Chapter 57: Meeting of Future Elders

While Ren and Leinor were gone, Anya retreated because she felt tired, Dermitos, Feynor and Xendar were out on the balcony, still drinking wine, enjoying the night breeze. 

 

“Should I call you Uncle now?” joked Feynor

 

“Nah, you are the Emperor, you can order me around, it would feel weird.” laughed Xendar 

 

“Not for long.” cut in Dermitos 

 

“Mmm?” looked at him, both of them 

 

“Soon you will step down as a General.”

 

“And why is it that I don’t know about this?” furrowed his brow but still remaining calm 

 

“It’s the forefather.” gulped another one as Feynor and Xenadr seemed enlightened “But you will know more tomorrow night. There will be a lot of things to discuss.”

 

“We have a problem.” came suddenly Nameless’ voice as he appeared next to them and all three of them just shook their bodies, expelling any alcohol that could affect their minds.

 

“Speak.” looked at him Feynor

 

“Emergency transmission came from the border kingdom where Prince Lacuss is staying. It came from him directly. We received a message from the Kingdom.”

 

“That was… quick. Did even our messenger arrive there yet?” asked Xendar, surprised 

 

“Shouldn’t be.” shook Dermitos his head. “He should be still on his way.”

 

“What was in the message?” 

 

“Heads.”

 

“...” looked all three at each other and Xendar turned a bit pale as he knew what this meant

 

“Everyone?” asked Feynor quietly

 

“Yes. The whole family line, up to King Rudrick. The only living descendants of that line should be Yurik, Lady Anya and now Lady Ren.”

 

“Fuck… that old bastard…” groaned Dermitos looking worriedly at Xendar who now resumed his somewhat calm expression 

 

“Thank you. Don’t do anything yet, call back the messenger too.” 

 

“Yes.” nodded as he disappeared again 

 

“Sending the heads to us prevents us from any later demands. He is a ruthless person, cutting off his flesh like this.” sighed Feynor 

 

“He is.” agreed Xendar “Now I need to think how to tell this to Anya. Even after the exile, she always thought about her mother and younger siblings. Not everyone was the same as Yurik or her father and grandparents who facilitated the marriage with you.” looked at Dermitos 

 

“I know. The few letters they exchanged every year, I was never against it. Family is important. Can I help with anything?”

 

“No… no. I’ll tell her tomorrow… or after the meeting. Maybe the wedding will soften the blow.” sighed, shaking his head “But thanks.”

 

“Hey, we are friends.” patted his shoulder 

 

“If we are then out with it. You have acted strangely since you came back. What is it?”

 

“Yeah, you are… different, father.” 

 

“It is because of two things.” sighed, leaning against the balcony, crossing his hands, letting out a troubled breath “For once, I advanced.”

 

“Congratulations!” said both of them and while Feynor looked genuinely happy, Xendar felt something did happen and this was not a happy occasion at all 

 

“Second… your mother is dead.” said slowly, looking at Feynor.

 

It was sudden and Feynor needed a few seconds to process the news, yet he just closed his eyes before sighing. 

 

“I see. Somehow I knew it. We were never that close so we met rarely since I grew up, but I just got this feeling since a few days ago. Same is true for my siblings.”

 

“I know. It is partly my fault.” looked at him apologetically 

 

“No, it’s not. Mother was… ill. She couldn’t control it, I never placed blame on her, I accepted it. I guess she did something now that was…” but suddenly stopped, rubbing his face, as Xendar also realised why Meishan died. As long as Dermitos did not cut the energy supply to her mortal body, she could live as long as they did, free from any illness, thanks to her husband’s affinity. “It was her, wasn’t it?”

 

“Yes. She sent the letter out.”

 

“Tsk… just because Anya ended up with me… she still couldn’t let it go after this many years?” shook his head Xendar 

 

“As Feynor said, she was ill. Her mind was poisoned, and I was the source. I made her that way and only I am the cause of her death and everything that happened because of me. She couldn’t process that I helped you and Anya end up together and I refused to “accept a gift” to my harem.”

 

“You gave her a long life father. Longer than any mortal could dream of, keeping her young all these years. A cultivator who does not train the mind alongside with the body can’t process the long years. She broke under that and not because of you.”

 

“It’s kind of you to say that, son.” smiled Dermitos but it was a sad smile “But I know what role I played in it. After she passed away I needed some time to think… that was when I advanced. It’s still not the most stable state I am in, but I am slowly getting the hang of it. It was her last gift to me.” said with a choking voice, slowly gulping back his emotions before Feynor hugged him, patting his back “Thanks…”

 

“Hey… it’s okay.” joined in Xendar too, comforting his friend 

 

“I did not want to mess with the youngsters' big day, they were getting ready for it for a long time now. I don’t want to publicize it either. I’ll tell Reignar tomorrow and Leinor after that. I’ll hold an informal burial later the day after tomorrow, none of you need to come.”

 

“I will. I think the others too. I’ll speak with them.”

 

“Thanks. Sorry, I didn’t want to bum you out.” chuckled, looking at them, showing a side of him that only close family and friends knew as he was now not the Aerthus IX or Dermitos the second level Harmony Expert, but a man who was still struggling with the grief of losing his wife of almost a century who accompanied him to everywhere.

 

…

….

…..

 

When morning came and the sun shone in through the window glass, Ren was stretching with pleasure still on her face, snuggling up to Leinor’s body, hugging him closely as he was also slowly waking up. The sheets around them were torn in multiple places, the pillows scattered around the room and their clothes or what remained of it were around them on the bed. 

 

“It still hurts…” moaned Leinor 

 

“Hey… I should be the one saying that!” giggled, looking down at the bloody stain “Strange, even in fights, when I got hammered, it didn’t hurt anywhere close like yesterday.”

 

“Weeeelll… I did hammer you good~”

 

“Ahahahaha! Nice, 10 points!” laughed loudly, kissing his face 

 

“Still… you were like a wildcat yesterday! If I didn't regenerate this quickly I would be full of bite and scratch marks!” pecked her lips in return, while holding her by her small, soft buttocks. 

 

“Sorry~ It was because it hurt like nothing before! Really!”

 

“Then why didn’t you slow down?”

 

“My mother did not raise a quitter!” winked at him

 

“Hah! But if it matters… It was the best night of my life.”

 

“It does matter~ And yes… it was mine too~ But tonight we are skipping it!” sat up on him, with flinching a little “Man… it still stings. I recover more slowly than you. Give me tonight as a rest. In return I can entertain you differently~”

 

“No worries. I’m not like Reignar, I’m ok waiting until you feel ready for it.”

 

“I’ll also speak with Isha.”

 

“Should I be afraid?”

 

“Oh yes~” giggled, playing drums on his chest happily “I’ll need to learn to use m body to its fullest, you will be the happiest husband in the realm, just wait~”

 

“Why does it sound… weird?”

 

“Fufufu~ I like weird~” leaned over him kissing his lips while Leinor hugged her lovingly, not wanting to let her go… ever.

 

…

….

…..

 

It was close to noon when the young pair came down to have something to eat, meeting up with the others who were either grinning, like Isha or just smiling at them with warmth like Anya. When Ren sat down next to Leinor she grimaced a little, taking a sharp breath through her teeth, prompting the others to laugh out.

 

“Very funny, laugh! Mooooom, you never told me this is going to happen…” moaned sulkingly while Anya just giggled, stroking her daughter’s head.

 

“Everybody is different.”

 

“Well, at least we know you are blessed.” whistled Poli, looking at Leinor while Emi was trying to figure out what he was talking about with furrowed brows

 

“Khm. Maybe.” scratched his throat, looking proud with himself making now Xendar laugh out who was until now trying to look cold as it was her little baby girl they were talking about, but couldn’t hold back any longer, remembering his first night with Anya who was so fussy about it at first it’s a miracle she turned out the way she is now. 

 

“What are you so wimpy about it?” rolled her eyes Isha “You are a level above us all, it shouldn’t even hurt.”

 

“Well it does! Hmf! I’m not as padded as you!”

 

“Wha-?!” choked Isha while Zern just patted her back 

 

“Easy, easy, she just wants to get on your nerves.”

 

“Whoa, you go against your master? The nerve!” 

 

“Yo, Master, I can beat him up for you!”

 

“You can’t even beat Emi, what are you jumping around like a clown?” looked back at him with a deadpan expression 

 

“Ugh…”

 

“Hey, don’t drag me into this.” snorted Emi but looked proud as in the past days they held multiple little competitions and the standing was 4-2 to Emi.

 

“It’s unfair… I’m handicapped. Literally.”

 

“It was you who suggested all of the things we should compete in.” added the foxgirl with a sly smile 

 

“Tsk… Next time-”

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“No.” shook her head and her words made everyone look at her “I’m going home.”

 

“Oh…” fell Poli silent instantly 

 

“Are you okay now?” asked Leinor as Emi still had the long scar over her body 

 

“Back to a stable strength, I can travel the forest without problem and once I’m back home I can recuperate at Lady Rumira’s place.”

 

“I see.” sighed Ren “Do you need someone to escort you back?”

 

“I’ll go with Niji until the forest, then from there I’ll go by myself. Sorry but I’m not willing to reveal our home to you yet.”

 

“Yet?”

 

“We will see how things turn out. I’ll make my report to Lady Rumira honestly.”

 

“That’s the only thing I ask of you. Thanks.”

 

“Mm.” wiped her mouth with a napkin, looking at the suddenly crestfallen Poli “What. It’s that hard to accept losing to me?” asked with a sarcastic voice, taking a sip from the orange juice before her 

 

“Huh? No… I’ll miss you.”

 

“Pft?!” spurted it out right onto the table “W-w-what are you saying?!”

 

“Huh? That, I’ll miss you, I really like you.” blinked innocently while Ren just held her hand before her mouth trying not to laugh, same with the others who were watching with great interest 

 

“Like? Me? Huh! You lost your arm to me and also we almost killed each other! What are you on about?”

 

“Oh… yeah, that happened. But hey, I survived, my friends survived, you survived, so it’s water under the bridge.”

 

“I can’t deal with humans!” moaned, standing up quickly “Thank you for the meal.” bowed a little then stormed off 

 

“Did I say something wrong?” looked around Poli with uncertainty 

 

“No. She's just shy.” leaned back Isha “Still. You are pretty straight forward, huh?”

 

“Huh? Um, why should I pretend otherwise? I realized she is not a bad person. Stupid, yes, but not bad.”

 

“Who you call stupid?!” stormed back suddenly, huffing and puffing 

 

“Woah, you are still here?” 

 

“Ugh! You! My ears are not just for decoration, you dumbass!”

 

“She did learn some words...” whispered Leinor to the nodding wife of his 

 

“Listen well you half armed dork!” pointed at him “For your insult, just so you know, I’ll come back and have a rematch with you! I still have not forgiven you for almost killing me! We will have our rematch when we are back to top form! Don’t say I did not warn you in time!”

 

“Sure. The loser gets to be the other’s maid.”

 

“Sure! What?” said immediately but then just blinked as she realized what she agreed to

 

“We are the witnesses.” stood up Ren immediately “It is settled then.”

 

“Wha… wait… ah… uuughh… you all! Fine! Fine! Hmf!” stomped angrily before storming out once again.

 

“Don’t lose.” looked at Poli with a grin “I won’t help you out.”

 

“No problem Master~” leaned back, now with a satisfied expression 

 

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…..

 

It was close to the evening when all of them met once again, but now they were in the palace’s conference hall and surprisingly even the emperor sat around the giant oval table and not at the helm, which was left empty for now.

 

Those who were invited consisted of the currently living or available bloodline of Aerthus, namely Carthus, Dermitos, Boursat, Feynor, Reignar and of course Leinor. Then there was Ren and her family and friends, the only missing ones were Niji and Emi, who were already on their way back to the forest as Emi did not joke about leaving, while Niji was excited about the deals he was bringing back.

 

“How's your new daughter?” asked Ren with a smile, looking at Reignar at the other side of the table

 

“Fine, she still has sudden headaches from time to time, especially if she works herself up but it is manageable. I left her in the library, aun- khm, Queen Anniel takes care of her.”

 

“I should thank her.” chuckled Feynor “She started to ask if we could try for an heir. It seems taking care of her from time to time awakened something inside her besides reading and studying.” joked around Feynor making the others also chuckle 

 

“I see everyone is here.” came a happy voice and when everyone looked Aerthus was sitting in the empty chair with an excited expression. “No need for formalities, as all of you guessed I am Aerthus, it’s good to meet you all.” said with a casual line, skipping any formality 

 

“Oh, the legend himself?” blinked Ren, licking her lips “Third level?”

 

“Ahaha, you have sharp senses girl.” nodded while her father was trying to signal to her to be not disrespectful. “I was surveying all of you in the past weeks, I’m very happy with what I saw. I’m more than assured, you will be the backbone of my sect.”

 

“Sect?” looked around most of them while Ren’s eyes started to shine as this was what she was waiting for

 

“I have a question first!” raised her hand while Xendar just facepalmed himself, realizing nothing can control her daughter by now 

 

“Sure, go ahead!” 

 

“Where are the others?”

 

“Others?” looked around Carthus before realizing her meaning 

 

“My grandson, Urgius, has been missing after he tried to cross the desert. We don’t know if he died or not.” answered Aerthus, referring to Aerthus III “He tried to cross it at only the first level…” said, shaking his head “My son Levictus warned him before leaving but he did not listen. Speaking of, Leviticus stayed at the other side. He is similar to your second son.” chuckled, looking at Dermitos “You all know Restar died in battle, about his sons…” fell silent for a minute reorganizing his thoughts, remembering the reports he periodically received when something important happened back home “Aerthus V, namely Erborus after abdicating the throne went on a tour to try to reach the second level. No words from him still. He may have tried to cross the desert, we don’t know as we lost contact with him after 20 years.”

 

“That is correct. Still no updates on that.” nodded Carthus, confirming him as Aerthus took a peek at him “Same with his brother who succeeded him, Astran, Aerthus VI. He was maybe the first to be an unwilling emperor, more focused on cultivation than anything else.”

 

“My father was not the best when it came to communicating with people.” spoke up Boursat as he was the son of Astran and also the brother of  Erterion. “I never met with Uncle Erborus. He left before my Brother and I were born. To be honest, we were only conceived because the throne needed an heir. After we were at age and strength he immediately passed on the throne then left. To where, we still don’t know, some clues point to the Forest but nothing concrete. It was then everything started to go awry. Not the best times.” shook his head, remembering his brother who slowly turned from a talented, bright boy to a bloody tyrant. 

 

“Everything takes its natural course.” clapped Aerthus “Did we satisfy your curiosity?”

 

“Yup!” grinned Ren 

 

“Great~ Now let’s talk business. I already scouted out a great place along the Shert River.” said as he laid out a giant map on the table, showing the river and the two kingdoms that occupied the territory.

 

It was one of the most conflict ridden zones along the river, for one reason only. It broke into two streams here, going around a pretty big mass of land, forming an independent island in the middle, before joining back once again, flowing on its merry way onward. 

 

The island formed in the middle of it was around half as big as the capital, named Teardrop Island because of its shape and it changed hands more than one could keep track of as from the western bank, the Rorik kingdom bordered the river, loyal to the Aerthus line while from the east the Naulin’s puppet state, the Qun kingdom faced them.

 

The seemingly completely unimportant patch of land in the middle of the river was always a source of conflict as both of them claimed ownership of it. Through the centuries the two families in charge of their small kingdoms were supported by the giants behind them, fighting proxy wars for so long, the hatred between the two sides was so deep it could not be reconciled at all.

 

“I checked the island, it’s an untouched CC mine.” tapped on the island’s drawing while the others looked at him with question marks in their eyes “Sorry, I forgot you don’t know about it. Let me explain.” smiled, looking around them before organizing his thoughts 

 

“CC… is it…?” thought Ren and soon a small smile formed on her face as now he was sure who Aerthus met while away as it was a term that she was familiar with, even used as currency in the old days as it was a rare yet useful item to cultivators back then, helping them raise their cultivation when used correctly.

 

“It’s an abbreviation. The correct name my mentors used is conductive crystals, but everyone just calls them CC for short. They are a kind of mineral found at different places around the world. To how and what forms them are unknown and they predate even the Cataclysm.”

 

“Are they rare?”

 

“Yes. And no. Let me explain. There are few places where you can find mines where you get them from. But usually when a vein is discovered it is enormous and goes deep. Really deep. At the other side there are a dozen or so mines known to us, all of them under the control of a local superpower, more precisely a sect. They strictly control the flow of CC because its multi-purpose usage is invaluable.”

 

“Do they use it as currency? Or only to forge weapons and armors?” asked Ren suddenly, with a half smile

 

“Hah… you are really sharp.” grinned Aerthus “Yes. To all of them. These crystals have this name for a reason. They can facilitate the convergence of energy in the air and help a cultivator draw in his or her affinity, helping to cultivate it, especially in the body refinement realm, speeding up the process greatly. This consumes the crystal so depending on it’s size it can be used for hours, days or weeks. Combining it with Ren’s method it will give a boost I am stoked to see! Secondly, they can be used in forging, adding them in the process will make the final product to be conductive, greatly helping the wielder’s powers through the weapon or armor. Your sword.” pointed at Poli “It contains a great amount of it, somehow it fused with another kind of crystals, but seeing you wield it and the characteristics of it, it has a great amount of CC inside, that's for sure. Because it has such a great usage and is a sought after material for cultivators overthere, they use them as currency in the cultivation  world. For mortal’s it's useless, for us, it is priceless.”

 

“So we will establish the sect on the island?” thought Xendar, looking at the map 

 

“Yes and I also want this as a test.”

 

“What kind of test?” furrowed Carthus his eyebrows

 

“To see who is fit for what. The sect will have a strict order, rules that if broken could result in heavy penalties. I’ll act as Sect Head, under me there is going to be a Council of Elders who are responsible for different aspects of the sect. Namely the following:” said holding out his finger

 

“ 1) Disciplinary Department: This group will oversee the members and resolve conflicts inside the sect

2) Alchemy Department: This, I will explain in more detail later, but it is an interesting field I picked up while touring.

3) Formation Department: Same as before, it’s a trait that can enhance our strength greatly. Honestly, this will be under my son’s leadership, you will know later why.

4) Artifact Department: I brought back a lot of great schematics of weapons and armor, we will need people proficient in forging but this can be put at hold for now.

 

These will be the four cornerstones of the Sect. Each department will have a leading Grand Elder who is also a member of the Council. Below them will be the Core Elders who act as sub-leaders of their departments. Every department’s sub-leaders can elect one representative as theirs to the council meetings. The Council itself will have the power to decide the course of action of the sect, the financing, recruiting, expeditions, everything, while I, as the Sect Head can overrule decisions. If I do so, we will have another meeting and discuss it again until we reach a consensus.

 

Outside of the departments, there are going to be the sect as a whole. I don’t want the different departments to act independently all the time, they should work together and not against each other. I don’t mind competition but only if it’s a healthy one. Any other I’ll nip in the bud.”

 

“What about the disciples?” came Ren’s voice again, while the others were still thinking over his words.

 

“The first layer will be outer disciples. They are those who wish to join or we see potential in them. They are going to be assigned menial tasks as they will number the most people. They will be the working ants of the sect. They are paid with resources, public lectures and a chance.”

 

“Chance?” asked Boursat, biting onto his finger 

 

“To take the test I came up with. To cut it short now, it is going to test a lot of sides and the talent of a cultivator, if they pass they can be called inner disciples. They will have their own place, imagine them as students. They are going to focus on cultivation, have regular classes that are mandatory with regular examinations. Failing to meet requirements can result in their demotion back to outer discipline. Once an inner disciple shows great potential she or he can have a master and be called Core Disciple. Those talented people will form the main power of the sect, can host public lessons for the Inner and Outer disciples and so on, they will be the ones who we focus our most effort on. Every one of core disciples has the chance to later become an Elder and rise further. Elders can take on disciples and later on if needs arrive I can establish more departments.” Then he looked at Feynor with an apologetic expression “The Empire and the Sect will be a different entity or to be more precise the Empire will serve as a subordinate of the Sect. You will be an Elder in Name, as every Emperor from now on. Their sole responsibility will be to ensure the stability of the Empire and ensure there will always be fresh cultivators who can be inducted into the sect and resources supplied to us. Those who do not meet the criteria of the Sect will be reassigned to strengthen the Empire.”

 

“Why the apologetic face?” laughed Feynor “I am here to care about the millions of people that live under our Empire. It’s a great honor to be their Emperor.”

 

“When an Emperor abdicates and passes on the throne he will have the chance to be promoted to an Elder position in the sect. We will talk more about how the successor of the Emperor will be decided, for now I’m not planning on changing it. Now… is there any question?”

 

“So the test is to see who of us will take the role of Grand Elder, Core Elder or just as an Elder, am I correct?”

 

“Yes Ren.” smiled with a satisfied expression “Age does not matter. Bloodline does not matter. What does matter is your effort you put in. I am going to choose the positions by talent and not by bloodline connections.” said with a stern voice, looking mostly at his descendants. “So for the test, it is pretty simple. Take control of the island. That's all.”

 

“That can be done in multiple ways.” murmured Dermitos 

 

“Yes. I want you all to take your time and think about how you would do it. You have three days, after that we will meet here again and listen to everyone’s suggestions.” looked around them “I know this was a lot to dump on you all, rest and think it through. After three days we will meet again.” stood up, signaling the end of their first meeting and after everybody acknowledged his words Aerthus just disappeared. 

 

“I feel like the test is already on its way.” chuckled Ren while the others just looked at her “If you are not careful I’ll be your supe- ouch!” came a smack to the back of her head from Anya, resulting in some laughter coming from the others and even Carthus let a small smile creep up on his face meanwhile Leinor just patted his wife’s hand to calm down the now sulking Ren.

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