novelraw Chapter 367 - 366 - The Hunters
Chapter 367 - 366 - The Hunters
Lind spent a month with Delenn examining his works. She complimented a lot of his progress but then pointed out each fault and weakness. It was harsh but very instructive. It allowed him to improve in his control and infusion of elements into materials.
Their parting was sad but unlike others, there was still a small chance they could meet again in the future. Lind had not given up on trying to help Delenn escape the trap. It was harder the more he understood, but Senior Skinwalker had not said it was not impossible.
The streets of Cimmeria were bustling as always but the clouds were darker above which promised a storm. Lind did not mind it as no storm of the world could harm him anymore. A full gale could damage his clothes, but his body would not be bothered.
Most cultivators only truly feared lightning as even a normal bolt of lightning still had the power of Heaven behind it. It was why his slapdash attacks in his youth were so effective as he used natural processes to induce the lightning bolts.
Lind made his way through the streets, stopping at a few stalls to pick up food or drink to pass the time. The storm loomed but Cimmeria would be fine. The defensive formations were incorporated into the same ones that kept the structures afloat above.
Still, Lind did not linger. He had no more reason to stay as Starfire House friends were either ascended or their locations were unknown.
The few other people he knew, he had no desire to meet.
The western gate loomed ahead but then he noticed them.
There were people lingering around trying to blend in too hard. Some were dressed in rough robes like itinerant cultivators while others had various sects and clan symbols, but Lind sensed a connection between them all.
They were aware of each other too much to his senses. It was not from his talents, but his dragon instincts. The way their bodies moved and their eyes glanced. They were not looking at him, but at the gate. They were waiting for their prey.
He was in the guise of Taren Cord, but he had swapped to a more austere silver robe. It stood out but the quality made it clear he had a high backing. Such robes were difficult and expensive to make. It also was intentional to show for some as it made it clear they had such resources available.
His high Diamond Tier foundation combined with the robe was like a bonfire for attention yet it was the last thing someone trying to hide would do. Lind did not pause and calmly approached the line to leave Cimmeria.
Individuals had to state if they were returning so the guards could expect them but the rest simply left and would return the next time they were in the area. Cimmeria was a busy hub of mercantile goods, so only swift returns were noted for ease of keeping things moving.
Lind reviewed a few jade slips to kill time, at least that was what it looked like he was doing. He slipped a few formation plates out but none reacted. Still, he tried a few more artifacts inside his robe before one finally reacted.
"Clever." The artifact in question resonated with a formation to detect harmonies. It had been created by Moebius Sect to help ease the training of 6 elementals who did not have the skill or talent to See as Lind could.
It was immensely helpful to not only grasp the harmony but the elemental balance for each person as well. Adjustments for using Arts, techniques, or just tempering could be made much easier with such a formation.
In the current instance, however, it would reveal a 6 elemental harmony if it passed through the gate. Rather than try to pierce a disguise with attacks, they would simply reveal him with his own tool!
"Your imagination needs broadening." Lind summoned a necklace and carefully put it on. It was non-reflective on purpose but it was a very limited item. Lind never created anything he could not counteract.
The fact the necklace only counteracted that particular formation made it limited and unknown. He did try a few more artifacts but nothing else reacted. He frowned at that. The feel of experience from all those people made relying on a single formation unlikely.
He focused on his eyes and Qi appeared like a storm. His long practice filtered out the natural Qi in the air then slowly peeled back the onion layers of personal Qi on each person to the items they wore.
It was only when the glow of the arrays on the massive wall vanished that he saw something stunning.
He could just barely make it out, but there was a demonic formation humming away where there should not be any. Cimmeria did not oppose demons serving in their forces but it was rather rare.
There was no reason to have a formation at a gate either, and certainly not a low grade 5 one at that!
"I stand corrected, you are very clever." The line kept moving but Lind was trying to identify the focal points to work out the purpose of the formation arrays. Only a handful were left when his frown deepened.
"That is rather vicious." Lind was married to a demoness. He had a mark on his right cheek that flared now and again to let him know she was well, or angry. She was usually angry.
The array seemed to lock onto that bond but he was unsure what it did after that. He only pieced it together as the closer he got, the more his right cheek burned. It was only when a few stray threads of demonic Qi reached out to him.
He was not quite in range but almost.
He had no direct counter to the issue as revealing any such artifact would be just as telling about his identity.
He tried one last thing as a faint emerald sheen covered the area of his mark. Instantly, the demonic formation no longer saw him but it was difficult to hide the discoloration on his cheek.
"Next!" The guards looked bored but snapped to attention. Lind clearly was a powerful cultivator and his respect for their rules only made them more honored by him.
Lind smiled as he stepped up and presented his entry slip.
The guard examined it and looked him over. While his robes were not mentioned, his entry was more subdued. Since that was not unusual, the guard simply confirmed the signatures matched.
"Senior Cord, will you be returning to Cimmeria tonight?" Lind shook his head and was about to speak when his instincts screamed at him. Lind grabbed the guard and pushed him to the ground as an acidic bolt passed through where they had been standing before.
The demonic arrays triggered to reveal a demon snarling in the crowd.
"How dare this affront be allowed! Who put such an array in place?!" The corruption on the lavender skin and pressure revealed a peak Purgatory Realm demon! Lind did not recognize him, but he would have sworn there was no demon in line behind him before a few moments ago.
He had almost lost control of his faint scale cover but the demon had all the attention of the guards. The one Lind saved bowed to him before joining the others. Lind almost took the chance to leave when he saw the trap.
Demons took the mark seriously. It was even something the former Demon Empire would have sided with the Darkmoor Kingdom on, that was how serious it was.
So having a demon sense the formation and react was not out of expectation, but the same group of people Lind noticed before were not looking at the guards, but looking at him! He kept his face schooled to clear anger and arrogance.
They were very clever!
The discoloration on his cheek was a give away, but not a certainty. They took a gamble with a compatriot! Whoever was hunting him was well funded to bring together such experts. The use of the demon changed the list of suspects but then he narrowed his eyes.
The demon had a high collar leather armor with chainmail on. It would be one thing if the collar served a purpose, but the arrays were shielding something rather than acting as armor should. No self respecting demon would wear such a useless piece of clothing.
A slave would though.
"STOP!" Lind shouted and all the guards froze. His anger and pressure made them realize he was truly powerful, but a bit weaker than the demon. Yet, they had no right to stop the offended party from seeking vengeance if they desired.
Lind marched forward and the demon sneered as another acid bolt coalesced. Lind examined it and found many faults in the Art. It was poorly constructed, and barely stable enough to work. It was clearly not well taught to the demon despite his high cultivation.
"You must not want to live anymore if you cross me! My father is a powerful lord in the region with Veritas under its control. I enjoyed my time in Cimmeria but it seems fate has granted me some excitement at the end of my journey." Lind's face was full of disgust and rage but no one could blame him at the moment.
His words though made some frown as they recognized the name of a city in the Saint Kingdom. While few were held accountable for where they were from, young masters generally were harshly judged.
Lind was being put into that category but the group he cared about were now frowning. His reactions were not what they expected. Lind could have slipped away, a normal action but it would isolate him enough to confront him directly.
The other option was to try to mediate the dispute as he was known for but an intolerant man from the Saint Kingdom was not something they expected. Since they were from the same place they could recognize the attitude.
Lind had excellent examples to pull from and he had ranted about how spoiled those young masters or mistresses were often enough to repeat their words convincingly as he was doing now.
The demon did not seem to care as he raised the bolt to attack but then grabbed his throat in pain before the bolt vanished in dispersed Qi.
"I apologize!" A young woman came running from farther back in the line holding a control rod. Everyone quickly realized the demon was a slave! Calm spread as a battle was avoided but then a shape blurred before the girl was sent flying.
"Apologize on your knees! Your slave attacked me and the guards of Cimmeria! He even tried to attack again but you only stopped him when it suited you! I will take this to the castellan of the guards right now!" The threat of the law was quickly causing many to disappear into the dark as they did not want the attention.
The group watching now also turned away as staying could reveal them. If their formations were discovered, it would be even worse to be nearby. The woman on the ground was bleeding from her cheek as she looked up in fear at Lind.
She was only a low Gold Tier and currently he was within his rights for all he stated!
"Senior! Please calm yourself. We will take care of this issue. Please continue on your journey safely." The guard he saved tried to calm things but Lind suddenly realized he could not slip away just yet. If he did, the hunters would be on his trail all the way to the end.
He could not afford that.
"You can take the master, but the slave is mine!" A whip of fire and earth snapped out and coiled around the rod. "If you want compensation, come to the Octo Clan and seek out Moreth. He has fiery red hair and can be found easily. He is my personal acquaintance." Lind made it sound very boastful but he saw a few of the hunters flinch in recognition of those names.
"COME!" The rod reacted and the demon was forced to stand and follow him sullenly out of the city. No one dared stop him as the duo walked into the stormy day.