Truthful Transmigration

Chapter 544 544

As John approached the islands beneath the Flaming Sky, ships along the way avoided him by darting into the nearest port- or if that was lacking any sort of cover. That was the optimal result, because while John didn't want fear to be the final result, it was useful. It also meant he didn't have to kill people right away, which was nice.

When they were within a reasonable distance of the first of the more populous islands, John projected his voice. "Gather your leadership to meet with me."

He didn't have to announce himself. Even if people somehow hadn't heard who he was, they would still recognize his cultivation- as long as he didn't hide it. And for his current purposes, it was on full display.

The ship slowly approached the port, giving some time for people to gather. Most of the powerful cultivators of the island gathered, though they had only a single Ascending Soul Phase cultivator. For their sake, John limited his escorts to two as he strode off of the ship.

"We welcome the mighty warrior," the single Ascending Soul Phase cultivator clasped his hands and bowed politely, though his voice revealed some trepidation. "May I ask the purpose of your visit?"

"Of course," John said. "We are here for a diplomatic mission. We are here to discuss the terms of your surrender."

They didn't like that. However, they kept their displeasure to their faces and posture. "Perhaps we should move somewhere more… comfortable," the man said.

John agreed, of course. If people wanted to he was happy to lay out his demands standing on the docks- he doubted he would find anywhere more comfortable than his own rooms and his carefully curated garden. Exotic food and drink were interesting to him, but he didn't find much pleasure in such things when engaging in business. Still, if people thought he was easily buttered up by nice things, he wouldn't shatter their illusions.

John brought two weaker individuals with him. He didn't need guards, after all, but it was appropriate that he be accompanied. His own cultivation was more than enough to intimidate the locals, and aside from the man the two women with him were Consolidated Soul Phase and Soul Expansion Phase. Not bad, given their youth, but nothing amazing.

"It is quite possible you already know my name," John said. "But I will reiterate that I am John Miller, leader of the continental alliance. We come representing our own interests and those of our allies. My companions are Osita and Kuhle."

Osita was 'only' in the late Consolidated Soul Phase. Kuhle was an early Ascending Soul Phase cultivator. Together, they likely matched the three leaders of the island.

The other three introduced themselves. The man was Baako, accompanied by Dubaku and Akua.

John had come with some preparations. "I have much business to attend to, so do try to keep up." It was a pretty rude way of speaking, but that was to achieve the effect he wanted. "The Flaming Sky, as the rest of the Sovereign Primacy, was involved in unprovoked attacks on our alliance. Now the Triptych is dead. And you… have a path to survival."

Starting out harsh and leading into his more agreeable terms was a way to keep people unsteady. Ultimately, he wanted them to feel grateful for sparing their lives. And according to the general state of the world… they really should be. Some would have gone on a massacre.

Baako set his jaw. "What terms must we agree to?"

"We have here a list of grievances that encompass the broader Flaming Sky region. You will be communally responsible for a certain amount of reparations. Afterwards, you must submit yourselves to our oversight for a certain period."

Akua frowned at the papers John produced. "This amount is…"

"To be paid out by the entire Flaming Sky region over the next few decades. Or we can empty your vaults today. If you have enough, you might be resolved of your personal responsibility."

Baako cleared his throat. "The… longer term repayments will likely be more acceptable."

"Good," John said. "Please contact your neighbors. I don't have the patience to go to each and every island to seek people out. In the meantime, I will be availing myself of your hospitality."

They weren't happy about that… but in truth John's presence wouldn't be terribly burdensome. He wasn't going to be asking for the most expensive dishes in the region at all hours of the night and day. He was going to be sitting on their roof watching some flaming clouds. He wouldn't immerse himself in deep cultivation in enemy territory, but he could gather insights as he observed unique phenomena.

-----

Overall, John thought the diplomacy in the Flaming Sky region went off reasonably well. There was a slight issue with the second-to-last delegation to arrive. One group, led by a woman, suddenly attacked the moment that John introduced himself. He didn't even get her name.

Her weapon was a parasol- or at least that was a tool she was planning to use. Most likely, her main method of attack was simply fire. John didn't give her much chance to display her abilities, though. Nor the rest of her entourage. A handful of throwing daggers and a wide slash of his sword, and the group fell. On their faces were looks of indignity as their pride was trampled- and perhaps a sense of betrayal. After all, they were surrounded by most of their regional allies. If they worked together to attack John…?

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They would have all still died, actually. But it seemed the woman thought they had a chance. Or perhaps she was blinded by hatred. Presumably, people she cared about had died while assaulting the continent. John only had small sympathy for such a thing. If they wanted to fight, they should have ambushed the Triptych. Just one of them, obviously. They couldn't travel together all the time, especially since they were trying to cover most of the world.

John looked around at the others, his spiritual energy still at its peak. He never really slacked off, not surrounded by enemies. It just wasn't always obvious. People trembled. Some looked as if they wanted to run.

"Don't worry," John smiled. He cleaned off the blade of his sword and retrieved his daggers- good ones could be expensive. "I won't kill those who are not responsible for the attack. Of course… if any of you encouraged this foolishness…"

People shivered. Even if they realized later that he manipulated the spiritual energy in the area, the effect would still be sufficient.

John gestured to those with him. "Their personal effects will be forfeit. They won't be counted towards the debt."

In a way, it was a punishment towards those that were still living… but John was already being reasonable by not rushing over and destroying their sects. He would have had to do something more if it wasn't just a few of their leading cultivators, and he was glad they hadn't also brought masses of lesser cultivators to die.

Before they moved on from the Flaming Sky, John had Viriato display various goods that could be for trade, if a long term relationship was established. He had examples of various luxuries and cultivation resources that would match any elemental combination. There was only so much they could fit in a single ship, but Viriato knew his stuff and had compiled a very efficient display set.

-----

Not everyone was so relatively polite as the Flaming Sky. The Darkness Element cultivators of the Darkstalker Clan didn't come out to meet John, but instead prepared an ambush in a deep valley. However, John was well aware of their presence even before he stepped into their 'trap'. The cloaks they wore had the fur of darkness element beasts that blended in with the night… but it still had traces of the life it once bore.

The battle formation of the Darkstalker Clan compensated for the weaknesses of their lesser members, which allowed them to avoid being individually revealed, but the overall effect was still imperfect. John could distinguish them from the natural surroundings, no matter how closely they attuned their darkness to the area.

John moved ahead of his companions alone, stopping just barely before the area they likely designated as the target. He could give them one chance. "I do know you're there. All seventy-six of you," John said. "You get one warning. Anyone who attacks me will die."

A flash of light element to overwhelm their senses. John's movements were a silent wind, bringing him to stand behind their leader. He casually placed his sword just above her shoulder. A simple movement would slice it towards her neck.

"You wouldn't even know when it happened," he whispered.

John expected her to spin around. If she went for his seemingly open midsection, he would catch her blade with his free hand. What was the point of being an Exalted Soul Phase cultivator if you couldn't show off a little?

She did turn, but not quickly. "You live up to your reputation."

"I would hope so," John said. "Drop your weapons."

The woman shook her head. "I cannot give them up."

What pride. John could let it go, but he had to make a point. Given his reading of the situation… he let go of his own blade. However, before gravity could drop it even a centimeter, his own hands were grasping the woman's curved blades. One was shorter, good for parrying and deflection- if she could react to his speed. She did manage to start a transition to a defensive posture, but John wasn't holding back. The full weight of the Exalted Soul Phase came down on her.

He grabbed the blades and tossed them. She refused to release her grip, so she went flying with them. Perhaps for her personal brand, it was less embarrassing to be tossed than to let go of her weapons.

John grabbed his sword out of the air. "Anyone actually want to fight?"

Some people did. But everyone was watching the clan head. Waiting for her orders, despite her being thrown into the side of the valley where they had been waiting in ambush.

"If we don't fight," she said as she stood. "We will live?"

John pondered for a moment. "I must say that I am not pleased that you were waiting in ambush. But you were not foolish enough to actually attack. So we will not be killing you, unless you engage in further foolish actions."

She bowed her head. "Rawya of the Darkstalker Clan. It appears we must submit to whatever terms you have."

"That is true," John confirmed. "You're quite lucky that they are not as onerous as we could have made them. But I am… something of an idealist. How would you like to be part of a unified planet that could grow as one, instead of living in a constant cycle of death and regression? Perhaps this cultivation boom need not fade into obscurity, leaving behind only corpses and memories."

"An interesting thing to say," Rawya commented. "Though I do believe that more than half of the world's Exalted Soul Phase cultivators are dead."

She was fishing for something. "That's right," John said, then smirked. "Are you suggesting we had more? Because the Empress Aldara and I indeed fought them as a pair."

"If I had such an advantage…" Rawya said. "I would prefer to keep it concealed, if possible. But I suppose there is little point in hiding it when there are no foes that can match you." She didn't bother to hide her spiritual energy assessing John. "I imagine you are stronger now than you were then."

"Of course," John said. "I have no intention to stop growing. Anyway, though we don't currently have any other Exalted Soul Phase cultivators… I'm sure that is only a temporary state. And both of us could provide guidance to cultivators of any element," John declared. "Though of course… we would only do so for our allies."

Rawya nodded. From her face, she thought it was more than a long shot that John would actually provide her guidance at any point in the future, but she seemed tempted by the possibility. If she was reasonable, John thought she might get a chance within a decade or two. After all, he was the one making that choice and he found himself slightly biased towards her stubbornness and boldness.

Or maybe she would try to poison him and he'd have to wipe out her clan. Which would be a shame, because he would probably be fine if she tried.