Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 246 - 245 - Gathering

"Reya will be in charge while I am gone.  I hope you all continue your cultivation and know I have faith you will keep moving forward."  Lind was in fine crimson robes with his 4 wives plus Fey behind him.  They were also in their finest robes or battle dress.  The day to depart had come and Lind was heading towards the teleportation array.

Reya and the others wanted to follow him, but the rules restricted how many he could bring.  His wives, obviously, were allowed to come and Fey was his direct disciple.  If she was still in the Iron Tier, she likely would have one of the Heavenly Maiden slots without question but she has been in Gold Tier since long ago.

Still, she was close enough to him to get to go as well as being a guard for her sisters that were going from the sect.

Reya looked like she was just barely not pouting but Lind had left a lot of resources for them to cultivate and the mansion would remain his to come back to for the moment.  A more permanent residence would be decided once the tournament was over.

There was a small chance, after all, that he could be on the cusp of the Gold Tier once he returned.

Reya finally nodded and Lind led his small party out the main gate.  Before leaving, Annabelle placed a few formation plates as insurance.  They would be keyed to all who were inside and if any trouble came by, they would be lucky to ever find the gate.

Now that the last protection was in place, Lind made his way down the clean streets of the Diamond Ward.  The passerby noticed the gorgeous women but the man in the crimson robes made them all make way.

By then, Lind Frey was fairly well known on sight by his robes and dirty blonde hair.  It was now a bit long down to his shoulder blades but he had Qing sweep it back into a leather tong to get it out of his way.

He could get it cut but there was just no time.

Besides, they seemed to like his hair longer so there was certainly no harm in keeping it a bit longer.  Lind noticed Fey was vigilant but he could not fault her as the last time he used the teleportation array, he had been ambushed.

They spent most of the morning getting to the array but where Lind expected to wait in line, the line parted like a sea in front of him.

He looked confused but then glanced behind him to see if someone important had arrived.  He saw his wives looking at him like he was an idiot.

"You are somewhat distinctive, husband.  Your insistence on fairness and sharing your knowledge has made you also very popular to the public."  Shoti was trying not to laugh but clearly she was amused by his shock.

"Ahem, well.  Thank you all.  I shall remember this."  Lind bowed respectfully regardless of what cultivation they had.  That made many smile happily and wave as Lind passed by.  He entered the teleportation array and noticed the guards were very respectful to him as well.

"Destination, Master Frey?"  The female formation master addressed him but he made sure all were inside before erecting a sound barrier.  The precaution was not his choice, but an edict of the Saint Kingdom.

"I am to go to Triona.  Do you understand?"  Confusion flooded her face for a moment but then shock crossed it as she looked around before nodding.  As expected.  The controllers of the teleportation arrays had been hand picked by the greater powers for this year.

Lind nodded and dispersed the barrier.  He moved to the center of the array after giving the required World Stones.

An intricate light filled the floor they stood on before it became too bright to look at.  Lind took a deep breath as the world shifted in his mind.  The expected nausea did not come!

He still felt out of place, but it passed fairly quickly.

"No nausea?"  Qing patted his back but he smiled wide at her as he shook his head.  He could teleport!

"I am going to miss seeing that!"  Shoti's words nearly made him lash out but her teasing smile made him let it go.  Annabelle and Cyntilla looked at the 3 of them oddly but Lind just waved them on as they turned to the controller who just stood patiently to the side.

"Welcome, Master Frey and party, to Triona.  The gathering for the tournament will be held here for another month.  Please step over here."  The young man was a mid Gold Tier but he was not arrogant as he led Lind's party out of the tan stone room.

The street beyond was bustling with business as hawkers cried out their wares.  There was the sound of metal on metal as refiners were working their trade.  Lind could smell leatherworkers nearby as well.

"This is our main market.  If you have any trades, you are welcome to set up a stall or work with the representatives of the Sapphire Auction House.  Please enjoy your stay."  Lind waved him off and walked the large quarter around them.  He saw several tents and floating artifacts denoting the various camps.

It only took a few hours to pick up a few resources.  While some recognized him, Lind was but one of many powerhouses there.  The tournament clearly brought the great powers together unlike even the auction in Cimmeria.

There, it was those with deep pockets and production masters that were the highlight, but here it was the cream of the crop of all cultivation under the Gold Tier.  Their elders were with them as well as close family.

They made their way past small and large camps.  According to what Lind was able to get from Master Bord and Midnight, slots were assigned to the great powers but could be extended to any power that had an outstanding member.

It meant that the Saint Kingdom would have a strong bond with a future powerhouse or the power behind them.  It also allowed the Saint Kingdom to nurture those rising powerhouses by allowing a chance at an Inheritance.

This time around there were 1000 slots.  It was unusual as apparently 500 was the norm.  The finalists were still set at 50 but that 50 would be the cream of the crop of their generation.

Lind suspected some of those slots were offered to gifted elixir masters he had planted the seeds for before being lost in the Relic for 6 years.  If there had been more time, the Forgers he had just taught the basics to could have had a chance.

No doubt that would come around in the next tournament.

In other words, some of those slots were for the production masters to have easy wins while diluting the pool.  He made no comment on it as a large artifact floating with golden light and pristine white stone stood out to them.

A few familiar faces came into view and smiled widely at his group.  Lind waved them on and the Maidens rushed to his group to hug their friends.  Cyntilla and he looked on but then Lind was pulled over by some Maidens into a hug as well.

As he was about to be buried, a flash of elemental flame made all jump back.

"Ethry, good girl."  The small dragon had grown in the last few months but she still easily hid inside Lind's collar of his robes.  Her prismatic scales reflected the light wonderfully and all the Maidens went from scared to in awe.

No one had said anything about bringing an aether beast and Lind would have been given 9 kinds of hell from his wives if she was left behind.  She purred as she rubbed his cheek.  He patted her head and then felt piercing stares all around.

"Uh oh."  Lind looked to Cyntilla but she only rolled her eyes at him as she pulled him back.

"Ladies, yes Ethry is quite cute but she is our companion.  If you upset her, we will be quite put out, am I clear?"  The various Maidens could feel the high Gold Tier aura from the demoness but they also realized the small dragon was terrified of the large group.

"Ethry, these are my friends too.  Please be patient with them."  He felt reluctance in the bond but he did not push her out there.

They spent some time with the Maidens and Fey learned her assignment.  Lind was not surprised to see who had been chosen for the slots but they all looked at him with conflicted feelings.

"Do not hold back, as I will not.  There is no shame in defeating me so long as I gave it my all and you did as well."  The girls blushed but nodded at him.  Like so many, they likely thought he had no combat skill to speak of.

Still, they all nodded and he bowed low to them.

Once all that was sorted out, Lind made his way to the Divine Sword Sect.  He half expected to find a massive sword artifact or other clear sword design standing out to find them, but instead, he found them by the sound of battle.

They were sparring with their swords from what he could tell.  The guard on the camp looked up and went wide eyed before bowing low.

"Master Frey, welcome to our camp.  Elder Quin is in charge of our camp and awaits your presence."  The guard pointed to the largest tent that was almost steel gray in color.  Lind saw several members look over at his group but none stopped him.

More than a few bowed in recognition but Lind could only nod back as a frown crossed his face.  He was unfamiliar with the elder named.  Master Bord had stated it would likely be Elder Baldwin as it had been in tournaments previously, but he could not figure out why he was disturbed by the change.

"Lind Frey reporting to Elder Quin."  He called out his name outside the tent and waited.  A young man poked his head out and seemingly recognized Lind before ducking back inside.  Shortly after the same young man returned.

"Master Frey, welcome to our camp, please enter alone to meet the Elder for now.  Your wives will be taken care of with honor."  Lind bowed but felt tension rise behind him.  He smiled at his wives before ducking into the tent.

The inside was well lit by the sun and a simple divide was between the meeting area in the middle and sleeping chambers to the side.  Lind noticed a few chairs but did not take one as he bowed to the back of the only other cultivator in the tent.

She was a Sky Realm!

"So, you are Lind Frey.  I have heard many legends about you, but the fact you claimed out of our slots will likely bring others to question our motives."  She had cold dark eyes with very dark skin.  Her well muscled body was normal for the sect but Lind felt incredible power while looking at her.

"I am honor–"  Lind was doing his greeting when his senses flared in danger.  He reacted instinctively and caught the sword with his bare hand.  Shock flared on her face as she could not move the sword even a centimeter more.

"Interesting.  Bord did not mention that!"  The massive broadsword was retrieved but Lind was not interested in fighting.  He summoned the elements to his command and changed the magnetic charge of all the metal in the room.

Quin arched an eyebrow and tried to counteract what he had done but power alone did not work.  She was stunned as her sword froze in midair as the magnetic field was centered on her blade.

"Interesting.  That was not mentioned either.  Perhaps Bord was not as blind as I thought!"  A deep frown crossed Lind's face.  Distrusting him without verification was one thing, but insulting Master Bord was entirely another matter.

Emerald light flared and the sword snapped to his hand.  Sword Qi flared and he held it out for her inspection.  Her dark eyes narrowed but she nodded in approval.

"I apologize, but not all of us are as impressed with you as Bord is.  Some believe you use your relationship with him to get your way."  Lind rolled his eyes as the blade was tossed back to her.

"If you think that, please feel free to tell that to him.  He was merciless in making harsh group battle my evaluation.  I did not ask for the slot, he made me fight for it."  Quin nodded in approval and then summoned a jade stone to her hand.

"You have a tent set up to rest and recuperate as you wish to.  I ask that you keep any nightly activities to a quiet level or you deal with the envious fools in this camp."  Lind smirked but then Ethry poked her head out and looked angrily at Quin.

The woman froze and then stared at Lind Frey.

"Aether beasts are forbidden unless you are a tamer.  Do you have a certificate for that thing?"  Lind felt anger rise on both ends of his bond but calmed himself.  It was a legitimate question for once if worded rudely.

"She is only here to watch.  My wives will care for her while I battle."  Quin nodded and the same young man appeared.  He seemed surprised to see Lind standing unharmed.

"Take him to his tent.  His slot is confirmed."  The young man looked extremely displeased but bowed low and led Lind out.  He began to suspect that his slot was meant for someone else, but Lind clearly proved himself to the Elder so the issue was closed out for now.

A tired sigh left him as he realized the month here would not be uneventful.