novelraw Chapter 672 - 671 - New Powers
Chapter 672 - 671 - New Powers
Lind's declaration was followed by swift changes. Lanbao and Linghu moved many things to the Two Rivers where he would hold the seat of his power. The Wards of Hope and Peace quickly petitioned to join.
The Ward of Blood also wanted to but it left some logistical issues. Still, it was accepted fairly quickly. The Haven Lands chose to stay separate but to be subservient to the Sanctuary Empire.
That partially solved the Ward of Blood issue.
The other Wards quickly dissolved to no surprise of anyone. It was a bloodless separation as no one wanted to test the clearly irked Lind Frey.
The 3 new powers also did not join together to make new kingdoms.
The Ward of War became a trio of councilors at the peak that had already been running things like a kingdom so little changes were needed save the unofficial symbol of sword, spear, and shield now became their official symbol.
The Ward of Honor was already gutted by merchants but they still appointed a king. How their political system would be was a bit up for debate but Lind left them to it. Of all the former Wards, they only seemed to want to have more control over their own prices and flow of goods in and out. They would likely be peaceful neighbors.
The Ward of Justice was a bit of a problem.
It chose to become theocratic as it worshiped the spirits and saw them as the true source of all cultivation. Lind had been surprised at first but he then saw how harshly they made their rules.
There would likely be an exodus for a bit and peaceful interaction could be touchy.
The Heavenly Maiden Sect and Secret Flame Sect remained supreme powers. The Maidens officially became allies while the Secret Flame Sect asked for time. Smaller powers were divided up by their own choice or who they aligned with.
It took months to sort out but it was all done very peacefully. The aether beasts made it clear they acknowledged the Sanctuary Empire but no others save the Maidens. Lind was not surprised on the last one.
The Heavenly Maidens Sect had been busy and saved a few young aether beasts from bandits or slavers that had risen up on the fringes of the Hinterlands.
All said and done, the Sanctuary Empire was mostly based on the south eastern side with an arm cutting to the north west to divide the Law Binding up. Again, no one dared voice objection as they had seen what happened to those that crossed Lind before.
He hoped the peace would last long enough to finish the gate.
Lind now sat in his old quarters that Gravis had kept but not occupied. A long tired sigh filled him at such consideration but he also looked sadly at something he asked for.
Sheena's diary had already prepared him but the long list of dead made him mourn. So many friends from the early days were gone.
He knew others from the past were long dust but seeing it in a list made all that death real to him. He spent a few days remembering his early days and wrote down a few things to talk about others with later.
"Master?" A woman with dark hair smiled wide at him. Shi nearly bowled him over as he embraced her. Linghu had said she seemed down since he fell asleep.
"You have done well." He worried about her as the white had increased in her hair. Without the unnatural technique of Xing, Shi had limited life left to her. Linghu had a million years so he was in no danger, but Shi had less than a millennium left by his estimate.
She nodded into his chest as another aura came into range. A delicate beauty smiled from the door and Lind felt shocked.
Kin was alive! She was peak Sun Tier as well! The power of her sun was stunning!
"Welcome back, Lind." She called him by name and he bowed. The tiny patter of feet preceded Lua sprinting in.
"Master, it is so nice here!" Both women looked at him sharply for some reason. Why were they glaring daggers at him?
"Little Lua, this is Shi and Kin. They are your Big Sisters." All was instantly forgiven which only confused Lind more. Lua was smiling wide as she looked at the 2 women.
They carted her off to the quarters he had assigned to her. He was still teaching her but the next part was both boring and not a concern for his new disciple.
He moved down the dark hall and entered the meeting room with the giant round table he had made so long ago.
The small crowd stood and bowed to him as one. Lind sighed but did not say anything as he took the small throne. He welcomed some familiar faces like Gravis and Benny but others were clearly new yet still familiar.
The children of the former ministers took on their positions it seemed.
Nepotism was not encouraged but grooming a successor was fine so long as they were qualified.
"I am glad to meet you all once again and some for the first time. I am apprised by Shi's reports as well as Linghu's. What I want to know is any issues our old flow of goods now faces with the new arrangement." Lind brought the meeting to order with the highest priority issue.
In a way, the Sanctuary Empire had a leg up on resources as the former wards he absorbed had the best production for both demons and humans. Aether children powers were also good nurturers with Lind's Seed Technique.
The meeting was rolling into night when Lanbao arrived. All ceased as she moved behind Lind before they proceeded.
They wrapped up for the day as orders flowed and more meetings were scheduled. Once all but Gravis were gone, the 3 sat down once more.
"I would hear your thoughts." Lind became far more imposing compared to before. In the meeting he was much like the scholar and kindly man of old, but now he showed his true face.
"First, may I ask what happened to you, my Emperor?" Gravis spoke up but he seemed uncertain until Lind smiled at him widely.
"I am still me but I am no longer trying to have it all. I am an Emperor and have to start acting like it. Further, I have been oppressing the current generations as they wish to find their own way. How would I be any better than Xing or Timat if I did not let them stand on their own?" Gravis nodded but Lanbao frowned.
"I am a dragon but I am not a God, Lanbao. I do not own their lives and never planned to. Still, some wish to follow me so I will oblige. It changes my plans slightly but certain obstacles will have to be tested in the future." Both titled their heads at him when he pointed at Lanbao.
"She and Linghu are the last Immortal Realms inside this Law Binding. She can't break through to the Shard Tier but I bet Linghu can. If we succeed in the gate plan, can we return once we break through or only Sun Tier and below enter?" His words made them look shocked as they had clearly not thought of it.
"It may be forbidden save for me. My aura is registered so even if I break through I could return as I was already an Immortal when the Law Binding was created. I am unsure on you, Lord Frey." Lanbao gave her opinion but he nodded as his Law being part of the binding could make a loophole for him as well.
"The demons are not an issue. They earnestly want to stay with you without question. Kin feels the former Ward of Peace feels safer with us than their other neighbors but may one day wish to stand on their own, how do we proceed?" Lind shrugged at Gravis' words.
"That is something to consider when it happens. It may be that it makes sense but we will try to keep them if we can. Also, move her island here when we can. Just a gut feeling." Both nodded as the new changes might make some 'modify' history by erasing any inconvenient memorials.
"The crazy Bloodsworn worship you so they will not leave either anytime soon. Once we open the gate, that may change, but tell me, how do we treat the gate once it works?" Lanbao knew the opening of the gate would threaten some as once the outside could get in, their places of power would no longer be safe.
Lind laughed at her concern.
"I think you do not understand what will happen when we open that gate. Likely, assuming no issues at the time, the weaker powers will plead and beg to get inside here but we don't even know if that will work!" Lanbao slowly nodded. They had only tested items with the small scale and it worked but those were inanimate objects.
A living aether beast might work but Lind had refused to sacrifice one to test the theory. It was very possible Linghu would know once the gate was open but not before. The small tests did not seem to disturb the Law Binding at all.
The Law Binding had limited space and if the entire Heaven Realm threatened by the Fiends tried to get in, it would be impossible to survive.
"We have confirmed 3 mortal realms are now under the control of the Theocracy of the Spirits. They have confirmed all will have access to them now that all are unsealed." Gravis spoke on the 3 ascension pools.
Lind had learned Xing would punish the mortal realms by sealing them and cutting off access. The seals were actual Law Arrays created by the Law Binding itself. Lind found it cruel but it explained why they could not find them.
The Laws were just that much more powerful than them. The pools were also not all together exactly but they were all now under the Theocracy of the Spirits. It made a small issue but the tradition of ascenders was strong enough that Lind did not worry too much.
"We will address that as well. All right, we will work towards finishing the gate and keeping the peace. After that–" A large violet jade stone lit up in the center of the table. Lysanna appeared looking exhausted.
"Lind, I am so glad you are awake! It is bad here." She was weeping and Lind felt a pang in his chest. Any doubt Gravis or Lanbao had about the changes in Lind after he woke up were dashed at that moment. He was really back!
"Tell me." All 3 listened and felt shock as the report of the devastating attack. Lind's knuckles cracked as he restrained himself from marching to the gate to make it work right then.
"I love you and give my love to all. Hang on, we are almost there." She nodded and the communication dispersed. Lind's emerald eyes turned to Lanbao who shrank from him.
Without a need for orders, she bowed and practically sprinted from the room. His orders were clear.
Get the gate open, now!