Chapter 158
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Chapter 158
Time. When he had last been in Dungannon, his thoughts were about time. The time he needed to become strong enough to defeat Van Hassel and Slusser, and any others connected to what had happened. More than that, hed promised himself to reach the peak of cultivation so he would have the power to protect what he needed to.
The experience wasnt quite the same as before. It was full daylight, so he was unable to see the stars. Yet he knew they were still there. Of course, there was always the brightest star of all- the sun. It was the most prominent and powerful due to its close presence.
More than that, he had the heart to speak to others. It felt somewhat morbid to speak with Alva about the places they could no longer visit, but he hoped it would be good for her as they focused on the positive memories. It also gave Catarina a chance to hear about the members of the family she could never meet.
As he walked through the ruined buildings, the plants overgrowing the area, he realized something. Each building in its place conjured memories of how things had been, though they were but shells of their former selves. Like corpses strewn across the pavement. It wasnt the same as leaving actual bodies to the elements, but he wondered if something should be done.
He had already gone against the idea of rebuilding the place. There was no point, except to try to catch onto an old life that had been lost. It was better to move past it. Still, that didnt mean he couldnt leave behind memories. But he thought things should be better.
He looked around the area, and at the people with him. Along with Alva and Catarina were Timothy and a silent Velvet. I know none of you signed up for this, but I could use some help moving things around. Cleaning up. He reached into the rubble of one building, piling bricks while tossing hunks of half-rotten wood away. I have a plan for this place.
Catarina was quickest to get into a workflow, though Fuzz was perhaps the most eager about his duties. The wolf enjoyed dragging beams out of piles and out of the way. As they cleared away the first building to the foundation, Anton formed a small monument out of the collected bricks and stones in good repair. Carving into mundane materials was simple, and he left behind his memories of the buildings.
The project of clearing out a whole village was a monumental task for five humans and a wolf, but they were cultivators. They could carry much greater weights than normal folk, and were able to gather loose pieces with their energy. If they were willing to empty their storage bags, they could carry most of the destroyed remains of a small building. The hardest work ended up being picking out pieces that were still solid enough, and gathering materials for mortar to put together proper headstones and short snippets about the building and people.
The village itself was dismantled piece by piece, but in practice it was already nothing- leaving behind memories for others to share was the best legacy Anton could provide. Some day the carvings in the stone would fade as well and nobody would remember Dungannon, but he would give it its proper due. A peaceful village where people just lived their lives. If only every place could be like it- and remain that way.
-----
Work was cultivation, and cultivation was work. Anton fully believed that. While it was indeed true that at certain points in cultivating the Ninety-Nine Stars little benefit would come from working the body, at all points it could be useful. As for those working with him, they were all in a stage where they could temper their bodies. Besides Alva, the others were working towards the eighteenth star, where body and spirit were connected. Shifting rubble wasnt necessarily the best training method, but nobody complained. They were present for Antons sake.
-----
A translucent Spirit Arrow weaved its way through the trees, avoiding stray branches and large trunks in the way. The target was intentionally placed in such a way that a straight shot simply couldnt reach it. As each moment passed, the energy of the Spirit Arrow strained. Soon it began to tremble- and then it struck a tree, stabbing around thirty centimeters into it. The remaining energy scattered, fading into nothing.
Anton breathed out slowly. It was one thing to keep an arrow flying over a long distance, it was quite another to guide it around obstacles he couldnt see. As much as he rode along with an arrow in flight to guide it, it didnt suddenly grow eyes or impart upon him new senses to guide it. Though the latter was sort of what his current exercise was about.
More spirit! Kseniya declared. Thats your problem. Your senses should be one with the arrow. Your spirit must extend with it to crest the horizon!
He understood about half of Elder Kseniyas instructions. But understanding what she wanted and achieving it were different things. At least he got to watch her as well. He could gain some insights from that.
Anton wasnt the only one present, though it seemed he was the only one specifically pulled away. Elder Kseniya didnt mind if others watched or even made their own attempts, but she also made no effort to instruct them specifically. It was a bit uncomfortable to be singled out, but Anton couldnt refuse her instruction even if he wanted to.
He recognized some of the others who came along. Marcio was the one he knew the best, but there were archers of different ranks. At the end of the traveling day Elder Kseniya was adamant in ensuring Anton could use Horizon Shot, or at least something like it.
Elder Kseniya shot one more time, a glowing bolt of energy streaking off into the distance. Antons senses couldnt even feel where it impacted, but he had no doubt it was exactly where she intended. Thats enough for now. Dont forget to practice.
After she was out of earshot- and then a couple minutes later in case her earshot was further than anyone expected- Marcio shook his head. I wonder what it takes to get like that. I wonder, would I take genius in exchange for the ability to convey it to others?
Anton shrugged, I wouldnt. But perhaps we just need to shoot another ten thousand or a million arrows to have the right sense of things. Anton was quite serious about that number. If he didnt fire his bow at least a hundred times per day, he felt like he hadnt done it at all. After a few months that was ten thousand and after a few decades it would be a million. Before he was a cultivator the amount he could fire his bow was somewhat less, and he had other responsibilities but over many decades he felt hed achieved somewhere around those numbers. But doing so as a cultivator was a whole other level. He looked at those gathered around, Heres what I learned. We can put our heads together to see if were missing anything but practice.
While the others might reasonably be jealous of him for getting Elder Kseniyas personal attention, the fact that he was quite willing to turn around and help the others easily smoothed things over. When he had been lower in cultivation than most of the others he was quite hesitant about offering advice, but in the world of cultivators there was little that was respected more than ones actual cultivation rank. Given that hed at least been an archer longer than most of the rest of them put together, they were quite willing to listen. While he might not be able to show them all the one secret to growing stronger, Marcio and the others could sense how working together was helping them improve. It wasnt that members of the Order never worked together in the past, but Anton thought he had a pretty good knack for it. It didnt hurt to have the Vessel of Insights, either.
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Chapter 158
Time. When he had last been in Dungannon, his thoughts were about time. The time he needed to become strong enough to defeat Van Hassel and Slusser, and any others connected to what had happened. More than that, hed promised himself to reach the peak of cultivation so he would have the power to protect what he needed to.
The experience wasnt quite the same as before. It was full daylight, so he was unable to see the stars. Yet he knew they were still there. Of course, there was always the brightest star of all- the sun. It was the most prominent and powerful due to its close presence.
More than that, he had the heart to speak to others. It felt somewhat morbid to speak with Alva about the places they could no longer visit, but he hoped it would be good for her as they focused on the positive memories. It also gave Catarina a chance to hear about the members of the family she could never meet.
As he walked through the ruined buildings, the plants overgrowing the area, he realized something. Each building in its place conjured memories of how things had been, though they were but shells of their former selves. Like corpses strewn across the pavement. It wasnt the same as leaving actual bodies to the elements, but he wondered if something should be done.
He had already gone against the idea of rebuilding the place. There was no point, except to try to catch onto an old life that had been lost. It was better to move past it. Still, that didnt mean he couldnt leave behind memories. But he thought things should be better.
He looked around the area, and at the people with him. Along with Alva and Catarina were Timothy and a silent Velvet. I know none of you signed up for this, but I could use some help moving things around. Cleaning up. He reached into the rubble of one building, piling bricks while tossing hunks of half-rotten wood away. I have a plan for this place.
Catarina was quickest to get into a workflow, though Fuzz was perhaps the most eager about his duties. The wolf enjoyed dragging beams out of piles and out of the way. As they cleared away the first building to the foundation, Anton formed a small monument out of the collected bricks and stones in good repair. Carving into mundane materials was simple, and he left behind his memories of the buildings.
The project of clearing out a whole village was a monumental task for five humans and a wolf, but they were cultivators. They could carry much greater weights than normal folk, and were able to gather loose pieces with their energy. If they were willing to empty their storage bags, they could carry most of the destroyed remains of a small building. The hardest work ended up being picking out pieces that were still solid enough, and gathering materials for mortar to put together proper headstones and short snippets about the building and people.
The village itself was dismantled piece by piece, but in practice it was already nothing- leaving behind memories for others to share was the best legacy Anton could provide. Some day the carvings in the stone would fade as well and nobody would remember Dungannon, but he would give it its proper due. A peaceful village where people just lived their lives. If only every place could be like it- and remain that way.
-----
Work was cultivation, and cultivation was work. Anton fully believed that. While it was indeed true that at certain points in cultivating the Ninety-Nine Stars little benefit would come from working the body, at all points it could be useful. As for those working with him, they were all in a stage where they could temper their bodies. Besides Alva, the others were working towards the eighteenth star, where body and spirit were connected. Shifting rubble wasnt necessarily the best training method, but nobody complained. They were present for Antons sake.
-----
A translucent Spirit Arrow weaved its way through the trees, avoiding stray branches and large trunks in the way. The target was intentionally placed in such a way that a straight shot simply couldnt reach it. As each moment passed, the energy of the Spirit Arrow strained. Soon it began to tremble- and then it struck a tree, stabbing around thirty centimeters into it. The remaining energy scattered, fading into nothing.
Anton breathed out slowly. It was one thing to keep an arrow flying over a long distance, it was quite another to guide it around obstacles he couldnt see. As much as he rode along with an arrow in flight to guide it, it didnt suddenly grow eyes or impart upon him new senses to guide it. Though the latter was sort of what his current exercise was about.
More spirit! Kseniya declared. Thats your problem. Your senses should be one with the arrow. Your spirit must extend with it to crest the horizon!
He understood about half of Elder Kseniyas instructions. But understanding what she wanted and achieving it were different things. At least he got to watch her as well. He could gain some insights from that.
Anton wasnt the only one present, though it seemed he was the only one specifically pulled away. Elder Kseniya didnt mind if others watched or even made their own attempts, but she also made no effort to instruct them specifically. It was a bit uncomfortable to be singled out, but Anton couldnt refuse her instruction even if he wanted to.
He recognized some of the others who came along. Marcio was the one he knew the best, but there were archers of different ranks. At the end of the traveling day Elder Kseniya was adamant in ensuring Anton could use Horizon Shot, or at least something like it.
Elder Kseniya shot one more time, a glowing bolt of energy streaking off into the distance. Antons senses couldnt even feel where it impacted, but he had no doubt it was exactly where she intended. Thats enough for now. Dont forget to practice.
After she was out of earshot- and then a couple minutes later in case her earshot was further than anyone expected- Marcio shook his head. I wonder what it takes to get like that. I wonder, would I take genius in exchange for the ability to convey it to others?
Anton shrugged, I wouldnt. But perhaps we just need to shoot another ten thousand or a million arrows to have the right sense of things. Anton was quite serious about that number. If he didnt fire his bow at least a hundred times per day, he felt like he hadnt done it at all. After a few months that was ten thousand and after a few decades it would be a million. Before he was a cultivator the amount he could fire his bow was somewhat less, and he had other responsibilities but over many decades he felt hed achieved somewhere around those numbers. But doing so as a cultivator was a whole other level. He looked at those gathered around, Heres what I learned. We can put our heads together to see if were missing anything but practice.
While the others might reasonably be jealous of him for getting Elder Kseniyas personal attention, the fact that he was quite willing to turn around and help the others easily smoothed things over. When he had been lower in cultivation than most of the others he was quite hesitant about offering advice, but in the world of cultivators there was little that was respected more than ones actual cultivation rank. Given that hed at least been an archer longer than most of the rest of them put together, they were quite willing to listen. While he might not be able to show them all the one secret to growing stronger, Marcio and the others could sense how working together was helping them improve. It wasnt that members of the Order never worked together in the past, but Anton thought he had a pretty good knack for it. It didnt hurt to have the Vessel of Insights, either.
Chapter 158Time. When he had last been in Dungannon, his thoughts were about time. The time he needed to become strong enough to defeat Van Hassel and Slusser, and any others connected to what had happened. More than that, hed promised himself to reach the peak of cultivation so he would have the power to protect what he needed to.The experience wasnt quite the same as before. It was full daylight, so he was unable to see the stars. Yet he knew they were still there. Of course, there was always the brightest star of all- the sun. It was the most prominent and powerful due to its close presence. More than that, he had the heart to speak to others. It felt somewhat morbid to speak with Alva about the places they could no longer visit, but he hoped it would be good for her as they focused on the positive memories. It also gave Catarina a chance to hear about the members of the family she could never meet. As he walked through the ruined buildings, the plants overgrowing the area, he realized something. Each building in its place conjured memories of how things had been, though they were but shells of their former selves. Like corpses strewn across the pavement. It wasnt the same as leaving actual bodies to the elements, but he wondered if something should be done.He had already gone against the idea of rebuilding the place. There was no point, except to try to catch onto an old life that had been lost. It was better to move past it. Still, that didnt mean he couldnt leave behind memories. But he thought things should be better.He looked around the area, and at the people with him. Along with Alva and Catarina were Timothy and a silent Velvet. I know none of you signed up for this, but I could use some help moving things around. Cleaning up. He reached into the rubble of one building, piling bricks while tossing hunks of half-rotten wood away. I have a plan for this place.Catarina was quickest to get into a workflow, though Fuzz was perhaps the most eager about his duties. The wolf enjoyed dragging beams out of piles and out of the way. As they cleared away the first building to the foundation, Anton formed a small monument out of the collected bricks and stones in good repair. Carving into mundane materials was simple, and he left behind his memories of the buildings.The project of clearing out a whole village was a monumental task for five humans and a wolf, but they were cultivators. They could carry much greater weights than normal folk, and were able to gather loose pieces with their energy. If they were willing to empty their storage bags, they could carry most of the destroyed remains of a small building. The hardest work ended up being picking out pieces that were still solid enough, and gathering materials for mortar to put together proper headstones and short snippets about the building and people.The village itself was dismantled piece by piece, but in practice it was already nothing- leaving behind memories for others to share was the best legacy Anton could provide. Some day the carvings in the stone would fade as well and nobody would remember Dungannon, but he would give it its proper due. A peaceful village where people just lived their lives. If only every place could be like it- and remain that way. -----Work was cultivation, and cultivation was work. Anton fully believed that. While it was indeed true that at certain points in cultivating the Ninety-Nine Stars little benefit would come from working the body, at all points it could be useful. As for those working with him, they were all in a stage where they could temper their bodies. Besides Alva, the others were working towards the eighteenth star, where body and spirit were connected. Shifting rubble wasnt necessarily the best training method, but nobody complained. They were present for Antons sake.-----A translucent Spirit Arrow weaved its way through the trees, avoiding stray branches and large trunks in the way. The target was intentionally placed in such a way that a straight shot simply couldnt reach it. As each moment passed, the energy of the Spirit Arrow strained. Soon it began to tremble- and then it struck a tree, stabbing around thirty centimeters into it. The remaining energy scattered, fading into nothing.Anton breathed out slowly. It was one thing to keep an arrow flying over a long distance, it was quite another to guide it around obstacles he couldnt see. As much as he rode along with an arrow in flight to guide it, it didnt suddenly grow eyes or impart upon him new senses to guide it. Though the latter was sort of what his current exercise was about. More spirit! Kseniya declared. Thats your problem. Your senses should be one with the arrow. Your spirit must extend with it to crest the horizon!He understood about half of Elder Kseniyas instructions. But understanding what she wanted and achieving it were different things. At least he got to watch her as well. He could gain some insights from that.Anton wasnt the only one present, though it seemed he was the only one specifically pulled away. Elder Kseniya didnt mind if others watched or even made their own attempts, but she also made no effort to instruct them specifically. It was a bit uncomfortable to be singled out, but Anton couldnt refuse her instruction even if he wanted to. He recognized some of the others who came along. Marcio was the one he knew the best, but there were archers of different ranks. At the end of the traveling day Elder Kseniya was adamant in ensuring Anton could use Horizon Shot, or at least something like it. Elder Kseniya shot one more time, a glowing bolt of energy streaking off into the distance. Antons senses couldnt even feel where it impacted, but he had no doubt it was exactly where she intended. Thats enough for now. Dont forget to practice.After she was out of earshot- and then a couple minutes later in case her earshot was further than anyone expected- Marcio shook his head. I wonder what it takes to get like that. I wonder, would I take genius in exchange for the ability to convey it to others?Anton shrugged, I wouldnt. But perhaps we just need to shoot another ten thousand or a million arrows to have the right sense of things. Anton was quite serious about that number. If he didnt fire his bow at least a hundred times per day, he felt like he hadnt done it at all. After a few months that was ten thousand and after a few decades it would be a million. Before he was a cultivator the amount he could fire his bow was somewhat less, and he had other responsibilities but over many decades he felt hed achieved somewhere around those numbers. But doing so as a cultivator was a whole other level. He looked at those gathered around, Heres what I learned. We can put our heads together to see if were missing anything but practice.While the others might reasonably be jealous of him for getting Elder Kseniyas personal attention, the fact that he was quite willing to turn around and help the others easily smoothed things over. When he had been lower in cultivation than most of the others he was quite hesitant about offering advice, but in the world of cultivators there was little that was respected more than ones actual cultivation rank. Given that hed at least been an archer longer than most of the rest of them put together, they were quite willing to listen. While he might not be able to show them all the one secret to growing stronger, Marcio and the others could sense how working together was helping them improve. It wasnt that members of the Order never worked together in the past, but Anton thought he had a pretty good knack for it. It didnt hurt to have the Vessel of Insights, either.
