Elder Cultivator

The great promise of controlling the flow of the tides of the world was not something so easily realized. At a basic level it might be used to conceal activity in an area, though even those promises were suspect. Anton and Everheart together felt like children trying to use sand to redirect the flow of the ocean itself. Even convincing themselves that they had an actual effect was difficult- others sensed no real change.

That did not mean the techniques Anton had obtained were useless, simply that a basic understanding of the elements behind it had very little effect. At best it pushed them along a path they had barely stepped foot on. In that manner, Anton was actually ahead- having been present upon Ceretos for the shift, while Everheart was in the upper realms in isolation. He’d experienced the intensifying of the flow towards Ceretos and the receding tides. Everheart’s intuition had quickly allowed him to pick up that sense and likewise determine when the next cycle would happen, a strangely short one by historical understanding.

The creator of the history and technique they were studying was a long dead individual from the Olkoi system. Anton couldn’t tell whether he or some successor had manipulated the situation around the Sylanis Cluster or if they were naturally unknown by the upper realms. There had been no signs of the Twin Soul Sect among them nor other signs of the Trigold Cluster, or anything else that tied them to the upper realms. Yet they had the sort of resources that would doubtless be tempting to those same cultivators.

“Do you think this will actually work?” Anton asked.

“Well…” Everheart frowned, “I don’t get the feeling that the progenitor of this technique took it very far. I would consider it incomplete in its current form, and thus the speculation of what it might do is unclear. But I do feel the potential. The question is whether it is worth devoting enough time training this.”

Anton nodded, “I think it would be best to continue our practice but not expect anything to come of it. Likewise, we can disseminate this information to Rutera and Weos, and even back to the Sylanis Cluster… once we secure our peace.”

“How long do you think such a peace will last?” Everheart asked.

“I’m hoping for centuries,” Anton said. “If nothing else, the Sylanis Cluster has a lot of rebuilding to do, and as far as we’ve heard they’re not done with their internal squabbles yet. That should take them a while to settle. Hopefully, until after the next invasion.”

“And you’re hoping they’re a target as well,” Everheart nodded.

“I didn’t say that,” Anton shrugged. “I’m not fond of the upper realms thinking they can walk all over us. But if it has to happen to someone, I would not mind them spending some of their efforts on those who are not our friends.”

“Unfortunately,” Everheart said, “With the groups in question it’s less of a matter of if they have the people to commit, but simply how much they wish to use. They have hundreds of worlds, populations many times even the Sylanis Cluster’s hundred billion or so. Perhaps even trillions, though not all are cultivators. That being said, more of them reach the ascension level than the rate for Worldbinding in the Sylanis Cluster. Was it one in a billion?”

“That’s a number they maintained, more or less,” Anton nodded. “And there were some who ascended, of course, but it seemed that they considered Worldbinding more valuable. Which I agree with personally, though not necessarily for everyone.”

“That would depend on whether you can reach an Augmentation equivalent,” Everheart said.

“Perhaps,” Anton pondered, “Though with the exception of those from Ceretos who can reattune to the local natural energy like yourself, I don’t think Augmentation cultivators would generally be much trouble.”

“There are some who are massively powerful,” Everheart said. “To the point that even diminished I would not wish to face them here. Only if I were fully recovered would I consider it. But,” Everheart emphasized, “I would not expect them to lower themselves to come here. The mere possibility of danger could be enough, and they are quite busy holding onto their power in the upper realms.”

“I see,” Anton nodded. “I only had one individual to judge by. Fajra of the Radiant Beauty Sect. She actually improved during the invasion, consuming vast quantities of stolen resources.”

“Oh right…” Everheart stroked his chin, “That old hag actually made it to the Augmentation stage. That happened here?”

“That’s right. She was certainly powerful, but given the lack of access to actual ascension energy I would only fear her if I was still in Life Transformation.”

“Well, her power is more geared towards augmenting or suppressing large groups. In personal combat, you could absolutely defeat her now. And unless she brought sufficient Integration forces, I imagine you could do that without being in any danger now. But she’d be on the lower end of Augmentation in terms of personal combat power, especially having just advanced.”

“Fair enough,” Anton agreed, “But I will be growing more powerful before our next conflict, assuming she returns for the next cycle. So even if there are other Augmentation cultivators of more direct power along with her, I imagine I could be a match for any one of them with the restrictions in place.”

“Well, I’ll admit that Assimilation or Worldbinding are basically unknowns, just don’t get arrogant. That’s how you have to fake your own death three times in a row. The third time was almost not a fake,” Everheart grimaced. “Regardless, they should be in for a surprise when they show up, no matter what they bring.”

“That is the plan. We wish to deliver them such a devastation blow they never return.”

“Or…” Everheart said, “They come back the following cycle with everyone under their command.”

“I have no doubt that the Exalted Quadrant would happily send their troops over the long journey between them if they got wind of something like that. And vice versa. You seriously think they’d commit all their forces to a single lower world?”

“Think? No, if they’re thinking they won’t. But people aren’t always even a little bit rational.”

“If they try it, our Assimilation cultivators will be eight hundred years experienced. Assuming the standard six hundred year cycle happens again.”

“And assuming they live that long. Though that one’s not out of the question,” Everheart nodded. “I’d expect some to perish, but some should still be around… and a few might even make it to the next step.” Everheart shrugged, “But whether Ceretos should ultimately concern themselves with that is pointless to discuss now. You have a war to settle and whatever happens with the invasion, and less than two more centuries to prepare.”

-----

It was a year before the Sylanis Cluster agreed to any peace talks, though not in the worrying silence of previous attempts. It was simply a slow process, especially with many sects distracted by other things. Like looting the remains of sects that had been the most powerful. Few had retained any Worldbinding cultivators, not expecting their own to fall so easily. Ceretos, a single planet of modest population, had not seemed like such a threat. Anton didn’t know what the Sylanis Cluster knew about their numbers, but their judgements were off. Either upon individual power, coordination, or the extremely helpful defensive and teleportation formations. Bringing people to where they needed to be not just via starship was extremely valuable, and well worth the expense. If only it was reasonable to bring cultivators at full fighting strength, but that was not the case. Regardless, reinforcements were always welcome.

One year to actually agree on peace talks, and six months further for them to actually have a place and time and list of those attending. The speed of communication between systems and the way people functioned in general all added up. Three representatives from each side to represent each system and their interests. That included Anton, President Park, and Rikuto. Though they would be the ones speaking, Weos provided one of their Assimilation cultivators and The Independence would also be present to maintain a vague balance of power. The trifold alliance had secured the help of Kohar and negotiators from Rutera to draft their basic versions of agreements, with suggestions on what things it was reasonable to compromise on and what was not. Kohar especially went over potential loopholes with everyone. If there was to be further conflict, they could not allow the Sylanis Cluster to have real excuses.

The diplomats for the Sylanis Cluster were all Worldbinding cultivators themselves. Aridasa from Okloi, and two more from the other systems unfamiliar to Anton. He still knew the man and the woman by name and reputation- Lomman of the Slithering Vine Sect from Aphuna, and Fedele from Azoth, as it was first known by the trifold alliance when they first thought it was simply a single system they faced. The latter was vaguely neutral, while the former was actually quite pleased about the destruction of the Ivory Maw. Aridasa was not the strongest of those that Okloi could have sent, but he was the most confident he would not be killed arbitrarily. Vargha was likely unafraid, but also uninterested in the negotiations.

Agreeing to terms of peace was not terribly difficult- what was difficult was agreeing on penalties should such things be broken and how they might be enforced. Ultimately, the majority of the blame would be shifted to the now defunct sects, any reparations that might have been demanded already having been taken directly by the trifold alliance. Anton did intend to secure some nominal payments from those remaining based on their contributions to the war- as any non-violent exchange would hopefully promote peace, even if it was just a few yearly ships between their systems.

Aridasa was actually more interested in securing concessions from his ‘own side’ for himself and his sect on Cheitov, though he certainly made it seem like he was offering help with materials. It seemed he wanted to get money flowing again as quickly as possible, while longer term gains would have to slowly ramp back up. Perhaps their finances were not doing well, or he was simply impatient. Then again, with money earlier he could invest in Cheitov’s growth. Whether he planned to do anything like Ceretos’ growth was another question, though they had to have seen some inkling of the planet’s policy that everyone cultivated, and that the entire planet could grown in natural energy if done right.

Anton wished he could say the negotiations finished in a day, or a week. But on the agreed upon rock floating through the vastness of space between their systems, time passed slowly and with little vigor for weeks that stretched into months, finally being finalized with input from sects back in each system over the course of six months. Very few people would be happy with the results, but none would be so upset as to not go along with the peace. And if anyone chose to ignore the agreement, Anton didn’t intend to be so nice the next time. As if he could actually enforce the whole thing himself, which was not true.

-----

“That was boring,” the Great Queen declared. She had been brought along, though not visibly, as a sort of insurance. The enemy had also brought their own securities that were on the border of the agreement. The Great Queen wasn’t an Assimilation or Worldbinding cultivator, and she stayed a great distance from the actual negotiations, waiting for a battle that never came. “But, one must do what is necessary for harmony between colonies. I endured for the long term goals we share.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Anton said. Unlike actual cultivators, the Great Queen could not immerse herself in gathering insights or other such things. It had truly been six months of basically no stimulation. “But we appreciated your presence.”

“I now wish to check on the establishment of the colonies in Rutera and Weos,” the Great Queen said. “It will be easier for me if you come along with me.”

“Of course,” Anton said. “They can manage things back home without me. And visiting our allies for our first time of peace since our introductions should hopefully draw us closer.”

One thing Anton wanted to do was see if he could alter the tides of the world to keep Rutera hidden. Previously it had been of no interest, but by the end of the cycle it would likely be a tempting target. Weos and Ceretos were already known, so as long as they were physically accessible there wasn’t much that could be done. The invaders would likely learn about Rutera once they arrived, but by that point it would hopefully be too late to prepare another invasion force.

Maybe it wouldn’t work, but Anton wanted to at least try. Then he hoped for peace, though he knew it was only temporary. Besides, even if the lower realms were peaceful, that said nothing for the upper realms, the news coming from which indicated continued escalation of hostilities with the Harmonious Citadel.