novelraw Chapter 280 - 279 - Demonic Machinations
Chapter 280 - 279 - Demonic Machinations
Kalen was practically bouncing in his seat. While he knew his duty, he had wanted to come to the Moebius Sect for years. The stories about Lind Frey had been an inspiration to many but most of all, the fact the sect encouraged all to come to learn without bias was something he dreamed of seeing.
He had some human acquaintances but all were afraid of him. He also wanted to see the rumored place of learning elixirs and Forging. His sister's strange command was confusing but she refused to explain.
As they pulled up to the massive road leading to the sect, he got his first true look at it.
Most sects he saw in Darkmoor were tiny constructs situated around mountains or resources related to the focus of their cultivation technique. While they could be as large as a town or several villages, they usually were quite small at only a thousand or so members.
The resources to sustain them was limited and even those that were considered a high level sect only existed because a city supported them.
The massive wall in front of them was made of pale red stone and seemed to stretch to the horizon in both directions. How big was it?
"I had heard the sect was massive, but it must be approaching a peak power at such a size." Briellan had his metal helm on but his voice still echoed to Kalen's ears. He nodded in exuberance which made his sister smile at him.
"My Lady, it is well known that we can enter the outer sect with no issue. There are inns, stables, and all manner of normal city facilities to greet us, but that is all we can expect." An older demon made Kalen frown but he was also one of the ones that argued the most about going to the Moebius Sect.
Tessa, however, had the final word and authority. They were ultimately, only advisors.
"Welcome to the Moebius Sect, please state your business." A peak Soul Realm greeted them but there were Stone Tier guards looking on. They looked tense, but further they were all 6 elementals.
The power of 6 elementals really bloomed in the World Realm thus far though many struggled tempering their fonts.
In the last 90 years there had been massive advancements not only in steady World Realm breakthroughs but also expansion of Arts up to the peak of Iron Tier.
"I was granted this." Tessa handed over the medallion that made many of their party blanch. After nearly 50 years of distribution and the difficulty of it, many powers knew that medallion was on sight!
The young man in pale violet robes looked it over before a similar colored flame lit up the strip inside the medallion. His eyes widened as he waved fiercely to the guards.
"Escort them to the Elders Quarter immediately. These are guests of the Sect Master!" Tessa felt her heart unclench at those words. The guards moved quickly and the large caravan moved inside.
If the wall outside was impressive, the smooth operation inside was stunning. She was well used to the chaos of exit and entry into a city, but none of that was present. In fact, only those on foot were leaving to the sides through paths set up for that purpose.
Wagons and caravans must leave from another gate. She then saw things that would normally only be in a capital city and of a power worthy of investment.
A Sapphire Auction House in its shades of blue stood out on the horizon but she also saw the teleportation array structures with their distinctive domes of gold.
The fact there were more than 1 was stunning in itself. She then saw an ivory tower and a tower that looked like a sword blade reaching for the skies. The sprawling streets were clean and well organized.
They passed markets, inns, and open eating areas for the public. Tessa noted a complete lack of destitution anywhere despite nearly a century since the sect was settled.
"I had heard rumors but this is beyond anything I have conceived." The elder demon looked as amazed as Kalen. Tessa could only slowly nod. The outer sect was already so wonderful, how would the rest of it look?
It was at that moment that she realized there were no inner walls. The quality of buildings did improve as they progressed but the division was practically non-existent.
"Master Frey does not believe in dividing us from each other. The inner and core disciples hold lessons but they also take outer sect disciples under their wing. He teaches us to work together as much as relying on our own strength." The guard puffed up his chest in pride to see the demons so awed by his sect.
Tessa kept a blank face but the elder frowned at such standards. While it was not the goal to have friction at all times, conflict was far more helpful for cultivators than peace.
The thought barely finished when they came upon coliseums. The roar of crowds came from there and she saw displays of odds as well as fights.
"What is that?" She knew but wanted to see the guard grudgingly admit they had conflict like other sects. Instead, he smiled wider.
"Mistress Shoti and Mistress Cyntilla hammered many about their slowness in using their Qi. They founded the arenas for us to test ourselves as well as face real conditions with healers nearby. There have still been deaths but mostly due to people overestimating themselves. It is also a place Forgers and elixir masters can hone their craft." Tessa grasped it instantly.
The Moebius Sect was scholarly, but it made sure its disciples had practical lessons as close to real life as possible. By the displays, they also held contests for resources or other prestige.
"What is going on today?" Kalen looked his age for once which Tessa appreciated. She also could not tell at a glance but the guard did not even look before he pointed above the arenas.
"See that colored smoke. We use it to tell what is going on a given day. Today there are elixir and pill competitions in the outer disciples. It looks like there is a beast battle for the inner disciples. The core disciples look to be testing their creations in refining and Forging." Curiosity overcame many of the demons as the Moebius Sect did not restrict itself by race.
In fact Tessa had seen a smattering of demons but unlike places they carved out themselves, they seemed very relaxed.
As they progressed they saw the guard suddenly summon a communication jade and listen to it before frowning.
"I beg pardon, but you are from the Cygnus Clan?" Tessa was confused as while they did not identify themselves, it was not a secret. She nodded and the guard then concentrated on the stone.
"Is there a problem?" The elder seemed to sense the tension in his young miss but the guard sighed and relaxed at last.
"It seems some of your stragglers showed up just now. Should we wait for them?" Tessa paled and shook her head immediately.
"There are no stragglers, all our party is accounted for." A grim look came on the guard as he sped up their progress somehow.
"Formations to accelerate our pace while sparing our animals. Ingenious." The elder was using an artifact to look at the road but Tessa had no experience with human formations.
They almost seemed to fly to the inner sections of the sect before a strange event occurred. A shadow suddenly appeared in mid air above them but rather than panic, the guard seemed relieved and knelt down.
"I received the call. Actions are being taken but I will not allow my guests to be endangered. Lady Tessa Cygnus and Lord Kalen Cygnus. I would love to invite you to my personal courtyards for some tea and snacks today." A man with deep emerald robes stood on a dark disc that glowed with all 6 colors of Qi.
Strangely, a young woman with silver hair was with him but she seemed merely his assistant. Kalen was wide eyed with joy as he jumped up.
"MASTER FREY! I have wanted to meet you forever! His majesty, King Ryu has spoken of you at the gathering of the clans!" The man froze for a moment before a tired sigh escaped him.
"I am not fighting him. I do not care what he says, I am not healed yet. Ethry, please collect our guests." The young woman nodded and both Tessa and Kalen were lifted to the disc. Before anything else could happen, a massive plume of putrid green Qi rose from far behind them at the entrance.
"By the spirits!" Tessa rarely heard Kalen curse but she felt it was justified. Rather than be alarmed, Lind Frey smirked and shook his head.
"If someone was dumb enough to trigger my wife, I almost pity them." Tessa felt a chill. She was nearing the peak of the Iron Tier but Lady Cyntilla Fang was a legend in Darkmoor. She had mastered her Fang Clan's signature dual sword technique at the age of 11 according to rumors.
She had also survived in the Dread Desert alone against impossible odds only to emerge victorious.
"Ethry." The name made the girl snap out of it and Tessa was stunned to see she was a 6 elemental flying the disc alone! Her aura was clearly at the Stone Tier but nearing Iron Tier soon. It also made her instincts scream at her. This was not someone to underestimate.
"Ethry…Ethry…where have I heard that name before?" Kalen was with his idol but the name of the girl seemed to trip him up. While Kalen was aware of the opposite gender, Tessa had yet to see him show interest. He had focused more on his cultivation.
"I apologize for the inconvenience and suddenness of your invitation to my sect, but I think you can see it was a wise choice." Tessa bowed low before her brother started shouting.
"The dragon! The platinum scaled dragon that made waves at the Saint Kingdom tournament for Inheritances!" Tessa then also remembered the odd companion that once accompanied Lind Frey everywhere.
They both looked to see the young girl blushing as Lind patted her head.
"She is a young woman now and quite diligent. Her masterful control of this flying artifact should be proof enough of that." Tessa quite agreed. Flying with artifacts was possible but very draining the lower your realm.
They had flown out and now flew back, but the girl hardly seemed bothered.
They finally reached the center of the sect where a massive complex was laid out. The various towers aside from the Sapphire Auction House were there as well as smaller ones that seemed to have a constant flow of people going in and out.
Tessa also felt demonic Qi in the air, just in lesser quantity.
The disc approached a rather large structure at the very center. It had a massive central tower with a sprawling complex around it. There was no wall but the glow of formations was clear even to Tessa.
"There is a contest each year to have formation disciples test our defenses. The last decade it has been harder, but they always find something." Lind seemed to be bragging and Tessa could only nod.
It was different from expectations, but not unwelcome.
They were about to disembark when both Ethry and Lind turned to the sky.
"Not a bad idea, but they need more imagination. Ethry." Once Lind was done speaking, she touched an array that lit up instantly. A shield did not appear but a profound sword Qi.
It pierced upward into the sky before a shimmering occurred to reveal a large flying object. The demonic Qi could be felt even from how far away they were.
"By treaty, my sect is a place of peace. If that peace is broken, I am empowered to treat violators as enemies. You do not want me to do that. Leave now, or die." The kindly sect master was replaced by something else. Tessa had never seen a human switch like that.
Further, she thought his skin glowed emerald for a moment but it may just have been sunlight reflecting from his robes.
The artifact wobbled and then flew off. The backing of the Moebius Sect was not to be taken lightly. The 2 towers nearby were proof enough of that.
"Spies, politics, and desperate gambles. The Demon Empire has not changed in a century it seems." A grim frown crossed Master Frey's face but it disappeared as he led them inside.
"Welcome to my humble abode, please relax and enjoy the service." A steaming tray of tea with cookies was in front of them and Tessa finally relaxed after rushing there. Kalen happily sat on the couch as Lind sat across from them.
Soon, it would be time for negotiations.