Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 281 - 280 - Akashic Bloodline

Lind chatted with his guests while maintaining updates on the current situation.  Cyntilla had gotten a little rough with the demons claiming to be from Cygnus who quickly had to run from her.  Her sword technique had only become more terrifying as she got stronger.

The flying artifact was surprising but seemed more like pure transport than assault.  Honestly, Annabelle's formations were terrifying when combined with practical defense in mind.

The larger formations of the sect were set up by her but she was the one that set up the yearly testing for formation masters.  It made them work harder to overcome previous generations and further strengthen their own defense.

Now, he was hearing that some demons had become strange but Cyntilla had long marked them.  Her instincts were terrifying but so long as no danger to the sect or its disciples and guests, she let them be.

The young boy was now in front of him and his Eyes could see the strange way his Qi flowed.  It was concentrated not only in his forehead, but also at his back and lower legs.  There were very little details on the Akashic Bloodline but the fact the Cygnus clan had an heir with it was a problem in several ways.

Still, Lind did not care.  The boy was bright, and enjoying tea at the moment.  Let him be a boy.

"I must thank your lady wife for extending us that medallion.  You saved us."  Tessa did not dance around the subject but Kalen looked surprised.  Obviously, she had not shared why she changed directions.

Lind smiled at her misunderstanding but did not correct her.

"I hope you understand part of the problem we are mired in is my good friend, the Kingdom of Tur being wrangled into this issue."  Tessa nodded but she also felt a little helpless.

"Do you have insight on the Calim Empire's moves?"  It was a sticking point that had made her clan move faster.  It was also part of why Kalen was with her.  The prospect of snagging a prodigal like him into a family might distract the empire from its current goal.

"I have had a good man look into it but the options are a little bleak."  Lind sipped his tea as he summoned a jade slip from his ring.  Wyndam seemed to have a disturbingly powerful information network he had built up during his time at the sect.

"The most likely option is that Calim was baited much like you.  The sticking point with that is we have no idea what could entice them to go through such a roundabout method with their power."  Lind moved to the most likely scenarios.  "Another possibility was that your interest spurred theirs but they don't know about the Accords, only the interest."

Tessa frowned at that.  Even if the Calim Empire was curious, offering his twin daughters was a bit too far.  Still, humans were strange beings at times.

"The most likely scenario I do not like, but aligns with the facts.  Much as they tried to impersonate your clan, the Demon Empire may have infiltrated Calim Empire and snagged the ear of the emperor."  Tessa deeply frowned at that.  While the Blood Empire was vicious, they did not stoop to using others as their agents.

They would send demons of their own like just a bit ago.

Her frown seemed to make Lind sigh tiredly.

"There is a final theory that I really, really do not like.  There is something the Calim Emperor has expressed an interest in but had no avenue to broach the subject before."  Lind nearly crushed his tea cup but calmed himself as Ethry sent soothing thoughts to him through their bond.

"What is it, Master Frey?"  Kalen now was interested but Tessa felt her blood drain.

"They knew about the negotiations with Tur and how close you are to the royal family."  She hoped she was wrong but Lind nodded.

"You are correct, the Emperor wanted me to wed his daughters.  Both of them, some years ago.  I would bet the Demon Empire could use my relationship with the kingdom to spur on an action that benefited them.  It also fits with their sneaky way to acquire targets they want."  A deep flash of anger passed quickly but made both demons flinch.

That particular piece of history was well known to all.

"Things have become complicated."  Tessa could vaguely feel the trap woven by the Blood Empire.  They knew about her brother but so long as he was in the clan, he was untouchable.

If allowed to flourish, he would be too powerful to stop.  One of the effects of the Akashic Bloodline was the desire to obey.  As such, her father and family had worked hard to lay a firm foundation of morality with Kalen.

His more vicious tendencies were channeled into fuel for his cultivation and studying.

"I do have one piece of confirmed news.  The mines are indeed running dry naturally.  They have simply run their course, but the funds to suppress it and keep things looking normal come from suspected fronts for the Demon Empire."  The battle crazed demons could be clever.

Direct confrontation had failed, but inciting conflict could work if enough fires were lit.  If the supreme powers were too busy working on those, the empire could expand again.

It might work if the Heavenly Maiden Sect did not have various methods of swift detection.  It seemed several incursions had been quelled in a matter of days thanks to that.  The stability of that sect lent stability to the rest.

It was part of why the Demon Empire never crossed the Heavenly Maidens.  They were simply too terrifying.

"So, the Blood Empire found an opportunity and spent the last decade laying its foundations, but my brother only was confirmed in his bloodline 5 years ago."  Lind had wondered about it but Cyntilla had provided the final clue.

"Perhaps, but apparently when he was born, a phenomenon was registered in the Darkmoor Kingdom.  This particular phenomenon is known to be associated when one with the Akashic Bloodline is born."  Tessa paled as she recalled it.

She was only a Soul Realm back then but the skies had lit up with crimson lightning and it sounded like all the beasts howled in the forest around their clan.

Lind could see she knew what he meant.

"After that, the Heavenly Maidens noticed a drop in Demon Empire activities in their borders and the Divine Sword Sect's."  The speed at which Lind got answers to his questions was what allowed him to decide to go find the Cygnus clan in the first place.

"So, is it all my fault?"  Kalen looked misty eyed but his sister swiftly hugged him closed.  Lind frowned before Ethry stunned them all.

"NO!  It is not your fault.  My Lind was treated the same way.  It is the Empire that is wrong!"  Lind's eye twitched at the possessive words but simply moved on.  A dragon's stubbornness was best left alone he was learning.

"Ethry is correct.  You cannot control the world, Kalen.  You can only improve your strength and your trusted connections to protect what is important to you in the future."  Hope bloomed on his face and a grateful look came to Tessa's.

The moment was slightly ruined when Ethry suddenly hopped in his lap and looked at Tessa harshly.

"Gratitude, Ethry, that is just a lot of gratitude."  The young dragon pouted but would not move.  Kalen began to giggle followed by Tessa.  Lind wanted to bury his face when smugness came through the bond.

She did it on purpose!  The little vixen!

"In any case, I expect the principles to arrive shortly.  Lysanna and Wyndam already practically live in the sect so Tur will leave it to them.  You are both welcome to stay, and if you have no objections, I would be happy to let you both study here."  His offer made Kalen's mood turn around instantly while he looked up pleadingly at his sister.

"While in the field of 6 elementals, elixir masters, and Forging you are no doubt immensely helpful, what could we learn here more than our clan taught us?"  Tessa knew her and her brother's training was much harsher than what she saw out there.

Lind smirked as another person entered his courtyard.

"What do you say to that, my wife?"  The aura of a peak Diamond Tier washed over them before Cyntilla waltzed in.  Her battle leather armor was a bit singed and had some blood on it but she looked refreshed.

"Lady Tessa is known to me, but she could work a little harder on her mace skills.  The boy is less known to me, but I know how to push him to the best of his ability."  Cyntilla suddenly caught a jade slip from Lind and examined it before smiling.

"Correction, now I know."  Her husband was a frightening man when it came to analytics.

"I can also set up excellent quarters for cultivation.  When it comes time for his breakthrough in about a month, I am happy to help with that as well."  Tessa lost all the blood in her face.  A month!  The elders had assured them all he was a year away at earliest!

"H-how do you know that?"  Lind then tossed her an ancient scroll.  It was a copy but it was made millenia ago.  It outlined the Akashic Bloodline characteristics which included a swift rise in realms.

"Based on what I can sense and see with my Eyes, he is very close.  In a few days, he will start to show signs of breaking through.  You have remarkable restraint young man."  Lind bowed to Kalen who blushed.  He simply did as instructed to control his Qi better even when his instincts told him to advance.

"I–I need to reach out to my father."  Lind nodded but made no move.  Cyntilla sighed as that side of her husband was a bit evil.  All looked confused until an image flickered to life over his desk.

"I thought I told you not to go far from the jade stone."  Lind had a lightly admonishing tone for the male demon shown in the projection.  Tessa and Kalen jumped up to bow deeply to their father.

His angular face was a close match to Kalen's while his piercing eyes clearly were taken by Tessa.

"Ahem, you jest Master Frey.  Your information has been confirmed and I thank you deeply for looking after my children.  They will, of course, be most honored to learn from Lady Cyntilla.  Her reputation is a legend in Darkmoor."  Lind smiled before standing up.

"I am sure you all have things to discuss.  Never fear, I cannot listen in nor is anything being stored.  Besides, I may have a lead on those Chimeric Accords in a few days."  After dropping that bomb, he left the flustered demons with a giggling Ethry and Cyntilla in tow.

"Did–did he just say he had a lead?"  The flickering image of their father seemed floored but no more so than the siblings.  The day had been a load of ups and downs but that last announcement shook them to their core.

The world had forgotten but a stark reminder entered all their hearts.  Lind Frey was a monster.