Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 514 - 513 - Planned Destruction

Lind had skipped over most of Yinande the last time he was there.  He did not underestimate Yor's extensive ability to be informed of who was inside his influence.

The man was battle driven like Ryu but he valued intelligence equally as well.  Lind suddenly froze.

Where was Ryu and Callisto?  The Darkmoor Kingdom had strong ties to the powers that once stood but due to isolation from the world in the Floating Isles, he had not caught up with everyone he used to know.

Not all could ascend but those 2 certainly did.  What happened to them?

Lind suddenly felt the need to ask about his old friends and check if they were still alive.  He had been gone for 3 centuries but he had not been fully updated on all that happened.  Even before that, he had only heard they had ascended but then his various issues with Baihu and the demonic Fiends took up his time.

After that were the battles for Moebius Sect and establishing his power in Wild Heart Isle.

He had truly let his own issues cloud his vision but he doubted he could have done things differently.  He arrived at the new capital city of Yinande which was simply called Blood City.

The name was a clear connection but Lind noticed there was no slavery or any kind of other subservience going on.  There was no sign of demons acting dominating nor strutting around.

It was actually a bit sad what he was seeing.  Many of the cultivators looked like they were barely scraping by and the demons were doing most of the labor building new structures from homes to businesses.

Despite the lack of resources located on the island, it was getting some flow of goods from what he could see.  The highest realm he saw was tier 3 Sky Realm.

He moved through the markets but few paid attention to him.  He did not notice any formations that stood out either beyond similar strength.  It made him wary as Yor did not strike him as one to flaunt his strength unless he was sure to win.

He moved farther in and found far better materials but they were crudely assembled.  He suspected they were left over from when the criminal organizations fell.

Still, the highest realm remained at tier 3 of the Sky Realm.

Lind also noted that while the buildings were better the condition of most cultivators was hardly better than the areas currently under construction.

He was now suspicious however due to the fact things were too consistent.  A dilapidated Yinande was not unexpected after the chaos and desolation of the island but it was too perfect to his eyes.

The criminals had not hidden their power but they had easily reached tier 5 or 6 while it was rumored some had reached tier 7.

While the organization had been destroyed, there was a good reason to believe caches of resources went undiscovered never mind the fact this power had been established for over a century.

At least a few tier 4 or 5 Sky Realms would not be remiss.

"You think too lowly of others, Yor.  Don't you agree, Viola?"  A shimmer of the shadows dispersed to reveal a stunning demoness.  By any standard she was gorgeous but she wore a mask yet Lind smiled as he looked at her.

"I have missed you, Master Frey."  He bowed but noted she did not give off a bit of her aura.  He did notice the fine make of her armor and weapons and nodded in approval.

"I am not entirely sure when you started following me, but shadow is not one of your elements.  You have improved your creations yet again."  He felt the smile behind her mask as they moved to a nondescript tavern.

If he needed any further evidence of the falsehoods of the inner city it was the complete lack of reaction to Viola's appearance.  She was not known as Temptress for nothing.

The tavern did not even pause as they entered.  The aether children were drinking happily with humans and demons without any issue.  Lind noted the barkeep never looked up as the pair swept up the stairs to the higher floors.

After reaching the 3rd floor, the atmosphere changed.  Lind noted tier 5 and 6 auras as well as high grade 5 formations.

The fact he detected nothing outside spoke volumes for the illusion or protection formations in place to hide the presence of all of what he now sensed.

Viola swayed up to a stone door before infusing her Qi and Lind was surprised to see she was only tier 7.

They really had been on the run.

Inside was a demon with spiky blonde hair having a meeting but smiled as he saw the pair come in.

"Finally, you are getting better at hiding your tracks, Master Frey."  Lind's eyes narrowed as Yor felt off to him.  It was not like before where he was arrogant but being humbled could explain that.

It was more an instinct that something had gone wrong.

The meeting quickly wrapped up but Lind noticed all races were present and bowed to him as they left.

Viola sat next to Yor and he noticed they were being a little affectionate yet he finally placed the issue.

He summoned an old grade 4 bracelet from his ring and placed it on the wooden table in front of him without words.

Viola frowned but Yor became stony faced as they recognized the demonic refined item.  It was engraved with their family crest.

"You remain a hard man to read, Lind Frey."  Yor gently picked up the bracelet and became stunned at what he found inside.  He handed it to Viola who teared up but held it gently in her hands.

"How?"  Her single question was answered by Lind.

"Kexin requested to have her remains given to us and I kept them after that.  She had been with me ever since.  Resha may have been an enemy but she was your daughter.  I vowed to find your graves or make them one day before I left the Floating Isles."  He did not hide anything and Viola went off to a corner while Yor looked uncomfortable.

"I warned her not to start the war.  There were good reasons to hold back but she was ambitious.  I thank you for the mercy you showed her.  It almost went to plan."  It was the confirmation he had awaited and led to his own question.

"You are stuck at tier 4, why?"  Yor was surprised but then smirked as he pointed to an open seat.

"The imperial family had a sort of self-destruct built into it.  My father tried to remove mine when it was clear we shared goals of preserving the Empire, but it was not entirely successful.  I suffered major Qi deviation."  Yor was still relatively young but it was clear he could no longer progress to Lind's senses.

"So the plan was to let the Empire implode then?"  Yor nodded but then shook his head.

"The plan was to let some other descendant shoulder that suicide run.  After your sect was established, I all but saw the fall of my Empire one way or the other.  You got the prize of Little Kal after all."  Lind nodded but then frowned.

"Your father?"  Yor became solemn before sipping what smelled of ale.

"He chose to die so I could ascend and defer the anger of the Fiends.  They gave me time and when I showed promise to ascend they went after my daughter so I could be of use up here.  If not for my father, I would be worse than dead."  Lind bowed to him on that front.

"Do you know where Ryu and Callisto are?"  Lind dropped the question but Yor looked sad at that moment.

"They ascended but Darkmoor is not as powerful up here as in the lower world.  They set out during the chaos to try and help your sect.  They never made it from what I can tell but if they are alive or dead, I do not know."  Lind frowned at the unlikely coincidence both did not make it.

Yor saw his look and nodded.

"I am limited in my resources here and slowly building my foundation but I will die in the Isles.  I am fine with that after all that happened."  Yor had changed.  His fire was dimmed and Lind did not like it.

"Can I examine you?"  Yor waved his hands and Lind looked him over only to see something horrifying.  Yor's dantian was fractured and his meridians were cracked everywhere.  The fact he could circulate Qi was shocking in and of itself.

He could not fix that without something similar to what he did for Chyou but Yor would not survive.  The damage was very particular.

His frown was clear and Yor shrugged but then blinked as several demonic elixirs appeared.

"I can't fix all of it but that should let you reach tier 7 or 8 at least."  Yor actually froze as he looked at the 3 glimmering elixirs before he understood how powerful Lind had become.  He also knew Lind was feeling guilt.

"Resha went against my wishes and accepted the consequences.  So did I."  Lind still pushed the elixirs forward.

"It does not change the fact I consider you a friend.  I couldn't save her."  Lind spoke honestly when arms encircled him.

"We know.  We heard how much you did for her.  Thank you."  Viola's voice was choking on tears but Yor actually smiled to see his wife so emotive.

"Moebius Sect is open to you."  Lind knew Yor would not take it but Viola might when the time came.  He bowed to them but then froze at their next words.

"Kexin cannot come here.  We have rebuffed her since she ascended.  Thank you, Master Frey."  He bowed once more but his eyes were colder.

He went back out into the day and left Yinande for the last time.  It was the last time he saw either of them.