novelraw Chapter 670 - 669 - Sanctuary Empire
Chapter 670 - 669 - Sanctuary Empire
"Where are we going, Master?" Lua had become his disciple but he had been stunned at her true potential once ignited. She was born to cultivate but the tester clearly missed something because she was easily able to grasp his teachings as if she was a sponge!
"Back to where I first found you. I have a little message and a declaration to make." She hugged him tighter as she had bad memories but he hoped to change that. They quickly reached the Haven Lands but he paused as he let the Emerald Souls catch up.
"Do not interfere in what will happen. I expect this will ruffle a few feathers." They frowned but bowed. He knew they would not be far as they seemed to blend into the background.
He knew they would demand to know how he hid for so long but only another 6 elemental exactly like him could pull it off. Thus, no one could stop him if he truly wanted to run away.
Still, Lind sighed and headed for what he knew was the testing grounds. The ceremony should be starting shortly.
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Each year, families and organizations would bring out their young children to be tested for cultivation. It was now a time honored thing. While many hoped for good news, some prepared for the worst as it was far more common to have mediocre to little talent.
The Starlight Array Sect was prominent in testing for new disciples but just before any speeches could be given by the seniors, a powerful aura slammed into the crowd.
The most powerful being in the Haven Lands was a few Star Tiers with maybe a Moon Tier elder. They had simply not had time to deepen their foundation in the 7 centuries it took to build up their cities thus far.
There were signs the new generations would far surpass their elders, but that time had not come yet!
"G-g-great Senior. Please show yourself to our humble selves!" The Vice Sect Master of the Starlight Array Sect found his voice but one of the junior disciples had a beam of light placed on her.
"You, I recognize you. Come to the stage." A voice boomed out before a pair appeared there. A man in black robes and hood was clearly the source while many were stunned at his companion.
A Soul Realm at 5 years old?! How?!
Many teenagers at the Soul Realm were jealous but there were some as young as 10 so it proved it was possible.
The young woman was an outer disciple but she quickly smiled and hopped up before bowing respectfully.
"I am humbled you remember me, Senior. Is this the little girl?" Her smile was genuine and the young girl looked up at the man before he knelt down and all saw a smile spread on her face.
"Thank you for helping Master! He was worried I would die before he could find appropriate materials!" All were stunned. This senior was here to thank a mere Soul Realm?
Suddenly, one of the testers snapped across the stage before the senior grabbed it. He twirled it around which made some panic as they were very delicate.
"Interesting. You use the flow of Qi in their body to resonate with the dormant dantian space to determine if they can cultivate. Not a bad theory but they have not been updated." His words shocked the artificers. It showed a deep understanding of an ancient device. They did frown at the last of it though.
"It is an accurate–" One of them tried to speak before he was silenced. None had to guess far as to who did it.
"Accurate was it. Perhaps you were not paying attention. The 6 year old next to me is named Lua. You should have a record of her test, yes?" One of the artificers in their white and gray robes quickly summoned a jade slip. As she was so young, it did not take long before shock went through them.
"That is impossible! It can't be the same girl!" People were confused but Lind waved her forward and then looked at the artificers. They quickly grabbed one of their artifact spheres and put it over her head.
Even at the Soul Realm, the artifact could give a solid reading of potential. Yet, all were shocked when it showed none!
The girl had no cultivation potential! What was going on?!
Three more were tried but the result was the same. What was wrong here?
"Your criteria is the problem. You are only looking at the resonance of a particular wavelength. In other words, if someone has a different physique or other unique quality, the test would say they are useless." Shock flowed followed by outrage. How many cultivators had been left with nothing over the centuries!
"It has never been wrong before!" An older woman pleaded the case and the man held up his hand to quiet the crowd.
"A mortal realm is different from the Heaven Realm. A mortal born here must be able to regulate Qi or they would die from the pressure. In other words, so long as they are born here, they can cultivate." Most anger rose as many knew they had children disowned and others lost because the test said they were useless.
"How dare you defy our traditions!!" A voice spoke as a Moon Tier aura flared. The leader of the Starlight Array Sect finally came forth. He was ancient and cleary on his last days but his power was stable.
"Traditions that miss the truth are of no use. Lua is proof enough for me but I am happy to demonstrate more." The spheres suddenly flew out all at once and tested each child in less than a few breaths! Such power made even the sect master pale.
A Sun Tier, it was a true Sun Tier!
Many lit up the spheres and were happy but others were as dark as Lua on stage. Before anyone could stop it, all the young children were pulled on stage that were showing no talent.
"Lua, demonstrate what I taught you." She bowed and began to speak. All recognized it as a very basic instruction for Body Tempering Realm. The children had difficulty at first but Lua and the outer disciple corrected them.
Many sneered but then all felt shock. Any Soul or World Realm could feel the flow of Qi even if they could not truly see it. With so many trying on stage they saw the flow of Qi enter the small bodies on stage.
They were cultivating! Not all were good, but not a single one was unable to cultivate!
Before even anyone could think to speak, more than half broke through to the Body Tempering Realm with ease!
The Sect Master felt his heart jolt at the staggering proof of their failure.
"I rescued you all from the mortal realm but I was not their when you began to settle here. I apologize for not having the foresight to explain the differences between a mortal realm and the Heaven Realm. Your artifacts are still built with the old world in mind." His words snapped them all out of their stupor as he pulled his hood back.
Emerald eyes with black hair and emerald streaks were seen by all. Very few recognized him but the Sect Master openly wept as he knelt. Figures began to appear overhead and all recognized the Emerald Souls.
The color finally connected as everyone realized who was standing in front of them.
A glow filled his hands as the sphere changed with new ores introduced as if it was nothing to him.
"Here, try this one." The artificer caught it and she was floored. She quickly put it over a child on the stage. It lit up with faint colors of green and red. Another child lit up with black, brown, and gold!
The intensity of the color showed higher potential but all of the children lit up. They could all cultivate. Lua was like a bright star when it was used on her!
"I have made a decision after seeing the world from your eyes. I have been irresponsible in trying to push my duties onto others. There is much others can do far better than me but if I am going to rule, then it is time for me to be clear to all what I envision my rule to be." Lind floated up and began engraving into the air as jade stones floated around him.
Communication jade stone across the lands lit up, including a very special one as the Moebius Sect found it connecting to their entire sect!
"To all that can see me and hear my voice. I am Lind Frey. I have been asleep far too long and I have seen the changes wrought in my absence. I am not punishing anyone, but I am making my stance clear." His form began to change as he took on his full dragon form. Many noted it was not 20 meters long! He had progressed in the Sun Tier!
"The Two Rivers Alliance is no more. An Alliance is only as good as its members are willing to be. Many of you no longer wish to be beholden to that Alliance, thus it is gone. Instead, a new empire will replace it." The bright emerald eyes glowed as Lind spoke. "This empire will embody my ideals of seeking knowledge, promoting growth to all, and protecting those caught up in the fights of greater powers."
Words began to float above his head that slowly became clear.
[I am Lind Frey, Emperor of the Sanctuary Empire]
That word made it clear how he viewed his power. It would not be for tyranny nor would it tolerate abuse. It would exist to protect and promote the ideals of its leader. Lind looked down at the stage and his next words shocked all.
"Those that wish to break away and stand alone, may do so but understand you will no longer receive the benefits of my Empire. Trade, travel, and all connections will need to be negotiated. Good neighbors will have an easier time while those that choose to be abrasive may find the end of my indulgence very short." He then looked at them all and smiled yet with his dragon snout it seemed like he was getting ready to eat them!
"I promise one day to let us walk free from the Law Binding but it will be far from this place. The work continues on that dream as I have a family that has been long waiting for my return. I will see them again so your freedom is as certain to me as that reunion." His words shook them all as many wept.
Across the lands, many seats of power were shaken but some glistened while others sneered. Lind Frey had returned and birthed a new Empire to replace the Alliance. He was powerful and he revealed a secret many had suspected was being built for centuries.
Once they left the Law Binding, they could ignore his tiny Empire in some of their minds. Others, especially the Heavenly Maiden Sect, knew those petty people were in for very rude awakenings.
The Sanctuary Empire was born!