation plates would burn out per the wrath of Heaven on the Immortal Formation outside of a Ruin. Now the first formation had been activated and Lind was on his way. Delenn had been unsure of the time but it would be less than half a day for sure.
The group of 5 were roughly at the peak Sand Tier or low Stone Tier. For the Southern District that was quite powerful. Lind had sent resources to the clan but the Grand Master and Grand Mistress had helped raise up the junior generation rather than improve their own cultivation. It also avoided conflicts with the Che and Gu Clans.
"We are here for our bride! Bring her out!" The leader of the group, a pale blonde man with a sickly pallor screamed at the entrance of the Frey Clan. The guards there were only peak Soul Realms at the moment as it was during the day. At night they swapped with Sand Tier World Realms.
Neither guard moved as it was not the first time this group had come to call. By now, the Grand Master was already on his way. Cyntilla suddenly pulled out her short swords and glanced at the others.
They took her cue and readied their weapons. The atmosphere was charged just with that group alone, and now they were demanding someone they would never be allowed to take.
Instead of the Grand Master or Mistress, however, instead 2 high Sand Tier women came out. The blonde hair on their head instantly identified the 2 siblings of their beloved and they looked enraged but in control.
"You have no power here. Be gone! Our little niece is only a child!" All the words were true but strength dictated reality in the cultivation world. The strength of the 2 sisters was not bad, but compared to the 3 Stone Tier of their enemies, it was far from enough.
"Should we go help?" Annabelle was worried but Qing held them back.
"If we move, we are interfering in an internal affair. The Heavenly Maiden Sect cannot make a stance and we are not married…yet." The last word broke the tension a little but Cyntilla then had a dark smile across her face.
"You 3 may be restricted, but I am not." Qing was about to nod when Shoti loosened her whip. All of them felt it then, the pressure in the air was building. Annabelle dispersed the illusion and shocked all at the entrance of the Frey Clan.
"Maidens! So, you show your true–" The sickly leader was about to go on a tirade when a pressure far above them all slammed into the area. It caused no harm to the 4 women near the array but outside of it, the others were feeling it hard.
Lighting blazed like a second sun until it slammed into the center of the array Annabelle had set up. After a few thunderous roars, the formation plates cracked and became useless lumps of ceramic sludge as Heaven brought its wrath. No doubt a repeat was happening back at the Lotus Academy.
"I think I prefer teleportation." All 4 smiled as the dust settled and the crimson robes of Lind were revealed. He seemed fine if a bit ruffled while Fey was laughing.
"I want to go again, Big Brother!" He patted her head as they all smiled at the 2 in their antics while the rest of the crowd was floored. The 2 women suddenly sported large smiles as they recognized their own brother.
"BROTHER LIND!" They sprinted towards him and left the 5 from Altair in shocked silence as he was plowed over by them. Their strength was considerable!
"Yes, it is me, please do not kill me shy of actually coming home!" Lind was laughing in a way that made all 4 women smile fondly. Fey was giggling to see her Big Brother so happy. Lind was tightly hugging the 2. The guards were a bit misty eyed as well but remembered to crush a jade stone to inform the Elders and Grand Master of Lind's return.
⬧⬧⬧⬧
Lind felt a mix of nostalgia and healing to see the red walls lined in black of the Frey Clan once more. He had dreamed of coming home so many times in both good and bad times. He had wanted to come home so much he had dreamt of it even while meditating.
Nya was now shorter than him but Seyla had gotten a head taller somehow! He knew she was a body cultivator from how her strength was far above a simple Sand Tier. Nya was closer to it but she also was surprisingly strong.
He was about to greet everyone else when his eyes landed on the 5 men not far from them. Coldness instantly washed over his previous joy. He was not surprised to see them but a glance at Cyntilla told him something bad had been happening before he arrived.
"Let me up, please." The change in his tone made his older sisters stiffen but then they realized it was not the time for a happy reunion, but they only stepped behind him. They felt his high Stone Tier and pride shone in their eyes.
Lind stepped up and then all the dust and dirt was removed from his robes with a thought. Soul Realms could not do that, but World Realms could. The 4 women from the Heavenly Maidens moved to the side but Cyntilla came to his side which made him smirk at her. She returned with a wink but both became serious as they turned back to their foes.
"I believe you are the envoys of the Kingdom of Altair. Why are you not kneeling?" The words shocked his older sisters but he had no time to explain. It was unlikely the Frey Clan was up to speed on what he had declared.
The flinch of the sickly leader was clear but Lind frowned as his Eyes revealed corroded fonts inside his dantian. What had happened to him? Why was his cultivation powerful but nearly ruined?
The other 4 seemed normal enough but the Sand Tiers were the first to kneel while 2 of the 3 Stone Tiers joined them. Only the leader remained standing as he sneered at Lind.
"Royal blood may be in your veins, but you have not yet faced the–" The gloating face made the women shiver but Lind cut him off.
"I am already aware of the Trial of Stone. I will be visiting my family and making some arrangements before heading to see the Regent. Have the Trial prepared. You are dismissed." Lind figured the moment was over but the leader did not move as he looked like a cornered animal.
The other 4 kneeling seemed to be sweating too which confused Lind. He was not a bloodthirsty monster so why were they acting afraid?
"Lind, they came for Little Shi, your niece from Sister Teyla." A roar of noise filled Lind's ears and heart. His aura flared and finally made the leader of the men nearly fall over. It was far above a Stone Tier in strength which shocked all of the people who had not experienced it before.
"She broke through to the Soul Realm! Shi is to be my bride!" Lind narrowed his eyes as words that made his blood boil were heard. He glanced at Seyla and Nya but both shook their heads.
"Are you slow? I am returned, I am your Prince! I have given you an instruction regarding my next steps. Do you wish to die here?" The man shook but then his aura flared and Lind frowned deeply. It was near the peak of the Stone Tier in strength but was heavily flawed.
To go from low to peak was not impossible but to have such a corroded feeling meant the method used was likely wicked.
"You cannot stop me, imposter! My family will rise and that girl will complete my cultivation." The man became a blur which made all panic but Lind scoffed. Cyntilla made a move but he held her back as he vanished from where he stood.
The next thing people saw was the sickly man sent flying backward from the clan entrance. Lind stood there with his staff extended and recognized what he was seeing at last.
"Heart Demon from a corrupt technique. You are out of time, aren't you?" The fact the other 4 members did not move spoke volumes for the veracity of Lind's words. "If you are seeking a fresh Soul Realm of an enemy it is likely the Vile Heart Cultivation technique."
The Maidens all suddenly had their weapons charged and ready while the 4 remaining members fled out of the way.
"There is no need, he is mine." Lind walked towards the splayed out man. He was flinching, trying to rise but Lind knew he could not move at the moment. "Greed is not always bad but only when it is tempered with wisdom. That technique is greed manifest. Consuming young men and women to raise your cultivation artificially. Greed, in this case, breeds death!"
The Qi in the area came to Lind's command and emerald light flared as all 6 elements came together in the staff like a lance of the Heavens! The staff pierced into the heart of the sickly man and he began to scream like a devil!
"NOOOOOO! I was so close! SO CLOSE!" All were stunned as the Qi faded to reveal a mortal man of sickly pallor weeping. His cultivation was gone! "KILL ME! KILL ME YOUR–"
Cyntilla cut his head off coldly. She knew Lind had wanted to punish him by living as a mortal but such a vile man was not worth sparing. Lind sighed as he looked at the blood on her robes.
"I would have done it, Cyntilla but thank you." All were stunned at his words. He looked quite tired but he then turned to the shivering men remaining as his dark green eyes blazed with fury. "I gave an order, obey!"
"YES, YOUR HIGHNESS!" All 4 bowed and sprinted from them. Lind had confirmed none of them used the technique but he had no desire to sift guilt at that moment. There would be time enough for that later.
He felt so tired.
"Lind?" A voice called out that froze him. Lind slowly turned as he saw a beautiful woman with tanned skin and the same dark green eyes as him with deep black hair. Tears formed and he stumbled forward until they both collided in a tight embrace. "MY SON!"
"I am home, mom, I am finally home!" Lind wept as all looked on warmly. An older man with wispy white hair smiled looking on as a larger old woman also smiled next to him. Teyla and Kang were jumping up and down as Kor stumbled out.
More of the Frey Clan came out and a cheer went up that stunned all the Maidens and the demoness. His Clan was welcoming him home after nearly 12 and a half years away. Lind Frey had come home.