novelraw Chapter 519 - 518 - Nowhere to Run
Chapter 519 - 518 - Nowhere to Run
Now that Lind had resupplied his resource deficiency, he focused on the hurdles he had to overcome. While the Immortal Conqueror Inheritance had helped him reach peak tier 8, he felt like his Sky Core had slowed to a crawl.
He knew the main reason why.
Weaving still restricted him the closer he got to the limit the circle enclosed. Unlike the first 2 circles, however, he had no insight on how to complete the 3rd one at all. He had made it to Heaven grade 3 but then locked out entirely when he reached the peak.
The badge had to be issued by his own sect as he had no Immortal to teach him. It felt odd to have 2 badges issued by Immortals that were actively evaluating him but the last one was actually made by his Weaving Hall.
Currently, he was in the hall in a room meant for the study of sigils and traces. The 2 pieces to create a weaving were the key to the first 2 circles. If the 1st Circle was about mastering and resonating the soul power to the sigils while the 2n Circle was about taking the qualitative step forward into Heaven grade.
Lind was not the only Heaven grade 3 weaver either as weaving seemed much easier to progress if the circle could be overcome, but they were all stuck one more on the 3rd circle.
It meant they could reach the peak of the Sky Realm but the final tier would be a massive slog of overcoming the resistance from the final ring around the dantian.
Lind's weavings were considered works of art but he could not progress anymore than anyone else, he simply solidified at the peak of Heaven grade 3. He had become more flexible and proficient but no matter how he looked at it, there was something missing.
The fact his other 2 professions were starting to cross into the Heaven Realm itself made it more frustrating as he clearly had the skill but was missing the comprehension. Compared to the other 2, however, he did not have the firm foundation he was taught by the 2 Immortal Realm masters.
The difference was clear so he had spent the last year simply going back to the beginning.
He pulled any and all records, scrolls, or rumors regarding the sigils themselves to the traces that connected them.
He had found a few things of interest but they simply expanded what he could do, not increase his foundation with weaving. The Starfire House had tried to help him but they were limited.
"You are in need of a break, Sect Master." A young boy poked his head in. He was one of the 1st Circle disciples but the gold lining on his robes indicated he had all the hallmarks of breaking through. He was an outer disciple but with his skill he would be quickly inducted into the inner court soon.
"Which one has come for me?" Lind smiled but the boy blushed to be caught as a messenger.
"Ah, um, Lady Tal has come for you today, Sect Master Frey." Lind waved him to let her in as Tal walked in firmly but she smiled to see Lind not stressed as sigils floated around him. She also see silvery threads but could not understand what they were.
"Papa, you promised to see grandmother and the others tonight before they leave to ascend." Lind was stunned at how quickly time passed.
Since he had come back, the Star Tiers had all held meetings with him and received his orders. He also strongly advised a large group to go together. He doubted any issue on the Floating Isle side but on the other side.
There was remarkably little he knew despite Estelle passing along a few things to him. The major reason was the ascension pools were different from breaking through and leaving on their own.
Heaven and Earth would force out any Moon Tier as the Fire Hawk Han had done all those centuries ago.
When that happened, even if several did it at once in close proximity, their landing was a bit random. Something about affinity and possibly bloodline where beasts were concerned. Whereas the ascension pools were tied to a specific place.
Some were modified from their original connection by Heaven and Earth but natural ones formed to reveal a new mortal realm had come into existence.
As such, aside from a handful, all the current Star Tiers that believed they could advance were getting ready to move out. Some beast lords were following suit so Wild Heart Isle would become chaotic for a while.
"I am coming!" He scattered the sigils and traces as he followed her out of the room. The large hallway led to the main part of the Weaving Hall where disciples could submit contribution points to certain desks for weaving requests or weavers could apply to be tested or fulfill missions.
He smiled as all bowed to them as they passed and he bowed back. He had become a regular fixture in the last year so it was not nearly as disruptive as the first month he started his research.
Once they were back into daylight, they took to the skies as many disciples bowed or in the case of some beasts, roared, in respect. Lind waved at them all and returned in kind to the beasts as he could.
Tal seemed to preen and he patted her head. She was leaving with the rest but only because he had insisted.
"Kora stopped by?" Lind frowned and shook his head at her question which made her sad. Ever since Shoti brought it up, Kora had avoided him and the others. She still took care of her duties but would rush off after that.
"She did confirm she would ascend, however." He had received that much response even if it was by jade slip! Tal puffed up her cheeks in a cute way and Lind pinched them which made his adoptive daughter blush a deep crimson.
"Papa!" Her complaints fell on deaf ears as he enjoyed her reactions compared to the calm and composed senior she was known as by most of the disciples.
He also knew her exploits in battle were not as well known but very few beasts challenged her which should have told the humans, demons, and aether children a lot but most ignored it.
They were heading to the main tower when Lind froze. His dark green eyes narrowed before he shot forward at his maximum speed. Even for a Star Tier to compare to, he was much faster at the peak of tier 8 of the Sky Realm!
Tal could not keep up but when she saw the flutter of platinum and black tipped wings she slowed down and resumed her original course. She would simply tell the others Papa would be late.
Lind felt the wind whistle in his ears but the world became only a blur save his target. The Star Tiers were leaving in a few days and he would be damned if Kora left without speaking to him.
It was a damned awkward situation but neither of them was a child or young cultivator anymore! He was a tad annoyed that his wives made decisions like that without him but he had possibly been dead so it was hard to hold them accountable on that front.
He knew Kora had some feelings for him but she had never advanced nor pried into his. In fact he was just as guilty for not being clear as he was with Tal and others. He made a note for future encounters and he had been very clear with his wives.
Expanding the harem was not something to be done even if he was dead. Family could be added but that was their own matter, yet it was clear they treated Kora as one of their own. Her reaction spoke volumes to him as well as it was clear she did have feelings for him.
He also knew he did not see Kora as a daughter. A very close friend at first due to their strange circumstances but things had changed. It was also possible they both felt something but tacitly backed off as nothing ever seemed like the right time to advance.
Lind was firmly established in his current family and had a mountain on his back while the Fiend incident did not help at all. It was likely when he 'died' that she stopped running from how she felt and it was too late to tell him.
Now he was back, it was clear his wives were having none of the denial or backtracking. They knew for sure and now so did he.
A massive roc blazed through the air but Lind was faster. His cultivation on top of his natural ability far outstripped her. If her bloodline was stronger, he would have no chance at all but his was higher and gave him the edge.
He finally cut her off well into the mountains where the Fire Hawks lived. Many of the residents saw them but cleared out as they could feel the tension sharply. It likely felt like mates fighting to them.
"I can keep this up all day, but do you think the others will let us get away with that?" Lind was calm and gentle but the liquid gold eyes flickered all around looking for escape but knew she could not flee.
Her massive form shrunk until the young woman was in front of him once more. She was blushing deeply but did not back down.
"It does not matter, I am leaving. We are always parting. It is clear the spirits do not want us to be, so we should just accept it." Lind had been prepared for a lot of reactions. Even one including she had found someone else over the last 300 years as he had been believed to be dead.
He would have been happy for her even if it hurt at first.
He was not, however, expecting her to be a petulant child about the matter.
The Heavens rumbled which made any lingering Fire Hawk dive for their caves deep in the mountains. Any other beast sprinted away but Kora could not move. She was stuck in place by the rage in the dark green eyes looking at her.
"You think I give a damn what others think? You believe avoiding me for over a year was Fate? You thought I died and realized you wanted more but it was too late. I can't fix that, but I can tell you I am not letting you go." Lind advanced but Kora could only wiggle before she realized sigils were all around her!
He had sealed the space!
"Is there someone else?" His question finally broke her timid approach as rage came from her and platinum energy flared all around her straining the sigils, but they held.
"NO! THERE WILL NEVER BE ANYONE ELSE!" The words left her faster than she could think and all the pressure vanished as well as the restrictions.
"Was that so hard to admit? Were you that afraid I would reject you?" Lind looked at her with a smile as he opened his arms. Kora felt her cheeks dampen as she wanted to run. She did not want to be in a dream but if she went into his arms she was afraid she would wake up in her room.
It was like a crack in her Dao heart she could not quite fix.
"It is bad timing, I freely admit that, but you have been part of my family for a long time. We just were both afraid to talk about how." His words broke her reluctance as she slowly came into his arms and felt the warmth hug her. Tears flowed as her heart raced.
She felt like her mother was looking on in happiness but then the world froze as his lips covered hers. Even if it was a dream, she simply would not wake up, not ever!
"About time!" Both jumped as they saw a small crowd of familiar faces looking on. Shoti whistled while the others looked on warmly. Lind blushed and Kora was hiding against his chest.
"I believe we all have a dinner and we are ALL attending." They came together and flew back while the Wild Heart Isle came alive with rumors of a new bride for Lord Frey!