novelraw Chapter 330 - 329 - Floating Isles
Chapter 330 - 329 - Floating Isles
Far to the east of the 3 continents was a very shadowy place in the ocean. Many beasts still ruled the depths but stayed away from the surface. It was far too dangerous due to the cause of the shadows.
Up in the clouds were floating land masses at varying heights. The lowest was easily 15 kilometers above the water but the highest was only at 75 kilometers. The individual pieces were not as big as the 3 continents but all together they could overshadow them.
Some were fairly stationary but others were chaotic storms of Qi. Some were nearly totally settled by humans while others were the domain of beasts. There were also connections built between many of them.
Most were artificial although a few were once natural. The more interesting pieces were 100% constructs. They were built with massive resources and were generally held by high powers at the highest rung of the power structure.
The more elaborate structures were direct subordinates of the supreme powers. The most powerful World Realm could not even put a scratch into anything displayed there. Even Sky Realms would have to be in the later Tiers to be a threat.
Unlike the lower world, it was common to see flying individuals or artifacts. No one dared obstruct them in the wilds, but the cities were far more strict. Only those truly powerful beings could fly unobstructed but they were rarely seen anyway.
The gaps between islands were heavily monitored that were home to powerful organizations but one of the largest islands with an ascension pool to the Heaven Realm was evenly split between 3 powers.
A pristine tower of white and gold easily marked the Heavenly Maiden Sect. They were a fearsome sect with a foundation deeper than almost all others. Their investment in the mortal worlds was always swift and clear.
Few could ever challenge them but they also wisely did not monopolize the key island of the entire world. The other 2 sects were diverse compared to them but just as powerful.
The Hellfire Sect was mostly demons and their lands were a wild and ancient forest compared to the well regulated cities of the Heavenly Maiden Sect. Even so, the demons did not dare to cross the Maidens.
Unlike Darkmoor Kingdom or the Demon Empire, the demons of Hellfire were only concerned with personal power. Anything that endangered their sect's power was eliminated without mercy as well. Their methods were often brutal but oddly fair as well.
If it did not increase power, it was of no interest to them but if it killed more than empowered it was deemed worthless as well. Advancement was the ultimate goal and to never be dictated to.
The last power was a major sign of how things change in the higher realms as it was Blood Sect. It was an aether beast sect. Once an aether beast becomes a Sky Realm, they can begin to interact with the other races if their bloodline is potent enough.
Mindless beasts still existed but they became controlled by their brethren. The beasts will still be beasts but if they can reach the Heaven Realm in cultivation they would be able to transform.
Those that gained intelligence due to their bloodline built organizations. In some ways they were similar to the harsh demons, but it was simply their natural instincts for battle. Also, unlike any other power, if they killed foes that were beasts, their bodies would be consumed to increase their power.
It would be offered like a feast and was a fact of life.
Many did not like it but beasts had grown stronger that way all their lives. It would be hypocritical as all other cultivators often benefited from consuming beast meat of comparable strength. The battle of life and death did not really change, it only became more difficult due to the intelligence increase of the beasts.
At the center of this island was a single tower. It was made of what looked like dark brown stone but it could not be broken or even scratched by a Tier 9 Sky Realm. It was imported Vale Stone from the Heaven Realm powers.
It was low grade 6 material but it did not exist in the Floating Isles. It could only be brought down from above but it had been used to make a place for the 3 supreme sects to meet. It was normally only used for disputes or reviewing any issues that cropped up over the millions of years it had stood.
Now, the 3 forces gathered due to various strange rumors from the lower world of all places. While some incidents had come to their attention of course, they never had to have all 3 meet about it.
Another oddity was 4 people standing together happily chatting away. Sky Realms were perfectly able to be emotional but they tended to put on an arrogant front around outsiders. The group was odd because of its composition.
There were 2 humans, a demon, and an aether child. The last was especially odd as aether children were some of the weakest beings in the Floating Isles but individuals could still be strong.
The pristine white robes on 3 of them made it clear they were Maidens but they strangely did not wear their emblems. One was in a battle dress, a human with green hair but she had the unusual weapon of a whip.
The other human had entrancing pale eyes that seemed to flicker green or blue with blonde hair framing her pale skin. The aura around her was soothing to chaotic souls and easily called out her profession of healing.
The aether child was a picture of miraculous beauty. Her skin was a mix of gold and sapphire that enhanced her natural assets even more. The artifact on her forearm was hard to miss as the aura it put out was very powerful. It indicated a conjurer of some kind and very powerful.
The violet robed demon was on par with the 3 Maidens in presence but they all happily smiled despite the more warlike feeling from her. The demoness had virulent green eyes and was clearly ready to strike with her 2 short swords at any time.
To any of the lower mortal world, they were famous, but only a few people knew who the 4 women were.
"So Ethry is safe with Mother. It will be good for her to be away from Lind and define herself without him. Still, I am sure she is devoted to him as always." Qing had become a Tier 2 Sky Realm and it had enhanced her beauty with her serene aura. She had become a very sought after healer in the Floating Isles after only a few decades of working there.
Shoti smirked at the attention on them but nodded at her sister's words.
"I knew our boy would make his mark in the cultivation world but even this was beyond my expectations." They all nodded and looked concerned.
"He is all right though, right?" Annabelle tugged on her sapphire and gold hair in nervousness and worry. She had only heard rumors until the meeting had been called about their husband.
It was unprecedented that any World Realm, especially one of the lower world, could garner that level of attention but the thing was, it was not the first time for Lind. His progress, revelations, and discovery of hidden threats had prompted many meetings across the Floating Isles.
Lady Estelle of Starfire House made sure to correct any wild rumors as she well knew the damage of uncontrolled information flowing in the wild. The result was a fairly accurate picture of Lind Frey despite some that wished to denigrate or suppress him.
His discovery of the Cannibalistic Inheritances had not caused meetings so much as battles. Once those battles had started, meetings were pointless but the 3 supreme sects of the Floating Isles crushed any branch of those powers there.
"He is unconscious but so far as they can tell he is healthy and stable. Remarkable considering he is now at Diamond Tier in less than 20 years after he was only at Iron Tier." Cyntilla had better information due to her own network.
She had been looking for her mother for over a century but the only lead was that her mother ascended over 55 years ago and should be in the Floating Isles. Her mother had to know the tyrant of their lives was long dead but she still had not come back.
It made Cyntilla wonder why she had not come back but hopefully she could find her soon.
"The sect has him safe in Cimmeria so he is no danger but I do have one thing to share I cannot explain." Qing seemed to become slightly cold in her tone. Cyntilla felt sweat breakout as all her instincts screamed of danger. "The little girl found with him calls him 'Papa.'"
The mood around them changed instantly. Any cultivator nearby shivered as if their grave was suddenly walked over. Cyntilla suddenly felt the need to descend back to the lower world despite the limitations of her being a fresh Tier 2 Sky Realm.
What had that man done?!
"You are the brides of Lind Frey?" A massive man with dark fur clearly showing on his arms and face walked over. He did not wear robes so much as a set of form fitting pants that allowed freedom of movement but also to transform.
He was a Heaven Realm!
"Greetings, senior. Yes, we are the 4 brides of LInd Frey." Shoti suddenly became respectful which made the other 3 flinch in discomfort. The most sarcastic and irreverent member of them only acted that way under a few conditions.
They looked at the beast and he felt himself shiver as if he was being hunted!
"Very well, I wonder if you could teach me the technique or if Lind Frey would be willing to teach our disciples the secret to transforming at the World Realm." Confusion was clear on all 4 of their faces as the man clearly knew something they did not. Ethry had learned to transform because of her experience in Lind's near death experience.
It was not a method that could, nor should, be repeated easily.
"Senior, we have only confirmed his health recently, could you elaborate on your request?" Shoti's politeness only confirmed for the other 3 their suspicions.
Shoti only ever was super polite when she was leading someone into a trap of words or the person had a reputation of defending the innocent and powerless. It was a quirk of hers but the problem was it was hard to tell the difference.
As her face did not glint with teasing smiles, they were inclined to hope he was the honorable type. They hoped for that as it was a very bad place for her normal antics.
"Ah, we will no doubt be bored at the meeting but the 2 beasts with him are at the World Realm but can freely transform. We were hoping to learn the technique." His dark eyes were hopeful but the shock on the 4 women caught him off guard.
They all looked at each other in realization of what must have happened to their poor husband! He was overpowered and alone! It was so clear to them! The beast man was now confused as his nose told him the women were sad.
"Um, it was just that 2 different species of beast like that are almost impossible to find in a mortal world. From what my contacts could find, he treated them well when he fostered them." A key word made all 4 snap their eyes at him.
Cold sweat broke out as despite being a major cultivation realm above them, he suddenly felt like an ant. He glanced back to his fellows in the Blood Sect but the males simply ignored him while the females were now staring sternly at him. How was he at fault?!
"Senior, please explain all you know right now." Qing's smile was devoid of any pity as she spoke while the beast man wished he had never come over to ask things before the meeting. What had he done to deserve this?!
He began to relay all that his sect had gathered and before long others were listening. The meeting had officially started but not the way it had been expected. It seemed like the low tier Sky Realm women were in charge rather than the 3 teams from the supreme sects.
Once the beast man stopped talking, he nearly collapsed as the 4 women turned to the other 2 teams.
"Speak quickly." After seeing a Heaven Realm felled by them, they did not hold back and relayed all they knew. The picture became more accurate and finally the tension faded as the meeting got into full swing.