Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 507 - 506 - Small Misunderstanding

Lind spoke with the Divine Guardian for a few more days before he felt safe in stopping his questions.

He had much to think on but he did not head back to the sect.  He instead headed to old friends.

Starforged Island was one of the highest islands and heavily regulated on entry.  It took him the better part of a year just to travel there but the teleportation array he was waiting for was slated months out.

Huo City was one of several major cities at the teleportation points connected to Starforged Island.  Over the millennia they had become the major hubs of trade and crafting as well as the home to several major sects as none could set up on the island itself.

The merchants ruled the island.

Lind did not stop walking as he came to the stone structure at the heart of the city.  It was under heavy guard at all times but the simple material was actually a demonstration of materials from the island.

Aside from ores, the very stones were precious as well.  The appropriately named Star Stone was nearly as hard as tempered steel with the ability to absorb Qi at an astonishing pace.  It was perfect to add formations to and the current structure was an ideal example.

Where most teleportation arrays had to be 20 to 30 meters across to work properly, the one in front of him was only 10 meters across.

The efficiency was clear but Lind suppressed his desire to study it as the guards in black armor crossed spears in front of him as he tried to advance.

"Halt!  You must wait for your slot to open.  The array is not in use today."  Several passersby sneered at Lind thinking he was a bumpkin coming to the big city thinking he could teleport like other places easily.

Lind smirked as he was about to produce his identification but a well dressed man knocked him aside as if he was a pile of stones.  He was not hurt but the well groomed blonde man merely snickered at him as if Lind should be honored to be shoved aside by him.

There were several large men following him with simple cloaks and shaved heads.

Lind could tell at a glance that they were peak grade 5 items.  It meant they were important but the guards did not uncross their spears.  He noticed that they seemed annoyed.

"Useless fools may have to wait but I am the first son of Lord Raid of Beryl Sect.  Surely the contributions of our powerful sect will finally let me onto Starforged Island?"  The voice of the blonde man was arrogant and Lind instantly took a dislike to the assumption the world should bend for him.  He was only a tier 5 but Lind noted the guards were all tier 9 Sky Realms.

He quickly reviewed his memory and found the Beryl Sect to be an alchemical sect of some repute in the higher powers.  The quality of their pills were not bad but his mother had disdained them as they clearly valued their riches and influence more.

It was hard to break into the higher powers but once there it was damned near impossible to dethrone them.  The recent chaos was an exception but most production powers were left untouched.

It was not a matter of morality but practicality.  The resources needed to raise up a production sect or guild was immense so even during the height of the chaos of the last 3 centuries, the middle to high powers of production were left mostly alone.

As such, some of them took advantage to raise their status and others simply relied on their previous reputation to weather the storm.  The young master clearly was from the latter but Lind saw the guards were not having it.

"As we have told you, repeatedly, Young Master Ceril, there are no exceptions.  If you have an appointment or other arrangement, it would be fine but you do not."  The guard's dark eyes were cold but they did not threaten the man.

"Ha!  You can't take that back now!"  A jade slip appeared in the man's hand which he quickly handed over.  The guards examined it but frowned.  Rather than let the small group in, a communication jade was used.

It clearly irritated the young master.

"You have seen that I am invited, so let me pass now!"  Lind was reminded of a toddler throwing a tantrum at that moment.  He simply smirked as he quietly pinned his 2 jade badges and new crimson badge to his simple gray robes.

He made no other motion but one of the guards glanced at him angrily before his face paled.  The guard looked at his dirty blonde hair and dark green eyes and Lind completed it with a medal in the shape of a flaming star.

"We have reached out to Master–"  The previous guard was about to reluctantly let the young master in when he was pulled harshly over by his compatriot.  His irritation was quickly replaced with a solemn look.

All the guards bowed low to Lind.

"Master Frey, our humble apologies for not recognizing you!"  The words made the blonde man and his guards blanche.  They slowly turned their heads and saw the 3 badges and medal on his robes before then knelt to the ground.

His return was well known at that point and the debt owed to him was so massive even Baihu had already sent a gift of all things to welcome him back!

"There is no worries but this man has an appointment and I do not.  Please, finish your business first."  Ceril suddenly wished to have a hole to dive into.  If his father learned of his immense disrespect he would be lucky to be only skinned alive!

"What are you saying, Master Frey?  Of course you can go ahead!"  Lind only looked down at him and let his tier 8 aura flare that made things infinitely worse for Ceril

"Oh?  You seemed in a hurry when you knocked me aside?"  All the guards suddenly had to restrain smiles spreading on their faces while the guards glared at Ceril as if he was the source of all woes in the universe.

Ceril looked like he would faint at any moment.

"Please forgive me, Master Frey.  I did not–"  Lind suddenly glowed with emerald light.  Any doubt the growing crowd had about his identity was dismissed at that moment as all 6 elements were felt.

"I will give you one piece of free advice.  Not all experts like to be flashy or arrogant.  You would go far to remember the beggar could be a Star Tier judging those around him."  Lind did not lie.  Many advanced cultivators liked to move in a low key fashion as it was less annoying most of the time.

Ceril nodded deeply but then Lind's next words froze his blood.

"I will discuss things with your father when I have a moment.  Fellow Daoist Raid is respected in alchemic circles from what I have heard."  Ceril broke out in a sweat before bowing and practically running away from the teleportation array.

"Master Frey, our–"  Lind held up his hands at the guards.

"You were doing your jobs, and doing them well.  I noticed a few made sure to verify I was ok despite not knowing who I was.  I would pass on my compliments to your supervisor."  Smiles spread as he was waved into the building.

His words were carried to the crowd and many teared up to know an expert existed like that.  Far too many were like Ceril but Lind was like his legend.  He was powerful but not arrogant.  He was a master of his crafts but did not boast.

His words about how to treat the seemingly weak resonated with many as they contemplated their own actions.

Lind knew none of it as he met with the head of the guards and discussed using the array.

"We are happy to convey you.  Any member of Starfire House is allowed to return but Lady Estelle left word long ago to pay for your passage."  Lind smirked at her considerations.

"I thank her and you for that but your guards did very well.  Please distribute these to all of them."  Lind handed over a clinking bag and the woman with silver armor suddenly paled as she sensed what was inside.

"M-M-Master Frey!"  The elixirs were all high Heaven grade 5!  Such largesse was far beyond anything they could expect and would usually be considered a bribe!  Lind waved it all off, however.

"I have met many guards that abuse their power over my lifetime but I saw an exemplary process of verification and ensuring even an unwelcome petitioner was safe.  It speaks well of their character and training.  The reward is more than deserved."  Lind meant it.

He had seen far too many arrogant or bullying guards in his journeys.  The most dangerous was the lazy guard that thought nothing could go wrong.  So seeing such well organized and disciplined guards was truly worthy of praise.

She bowed low and quickly distributed the elixirs to all at hand.  They all bowed low to him but he waved it off.

"Do not expect such gifts every time but keep up the good work."  He had learned to be diplomatic when he needed to, but it was easy when the people around him deserved praise.

"You will want to go to Starfire House, yes?"  Lind considered going straight there but instead shook his head.

"I would like to see what I am allowed.  Would that be possible?"  The head guard nodded and waved to the small platform.

Lind bowed and moved to take up his place.

The familiar feeling of space twisting came over him but it was nothing to him now after the much rougher adventures in the Barren Realm.

Huo City faded away but his effect there rippled outward quickly and let many powers know he was on the move.