Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 960 - 959 - Fionan Forging Princess

Delenn felt disconnected. She had understood something horrible had happened after she was exiled away from her home but the reality was stark.

The very air seemed like a poison as her strength left her. She could not even fly!

Something she had heavily indulged in when Lind brought her back to the Celestial Fields for months! She had been like a little girl but never let him see that side of her. Her broad shoulders and well muscled body was after over a million years Forging.

She had been far more slender at one time but the one silver lining in her exile was being able to focus on her passion.

She looked at the medallion of her family she had not used in so long but the reaction told her its formations were still very active.

The villagers were not from any power she recognized but that was not the only problem. Her medallion had several functions yet not a single one aside from identifying her worked.

There would have been some response from a relay tower if she was in her empire, yet there was nothing. Where were they?

Lind followed their new guides as they came up to the road they had approached before. The woman with the poison crossbow took out a simple metal bar that lit up an outline of a doorway.

It sank into the roadway and expanded until a room large enough to hold them existed. They all passed through and she noticed Lind's artifact suddenly stopped draining its harmonic Qi.

The bar was retrieved and the barrier returned to its original shape. As it passed over them, she felt all impurities vanished from the air but it was far less effective compared to Lind's harmony.

Lind was looking at the barrier the whole time and she had to repress a smile. HIs comprehension was terrifying but well earned. He had pursued all avenues to advance his cultivation safely.

His base of information was far greater than any student she ever took on. His unique situation would likely never be replicated again. He had taken her lessons to an extent far beyond her own skill.

He did have the decency not to ask questions as they finally moved down a road. The feeling of her foundation relaxing was quite pleasant but she noticed the bracelet was still working. Did that mean the Qi was still contaminated?

She would have to ask him as she did not possess the Talents he did. After learning more about him after her rescue, she felt a bit jealous but then witnessed all he carried on his shoulders.

Many cultivators with his gifts would take the simplest path to strength and ignore all others. They might build an organization or take over one, but instead he used all he learned to not only raise up his fellow 6 elementals but to spread the knowledge of his production as well!

The results spoke for themselves but he had paid a very steep price for it all. She knew from long ago that he would have been happy as a recluse with his loved ones and living out a peaceful life.

Cultivators are not afforded such a life.

The group entered the modest village and she saw him frown while looking straight ahead.

She did not understand why until a scream could be heard. A dark suspicion began to bloom in her heart as Lind moved away from them. The leader glanced at her and she simply nodded as now they followed him.

After a few turns they came to the main road and the square was revealed. A well and a few stalls were present but all were abandoned as a small crowd was almost having a picnic near a raised platform.

A young girl was being whipped by what looked like an official administrator. Delenn narrowed her eyes as she crossed her arms. He had far better robes than anyone she could see but a few of the closer figures were dressed better.

They had fine woolen shirts and dark leather that she easily identified as Heaven grade 4. While in the lower realms that would be very difficult, up here she knew that marked a village of maybe a medium power.

The administrator was odd for that though as his robes were easily peak heaven grade 5 which was a massive jump in quality but not enough for a medium power. It would be more likely for a lower power.

"What is the highest cultivation of your lords?" She spoke quietly enough not to draw attention. The woman pulled down her hood to reveal close cropped dark hair and tanned skin. Scars covered the left side of her face which was damned odd.

She was easily in the peak Iron Tier but healing physical wounds like that were child's place for any power up to the peak Sky Realm.

"We are under the Ogros Kingdom, Highness Fionan. We are but a small village but our king is at the peak Sky Realm." The awe with which the woman spoke was normal but Delenn frowned.

Peak Sky Realm was very weak. Further, the administrator was only at the Gold Tier. He should be at the Diamond Tier at least for such a village.

Their foundations all felt wrong to her. It was like their aura was much lower than the reality she could perceive. The group around them was slowly recovering but Lind was already in peak condition aside from his Qi reserves.

The poor Qi in the air was the only issue and he did not want to relay on elixirs to make up the difference.

"Do you know who I am?" She had given her name but any commoner would react to the medallion she had. She saw the woman pale and slowly nod but then look confused.

"I know of your name, but are you named in honor of her, Highness? Was it maybe because you are also a Forger of such skill?" It was not unusual for royal families to do exactly that in the hopes the Heavens would bless a scion with similar Fate, but it hardly ever worked.

Still, some royals would have their names changed if they had not been introduced to society yet for the sake of reputation.

"It is my name, but tell me, what have you heard?" Delenn made no move to stop the current events. She did not have enough information but she knew Lind was getting angry for some reason. He was not acting for the same reason as her.

"The Fionan Forging Princess was a legendary figure. Her rise through the realms was speedy but profound. She made items treasured at the Gallifey Auctions only other royals or important figures could attend. Our Princess Catya has one of her defensive necklaces that she shows off when she tours the villages." Delenn narrowed her eyes at that.

It was true she had been skilled but hardly legendary. It did sound like something her Father would do, though. It also was not what she was looking for.

"I meant, did they say why she disappeared?" The woman paused before looking around. Delenn appreciated such caution before the leathers creaked as she leaned in.

"It was said the Prince of Kantos pursued her against the Chosen Disciple of the Eternal Flame Sect. Some say she was whisked away by the prince and killed when his kingdom fell not long after in the Corruption or that the Chosen Disciple impressed her with his skills and hid her away when her empire split during the Corruption." The woman frowned but Delenn was able to keep a straight face.

"Go on." The 2 words were icy but the woman did not notice.

"After the Fionan Empire recovered, it was when legends sprang up of her skill in Forging and artifacts that made the Imperial Family overcome their foes." That had her Father written all over it. It was just the kind of propaganda he would happily use.

"Thank you." She doubted the woman would know more but she seemed to want to speak. Delenn nodded.

"Highness, your Empire is on the lookout for lost family members even now. The others will relay to the City Lord of your presence quickly." Delenn smirked and tossed a peak World Stone to the woman.

It was pure and she quickly pocketed it.

They both froze as the sound of the whip changed. It was no longer hitting flesh but almost like steel. Delenn sighed as she saw exactly what she expected.

Lind had his arm covered in emerald scales as he was staring daggers at the administrator.

"You said this 'criminal' must confess to receive the mercy of your judgment, yet she has said the truth several times. Are you deaf? She knows nothing about any demonic bandits. She is nearly dead!" Delenn's eyes narrowed.

Demonic bandits, despite its connotation, was a generic term.

"You dare interfere in my work! She was seen helping a known bandit escape. She is guilty!" Lind sneered at them and she knew trouble was coming but then she felt odd. Why wasn't he using his Immortal aura?

Just with that, he had far more authority than anyone there. Even that whip thin administrator would bend over backward to obey him.

"You asked her that and she only helped a man calling for aid. When is that a crime? Besides, my main issue with you is your smell. You are enjoying her pain!" His words changed the crowd.

It was fine to relish one's work but it seemed like Lind made them all realize the whipping was not being used to interrogate so much as to simply hurt the woman!

"A measly beast has no place here. Die!" The administrator overreacted but Delenn made not a single move to stop him. Even the group that led them winced at the idiocy about to unfold.

A dark sword flew out and struck at Lind but he caught it with his bare HUMAN hand. Only at that moment did things seem to click in place as those present tried to determine Lind's cultivation.

"I was not sure but now I am, you KNOW she is innocent. You KNOW all of this is pointless and simply targeted her. I can smell it on you. You did all this to punish her because she slighted you or ignored you." Delenn noticed a young woman with similar features at the edge of the crowd. She saw the guilt on her dirt stained face and knew Lind was partially correct.

She was about to act when something shifted above. Her eyes went wide as the Law Binding was responding to something!

"You are the fool here. I am the supreme–" Lind merely glanced up and all were shocked as the Law Binding went back to stillness. Even Delenn, despite knowing he had been studying it all these months, knew he could not get them inside.

It had not even been a day! He was a monster!

Lind then flung the man out to Delenn's feet. He looked at her and bowed low.

"What are your orders, Imperial Princess Fionan?" She nearly stumbled when he called her that but would be giving him a stern lecture later. His words were like magic. All the well dressed men went to a knee instantly as she produced the same medallion as before.

The administrator gained a very sickly pallor as he knew his life or death was out of his hands!

"Heal the girl and bring her sister with us. We will clear this matter up now." Lind smirked and all were shocked as he effortlessly healed her completely! The girl was only a tier 2 Soul Realm so it was easy. He also instantly gathered the other girl up and the group moved to the nearest tavern.

A quiet night seemed damned far away.