Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 515 - 514 - Crossed Purpose

Lind held a little girl in his arms who happily played with his hair.  She had bright pink hair and the same eyes as Solon.

"She never takes to strangers like this."  Sheila smiled as she saw Lind play with her youngest daughter.  Lind simply enjoyed the simple time in the Divine Sword Sect as his last stop before going home.

He was thrilled to meet Solon's family as the man had finally married.  In part it was due to the fiery haired woman winning a duel against him and kissing him in the next instant.

Lind knew they had 2 other children that were grown but the newest addition was only 8 years old.  He had looked her over and done some improvements for her future.  Sheila had been floored but Lind found it a small issue.

"I am just glad she likes me."  Lind had heard her crying over something but since he arrived she had been mesmerized by him.

He had missed so much.  Solon's oldest son was named Lin in memory of him which was both embarrassing and touching.

His other daughter was a powerful formation master currently studying to become an independent expert of her own.  She was fiercely resistant to any help but Lind still gave a few jade slips to Sheila to pass along.

"I heard you caused the Sword Breakers Sect to fall into chaos?"  Lind winced.  It was only a rumor he had been there but the rest was absolute fact.  Baihu had given up but after his visit the man had returned to his old vitality for a few months.

The new sect master was far more well tempered which made a lot of people happy.

"I did not hear much more than rumors on my way, do you have any facts to give?"  He kept entertaining the little girl who was fascinated as he changed one of his arms to emerald scales.  She seemed to love poking them.

"I only know what Solon has learned in his meetings with the other Elders.  She is a peak tier 8 that can fight above her tier easily.  She is a mace wielder with a shield from an Inheritance of Ice and Fire.  Her name is Sierra."  Lind nodded and wondered what all happened after he left.

It was not his intention but he hoped he had as good a result with his other meetings.

"How are the Heavenly Maidens?"  Sheila frowned at his question.  It was tricky.  There had been signs of strife inside the sect but something had changed and now there was word of a complete restructuring.

There were disagreements on the details but all agreed something sweeping had occurred a few months ago.

She wondered why Lind was interested but they sat in the open garden of their courtyard in the sunshine so she felt no need to go farther than the most common rumors.  She noted his frown but he did not ask any more.

"How is Shoti?"  Sheila was reluctant to ask but Lind smiled, surprising her.

"My recent travels gave us a way to heal her.  She is recovering but some memories are still lost.  Qing is hopeful, though."  Sheila actually ran over and hugged him and her daughter.  Both looked up in surprise at her.

"I leave for only a part of the day and you are trying to pick up my wife?"  A playful voice came from the entrance and both his daughter and wife glared at Solon.  He looked hurt but Lind laughed.

"I would not dare, old friend.  You have a lovely family."  Lind meant it as a young man and woman followed Solon in.  The boy had strong features resembling Solon but the girl was a fine blend of Sheila and Solon.

She had the dark red hair of her mother.

"Lin and Lei, this is Lind Frey."  Both bowed low but Lind noted Lei was rather cool whereas Lin looked in awe at him.  Both were peak Diamond Tiers.

"It is a pleasure to meet you both.  Your little sister, Kary, has been a delight."  The little girl puffed out her chest which melted the hearts of all.  Both siblings looked surprised to see their sister taking a liking to a stranger.

"You're looking well, lad."  Solon was peak tier 9 and on the cusp of Star Tier.  Lind could see he would make it easily.

"You have bad news, let's hear it."  Lind knew Solon was only polite and restrained when he had bad news to deliver.  The man scratched the side of his cheek but his children laughed at how easily their father was read.

"You could at least enjoy a meal before I speak but I have orders from the Sect Master.  We cannot support you."  Solon did not like what he said but Lind was not entirely surprised.  The Divine Sword Sect was a powerful faction in the Heaven Realm.

As such it was well enmeshed in the politics of that realm.  It was not surprising at all.

"I do not need support but I would welcome freedom."  Lind spoke openly.  He wished at least one supreme sect would take his side but as long as they let him do what he wished, he would be satisfied.

Solon now looked grim.

"I am afraid that won't work either.  Establishing your own power is fine but what you outlined would be too disruptive although it was not explained how."  His daughter frowned deeply while his son looked awkward.

"So they will oppose me?"  Lind was surprised.  Compared to other sects, the Divine Sword Sect was rather straightforward.  Solon sighed as he nodded slowly.

"From what I can gather, the Heaven Realm has no issue with a new power working together with them but one that would ignore the Alliance is considered an issue."  Lind frowned.  It seemed he would truly struggle to achieve what he wanted.

Solon then turned to his daughter, Lei.

"I brought my children for 2 reasons.  One was to meet you as I wanted you to meet us all and the other was to see what they wanted to do."  Shock actually covered both of the older children and his wife's face.

"Father, you actually want to hear my opinion?"  Solon frowned at his eldest daughter's words but he nodded.  She actually smiled up at him.  "The Sect Master is an idiot."

Lind nearly choked where he sat as little Kary patted his back softly.  He smiled up at her and she smiled back.

Solon massaged his temples but his son took his time.

"I think the sect is narrow minded as it would take time for the Moebius Sect to rise to a level to be truly disruptive."  Solon nodded at that slowly but Lind actually shook his head.

"The sect master is not wrong.  The Moebius Sect, despite being a mortal realm power, ruined the plans of the Fiends in a rich realm.  They will target us no matter the level of preparation.  I have some ideas on that but the focus on us could cause issues on the battle fronts."  The Fiends could send wave after wave of thralls to sacrifice to get at Moebius Sect.

Lind had several ideas to negate that issue but he needed more information.  The Divine Guardian's knowledge was far out of date.

"So what will you do?"  Solon was worried he would have to choose between a good friend and his sect but Lind played with the young girl bouncing on his knee.  No one spoke as the innocent scene warmed their hearts.

"I am not a tyrant, Solon, but I will not compromise when it comes to Fiends.  I will pursue my goals to that end."  Solon frowned at his words but then froze at the next.  "Do not worry, I will take care of it."

The record of the man in front of him was too terrifying to ignore those words!

Lei actually smiled wide while Lin looked solemn.

Lind set down Kary and stood up.

"I will not betray or disrupt plans as much as I can but I will also not let my disciples be treated as fodder in this war."  Solon suddenly felt afraid as he was not speaking to his friend but the sect master of Moebius Sect.

It was rather rude that the elders would not meet with Lind despite his status but he let it all pass for his friendship with Solon.

"I am sorry, Lind."  Solon bowed low which shocked all his children but not Sheila.  Lind quickly raised him up.

"My friends never need to do that.  I will not make you compromise your sect either.  You are a good friend."  Solon smiled at his words and they embraced while Kary walked over and hugged them both to make it far more cute than profound.

Lind had hoped to have an amicable relationship with the Divine Sword Sect but it seemed they were at crossed purposes.  The Sect Master valued no distractions in the Heaven Realm while Lind had a focused goal.

He needed time so if he could stay out of the way of the war, he should get it.

"Come, let us talk about the other topic."  Solon took them over to a large room with a dark lacquered table that all sat around as food was served.  Lind enjoyed the high quality meat and herbs as the warm ale was quite pleasant.

The food was quickly consumed before Solon and Sheila put out some tea for all to sip at.  It was a bit tart but Lind liked it with some honey.

"I looked into the story you heard about Sister Callisto and Ryu.  I confirmed they made it to 3 islands away from Wild Heart Isle when all word from them vanished.  There was a battle there but it was different from others."  Solon then passed a jade slip to Lind.

He sunk his senses into it and was surprised to see the information.

The Zhandou Island was a good attraction for cultivators looking for tournaments or other arranged fights.  It was a haven for battle maniacs.

A little over 75 years ago, there had been a commotion because a full Inheritance had descended.  It was new and had caught many cultivators in its arrival but since then many had tried to enter it to no avail.

None returned.

Lind wondered if it was a Cannibalistic Inheritance but the report confirmed it had not moved nor had it shown the signs as it seemed to look for specific criteria for entrance beyond life force or power.

"They were there when it happened?"  Lind saw Solon nod and knew he had added a destination on his return trip.  He would not abandon his friends, even if they died.

"I think you will qualify as you are more than young enough for the others that were accepted but you have intent for a variety of weapons that it seems to look for as well."  Lind nodded at Solon's words.

He then spent the rest of the evening discussing the Dao with Solon's family which led to a few enlightenments for his 2 oldest children.  The elixirs he left behind were reluctantly taken in as he left the next morning for the island of battle.