novelraw Chapter 235 - 234 - Temporary Accommadation
Chapter 235 - 234 - Temporary Accommadation
The capital of the Lotus Empire was buzzing as always with many cultivators from across the Empire. The Gold Ward was full of Stone to Iron Tier cultivators as they made their way to alchemy halls or other necessities they needed.
A rather large party drew many stares in the Ward. They were led by a man in dark crimson robes while the majority of others had pale crimson. There were 5 exceptions. The pristine white robes of the Heavenly Maiden Sect were well known the world over, but the last one was a demoness in dark leathers and chainmail with a black cloak.
What drew many eyes was the fact aside from the sole man, all the rest were women. Not all were devastating beauties but cultivation usually made both men and women improve their looks as they progressed.
Such a massive group was highly unusual in the Lotus Empire as the lowest member was at the high Sand Tier and the highest appeared to be at the mid Gold Tier. The Heavenly Maidens were hardly surprising to have such power at a young age but the demoness was also clearly at the same level which made more than a few wonder if she was a noble of Darkmoor.
Lind sighed as he felt the tiny snout of Ethry poke out to see the fantastical city compared to the Southern District she had known. Fey was not far from him as she once more grimly wielded her sword.
The light hearted girl was nowhere to be seen which made Lind a little sad. He knew she would be better in private but it made the harsh reminder of how much she had changed. Her stunning progress in alchemy was in part due to her diligence but also her enthusiasm to hear stories of when Lind was a little boy.
He had only learned of how her progress was rewarded towards the end of their time at the Frey Clan. It had not been as bitter a parting as that time Lind was not only leaving of his own volition but his place in the cultivation world was more assured.
His mother and the rest of the Clan had seen them off but there were far too many to fly on the disc artifact. Fortunately, Qing had an artifact from the sect they could borrow for a time. It was more Qi intensive than the disc in some ways but far simpler as a means of transport.
The guards had been flummoxed when they landed outside the city gates.
Ethry's feelings of wonder, fear, and pure burning curiosity took up a large chunk of the bond between them, but Lind enjoyed it. He explained the 5 wards and the professions they passed. A refiner froze as he saw the tiny sliver of prismatic scales reflect the sun briefly before the group passed his shop.
They were heading towards their appointment but he had not intended for the full entourage to come with him. In fact, he had tried to find accommodations but it was not so easy to find a place that could hold over 100 cultivators for any length of time. After nearly a full week of looking, he just gave up and set out to see Lady Su.
She and Mythra had come over from Cimmeria for the wedding and stayed in their old quarters in the capital afterwards. Lind had smiled wide to see the 2 had finally acknowledged their feelings for each other.
It had been a subtle thing on Lady Su's side but Mythra had clearly been picking on anyone but Lady Su for a long time. Lind had only noticed due to his past life experiences.
The massive building loomed once more in front of him which caused a wave of nostalgia. Much of his current standing stemmed from the moment he secured the backing of not only the Heavenly Maiden Sect, but also the protection of the Sapphire Auction House.
"I have to settle some affairs here, so please make sure not to obstruct access to the business and feel free to buy anything that calls out to you." Reya nodded and the 100 women dispersed into the crowd. Fey looked at Lind and he nodded for her to go where she wanted.
She followed after Reya and the others. Anyone that had thoughts of approaching the Sand Tiers before lost all intent to do so. No one in their right mind would cross a Heavenly Maiden.
Lind was followed by his wives into the first floor of the auction house. The large open floor had not changed that led to the men and women manning the desks at various spots. Some were accepting materials for the special auction while others were accepting payment to exchange for materials they could trade.
Lind did not stop and proceeded to head for the stairs. Many turned their heads to follow and were surprised a mid Iron Tier had Heavenly Maidens with him. Even so, the Maidens strength far surpassed anyone waiting in the lines but smiles spread at the potential show about to happen.
A young master clearly thought he deserved special treatment to many of their minds. Shock flooded all as the guards saluted smartly and Lind was allowed to ascend the stairs without issue.
"That was amusing!" Shoti smiled wide as they ascended but Lind only rolled his eyes. She probably would have paid the guards to put on more of a show if she had thought of it, but maybe not. He was here on business after all.
After crossing the next 2 floors, Lind turned down a very plush hallway. The sparkling blue curtains and pedestals showing off grade 2 and 3 treasures brought memories back to Lind as entering the lower floor had. He had truly come full circle but his status was far above when he had started.
Lind found the room designated in the last message and infused his Qi into the array as he had been instructed. The array flared and then an audible click was heard as the door opened.
Lind had only just stepped through when a mass of green and red tackled him. If not for his new body, he would have been sent flying but that was the furthest concern from his mind at the moment.
"LIND! Your wedding was amazing!" The panic from Ethry was calmed down by him, but the daggers being stared into his back were becoming worrying.
"Mythra, please let him go before he dies from your strength." A tired, but very welcome voice came across the room as Lind was finally freed from Mythra's arms. She slinked her way across the room but was then scolded by Su. Lind just quietly took a seat on the couch opposite and endured the pinching from Shoti and Cyntilla.
Annabelle looked a little irritated but knew Mythra was like that. It helped that Mythra's antics were well known but even Qing looked at her coldly. It seemed they had become a bit possessive of him.
Poor Ethry was terrified and Lind quickly patted her head which drew the attention of both women across from him. The dark haired beauty looked sharply at Ethry but then a smile spread on her face. Mythra was not far behind and Lind sighed as he got ready to shield poor Ethry.
Stunningly, mid Gold Tier aura flared from Cyntilla followed by Qing who moved to stand between Lind and the 2 women.
"Leave poor Ethry alone, you scared her enough!" Qing was very protective of the little dragon but Cyntilla was clearly on the same page. Lind felt chagrined to realize it was not possessiveness of him that triggered his wives, but their new companion.
Lind sent love and calmness along their bond and pointed to his wives.
"They will always protect you." A happy and cute little roar joined with a happy feeling in the bond. Annabelle and Shoti blushed in embarrassment while Cyntilla and Qing firmly nodded. The 2 women across from them were now low Diamond Tier but felt intimidated by the group across from them.
"You have become less fun, Lind!" Mythra fake pouted but he only smiled back at her while he noted some other changes in them that made him happy.
"I see the elixirs worked. How is your grandfather?" A broad smile spread on her face as she tossed a jade slip she summoned from somewhere. Lind caught it and sunk his senses into it.
[I don't know what was in that vial, boy, but I have not felt this good in centuries! I am going to wander a bit!] Lind smiled at the irreverent tone the old man still had even as a powerful alchemist.
"My mother was thrilled when she saw the results as well and sent her thanks. If you do end up back in Cimmeria, I would expect non-stop banquets of a similar gratitude from the many you took care of upon your return." Lind scratched the side of his cheek but was glad his gifts had helped.
"Let us get to business or we will be here all day." Lind did not want to put off his business since he knew there was already a long line waiting for him to land in a final place to reach him. He had not chosen one yet, but he would start where he began.
"As you wish. I would recommend again to head to a mid tier power or even an area run by several sects as it would have less political connotations." Lind acknowledged Su's wise words but he had a reason to start once more in the Lotus Empire.
"I need to clear the air between myself and the Lotus Empire. I also want to show I am clearing the air by bringing some business to the Empire. It will also show appreciation for my origins. These are all things this move will take care of." Lind was not being impulsive but he set a hard deadline of a year until he chose to go on his final path.
"You may not get much done before you have to head off for the tournament, Lind." Surprise was quickly replaced with a sigh as he forgot how impressive the information network of these 2 women was. He suspected, aside from Ethry, they knew most of what happened to him since they last met.
"We will address that later, how about showing me my temporary accommodation?" Lind pushed the conversation to his desired goal as the longer he let his followers wander the Gold Ward, the more likely a chance of an issue occurring.
"Very well, come with us." Lind followed the 2 women out the back of the Sapphire Auction House. He used a jade communication stone to get Fey and Reya to guide the other women to them.
Mythra and Su arched an eyebrow at so many women before looking teasingly at him. Lind just rolled his eyes as they once more drew eyes from the crowd. That time, however, many turned away as the 2 women in the lead had the blue insignia of the Sapphire Auction House.
They left the Gold Ward and entered a ward Lind had never set foot in. He had been everywhere from the Sand to the Gold Ward in his 2 years at the Lotus Academy but no student had any reason to be in the Diamond Tier.
If the Gold Ward was the high end treasures and trade, the Diamond Tier was clearly the noble and higher status. Lind knew his current residence would be in a rather posh place but even he was surprised at being in the Diamond Ward.
The various streets were clean and lined with stone roads with formations to defend if needed or simply light up the street at night. There were grade 3 resources used in almost all the buildings he could see. Stone, metal, and even the plants he could identify were all mid to high grade 3.
For the Lotus Empire, that was extremely high quality items.
They turned away from the main road that clearly led to the Imperial Palace and stopped shortly before a gate set into very sturdy walls. Lind turned to Annabelle who frowned at the formations but he held her hand while the iron gate opened.
Lind nearly stumbled.
He had lived for a long time in the Heavenly Maiden Sect but he was always in a guest elder courtyard. While very impressive, it was not much larger than the courtyards of the Old Man or Granny. He also was always traversing to his various masters to learn his skills.
The current mansion in front of him was 3 storeys tall and had a fountain out front encircled by the peak grade 3 sidewalk. Lind looked at the wonderfully cultivated grounds with trees, grass, and some pavilions near a small pond.
"W-what is this?!" Lind was shocked but none of the women with him found it that surprising. In fact, Reya looked like she expected better! Just what image did she have in her head about him?!
"You don't like this one? We have a bigger–" Mythra was being rarely serious when Lind sharply waved her off. He sighed and just rubbed his forehead.
"It is fine. I just did not expect it to be so…much." Lind had tried to find a word for what he was looking at but the raised arches with brown shingles came to points on each wing. It reminded him of the old Japanese palaces he had seen in videos.
"Show me everything and Reya, settle everyone else." Su and Mythra smirked at Lind being commanding but Reya smartly snapped her fingers and his small army of servants invaded the mansion. They all followed and began to tour the inside which was just as posh as the outside. It had several large meeting rooms on the ground floor but also large open courtyards for an herb garden and even a forge.
Lind was satisfied and accepted the jade keystone. His new residence was chosen, now he had to prepare for guests, many guests.