Chapter 12
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Chapter 12
It wasnt possible to learn a combat technique overnight, though Anton still put in his best effort. He was hindered by the fact that he didnt have a bow, so he could only practice some of the vision techniques from Hawk Eyes Archery and begin a basic attempt at Spirit Arrows. If he had a bow, he might have tried out a few things from Thousand Arrows, but to get a bow he needed to work and to work, he needed to rest.
-----
Anton woke up before dawn. That was his regular time, and he was planning to get to regular work. First he needed some sustenance, so he found his way over to the dining hall nearest to him. The kitchens were just getting started, but Anton saw there were some industrious workers there as well. He got a nice bowl of porridge and some toast. Perhaps because he hadnt eaten in the company of others in quite some time, he felt it was the best meal hed had in months. Maybe half a year, if he was honest. Not the most filling, because Vincent had certainly filled him up, but the most ultimately satisfying.
There were few others awake in the early morning, and none who were interested in sitting next to an old man. That left Anton open to observe those around him. Unlike the impression hed first gotten, he found that the disciples of the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars werent all quite what he thought. Those involved with testing like Sterling had all been sixth star or higher, but there were some fifth star and even a small handful of fourth star cultivators like Anton. The large dining hall was still mostly empty even with those people in it, seemingly able to support hundreds at the same time. However, Anton supposed that most of the third star cultivators would be young fellows just joining. Then in a few weeks they would reach the fourth star and begin to surpass him. He needed to do his best to at least keep up with some of them, or hed never have his chance.
Anton finished his light meal. He was sure after a half day of labor he would be quite famished and ready for a heavier meal. He found himself already looking forward to what that might be as he headed towards the nearest fields. It was dawn when he arrived, and Anton found there were only a handful of others there with him. Are there not that many workers? Anton asked of the youth next to him.
There are more, the young man replied, But theyll show up sometime after dawn. Elder Howland doesnt mind as long as they put in the work though those of us who show up at dawn usually get paid better. Youre new here, I take it? Im Hoyt. Hoyt extended his hand.
Everyone can tell, apparently, Anton received the hand and shook it, Anton.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.
Pleased to meet you, Senior Anton.
Just Anton is fine. Were both fourth star cultivators, outer disciples. If anything, I should call you Senior Hoyt, since you joined before me.
Hoyt grimaced, Please dont.
Elder Howland showed up not a few minutes later though Anton had the feeling that hed been around the whole time. There werent many places to hide in the untilled and currently empty fields, but somehow hed almost appeared from nowhere. Anton had turned to see him as soon as he felt the fifteen star presence, but he was already close by that point.
Anton first became suspicious as he was handed a hoe. He was no stranger to tilling soil by hand, but as soon as the family farm had expanded enough hed gotten an ox and a proper plough. There was no way that the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars didnt know the utility of an ox, or couldnt afford one. It wasnt as if they were working on a small area, either.
He didnt complain, beginning to till the soil as instructed- though he didnt hear anything new. He swung his hoe, feeling like an eighty maybe even as young as seventy year old man as his hoe connected with soil, turning it. He recalled his children and grandchildren complaining about his overworking himself, but he only pushed himself as hard as he needed. Just enough to take care of the days work. As he swung his hoe, Anton circulated the Ninety-Nine Stars cultivation technique, feeding some of the surrounding natural energy into his muscles. Each swing into the dirt stirred up more natural energy and his suspicions intensified.
Anton sighed, Those at the fourth star do not have to take the test.
I see, she nodded. So you spent all that time cultivating to the fourth star alone so you could join the sect. I suppose that makes sense.
While Velvet was slightly more pleasant than Hayden, her words clearly indicated she didnt think much of Anton. He hadnt even known he would skip the test by being fourth star. If hed known, he wasnt sure if he should have delayed slightly or not. Failing the test would have been disheartening.
Something Anton noticed from the first two neighbors was that they didnt cultivate the Ninety-Nine Stars. Well, they were just starting to show signs of it, but they seemed to be something similar to the third star in other techniques. Presumably they would be changing cultivation techniques, though perhaps they had access to something particularly impressive- though in that case they might have little use for the Order as a whole, even with its other resources.
His third and final neighbor was cultivating when he arrived. However, they stopped when he stood outside the door. Perhaps they sensed him, but regardless Anton took the chance to knock. Opening the door was a young woman who he recognized from the test. Good evening. I am Anton, the neighbor in the house counterclockwise one in the complex.
The young woman nodded. Catarina.
I dont mean to pry, but I believe I passed you in Edelhull. Did the young man you were with earlier get assigned to a different complex?
The young woman had little expression on her face as she spoke. No. Timothy is kind of an idiot. He failed the test.
Im sorry to hear that.
Dont be, Catarina said. Hell probably pass next month anyway. Catarina squinted her eyes at Anton. Werent you third star?
I managed to complete the fourth star just in time for the test. Or lack of it, apparently.
I see, Catarina nodded. Good evening, she inclined her head and closed the door. Though her words were straightforward, they seemed at least generally polite though unexpressive. Anton felt her return to cultivating again not a few moments later. So she had sensed him coming. She was third star as well, apparently having already been practicing the Ninety-Nine Stars, and he felt she would reach fourth star fairly quickly. Indeed, if shed somehow failed the test she would certainly be able to skip the one coming in another month.
Anton returned to his own home. Though hed been cultivating during the day, it wasnt quite the same while moving and while still. His muscles still ached from their exertion, and a bit of cultivating would help ease that. Then he had to put in a bit of practice for his archery techniques- or at least what he could do without a bow- before finally catching enough sleep for the next day.
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Chapter 12
It wasnt possible to learn a combat technique overnight, though Anton still put in his best effort. He was hindered by the fact that he didnt have a bow, so he could only practice some of the vision techniques from Hawk Eyes Archery and begin a basic attempt at Spirit Arrows. If he had a bow, he might have tried out a few things from Thousand Arrows, but to get a bow he needed to work and to work, he needed to rest.
-----
Anton woke up before dawn. That was his regular time, and he was planning to get to regular work. First he needed some sustenance, so he found his way over to the dining hall nearest to him. The kitchens were just getting started, but Anton saw there were some industrious workers there as well. He got a nice bowl of porridge and some toast. Perhaps because he hadnt eaten in the company of others in quite some time, he felt it was the best meal hed had in months. Maybe half a year, if he was honest. Not the most filling, because Vincent had certainly filled him up, but the most ultimately satisfying.
There were few others awake in the early morning, and none who were interested in sitting next to an old man. That left Anton open to observe those around him. Unlike the impression hed first gotten, he found that the disciples of the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars werent all quite what he thought. Those involved with testing like Sterling had all been sixth star or higher, but there were some fifth star and even a small handful of fourth star cultivators like Anton. The large dining hall was still mostly empty even with those people in it, seemingly able to support hundreds at the same time. However, Anton supposed that most of the third star cultivators would be young fellows just joining. Then in a few weeks they would reach the fourth star and begin to surpass him. He needed to do his best to at least keep up with some of them, or hed never have his chance.
Anton finished his light meal. He was sure after a half day of labor he would be quite famished and ready for a heavier meal. He found himself already looking forward to what that might be as he headed towards the nearest fields. It was dawn when he arrived, and Anton found there were only a handful of others there with him. Are there not that many workers? Anton asked of the youth next to him.
There are more, the young man replied, But theyll show up sometime after dawn. Elder Howland doesnt mind as long as they put in the work though those of us who show up at dawn usually get paid better. Youre new here, I take it? Im Hoyt. Hoyt extended his hand.
Everyone can tell, apparently, Anton received the hand and shook it, Anton.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Ñøv€l--B1n.
Pleased to meet you, Senior Anton.
Just Anton is fine. Were both fourth star cultivators, outer disciples. If anything, I should call you Senior Hoyt, since you joined before me.
Hoyt grimaced, Please dont.
Elder Howland showed up not a few minutes later though Anton had the feeling that hed been around the whole time. There werent many places to hide in the untilled and currently empty fields, but somehow hed almost appeared from nowhere. Anton had turned to see him as soon as he felt the fifteen star presence, but he was already close by that point.
Anton first became suspicious as he was handed a hoe. He was no stranger to tilling soil by hand, but as soon as the family farm had expanded enough hed gotten an ox and a proper plough. There was no way that the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars didnt know the utility of an ox, or couldnt afford one. It wasnt as if they were working on a small area, either.
He didnt complain, beginning to till the soil as instructed- though he didnt hear anything new. He swung his hoe, feeling like an eighty maybe even as young as seventy year old man as his hoe connected with soil, turning it. He recalled his children and grandchildren complaining about his overworking himself, but he only pushed himself as hard as he needed. Just enough to take care of the days work. As he swung his hoe, Anton circulated the Ninety-Nine Stars cultivation technique, feeding some of the surrounding natural energy into his muscles. Each swing into the dirt stirred up more natural energy and his suspicions intensified.
Anton sighed, Those at the fourth star do not have to take the test.
I see, she nodded. So you spent all that time cultivating to the fourth star alone so you could join the sect. I suppose that makes sense.
While Velvet was slightly more pleasant than Hayden, her words clearly indicated she didnt think much of Anton. He hadnt even known he would skip the test by being fourth star. If hed known, he wasnt sure if he should have delayed slightly or not. Failing the test would have been disheartening.
Something Anton noticed from the first two neighbors was that they didnt cultivate the Ninety-Nine Stars. Well, they were just starting to show signs of it, but they seemed to be something similar to the third star in other techniques. Presumably they would be changing cultivation techniques, though perhaps they had access to something particularly impressive- though in that case they might have little use for the Order as a whole, even with its other resources.
His third and final neighbor was cultivating when he arrived. However, they stopped when he stood outside the door. Perhaps they sensed him, but regardless Anton took the chance to knock. Opening the door was a young woman who he recognized from the test. Good evening. I am Anton, the neighbor in the house counterclockwise one in the complex.
The young woman nodded. Catarina.
I dont mean to pry, but I believe I passed you in Edelhull. Did the young man you were with earlier get assigned to a different complex?
The young woman had little expression on her face as she spoke. No. Timothy is kind of an idiot. He failed the test.
Im sorry to hear that.
Dont be, Catarina said. Hell probably pass next month anyway. Catarina squinted her eyes at Anton. Werent you third star?
I managed to complete the fourth star just in time for the test. Or lack of it, apparently.
I see, Catarina nodded. Good evening, she inclined her head and closed the door. Though her words were straightforward, they seemed at least generally polite though unexpressive. Anton felt her return to cultivating again not a few moments later. So she had sensed him coming. She was third star as well, apparently having already been practicing the Ninety-Nine Stars, and he felt she would reach fourth star fairly quickly. Indeed, if shed somehow failed the test she would certainly be able to skip the one coming in another month.
Anton returned to his own home. Though hed been cultivating during the day, it wasnt quite the same while moving and while still. His muscles still ached from their exertion, and a bit of cultivating would help ease that. Then he had to put in a bit of practice for his archery techniques- or at least what he could do without a bow- before finally catching enough sleep for the next day.
Chapter 12It wasnt possible to learn a combat technique overnight, though Anton still put in his best effort. He was hindered by the fact that he didnt have a bow, so he could only practice some of the vision techniques from Hawk Eyes Archery and begin a basic attempt at Spirit Arrows. If he had a bow, he might have tried out a few things from Thousand Arrows, but to get a bow he needed to work and to work, he needed to rest.-----Anton woke up before dawn. That was his regular time, and he was planning to get to regular work. First he needed some sustenance, so he found his way over to the dining hall nearest to him. The kitchens were just getting started, but Anton saw there were some industrious workers there as well. He got a nice bowl of porridge and some toast. Perhaps because he hadnt eaten in the company of others in quite some time, he felt it was the best meal hed had in months. Maybe half a year, if he was honest. Not the most filling, because Vincent had certainly filled him up, but the most ultimately satisfying.There were few others awake in the early morning, and none who were interested in sitting next to an old man. That left Anton open to observe those around him. Unlike the impression hed first gotten, he found that the disciples of the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars werent all quite what he thought. Those involved with testing like Sterling had all been sixth star or higher, but there were some fifth star and even a small handful of fourth star cultivators like Anton. The large dining hall was still mostly empty even with those people in it, seemingly able to support hundreds at the same time. However, Anton supposed that most of the third star cultivators would be young fellows just joining. Then in a few weeks they would reach the fourth star and begin to surpass him. He needed to do his best to at least keep up with some of them, or hed never have his chance.Anton finished his light meal. He was sure after a half day of labor he would be quite famished and ready for a heavier meal. He found himself already looking forward to what that might be as he headed towards the nearest fields. It was dawn when he arrived, and Anton found there were only a handful of others there with him. Are there not that many workers? Anton asked of the youth next to him.There are more, the young man replied, But theyll show up sometime after dawn. Elder Howland doesnt mind as long as they put in the work though those of us who show up at dawn usually get paid better. Youre new here, I take it? Im Hoyt. Hoyt extended his hand.Everyone can tell, apparently, Anton received the hand and shook it, Anton.L1tLagoon witnessed the first publication of this chapter on Nvl--B1n.Pleased to meet you, Senior Anton.Just Anton is fine. Were both fourth star cultivators, outer disciples. If anything, I should call you Senior Hoyt, since you joined before me.Hoyt grimaced, Please dont.Elder Howland showed up not a few minutes later though Anton had the feeling that hed been around the whole time. There werent many places to hide in the untilled and currently empty fields, but somehow hed almost appeared from nowhere. Anton had turned to see him as soon as he felt the fifteen star presence, but he was already close by that point.Anton first became suspicious as he was handed a hoe. He was no stranger to tilling soil by hand, but as soon as the family farm had expanded enough hed gotten an ox and a proper plough. There was no way that the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars didnt know the utility of an ox, or couldnt afford one. It wasnt as if they were working on a small area, either.He didnt complain, beginning to till the soil as instructed- though he didnt hear anything new. He swung his hoe, feeling like an eighty maybe even as young as seventy year old man as his hoe connected with soil, turning it. He recalled his children and grandchildren complaining about his overworking himself, but he only pushed himself as hard as he needed. Just enough to take care of the days work. As he swung his hoe, Anton circulated the Ninety-Nine Stars cultivation technique, feeding some of the surrounding natural energy into his muscles. Each swing into the dirt stirred up more natural energy and his suspicions intensified. Anton sighed, Those at the fourth star do not have to take the test.I see, she nodded. So you spent all that time cultivating to the fourth star alone so you could join the sect. I suppose that makes sense.While Velvet was slightly more pleasant than Hayden, her words clearly indicated she didnt think much of Anton. He hadnt even known he would skip the test by being fourth star. If hed known, he wasnt sure if he should have delayed slightly or not. Failing the test would have been disheartening.Something Anton noticed from the first two neighbors was that they didnt cultivate the Ninety-Nine Stars. Well, they were just starting to show signs of it, but they seemed to be something similar to the third star in other techniques. Presumably they would be changing cultivation techniques, though perhaps they had access to something particularly impressive- though in that case they might have little use for the Order as a whole, even with its other resources.His third and final neighbor was cultivating when he arrived. However, they stopped when he stood outside the door. Perhaps they sensed him, but regardless Anton took the chance to knock. Opening the door was a young woman who he recognized from the test. Good evening. I am Anton, the neighbor in the house counterclockwise one in the complex.The young woman nodded. Catarina.I dont mean to pry, but I believe I passed you in Edelhull. Did the young man you were with earlier get assigned to a different complex?The young woman had little expression on her face as she spoke. No. Timothy is kind of an idiot. He failed the test.Im sorry to hear that.Dont be, Catarina said. Hell probably pass next month anyway. Catarina squinted her eyes at Anton. Werent you third star?I managed to complete the fourth star just in time for the test. Or lack of it, apparently.I see, Catarina nodded. Good evening, she inclined her head and closed the door. Though her words were straightforward, they seemed at least generally polite though unexpressive. Anton felt her return to cultivating again not a few moments later. So she had sensed him coming. She was third star as well, apparently having already been practicing the Ninety-Nine Stars, and he felt she would reach fourth star fairly quickly. Indeed, if shed somehow failed the test she would certainly be able to skip the one coming in another month.Anton returned to his own home. Though hed been cultivating during the day, it wasnt quite the same while moving and while still. His muscles still ached from their exertion, and a bit of cultivating would help ease that. Then he had to put in a bit of practice for his archery techniques- or at least what he could do without a bow- before finally catching enough sleep for the next day.
