Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 529 - 528 - Message from Above

Lind was enjoying the festive atmosphere of Saisei City as the time of the competition approached.  Kexin had given him some time off as the pressure was far less now that they were ready.

He chose to swap to his emerald robes and pull a deep hood over his head.  He was far from the only one doing so and suspected some were like him.  Powerful cultivators that simply wanted to traverse the city without incident.

Flying was restricted to approved artifacts and his ships only.

It took him the better part of the decade to make 3 ships for Moebius Sect but all now knew a bit about them.  They were not as powerful as the Nautilus but they were far more endurable.

The weakness of the channels had been a challenge but since these ships were meant to ferry people more than attack, it had been easier to reinforce them.

He also used more wood for the frame and then increased jade panels to allow more arrays to increase their potency inside as well as the responsiveness to the controls.

Kexin and other demons had been invaluable for his testing that despite being regular elements, the demons could use the ships easily.  He had still made a locus that needed an imprint but he found a way to let it accept any cultivator.

Once imprinted, it took some training to overwrite it.  Lind could do it because he designed them but demons, aether children, and humans had helped him test it took considerable effort and Qi to do it otherwise.

It gave the owner some reassurance their ship could not be stolen easily.

The fact they could be left to float out of range of attacks made many see military potential but the prohibitive resource cost put a stop to any such plans.  He also kept the original plans of the Nautilus close so none knew how powerful the ships could be.

Lind was enjoying a treat from a street vendor when he felt his soul suddenly react to something.  Normally, he would be able to tell what was bothering it.  His draconic instincts were mostly under his control currently but the sensation he felt then was uncomfortable.

It was as if he had tread into a territory of a powerful beast and should not be there.  Dragons were dominating creatures but it was not a beast that made him feel like it.

He had only felt it once before, when facing the Immortals and Divine Realm cultivators in Skinwalker's Inheritance.  Beasts normally were intimidated by his dragon soul but Divine Realm beasts had no fear of him at all!

They could kill him with a sneeze and the disturbance in his soul felt like something powerful had come in range.  It was not nearly as powerful as an Immortal or Divine Realm cultivator but it had to be close for him to react.

He closed his eyes before snapping out one of his arms and grabbing the throat of a human male.

The shock in his pale blue eyes was quickly paired with a wide smile on his handsome face.

"That was unexpected.  Did my cloak fail?"  The man was odd but Lind's eyes narrowed as he noticed the crowd did not even blink at his actions of grabbing a random stranger.  He quickly felt a slight shift in his perception and the man looked shocked as he was used like a blunt instrument.

An aether child in a tattered dark cloak yelped as the man crashed into her and then Protean appeared as it took the form of a glaive as he put the blade against a demoness about to attack him from behind.

"Definitely not our cloaks failing.  You have fought far more powerful beings and have good instincts, junior."  Lind's eyes narrowed as he found the 3 people were odd.  He also understood their cloaks or an artifact made it hard for people to notice them at the moment.

A wave of emerald Qi washed outward and the crowd finally reacted.

Shock was now on all 3 faces as they looked at him.

"I do not like being followed nor hiding things from my people.  Explain yourselves now or I will bring the Lords and Ladies of Wild Heart to start asking questions."  Lind's appearance was well known so many in the crowd bowed as Warders quickly appeared.

"It would seem those 2 did not exaggerate.  You lose!"  The aether child suddenly smiled wide as she slapped the back of the man while the demoness let out a sigh before rolling her eyes.  They seemed remarkably unconcerned.

"Explain yourselves!"  The dark brown robes of the Warders made them stand out as well as their ability to float freely above the crowd.  Most of them were peak tier 8 or 9 but Lind waved them back.

"They are Moon Tiers."  Shock flooded the crowd and the Warders.  Lind knew not all understood how that was possible but his harmony had been brushed aside by something far more powerful on each person.

Peak grade 6 artifacts were more than sufficient to safely restrict a Moon Tier's cultivation for a short time to descend to a mortal realm.  If they exercised their full power, they would be struck by punishment lightning once the artifact broke.

None of the 3 were surprised at his words but that was not all Lind noticed.

"Why are seniors of the Babylon Guild here in the mortal realm?"  True shock spread on their faces that time.  They did not have the standard emblem on their robes nor had any advance notice come to anyone.

"How do you know that, Master Frey?"  The demoness calmly asked and he pointed to the chest.  She was a slim woman but on her chest was a gold and silver bar pinned to her robes.

"I am unsure of much but I know that marks you as a part of the Babylon Guild."  Lind then pointed at the other 2.  "The man has a pin with a green gem between 2 figures and the aether child has what appears to be an omega on her robes."

All 3 narrowed their eyes at Lind and finally became solemn.

"It would seem the master was right to be wary of you.  Your ability to gather knowledge beyond the mortal realm is disturbing."  The once flirty man was now grim while even the playful aether child seemed ready to attack at any time.

"I simply like to know who to look out for."  Lind played off his knowledge as if he had known someone might come one day, but in truth he recalled perfectly the references to one of the few shows George and he could bond over.

George loved it more, but even Lind recalled re-watching a few seasons over the years.

It was spooky seeing someone clearly use it as the basis of their organization but it might also have simply been followers thinking it was a guide from their master too.  He had no way of knowing unless their founder was still alive.

"Well, things did not go in the direction we planned, but we have taken over the branch for the duration of the competition.  We are collectively called the Advisory Council."  Lind barely kept a straight face as the demoness spoke.

"Then I welcome you to Saisei City and request you cease messing around, seniors."  He bowed but the 3 did not immediately respond.  They looked towards each other when a voice suddenly boomed across the air.

[It is only polite to obey his requests.  I may not be stronger than you in cultivation but I have seen more.  Do not cause issues in this realm.]

All 3 blanched as Lind grinned.  It seemed their arrival had caught the Divine Guardian's attention.  He was also certain looking around that only Star Tiers and he heard it.

The 3 bowed to him and made some sort of symbol with their hands he did not recognize.

[Apology accepted.]

Lind arched an eyebrow but then flew up into the air.

"To avoid further issues, please follow me."  The 3 took to the air as the Warders began to help get traffic moving forward on the street again.  Word was no doubt spreading of the incident but Lind did not worry about it.

They quickly arrived at the Babylon Guild compound which surprised the 3 as they assumed they would be going to the Moebius Compound.

"Azylea and Huo, I am here."  Lind spoke aloud and the aether children pair quickly appeared looking worried but were stunned to see their seniors flying behind him.

"Are you ok?"  Huo looked him over but he smiled and waved them on.  They headed for the heart of the compound in blue sector and then used the highest security room they had on hand.

"Now that we are secure, I would like to know the purpose of your interference in the smooth running of our competition."  Lind remained standing in the simple room but there were several couches and chairs with a table for tea or food as needed.

The 3 Moon Tiers were not quite caught up to the flow of events but now realized they were up to their purpose.

"My name is Lea.  I was once part of Hellfire Sect long ago before I joined Babylon Guild.  I even taught those 2."  The demoness surprised him but the other 2 remained silent.  "I am in charge at the moment but our function is no different than my former disciples."

The 3 took a seat but Lind remained standing.  No one called him out but his displeasure was clear.

"And?"  Huo and Azylea flinched at his tone but Lea did not seem offended.

"I will make it brief.  Our Guild Master does not believe you entirely.  We are sent to find out the truth behind your contest.  Clear enough?"  Lind actually found her blunt words refreshing.  He also had to repress laughter as he turned to his 2 friends.

"I assume you tried to tell them?"  They both nodded and the 3 Moon Tiers looked like they were pouting.  "Then I will be clear.  I was lost for 3 centuries and came back to find the Floating Isles barely holding on.  Even the Heavenly Maiden Sect was crumbling."

His words made all 3 nod as even the Babylon Guild could not stop the battles as they broke out all at once.

"So, we need something to invigorate unity as well as a way to vent the distrust we all still have with each other.  Combat tournaments get the blood boiling and are exciting but will only increase enmity.  So I came up with an idea from Cimmeria."  Lind then explained about the Stardust Emporium hosting the special contest for all the production masters.

It was about the profit as much as nurturing the next generation, but Lind wanted to go farther.

"We are stuck in the mud here and I need to break the ice without losing all decorum.  This is also the way I intend to combat the insane disdain the Floating Isles have for the lower world."  The 3 stared at him as if he was insane but his seriousness left no room for doubt.

The aether child finally broke her serious face as she held out her small hand to the human.

"I win again!  Pay up!"  Lea rolled her eyes but said nothing as a profound Qi stone was produced and given to her companion.  Heaven Qi stone!

"We will judge your actions harshly if you go back on your words.  That is all we need with you at this time."  Lind bowed and left but just as he was about to exit he let his soul aura soar and all 3 jumped.

"Please recall we are partners in this venture.  Do not disrespect my people again."  Lind then took to the air and left a room in shock.  He made it clear he was in charge, not them in one fell swoop.