Chapter 443
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Chapter 443
Dust flew up, as powerful feet stomped the ground, despite the heavy-packed dirt that made up the training grounds. Fire raged around the area as two cultivators faced off. With a flaming axe swinging towards them, the first instinct of a human was not to move closer- but that was the appropriate response if one wanted to get an advantage. At least when wielding weapons with shorter range, or none at all. Vari stepped inside of Hoyts range, lunging forward so his step back wouldnt return her to the proper range. Her forearm deflected the throat of the weapon while her other arm wrapped around Hoyts arm to transition into a throw.
A moment later he was tumbling away, but Vari didnt find that she came out ahead in that encounter. After all, her very energy was burning away, the fire spreading faster the more she tried to fight it. She only managed to extinguish herself by creating a solid barrier around her that didnt ignite the same way as more free-flowing upper energy. However, that time lost her whatever advantage she gained from the throw- Hoyt was already back on his feet, uninjured.
Alright, I surrender, Vari held her hands up. She had the potential to do more, but it wouldnt be appropriate to display her actual limits in front of prying eyes. That was why she was training with Hoyt instead of Kiran. Though attempting to monopolize the time of either of them would have been too much anyway. She could barely help them improve, being in a lower realm. There were other factors to consider with the fellow from the Hardened Crown Sect that made working with him too much inadvisable- since noticing either her connection to the Hundred Stars or her cultivation technique could be problematic depending on who it was.
Pretty good, Hoyt said. Why didnt you try to hold onto my axe?
Because I couldnt have actually wrestled it out of your grip. And you were ready to kick me away.
Didnt think I made it that obvious, he shrugged. Though I was thinking I might suggest something.
Whats that?
Carrying a weapon, Hoyt said as he made sure nobody was listening.
I do, Vari shook her head. I cant just expect to choke someone out. I have daggers ready if I need them.
Something bigger, Hoyt suggested. That will make the daggers look like backup weapons, and make people less likely to suspect what you actually intend. You might even use it occasionally.
Ill think about it, Vari said. It was a good point. Deception was despised among the Harmonious Citadel publicly, anyway. She wasnt sure how much it was practiced internally without her knowledge. The way everyone practiced one weapon at least seemed honest, but only at the basic level.
-----
Greetings, Anton was pleased to hear a strange voice speak after only a few hours. We have translated the basics of language. Do you understand?
I understand, Anton nodded. He noticed that they spoke into a device they had, and it spoke either to him or back to them. That was pretty fast.
Similar start makes speech easier, Matija said via the translation device. Close stars, possible past.
That might be, Anton admitted. I dont exactly know who came and went from Ceretos. Talking more might not be fully understood, but perhaps it would help advance their understanding. And he could listen to what their translation thing thought he should be saying in their language, though he wasnt going to assume it to be fully accurate.
You Matija gestured vaguely, but Anton understood it to be about him moving things about.
I move things with my natural energy, yes. Would that not be expected of cultivators like yourself? Anton demonstrated with one of the empty packets that held water just to indicate he somewhat understood.
The reaction of the others indicated that perhaps they did not. There was some measure of surprise and unfamiliarity upon first meeting that Anton had chalked up to that, instead of assuming anything he was doing with cultivation was unfamiliar. Except perhaps surviving in the void of space, but it was a logical extension of power that should be understandable.
You fly without this, Matija gestured around her. Using energy.
Thats correct. I use natural energy to power what I do. You also use energy with your ship, Anton gestured, And the translator, Anton pointed. And for those weapons? he gestured to devices on their waist that had more highly concentrated energy.
It is normal, Anton said. He tapped his head, The mind controls energy, like these devices control energy. Have you not tried before? Surely some must have. Even people randomly stumbling about with cultivation could learn something about energy control, and these people were many times more powerful than necessary to see results.
-----
After another several hours that were productive in learning to communicate if nothing else, they had moved to something like a lounge- with couches placed in various positions. They had straps to keep people from casually floating away, and the room was rather crowded with only a few.
So why did you come here? Anton asked.
To study the star, Matija said. Ceretos?
Ceretos is my planet, Anton said. That is just a star. The sun.
Your planet? Is it close?
Anton shook his head. Not at this speed. Were also going the wrong way. They hadnt continued accelerating once they got an appropriate distance from the sun, but they were still moving. Not all that fast, but nothing slowed them down either. What about the sun did you want to study?
We noted strange energy fluctuations within the last few years. So we came to see it. Matija frowned. The change is very similar to you.
Anton shrugged. Its possible that it is not a coincidence. So what do you know about cultivation?
It was a legend, she said. At least the way that you are, and speak about it. We have a method to grow energy inside of ourselves, but it is not the same. Most of us cant sense energy outside of ourselves either, except in vague terms.
Surely you must have tried to control things with energy, the way you control your machines.
I suppose? Matija shook her head. They mainly draw on us. We simply allow it.
If I may, the crew member who had stood behind Anton spoke up. Anton had learned his name was Premysl. There are talks of such power. I think many of us attempted such things in our youth to no effect.
Matija nodded, That is the same with me. But seeing you do it, I felt something. Does that make sense?
I suppose so, Anton agreed. I cant say I did anything at all with energy without seeing or feeling it in action first. Though maybe some of what he felt before he became a cultivator was subconscious and rare, it wasnt as if hed been completely cut off from cultivators for the first century of his life.
Once we are stronger, there are cautions about the dangers, Premysl said. I hadnt considered that projecting energy could be anything but uncontrolled chaos.
Anton nodded, Nobodys born with a century of experience. All of you will be far ahead of myself in understanding the basics of our system. And I can see why nobody would search with great intensity for alternatives when you have something that works, Anton gestured. This ship is impressive. It functions like a complex formation with only the minimum number of runes.
I doubt they could use any more, Matija said. It makes use of pretty much everything runes can do.
Really? Anton raised an eyebrow. I will admit the very small mechanisms seem quite effective even without runes involved, but I would have thought that basic durability runes would be involved in the outer surface instead of an intensive field of energy. Though the materials themselves are astounding.
From their expressions, perhaps they didnt know more about runes than what he had, in which case he was even more impressed. It might do them quite a bit of good to learn, even from him. Or perhaps they had simply gone beyond the need for the things he thought they were missing. Sharing too much information might not be good, but they seemed friendly enough. If they were hiding ulterior motives beneath the surface, they were good at hiding them- though friendliness didnt necessarily equate to goodness in the end. Hed have to get to know them more deeply to determine that.
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Chapter 443
Dust flew up, as powerful feet stomped the ground, despite the heavy-packed dirt that made up the training grounds. Fire raged around the area as two cultivators faced off. With a flaming axe swinging towards them, the first instinct of a human was not to move closer- but that was the appropriate response if one wanted to get an advantage. At least when wielding weapons with shorter range, or none at all. Vari stepped inside of Hoyts range, lunging forward so his step back wouldnt return her to the proper range. Her forearm deflected the throat of the weapon while her other arm wrapped around Hoyts arm to transition into a throw.
A moment later he was tumbling away, but Vari didnt find that she came out ahead in that encounter. After all, her very energy was burning away, the fire spreading faster the more she tried to fight it. She only managed to extinguish herself by creating a solid barrier around her that didnt ignite the same way as more free-flowing upper energy. However, that time lost her whatever advantage she gained from the throw- Hoyt was already back on his feet, uninjured.
Alright, I surrender, Vari held her hands up. She had the potential to do more, but it wouldnt be appropriate to display her actual limits in front of prying eyes. That was why she was training with Hoyt instead of Kiran. Though attempting to monopolize the time of either of them would have been too much anyway. She could barely help them improve, being in a lower realm. There were other factors to consider with the fellow from the Hardened Crown Sect that made working with him too much inadvisable- since noticing either her connection to the Hundred Stars or her cultivation technique could be problematic depending on who it was.
Pretty good, Hoyt said. Why didnt you try to hold onto my axe?
Because I couldnt have actually wrestled it out of your grip. And you were ready to kick me away.
Didnt think I made it that obvious, he shrugged. Though I was thinking I might suggest something.
Whats that?
Carrying a weapon, Hoyt said as he made sure nobody was listening.
I do, Vari shook her head. I cant just expect to choke someone out. I have daggers ready if I need them.
Something bigger, Hoyt suggested. That will make the daggers look like backup weapons, and make people less likely to suspect what you actually intend. You might even use it occasionally.
Ill think about it, Vari said. It was a good point. Deception was despised among the Harmonious Citadel publicly, anyway. She wasnt sure how much it was practiced internally without her knowledge. The way everyone practiced one weapon at least seemed honest, but only at the basic level.
-----
Greetings, Anton was pleased to hear a strange voice speak after only a few hours. We have translated the basics of language. Do you understand?
I understand, Anton nodded. He noticed that they spoke into a device they had, and it spoke either to him or back to them. That was pretty fast.
Similar start makes speech easier, Matija said via the translation device. Close stars, possible past.
That might be, Anton admitted. I dont exactly know who came and went from Ceretos. Talking more might not be fully understood, but perhaps it would help advance their understanding. And he could listen to what their translation thing thought he should be saying in their language, though he wasnt going to assume it to be fully accurate.
You Matija gestured vaguely, but Anton understood it to be about him moving things about.
I move things with my natural energy, yes. Would that not be expected of cultivators like yourself? Anton demonstrated with one of the empty packets that held water just to indicate he somewhat understood.
The reaction of the others indicated that perhaps they did not. There was some measure of surprise and unfamiliarity upon first meeting that Anton had chalked up to that, instead of assuming anything he was doing with cultivation was unfamiliar. Except perhaps surviving in the void of space, but it was a logical extension of power that should be understandable.
You fly without this, Matija gestured around her. Using energy.
Thats correct. I use natural energy to power what I do. You also use energy with your ship, Anton gestured, And the translator, Anton pointed. And for those weapons? he gestured to devices on their waist that had more highly concentrated energy.
It is normal, Anton said. He tapped his head, The mind controls energy, like these devices control energy. Have you not tried before? Surely some must have. Even people randomly stumbling about with cultivation could learn something about energy control, and these people were many times more powerful than necessary to see results.
-----
After another several hours that were productive in learning to communicate if nothing else, they had moved to something like a lounge- with couches placed in various positions. They had straps to keep people from casually floating away, and the room was rather crowded with only a few.
So why did you come here? Anton asked.
To study the star, Matija said. Ceretos?
Ceretos is my planet, Anton said. That is just a star. The sun.
Your planet? Is it close?
Anton shook his head. Not at this speed. Were also going the wrong way. They hadnt continued accelerating once they got an appropriate distance from the sun, but they were still moving. Not all that fast, but nothing slowed them down either. What about the sun did you want to study?
We noted strange energy fluctuations within the last few years. So we came to see it. Matija frowned. The change is very similar to you.
Anton shrugged. Its possible that it is not a coincidence. So what do you know about cultivation?
It was a legend, she said. At least the way that you are, and speak about it. We have a method to grow energy inside of ourselves, but it is not the same. Most of us cant sense energy outside of ourselves either, except in vague terms.
Surely you must have tried to control things with energy, the way you control your machines.
I suppose? Matija shook her head. They mainly draw on us. We simply allow it.
If I may, the crew member who had stood behind Anton spoke up. Anton had learned his name was Premysl. There are talks of such power. I think many of us attempted such things in our youth to no effect.
Matija nodded, That is the same with me. But seeing you do it, I felt something. Does that make sense?
I suppose so, Anton agreed. I cant say I did anything at all with energy without seeing or feeling it in action first. Though maybe some of what he felt before he became a cultivator was subconscious and rare, it wasnt as if hed been completely cut off from cultivators for the first century of his life.
Once we are stronger, there are cautions about the dangers, Premysl said. I hadnt considered that projecting energy could be anything but uncontrolled chaos.
Anton nodded, Nobodys born with a century of experience. All of you will be far ahead of myself in understanding the basics of our system. And I can see why nobody would search with great intensity for alternatives when you have something that works, Anton gestured. This ship is impressive. It functions like a complex formation with only the minimum number of runes.
I doubt they could use any more, Matija said. It makes use of pretty much everything runes can do.
Really? Anton raised an eyebrow. I will admit the very small mechanisms seem quite effective even without runes involved, but I would have thought that basic durability runes would be involved in the outer surface instead of an intensive field of energy. Though the materials themselves are astounding.
From their expressions, perhaps they didnt know more about runes than what he had, in which case he was even more impressed. It might do them quite a bit of good to learn, even from him. Or perhaps they had simply gone beyond the need for the things he thought they were missing. Sharing too much information might not be good, but they seemed friendly enough. If they were hiding ulterior motives beneath the surface, they were good at hiding them- though friendliness didnt necessarily equate to goodness in the end. Hed have to get to know them more deeply to determine that.
Chapter 443Dust flew up, as powerful feet stomped the ground, despite the heavy-packed dirt that made up the training grounds. Fire raged around the area as two cultivators faced off. With a flaming axe swinging towards them, the first instinct of a human was not to move closer- but that was the appropriate response if one wanted to get an advantage. At least when wielding weapons with shorter range, or none at all. Vari stepped inside of Hoyts range, lunging forward so his step back wouldnt return her to the proper range. Her forearm deflected the throat of the weapon while her other arm wrapped around Hoyts arm to transition into a throw.A moment later he was tumbling away, but Vari didnt find that she came out ahead in that encounter. After all, her very energy was burning away, the fire spreading faster the more she tried to fight it. She only managed to extinguish herself by creating a solid barrier around her that didnt ignite the same way as more free-flowing upper energy. However, that time lost her whatever advantage she gained from the throw- Hoyt was already back on his feet, uninjured.Alright, I surrender, Vari held her hands up. She had the potential to do more, but it wouldnt be appropriate to display her actual limits in front of prying eyes. That was why she was training with Hoyt instead of Kiran. Though attempting to monopolize the time of either of them would have been too much anyway. She could barely help them improve, being in a lower realm. There were other factors to consider with the fellow from the Hardened Crown Sect that made working with him too much inadvisable- since noticing either her connection to the Hundred Stars or her cultivation technique could be problematic depending on who it was.Pretty good, Hoyt said. Why didnt you try to hold onto my axe?Because I couldnt have actually wrestled it out of your grip. And you were ready to kick me away.Didnt think I made it that obvious, he shrugged. Though I was thinking I might suggest something.Whats that?Carrying a weapon, Hoyt said as he made sure nobody was listening.I do, Vari shook her head. I cant just expect to choke someone out. I have daggers ready if I need them.Something bigger, Hoyt suggested. That will make the daggers look like backup weapons, and make people less likely to suspect what you actually intend. You might even use it occasionally.Ill think about it, Vari said. It was a good point. Deception was despised among the Harmonious Citadel publicly, anyway. She wasnt sure how much it was practiced internally without her knowledge. The way everyone practiced one weapon at least seemed honest, but only at the basic level.-----Greetings, Anton was pleased to hear a strange voice speak after only a few hours. We have translated the basics of language. Do you understand?I understand, Anton nodded. He noticed that they spoke into a device they had, and it spoke either to him or back to them. That was pretty fast.Similar start makes speech easier, Matija said via the translation device. Close stars, possible past.That might be, Anton admitted. I dont exactly know who came and went from Ceretos. Talking more might not be fully understood, but perhaps it would help advance their understanding. And he could listen to what their translation thing thought he should be saying in their language, though he wasnt going to assume it to be fully accurate. You Matija gestured vaguely, but Anton understood it to be about him moving things about.I move things with my natural energy, yes. Would that not be expected of cultivators like yourself? Anton demonstrated with one of the empty packets that held water just to indicate he somewhat understood.The reaction of the others indicated that perhaps they did not. There was some measure of surprise and unfamiliarity upon first meeting that Anton had chalked up to that, instead of assuming anything he was doing with cultivation was unfamiliar. Except perhaps surviving in the void of space, but it was a logical extension of power that should be understandable.You fly without this, Matija gestured around her. Using energy.Thats correct. I use natural energy to power what I do. You also use energy with your ship, Anton gestured, And the translator, Anton pointed. And for those weapons? he gestured to devices on their waist that had more highly concentrated energy.It is normal, Anton said. He tapped his head, The mind controls energy, like these devices control energy. Have you not tried before? Surely some must have. Even people randomly stumbling about with cultivation could learn something about energy control, and these people were many times more powerful than necessary to see results.-----After another several hours that were productive in learning to communicate if nothing else, they had moved to something like a lounge- with couches placed in various positions. They had straps to keep people from casually floating away, and the room was rather crowded with only a few. So why did you come here? Anton asked. To study the star, Matija said. Ceretos?Ceretos is my planet, Anton said. That is just a star. The sun.Your planet? Is it close?Anton shook his head. Not at this speed. Were also going the wrong way. They hadnt continued accelerating once they got an appropriate distance from the sun, but they were still moving. Not all that fast, but nothing slowed them down either. What about the sun did you want to study?We noted strange energy fluctuations within the last few years. So we came to see it. Matija frowned. The change is very similar to you.Anton shrugged. Its possible that it is not a coincidence. So what do you know about cultivation?It was a legend, she said. At least the way that you are, and speak about it. We have a method to grow energy inside of ourselves, but it is not the same. Most of us cant sense energy outside of ourselves either, except in vague terms.Surely you must have tried to control things with energy, the way you control your machines.I suppose? Matija shook her head. They mainly draw on us. We simply allow it.If I may, the crew member who had stood behind Anton spoke up. Anton had learned his name was Premysl. There are talks of such power. I think many of us attempted such things in our youth to no effect.Matija nodded, That is the same with me. But seeing you do it, I felt something. Does that make sense?I suppose so, Anton agreed. I cant say I did anything at all with energy without seeing or feeling it in action first. Though maybe some of what he felt before he became a cultivator was subconscious and rare, it wasnt as if hed been completely cut off from cultivators for the first century of his life. Once we are stronger, there are cautions about the dangers, Premysl said. I hadnt considered that projecting energy could be anything but uncontrolled chaos.Anton nodded, Nobodys born with a century of experience. All of you will be far ahead of myself in understanding the basics of our system. And I can see why nobody would search with great intensity for alternatives when you have something that works, Anton gestured. This ship is impressive. It functions like a complex formation with only the minimum number of runes.I doubt they could use any more, Matija said. It makes use of pretty much everything runes can do.Really? Anton raised an eyebrow. I will admit the very small mechanisms seem quite effective even without runes involved, but I would have thought that basic durability runes would be involved in the outer surface instead of an intensive field of energy. Though the materials themselves are astounding.From their expressions, perhaps they didnt know more about runes than what he had, in which case he was even more impressed. It might do them quite a bit of good to learn, even from him. Or perhaps they had simply gone beyond the need for the things he thought they were missing. Sharing too much information might not be good, but they seemed friendly enough. If they were hiding ulterior motives beneath the surface, they were good at hiding them- though friendliness didnt necessarily equate to goodness in the end. Hed have to get to know them more deeply to determine that.
