Chapter 260
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Chapter 260
When everything settled down and there were a few years without any sort of major incident, Anton was almost confused. Not fighting for an extended period of time just hadnt happened for him before. But the conflicts that had been happening couldnt possibly continue, especially as they had escalated to involve the higher levels of cultivation. If conflicts had kept going at the same rate, in a decade or two there wouldnt be any cultivators left at all.
The world wasnt completely peaceful, of course. It was just that Anton had been embroiled in trouble very frequently since becoming a cultivator. A few whole years where he wasnt seeking revenge or looking for a lost tomb or assisting allies in trouble was an unfamiliar but welcome break.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.
He kept himself occupied, of course. Straightforward cultivation occupied much of his time, but he took time for others as well. The change to Graotan was becoming obvious, with nearly a decade of his plan to teach cultivation on a wider scale. Only a small number of people ended up joining the Order, bolstering their numbers somewhat compared to how things were before. Even then, it could have been random fluctuations in numbers and those joining just so happened to have been people Anton introduced to cultivation.
Vincent or someone else might have found those very same people and encouraged them to cultivate. Anton hadnt suddenly swelled the ranks of the Order, and the slight increase in number and quality of recruits was barely making up for those they had lost. It would still take decades before the Order could truly recover, especially considering the losses of Life Transformation cultivators.
But outside of the Order, throughout the rest of Graotan, there was a transformation. As people worked to make use of cultivation in everyday life, with Windrip and other places showing great success, more people became interested. Anton also developed more techniques for teaching people with low talent, enough to allow them to surpass the first two stars at a minimum. Many people could have joined the Order, reaching the third or fourth star or even beyond, but they were more interested in retaining the life they were used to. Except just a little bit more efficient in every way.
Even regular crops, tended to by people nurturing the land with energy, produced more than they would have otherwise. And in return, those crops improved the quantity of natural energy throughout the country. If nobody had been looking it might have been ignored, but Anton and Elder Howland determined it was between one and two parts in ten. Some places were more, and areas isolated from human influence changed less, but there was a real, noticeable improvement in less than a decade.
Cultivators had long lifespans, and were quite willing to devote significant resources to developing their sects. However, while what Anton was doing was significant, it wasnt something most sects would care to replicate. They were able to develop their own land, making use of the entirety of the effort they put in. Higher level cultivators needed more than just a small increase from the ambient levels of natural energy to properly cultivate, they needed energy density several times the norm at minimum.
This was true even of the Order. Though Anton thought there might be a day in the future where the energy flowed freely between the Orders lands and their surroundings, it wouldnt be soon. At the moment, it would be a significant loss to the Order. And maybe they would continue to build the natural energy they had ever higher, though there were limits to that.
It didnt really matter though. Anton wanted the Order to succeed, but he also wanted the everyday people of Graotan and elsewhere in the world to not have to fear cultivators. Cultivators didnt suddenly stop causing trouble, but with a bit of cultivation of their own people were willing and able to stand up to cultivators. It was rarely relevant in Graotan, with the peace always having been enforced by the Order. Intrusions from Ofrurg hadnt happened in some time- the border security was still better than it had been and nobody in Ofrurg was planning to dip their toes into that trouble for quite some time.
Other places changed, though. Ofrurg a bit less than some, though Kohars continued efforts to weaken slavery was overshadowing mmore of the other changes. Anton didnt spend so much time there, but he knew basics of cultivation were still spreading. The Ten Stars, as people were starting to call the incomplete technique. They werent members of the Order of NInety-Nine Stars, but they were still able to attain that technique, where many cultivation techniques had been kept secret for various reasons. Even though it was incomplete, it was more than most could have gotten access to.
The change in perception about it was important as well. To the average person, a cultivator was a warrior. They spent their whole life training to fight, only to use their martial prowess to gain resources to grow stronger. That was still generally true, but a smaller devotion to cultivation and lesser talent could still achieve something for many. Their fights might not be with weapons, but instead their blades might be plows in the earth. With energy, every task became more achievable.
-----
Travels brought Anton to Cruhull, in northeastern Droca. More or less directly east from the Order, with a short jog to the south. There were no laws against teaching people to cultivate- not in any country Anton knew of- but some places were more friendly to his methods. It had been some time since hed been back to Cruhull, and Anton wanted to check up on some things.
As he walked around the city, he was pleased to find that a reasonable portion of the inhabitants showed some signs of cultivation. It was less than a percent of the adult population, but that was a significant change from where it had been before, usually one in a thousand or less. The Ten Stars was not the only simplified, incomplete technique that existed. It was just that usually people didnt spread cultivation knowledge freely. It seemed some local sect, at least, had determined that it was worthwhile to teach a wide spread of people.
Anton was also pleased to see a few people he didnt recognize with a familiar energy. He hadnt been around to teach them, and none of the others from the Order helping spread cultivation to everyone had been out this far either. Hed only been through when he passed through some time before. Perhaps some people had traveled, but from what he could sense throughout the city it was more than just casual teaching. Someone had been zealous about it.
That someone would be the highest ranking person with that same aura. There was a personal touch to it that Anton recognized, but he also felt something off. The power was that of the twelfth star, but things werent quite right. Anton realized he should have come earlier, but he couldnt be everywhere at once, much as he might like to. Projections like Everhearts were not so simple to make, difficult and resource intensive and usually not long lasting. They were also tied to a specific place, something Everheart seemed to not have overcome.
As he got closer to his target, Anton grew more certain that it was Leo. When he was finally close enough to sweep his senses over his body directly, he recognized the young man, no longer a teenager. It was Leo, which meant the other presence had to be Kit.
I considered the possibility, Leo said. I wasnt quite sure if they would accept me but that wasnt the reason I chose against it. I was doing necessary work here in the city, and though it was quite unpleasant I saw the benefits. Im actually paid as well as the actual manager, given my extra duties.
Im glad, Anton said. Its good to see people doing actual work. Its too easy to get wrapped up in power and want only violence.
I doubt you had trouble with that, Leo said.
I could have, at some points. Maybe focusing on killing would have been justified, but it wouldnt have been good for me. Anton shrugged, Im not going to deny being a warrior still, but I prefer to devote myself to other aspects.
Its good to see you again, Leo said. I owe you my life, and Kits.
Glad to be back, Anton grinned widely. And whatever you owed me, its more than paid off by you becoming a functioning member of society. And teaching others to cultivate, actually. Thats something Id like to encourage. Though do keep some discretion. Anton unfurled the scroll in front of him. Id suggest tempering your Insight. Useful in a position like this. Just dont share the completed technique without permission.
What about Kit? Leo asked.
Of course you can share it with her, Anton said. I was about to go find her anyway.
She works at the herbalist shop-
About five blocks that way, Anton nodded. I can sense her.
... I thought my range was getting rather impressive.
Relax, youre more than a handful of years and some important information behind. And your job doesnt rely on you sensing things from far off.
I dont know about that, Leo replied. Id really like to pick out blockages without actually stepping down into the sewer. And maybe remove them, too.
Youll get there. Just keep working at it. Though I might need to help you fix things up. Youve taken a couple awkward steps in the dark, when I should have been here a long time ago to properly guide you.
You never owed me anything, Leo shook his head, A life like this was impossible without you, so I couldnt ask for more. Though Kit would be furious if I didnt at least suggest you stay for dinner.
Of course, Anton said. Ill let her know you asked. And I dont care what you think I do or dont owe you, theres no way Im leaving you with a messed up cultivation. Youll have to put up with me for a while.
Leo grinned, I guess we can do that.
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Chapter 260
When everything settled down and there were a few years without any sort of major incident, Anton was almost confused. Not fighting for an extended period of time just hadnt happened for him before. But the conflicts that had been happening couldnt possibly continue, especially as they had escalated to involve the higher levels of cultivation. If conflicts had kept going at the same rate, in a decade or two there wouldnt be any cultivators left at all.
The world wasnt completely peaceful, of course. It was just that Anton had been embroiled in trouble very frequently since becoming a cultivator. A few whole years where he wasnt seeking revenge or looking for a lost tomb or assisting allies in trouble was an unfamiliar but welcome break.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.
He kept himself occupied, of course. Straightforward cultivation occupied much of his time, but he took time for others as well. The change to Graotan was becoming obvious, with nearly a decade of his plan to teach cultivation on a wider scale. Only a small number of people ended up joining the Order, bolstering their numbers somewhat compared to how things were before. Even then, it could have been random fluctuations in numbers and those joining just so happened to have been people Anton introduced to cultivation.
Vincent or someone else might have found those very same people and encouraged them to cultivate. Anton hadnt suddenly swelled the ranks of the Order, and the slight increase in number and quality of recruits was barely making up for those they had lost. It would still take decades before the Order could truly recover, especially considering the losses of Life Transformation cultivators.
But outside of the Order, throughout the rest of Graotan, there was a transformation. As people worked to make use of cultivation in everyday life, with Windrip and other places showing great success, more people became interested. Anton also developed more techniques for teaching people with low talent, enough to allow them to surpass the first two stars at a minimum. Many people could have joined the Order, reaching the third or fourth star or even beyond, but they were more interested in retaining the life they were used to. Except just a little bit more efficient in every way.
Even regular crops, tended to by people nurturing the land with energy, produced more than they would have otherwise. And in return, those crops improved the quantity of natural energy throughout the country. If nobody had been looking it might have been ignored, but Anton and Elder Howland determined it was between one and two parts in ten. Some places were more, and areas isolated from human influence changed less, but there was a real, noticeable improvement in less than a decade.
Cultivators had long lifespans, and were quite willing to devote significant resources to developing their sects. However, while what Anton was doing was significant, it wasnt something most sects would care to replicate. They were able to develop their own land, making use of the entirety of the effort they put in. Higher level cultivators needed more than just a small increase from the ambient levels of natural energy to properly cultivate, they needed energy density several times the norm at minimum.
This was true even of the Order. Though Anton thought there might be a day in the future where the energy flowed freely between the Orders lands and their surroundings, it wouldnt be soon. At the moment, it would be a significant loss to the Order. And maybe they would continue to build the natural energy they had ever higher, though there were limits to that.
It didnt really matter though. Anton wanted the Order to succeed, but he also wanted the everyday people of Graotan and elsewhere in the world to not have to fear cultivators. Cultivators didnt suddenly stop causing trouble, but with a bit of cultivation of their own people were willing and able to stand up to cultivators. It was rarely relevant in Graotan, with the peace always having been enforced by the Order. Intrusions from Ofrurg hadnt happened in some time- the border security was still better than it had been and nobody in Ofrurg was planning to dip their toes into that trouble for quite some time.
Other places changed, though. Ofrurg a bit less than some, though Kohars continued efforts to weaken slavery was overshadowing mmore of the other changes. Anton didnt spend so much time there, but he knew basics of cultivation were still spreading. The Ten Stars, as people were starting to call the incomplete technique. They werent members of the Order of NInety-Nine Stars, but they were still able to attain that technique, where many cultivation techniques had been kept secret for various reasons. Even though it was incomplete, it was more than most could have gotten access to.
The change in perception about it was important as well. To the average person, a cultivator was a warrior. They spent their whole life training to fight, only to use their martial prowess to gain resources to grow stronger. That was still generally true, but a smaller devotion to cultivation and lesser talent could still achieve something for many. Their fights might not be with weapons, but instead their blades might be plows in the earth. With energy, every task became more achievable.
-----
Travels brought Anton to Cruhull, in northeastern Droca. More or less directly east from the Order, with a short jog to the south. There were no laws against teaching people to cultivate- not in any country Anton knew of- but some places were more friendly to his methods. It had been some time since hed been back to Cruhull, and Anton wanted to check up on some things.
As he walked around the city, he was pleased to find that a reasonable portion of the inhabitants showed some signs of cultivation. It was less than a percent of the adult population, but that was a significant change from where it had been before, usually one in a thousand or less. The Ten Stars was not the only simplified, incomplete technique that existed. It was just that usually people didnt spread cultivation knowledge freely. It seemed some local sect, at least, had determined that it was worthwhile to teach a wide spread of people.
Anton was also pleased to see a few people he didnt recognize with a familiar energy. He hadnt been around to teach them, and none of the others from the Order helping spread cultivation to everyone had been out this far either. Hed only been through when he passed through some time before. Perhaps some people had traveled, but from what he could sense throughout the city it was more than just casual teaching. Someone had been zealous about it.
That someone would be the highest ranking person with that same aura. There was a personal touch to it that Anton recognized, but he also felt something off. The power was that of the twelfth star, but things werent quite right. Anton realized he should have come earlier, but he couldnt be everywhere at once, much as he might like to. Projections like Everhearts were not so simple to make, difficult and resource intensive and usually not long lasting. They were also tied to a specific place, something Everheart seemed to not have overcome.
As he got closer to his target, Anton grew more certain that it was Leo. When he was finally close enough to sweep his senses over his body directly, he recognized the young man, no longer a teenager. It was Leo, which meant the other presence had to be Kit.
I considered the possibility, Leo said. I wasnt quite sure if they would accept me but that wasnt the reason I chose against it. I was doing necessary work here in the city, and though it was quite unpleasant I saw the benefits. Im actually paid as well as the actual manager, given my extra duties.
Im glad, Anton said. Its good to see people doing actual work. Its too easy to get wrapped up in power and want only violence.
I doubt you had trouble with that, Leo said.
I could have, at some points. Maybe focusing on killing would have been justified, but it wouldnt have been good for me. Anton shrugged, Im not going to deny being a warrior still, but I prefer to devote myself to other aspects.
Its good to see you again, Leo said. I owe you my life, and Kits.
Glad to be back, Anton grinned widely. And whatever you owed me, its more than paid off by you becoming a functioning member of society. And teaching others to cultivate, actually. Thats something Id like to encourage. Though do keep some discretion. Anton unfurled the scroll in front of him. Id suggest tempering your Insight. Useful in a position like this. Just dont share the completed technique without permission.
What about Kit? Leo asked.
Of course you can share it with her, Anton said. I was about to go find her anyway.
She works at the herbalist shop-
About five blocks that way, Anton nodded. I can sense her.
... I thought my range was getting rather impressive.
Relax, youre more than a handful of years and some important information behind. And your job doesnt rely on you sensing things from far off.
I dont know about that, Leo replied. Id really like to pick out blockages without actually stepping down into the sewer. And maybe remove them, too.
Youll get there. Just keep working at it. Though I might need to help you fix things up. Youve taken a couple awkward steps in the dark, when I should have been here a long time ago to properly guide you.
You never owed me anything, Leo shook his head, A life like this was impossible without you, so I couldnt ask for more. Though Kit would be furious if I didnt at least suggest you stay for dinner.
Of course, Anton said. Ill let her know you asked. And I dont care what you think I do or dont owe you, theres no way Im leaving you with a messed up cultivation. Youll have to put up with me for a while.
Leo grinned, I guess we can do that.
Chapter 260When everything settled down and there were a few years without any sort of major incident, Anton was almost confused. Not fighting for an extended period of time just hadnt happened for him before. But the conflicts that had been happening couldnt possibly continue, especially as they had escalated to involve the higher levels of cultivation. If conflicts had kept going at the same rate, in a decade or two there wouldnt be any cultivators left at all. The world wasnt completely peaceful, of course. It was just that Anton had been embroiled in trouble very frequently since becoming a cultivator. A few whole years where he wasnt seeking revenge or looking for a lost tomb or assisting allies in trouble was an unfamiliar but welcome break.NvlRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Novln.He kept himself occupied, of course. Straightforward cultivation occupied much of his time, but he took time for others as well. The change to Graotan was becoming obvious, with nearly a decade of his plan to teach cultivation on a wider scale. Only a small number of people ended up joining the Order, bolstering their numbers somewhat compared to how things were before. Even then, it could have been random fluctuations in numbers and those joining just so happened to have been people Anton introduced to cultivation. Vincent or someone else might have found those very same people and encouraged them to cultivate. Anton hadnt suddenly swelled the ranks of the Order, and the slight increase in number and quality of recruits was barely making up for those they had lost. It would still take decades before the Order could truly recover, especially considering the losses of Life Transformation cultivators.But outside of the Order, throughout the rest of Graotan, there was a transformation. As people worked to make use of cultivation in everyday life, with Windrip and other places showing great success, more people became interested. Anton also developed more techniques for teaching people with low talent, enough to allow them to surpass the first two stars at a minimum. Many people could have joined the Order, reaching the third or fourth star or even beyond, but they were more interested in retaining the life they were used to. Except just a little bit more efficient in every way.Even regular crops, tended to by people nurturing the land with energy, produced more than they would have otherwise. And in return, those crops improved the quantity of natural energy throughout the country. If nobody had been looking it might have been ignored, but Anton and Elder Howland determined it was between one and two parts in ten. Some places were more, and areas isolated from human influence changed less, but there was a real, noticeable improvement in less than a decade. Cultivators had long lifespans, and were quite willing to devote significant resources to developing their sects. However, while what Anton was doing was significant, it wasnt something most sects would care to replicate. They were able to develop their own land, making use of the entirety of the effort they put in. Higher level cultivators needed more than just a small increase from the ambient levels of natural energy to properly cultivate, they needed energy density several times the norm at minimum. This was true even of the Order. Though Anton thought there might be a day in the future where the energy flowed freely between the Orders lands and their surroundings, it wouldnt be soon. At the moment, it would be a significant loss to the Order. And maybe they would continue to build the natural energy they had ever higher, though there were limits to that.It didnt really matter though. Anton wanted the Order to succeed, but he also wanted the everyday people of Graotan and elsewhere in the world to not have to fear cultivators. Cultivators didnt suddenly stop causing trouble, but with a bit of cultivation of their own people were willing and able to stand up to cultivators. It was rarely relevant in Graotan, with the peace always having been enforced by the Order. Intrusions from Ofrurg hadnt happened in some time- the border security was still better than it had been and nobody in Ofrurg was planning to dip their toes into that trouble for quite some time.Other places changed, though. Ofrurg a bit less than some, though Kohars continued efforts to weaken slavery was overshadowing mmore of the other changes. Anton didnt spend so much time there, but he knew basics of cultivation were still spreading. The Ten Stars, as people were starting to call the incomplete technique. They werent members of the Order of NInety-Nine Stars, but they were still able to attain that technique, where many cultivation techniques had been kept secret for various reasons. Even though it was incomplete, it was more than most could have gotten access to.The change in perception about it was important as well. To the average person, a cultivator was a warrior. They spent their whole life training to fight, only to use their martial prowess to gain resources to grow stronger. That was still generally true, but a smaller devotion to cultivation and lesser talent could still achieve something for many. Their fights might not be with weapons, but instead their blades might be plows in the earth. With energy, every task became more achievable.-----Travels brought Anton to Cruhull, in northeastern Droca. More or less directly east from the Order, with a short jog to the south. There were no laws against teaching people to cultivate- not in any country Anton knew of- but some places were more friendly to his methods. It had been some time since hed been back to Cruhull, and Anton wanted to check up on some things.As he walked around the city, he was pleased to find that a reasonable portion of the inhabitants showed some signs of cultivation. It was less than a percent of the adult population, but that was a significant change from where it had been before, usually one in a thousand or less. The Ten Stars was not the only simplified, incomplete technique that existed. It was just that usually people didnt spread cultivation knowledge freely. It seemed some local sect, at least, had determined that it was worthwhile to teach a wide spread of people.Anton was also pleased to see a few people he didnt recognize with a familiar energy. He hadnt been around to teach them, and none of the others from the Order helping spread cultivation to everyone had been out this far either. Hed only been through when he passed through some time before. Perhaps some people had traveled, but from what he could sense throughout the city it was more than just casual teaching. Someone had been zealous about it.That someone would be the highest ranking person with that same aura. There was a personal touch to it that Anton recognized, but he also felt something off. The power was that of the twelfth star, but things werent quite right. Anton realized he should have come earlier, but he couldnt be everywhere at once, much as he might like to. Projections like Everhearts were not so simple to make, difficult and resource intensive and usually not long lasting. They were also tied to a specific place, something Everheart seemed to not have overcome.As he got closer to his target, Anton grew more certain that it was Leo. When he was finally close enough to sweep his senses over his body directly, he recognized the young man, no longer a teenager. It was Leo, which meant the other presence had to be Kit.I considered the possibility, Leo said. I wasnt quite sure if they would accept me but that wasnt the reason I chose against it. I was doing necessary work here in the city, and though it was quite unpleasant I saw the benefits. Im actually paid as well as the actual manager, given my extra duties.Im glad, Anton said. Its good to see people doing actual work. Its too easy to get wrapped up in power and want only violence.I doubt you had trouble with that, Leo said.I could have, at some points. Maybe focusing on killing would have been justified, but it wouldnt have been good for me. Anton shrugged, Im not going to deny being a warrior still, but I prefer to devote myself to other aspects.Its good to see you again, Leo said. I owe you my life, and Kits.Glad to be back, Anton grinned widely. And whatever you owed me, its more than paid off by you becoming a functioning member of society. And teaching others to cultivate, actually. Thats something Id like to encourage. Though do keep some discretion. Anton unfurled the scroll in front of him. Id suggest tempering your Insight. Useful in a position like this. Just dont share the completed technique without permission.What about Kit? Leo asked.Of course you can share it with her, Anton said. I was about to go find her anyway.She works at the herbalist shop-About five blocks that way, Anton nodded. I can sense her.... I thought my range was getting rather impressive.Relax, youre more than a handful of years and some important information behind. And your job doesnt rely on you sensing things from far off.I dont know about that, Leo replied. Id really like to pick out blockages without actually stepping down into the sewer. And maybe remove them, too.Youll get there. Just keep working at it. Though I might need to help you fix things up. Youve taken a couple awkward steps in the dark, when I should have been here a long time ago to properly guide you.You never owed me anything, Leo shook his head, A life like this was impossible without you, so I couldnt ask for more. Though Kit would be furious if I didnt at least suggest you stay for dinner.Of course, Anton said. Ill let her know you asked. And I dont care what you think I do or dont owe you, theres no way Im leaving you with a messed up cultivation. Youll have to put up with me for a while.Leo grinned, I guess we can do that.
