novelraw Chapter 744 - 743 - Balance of Power
Chapter 744 - 743 - Balance of Power
Kora was smoothing down her golden robes as she sat in an ornate waiting room. It had gilded vases holding grade 6 herbs in them to leave a soothing atmosphere for visitors. There were cherry lacquered tables with fine leather sofas to sit comfortably for any length of time.
A deep green tea set was steaming in front of her but she barely sipped at it.
"You are usually more prideful, little sister." A voice made her jump as a demoness made a stark contrast to the room. Her 2 short swords were visibly within reach as her exquisite leather armor creaked across her body with every movement.
Kora knew she could be dead silent if she wished but Cyntilla was simply lounging against the 6 paned window that showed a large stretch of greenery and trees. The white stone outside seemed to glow but it actually acted as camouflage for the residents.
They were in the central citadel of the Heavenly Maiden Sect. It was one of the guest wings but it was still far more impressive than most powers.
It was far more ornate than their own capitol but Lind preferred understated results in appearance and sharp talons in the dark to show their power. Still, Kora felt nervous for very different reasons.
As one of the supreme powers now, very few could bring in the Sanctuary Empire to explain things but the Heavenly Maiden Sect was one of them.
After the incident with the Crimson Syndicate and the Kingdom of Luoxia, the Alliance was a bit bothered by how swiftly the Sanctuary Empire had proof and actions ready to go in response to the financial and decoy attack from the Kingdom of Luoxia.
They wanted answers but it was not appropriate to pull a supreme power in front of a full assembly when they had a legitimate grievance that was addressed.
The 2 women were waiting to be seen by someone the Heavenly Maiden Sect would send to explain exactly how the Sanctuary Empire had all that evidence and actions ready to go.
A knock brought both around as a powerful aura preceded them. They sent an Immortal!
Before Kora could bow, however, a known friend walked in with a smile.
"Senior Melody, it is good to see you again." The woman smiled wide at them as her pristine white robes were clearly grade 7!
The 3 sat around the table and sipped at the tea while simply catching up for a time. Melody was happy to hear about her nephew thriving and she asked a lot of questions about raising children to the point even Kora knew Melody was considering having her own.
"So, to the business at hand." Melody became serious as she summoned a jade slip. It essentially reviewed the timeline of events but the thing that caught the Alliance's eye was the fact that in less than 2 weeks it was all over.
Shoti sent out 3 divisions of soldiers to crush the Crimson Syndicate that had quickly been discovered and left out in the open to be wiped out! It seemed like overkill for such a tiny power until the connection to the Kingdom of Luoxia was revealed.
In less than 3 days, the merchants and trade routes were snatched up by the Sanctuary Empire so no loss of trade occurred as the Kingdom was gutted.
It was all too smooth. It was almost as if the Sanctuary Empire had set up Luoxia to fail so they could benefit but no such evidence was found.
Thus, it was required to get clarity or other powers would become nervous to even work with such a powerhouse that was critical to the future defenses in the war.
Kora smiled at the terrifying power of Lysanna. Cyntilla simply giggled in amusement. Melody felt they were a perfect match for the kind man in her memory.
The closeness of the 2 was clear as day.
"First, we are always cognizant of our neighbors and their actions, good or bad." Cyntilla spoke up first but then she became serious. "I will not pretend we did not have information networks spread throughout the various powers, but is that any different from anyone else?"
Melody could not deny that outright but it was not something openly admitted either. She waved it on but Cyntilla turned to Kora at that point.
"Sigh, my mother and my husband both agree that being proactive is better than reactive. There is no medicine for regret as they say. So we set a policy on evaluating and rating likely methods our neighbors could use to attack us." She then became regal as a ripple seemed to flow around her.
Rocs were rulers of the sky with only a few exceptions. Even the air answered their call without the use of Qi!
"So you are both telling me you evaluated the Kingdom of Luoxia as a threat and prepared a trap for them?" Kora shook her head.
"We simply did what we should as an Empire and protected our people. When what we suspected could happen did, we were ready. That is all." Kora made it sound like the Kingdom of Luoxia was always going to attack and the Sanctuary Empire simply waited for it to occur.
"How did you move so quickly?" Melody's question was at the heart of the matter.
Having responses in place was fine but the swiftness was far beyond what should have been possible. It was as if the Sanctuary Empire had the track of each threat within a few moments and was ready to respond instantly.
Cyntilla smirked as she seemed to vanish and appear directly behind Melody. Even with her Immortal senses, she had been unable to follow her!
"Speed is subjective. If we had truly been ready, the Crimson Syndicate would have died the day they took the mines. What we did was lay plans and set up the logistics and intelligence for when it happened." It was only then that Melody noticed the formation plate next to Kora.
The Mistress of Illusions was terrifying but her best works were heavily restricted.
"So, you are stating that you have infiltrated, analyzed, and prepared for any potential enemy at any time?" She found it difficult to believe but the sad smile on Kora's face made her pause.
"We are not infallible. People still died and we were not able to prevent it. The most we did was reduce the loss of life of our subjects as best as possible." Those words made Melody smile.
"Told ya!" A new voice made all 3 jump as a bright pink haired woman smiled from the door. None knew when she arrived but she was being smug as she leaned against it.
"Those guys would never lay traps using lives. That boy just does not work that way!" Romana made them all smile.
"Advisor Romana, I believe I was charged with evaluating the Sanctuary Empire?" Melody was respectful but clearly annoyed at the interruption.
"Bah! You already know the truth and confirmed it. Did I interfere?" She smiled far too sweetly for the beautiful adult she appeared to be.
"Nevertheless–" Melody was about to continue when all 4 of them shot up at attention. An aura had spread across the skies and a roar all recognized was heard.
[Attention to all powers. I, Emperor Frey, had punished 3 criminals from the Elemental village. They are restricted but still Immortals. Their names and descriptions should be arriving shortly. My message is not simply for that but a warning. Any that harbor those 3 will invite the rage of the Sanctuary Empire. They are exiles and to be left to fend for themselves! The leader of the Elementals, Soltara of the Shard Tier, has endorsed my punishment.]
Lind's voice echoed in their minds as well as the world. He left nothing to chance but that was not what stunned all of them.
"Wasn't he a peak mid Sun Tier before only 2 years ago?" Romana was not being teasing for once as actual shock filled her. Even the most monstrous and resource heavy cultivator could not advance the Sun Tier that quickly!
The most esteemed genius in history had crossed that tier in a little under 50 years! They also had a massive power behind them so the spirits knew how many resources were consumed to do it too!
Yet now, barely a few decades after escaping the Law Binding, Lind Frey stood on the cusp of being an Immortal!
"You missed something, Romana. That telepathic message and his voice was imbued with Nascent Laws." Melody delivered a shocking piece of information that made both Kora and Cyntilla flinch.
They too were at the peak of the Sun Tier but only had Law Traces still. They were far from completing more than one Law, yet Lind suddenly completed more than one in less than 2 years?!
"Oh dear, that is going to give me some headaches in the near future." Romana was not joking but being serious. She was the official liaison when it came to the Sanctuary Empire but while there were many Immortals already, they were considered not too big of a problem.
They were too busy protecting Lind Frey and his family from real threats from other Immortals.
Now, however, the balance would shift dramatically if the man himself became an Immortal.
Forming Nascent Laws was the key step to breaking through! How many Laws was a mystery but considering his issues and foundation, it would not be a low number!
If he wanted to, he could become an Immortal immediately but all Law Traces would be lost and likely a lot of potential. The more complete the Laws for his Dao, the more powerful an Immortal he would be.
"I think you 2 need to head home, fast. I will talk to you later!" Romana left in a hurry and Melody bowed and followed after her. Both Cyntilla and Kora felt smiles stretch over their faces as they swiftly made for the teleportation array!
Lind was home!