novelraw Chapter 275 - 274 - Moebius Sect
Chapter 275 - 274 - Moebius Sect
The 3 continents had changed a great deal in the last 90 years. Where once 6 elementals struggled to survive, they were now treasures of most powers. Where aether children were once enslaved or consumed easily, they were now on more equal footing with humans and demons.
The once nigh legendary elixir master and Forger professions had a relative explosion in numbers across the 3 continents.
The balance of power had shifted below the high kingdoms and sects but the supreme powers remained unchanged. Such was the effect of some powers nurturing both 6 elementals and elixir masters alone. A Forger would make a once minor clan rise to unprecedented power if they mastered their craft.
As such, battles had broken out but they were largely contained to 1 or 2 powers at most in the mid classes. Overall, death was very light but resources were lost considerably so the supreme powers stepped in and a decision was made.
To stop the constantly shifting issues occurring, the new elixir masters and Forgers would be put under a single power. A jointly supported power by the supreme kingdoms and sects.
Of course, only 1 man could be chosen to do it. It also resolved several issues stemming from Lind Frey's revelations in the last tournament.
He was given a sect.
Or rather, a sect was constructed under the guiding hand of the Starfire House, Heavenly Maiden Sect, Divine Sword Sect, and Darkmoor Kingdom. With such powers behind him, not even the Shadow Sect entertained any threats against him.
The Demon Empire made many overtures to get back in his good graces as the Moebius Sect was founded 90 years ago. It had several functions that distinguished it from other sects. For instance, aside from the standard outer, inner, and core disciples, there was a training center for elixir masters and Forgers each. There were guest disciples that fell under the 3 categories as well.
Lind Frey also insisted that his teachings would be spread to the world by his disciples. Freely. Unexpectedly, bandits never bothered anything with the symbol of that sect on it. Rather, they passed unbothered but the routes seemed known to the bandits as anyone trying to hide under it was still attacked.
If a disciple was found, they were left unharmed.
The strange twists and turns made Sarth almost rival Indelia. Even so, Lind accepted several facilities that made his sect even stranger. It had no country exactly but it was placed between the 4 major powers of Sarth. It was not the exact center of the continent, but it was placed in a rather low ranked kingdom at the time.
The Kingdom of Tur was a simple but content place. Cultivators could strive for the Stone or Iron Tier but only the royal family ever reached Gold Tier. Even then, it was not consistent. It was under the protection of Darkmoor but bordered the Saint Kingdom, Heavenly Maiden Sect lands, and the Divine Sword Sect lands.
Since its neighbors were so large, it was considered a rather bad idea to try and disrupt it in case the wrong power became irritated. Goods were rarely stolen by bandits and rogue cultivators were on their best behavior.
It made the perfect place to set up Lind Frey's new sect. It was both a reward and shield.
His revelation about the fake refining Inheritances did not come without fallout. There were powers in the Floating Isles and the Heaven Realm that were revealed to be the root of such monstrosities.
For 50 years there were fierce battles in the Floating Isles and Heaven Realm. Lind only heard about it peripherally due to the fact such powers were only defeated but not eliminated. The remnants were the weaker members that could have survived.
The problem was that weakness was relative.
A Sky Realm could safely descend to the Floating Isles. World and Soul Realms would be unimpeded down to the surface of the mortal realm he lived in. It was not impossible that they had powerful artifacts as well of Heaven grades to use against him.
Thus, a constant presence of a fully stocked Sapphire Auction House that did the main trade of elixirs and Forged items was frequently full of Heavenly Maiden Sect elders and Divine Sword Sect Elders. Lady Estelle also stationed Lady Su and Mythra there.
Lind was glad of his friends, most of the time, but he was stymied by his body. He could not advance, nor could he demonstrate anything. He was treated like glass by his wives who he encouraged to continue to advance.
The other change was Ethry. She was constantly in her human form and once his mother moved over to the sect, practically inseparable from her. Lind enjoyed seeing his mother spoiling the young dragon.
They had explained everything to her and Mira's reaction was much like his wives. A flat denial of death and to take better care of himself. His restrictions were also part of why she was there. Between Qing and her, his recovery was monitored carefully and secretly.
The general knowledge he had been injured but was recovering was impossible to hide. The requests would have been impossible to put off for over a century.
Instead, it was known he was unable to cultivate for 100 years. Now that ten years were left, he could do a little, but not anywhere near his peak. If he tried too much too soon, he would reset the clock on his recovery. He would also be buried by his wives and mother for hurting himself.
Instead he sat in an ornate office with a massive window behind him letting light stream in. It was marked by a twisted loop set into the glass. The Moebius Strip was the symbol Lind chose for his sect.
It was to represent the endless journey for cultivation but also to show that there is no limit to what could be found in the pursuit of Dao. His office was mostly wooden that was warm and golden lacquered. His walls were shelves holding jade slips and scrolls.
His desk was in front of the window but past that was a comfortable sitting area. It had couches with dark leather cushions and dark wood frames. The table was fairly short but had a silver tea set currently empty on a dark gold tray.
The double doors were wide open to welcome visitors as Lind was basically a pure researcher after 90 years. His cultivation had been polished to perfection at the peak of Iron Tier but he could not advance.
He had been studying Gold Tier for the last 40 years seriously as he was able to start doing simple things. Still, his progress was negligible. Facing the tribulation was only the finish line, he had to find the start line.
Further, his body had become a variable.
Lind seemed human, for the most part, but his emotions had become very visceral. He got angry easily when someone crossed his bottom line or pride. He also sometimes was able to roar like a beast and his skin would glow with emerald light but it was not Qi, something else.
A few tests had also found his strength, stamina, and speed had increased to an insane level for a human. Even the best body tempering technique did not leave even a scratch on his body. The Relic's changes were strong but now his body was insane.
Without any Qi, no weapon could even scratch him. With Qi, it had to be something extremely powerful, a combination to overcome his natural defense. A single element did not bother him at all up to low Diamond Tier.
Sword Qi or other intent could hurt but still not break his skin.
After 90 years, Lind was no closer to learning what was part of him. The characteristics did not match anything in any record. The Heavenly Maiden Sect was the only great power to know of his concerns outside his wives.
Fey had reached Sky Realm and headed to the Floating Isles to begin her journey. He missed her but hoped to catch up one day. Sky Realm was slow for her but he knew she was gifted. She sent him many letters and they were very helpful.
Of his wives, only Cyntilla remained in the mortal realm of the lower world. She could have advanced long ago, but she helped Lind study demonic Qi and benefited from it. She was preparing for her ascension tribulation in the next few months but Lind was glad she stayed so long.
Shoti and Qing were doing some ground work for him in the Floating Isles and checking any enemies that might want him dead. Only Annabelle was studying formations earnestly to share her breakthroughs with Lind.
He had learned a great deal but now a powerful aura told him someone was coming to his office.
"LIND!" A young woman with silver hair and eyes flashed several colors as she ran across the office to hug him tightly. He smiled warmly as Ethry nuzzled against him. It was still odd to see her as a young woman when she was a child not long ago.
"Ethry, you need to learn restraint!" His mother walked in but she was at the peak of the Diamond Tier. Lind worked hard to help her but her potential was largely used up before his revelations were released to the world.
Still, his mother grasped far more than he expected.
"It is all right. I love that side of her." A deep crimson filled her face as Mira pinched his cheek.
"Stop picking on her! She is too young!" Lind laughed as Ethry hid behind his mother. Still, he stood up as Mira began to summon some instruments to check his condition.
"Well? How am I doing?" Mira frowned as she reviewed what she saw. She then had him take a mid grade 3 pill, it was as high as he could go. The warm feeling soothed some aches in his body but he looked at her expectantly.
"You were correct, your body is nearly healed completely. I do not know why, but the sudden jump in your health has to be due to your new bloodline." Mira had not been happy to know his body had been changed but was glad he was alive due to it.
Lind nodded as he tapped the scroll on his desk.
"I think I will have to leave early to avoid issues and only at your certification." Lind had thus far survived 4 assassination attempts before they gave up. His defenses were too perfect inside the Moebius Sect. His intelligence showed they were waiting for him to leave in 10 years.
Mira nodded and looked concerned. He looked at Ethry who was pouting.
"Ethry, we agreed you have to stay with mom after I leave. She can teach you so much more than I can." It was odd but Lind was not good at teaching Ethry. Mira, on the other hand, seemed able to guide the young dragon on her cultivation far better than Lind can.
He suspected the issue was his harmony and her lack of one.
The 3 were about to sit down to tea when a knock came at the door. An older man was there with a tired smile as Lind looked chagrined to see him.
"Lord Frey, her highness, Princess Lysanna is here to see you." Lind saw his mother smirk at him while Ethry looked furious. He sighed and simply waved to the servant. It was a standard visit after 90 years at that point.
Still, his wives had been acting strange about the Princess lately. He did not like the feeling of being left out! He began to brew tea and waved for the 2 loved ones to sit as they waited for the Princess of Tur.