novelraw Chapter 382 - 381 - The Ravaged Isles
Chapter 382 - 381 - The Ravaged Isles
The stone hearth cheerily held a bluish flame that fascinated Lind as tea was brewed. The old woman had laid her staff at the door of her large hut as she relaxed at the wooden table in her larger hut.
Lind saw a blend of Qi and the wood caused the flame to burn but not be too hot. It was called summerwood as it still helped cook but did not make a home too warm. The tea was Lind's idea and he had even produced some fragrant leaves to show his intentions.
The heavily wrinkled woman was still powerful despite clearly nearing the end of her life. Lind could feel the vitality was weakening in her but slowly. Her silver white hair had seemed to glow in the sunlight but the sharp amber eyes followed him without fail.
There was nothing weak about his host.
"I ascended recently, so I am afraid I do not know much about etiquette." Lind spoke as the tea was finally ready. He poured the steaming water into an earthen mug on the table. The pleasant scent calmed the nerves.
A pleased smile crossed her face and Lind felt some tension leave the room.
"At least you know how to make tea. Sit." The tone was a little warmer, just a little. Lind bowed and took the only other chair in the hut. He was then examined to within an inch of his life. He could feel her senses sweeping over him but he did nothing to stop her.
He examined her robes and found them to be barely peak grade 4 woolen cloth. There were no arrays or inscriptions from what he could see which he found odd. It was the same with the village. There were no signs of formations at all which even the most basic village needed in the lower world.
"You are polite. While many would be insulted by my examination you acknowledge you are an invader and do not peer too deeply into my people. Thank you." The tone softened some more but Lind felt this woman had many layers before he would be considered a friend.
Still, he accepted her words with a bow.
"I thank you for the explanation and understanding. I did not exactly come by the usual route so I have only seen the Elysian Plains thus far." His words made her frown but she did not seem to think he was lying. He knew it was because no method existed that was as safe as the ascension pools.
Using another method usually indicated the need to hide which led to unsavory characters but Lind had not given such an impression.
"Your business is your own but there is little here in the Ravaged Isles." Lind was instantly confused. A small giggle finally came from the old woman.
"Ah, you groundlings only call all of it the Floating Isles. Did you not think we had countries and regions of our own up here?" Lind blushed as he had not really known how things worked and simply acknowledged his ignorance.
"To be honest, I was not sure I would make it this far in my cultivation and a lot came up as time went on so I did not do as much research as I should have." He had a rough geography and knew a few places to avoid for his landing but there had not been many volumes on current affairs.
No sane power would reveal all their cards and in the Floating Isles, the layout of the islands was one of those cards.
The old woman nodded as some understanding came to her.
"I cannot speak for everywhere, but you have come to a place that is considered the last place to be anymore. If there was once a thriving sect or power, they have moved on as most of it was stripped bare. Hence, the Ravaged Isles." Lind frowned. How could such a thing have been allowed but before he could ask a little boy poked his head in.
"Granny Mara, Wei has snuck off again." A tired sigh came from the old woman but a smile was mixed in.
"Very well little tattle tale, I will go collect your friend from whatever danger he finds himself in now." A blush spread on the boy's face before he ducked out. Lind looked very confused as to why the head of the village would have to go find a single child. Couldn't his parents find him?
"Do you need help?" Lind was surprised that the old woman seemed to have forgotten him! She had jumped at his words.
"Sorry, it has been a few centuries since I had help. The children have no fear but their parents do. For you and me, walking across the plains poses little threat, but danger lurks in all corners for them." Lind was confused. The strongest beast he had sensed was in the World Realm.
Many of the villagers were in the World Realm, so what was the problem?
His confusion made the old woman slap her forehead.
"Except for me, there are few to no warriors here. My presence keeps the beasts at bay alone and they simply wish to live out peaceful lives here. The higher quality Qi makes it far easier to become a World Realm." Lind was truly confused. The tribulations for Gold and Diamond Tier required comprehension and fearlessness.
How did they survive?
As if reading his mind, Mara pointed to herself.
"I help them advance, it is my role here. I have overseen many generations and it is a simple life, but a good one." Lind kept his face blank as he processed what she said. While a Sky Realm could easily help a World Realm overcome their tribulations, it would leave them deficient.
Without doing it on their own, they would never be able to advance to the Sky Realm, ever. Given how old she looked, Mara could be between 1500 to 2000 years old. Given her vitality, she should have a few centuries left regardless.
She had done this for all the villagers and endured, but likely accelerated her own deterioration. At her age, she would not be able to do it much longer so what would happen to the village then?
Mara's amber eyes softened.
"Your heart is too open, stranger. I like it though as you show concern. Perhaps you could take over for me?" Lind shook his head but contemplated the problem. Mara smiled and then her staff flew to her hand on the wind.
"Come, I know Wei's devious little mind. He likely went to the last Ruin nearby. He keeps thinking he will find the last treasure there." Lind was stunned to learn a Ruin was near the village but it made sense if they wanted some resources.
Still, with stunted cultivators, it would be insanely dangerous for them to attempt it.
Confusion filled his mind as they emerged back into the village and he saw some concerned adults relax when he came with Mara. His Eyes now could make sense of what he was seeing with context.
While they were Gold and Diamond Tiers, their meridians were barely functional and their dantians seemed to barely grow. The fonts were lackluster in everyone. There was no harm in it but they could never face even the weakest best of the Sand Tier in such a state.
"Our new visitor will help me find Wei. Make sure no one leaves the village until we return." The adults bowed in reverence to Mara but Lind felt a tugging in his heart. Many of the people in front of him would likely outlive Mara.
Did they not understand that without her, the beasts would destroy the village?
He followed Mara out of the village but they did not fly, a child was unlikely to be able to fly after all. The path was not as wide as the road but it was clearly well worn. Lind could make out fresh prints of small feet but Mara never once examined the path.
Lind spread out his senses and even used a touch of his dragon soul.
Now that he was told what to look for, he noticed what he missed the first time he walked around. The golden grass was very pretty but had no real use as an herb. The trees were old and strong but were just as decorative as the grass.
They were resilient Sky Realm level life, but that was all. The beasts were a mix of surface, underground, and bird but nothing really drew his eye. The variety was not what it should be even in the plains.
There was only 1 variety of snake, bird, and other animals. The insects had much larger choices but from all his studying they would be the common variety. The Elysium Plains was very pretty and peaceful, but that was all it had.
There were no Qi stone mines nor was there any sign of special herbs. The concentration of the Qi was a little low in fact compared to what the histories and verbal stories related to him.
"As I said, this is one of the Ravaged Isles. You can make a life here, but this will be where it ends. There are 3 more connected to us to the north east, the south, and ascended east." Lind raised an eyebrow at the last description. "It means the island is above us. It is Scorched Gorge but it is also the path to the other islands. You are on a dead end at the moment."
Lind nodded but he wondered what the Scorched Gorge would be like, yet for now he focused on finding the child. The little feet seemed to be running but not in an erratic fashion. Lind wondered why nothing came close but then he froze.
His eyes narrowed as he smelled blood in the air.
"He is hurt." Mara quickly looked at him but nodded and increased her pace. They finally came to a familiar distortion but the little boy was wailing as he was running from what looked like a large boar.
It had golden fur to blend in with the grass of the plains, but its tusk was bloody as its dark eyes saw only a meal trying to escape. The little boy was holding his arm as snot and tears trailed on his face.
"GO AWAY! I DON'T WANT TO DIE!" Lind moved faster than Mara. The boar suddenly froze as all its instincts screamed death was near.
"DIE!" Lind's cold voice was the last thing it heard before a clawed hand ripped its head off. Lind had only transformed his arm and it was more than enough. He quickly turned his back to the boy and scanned the plains to make sure no other boars were near.
The wailing boy ran to Lind and hugged his back. Mara was huffing a bit but smiled while Lind cleaned up his arm.
"If you think acting cute will get you out of trouble, I doubt it will work." Lind's calm voice and words made Mara giggle while a different wail came out of little Wei.
They were about to leave when the distortion pulsed. Lind was concerned it was about to collapse when his ring resonated! A badge appeared in his hand instantly as his elixir badge seemed to throb.
Mara stared at the badge in shock and then at Lind. Fear was in her eyes but he smiled and waved it off. He gently moved his badge closer and the pale jade badge actually vibrated for all to see.
"Lady Mara, what is this Ruin?" Lind had to know but he looked over to find Mara kneeling as Wei was standing next to her. He sighed but gently picked her up. It was going to be a tiresome conversation it seemed.