Chapter 89
If audio player doesn't work, press Stop then Play button again
Chapter 89
During his time away, Anton had forgotten just how much of a difference there was between the quantity and quality of the energy on the Orders grounds and that elsewhere. The boost was just what he needed to push through to the completion of the twelfth star. That was all there was to it, the majority of the real work having already been done. The part of cultivation where he gathered energy was just more of the same.
He looked up the mountain towards the peaks. The energy there had been much stronger to the point he could barely handle it. Now, he wanted to test how it affected him differently. But though he fully intended to go and talk to Grand Elder Vandale, he wasnt quite ready and there were so many other things that needed doing.
Hed only been separated from Catarina a short time, though he supposed several months was quite meaningful to those who were young. It had been more than half of a year since hed seen Timothy. The young man was at the ninth star, only a small portion short of the peak of Body Tempering. His cultivation progress was fine, but there was something Anton shook his head. One thing at a time.
The opportunities to enter the Order were held monthly. Anton knew he might be able to push for those he knew to be tested earlier, but he didnt want to show any favoritism. That wouldnt help them in the long run. Besides, he had full confidence in Pete and Oskar. Some of the others were on track to third star and planned to join the Order as well, but those two were the most skilled in cultivation. Patricia, Oskars wife, was somewhat behind since she didnt have a chance to cultivate until later. It seemed likely she would reach third star soon enough, but she wasnt sure if she wanted to join the Order. She would be able to stay with Oskar regardless- the Order allowed family and even a number of permanent guests.
Anton had considered bringing some of the others to train, but being able to reach the third star without relying on sheer quantity of energy was sort of the point of the tests. There was probably more to it, but Anton hadnt actually participated. He would observe this time. He was certain the entrance qualifications had not changed in decades or centuries, like most other things. Though he had his complaints with the Order, he didnt find that they were bad in how they handled things. He just thought they could be better. He might change his mind once hed had more exposure to cultivators but he was not going to just assume those who were older knew better. They might, or they might not.
First he was going to find Elder Howland. He should be able to answer some of Antons questions, or at least point him in the right direction. The man wasnt hard to find. He was always around somewhere, it just depended on which farming plot he was working with that day.
It had been nearly half a year since Anton had seen the man. During that time, hed grown from late Body Tempering all the way to the twelfth star, significantly closing the gap between himself and the Elder. Elder Howland was only at the fifteenth star, so his status as an Elder clearly wasnt for his cultivation prowess but his other usefulness. Not that Anton intended to mention that.
-----
Charlton Howland was in a good mood. Hoyt had returned, in Spirit Building no less. Yet he still came to tend to the fields. Not just the more troublesome plants either, but some of the mundane ones. He could certainly earn more contribution points elsewhere, and having completed Body Tempering it wasnt even really good training. Sure, he didnt come by every day anymore, but he only needed to come by weekly to do as much as hed been doing before he set off on his journey.
He nearly didnt recognize Anton when he showed up. Trusting Hoyts word that Anton had reached the eleventh star was easy. Hoyt saw it and relayed the information. But the prediction that he would reach twelfth star in the next few months before he returned to the Order had seemed somewhat unbelievable. Then again, it seemed likely barely a few months before that Anton had first joined the Order. What was another star or two when hed gone from four to eleven in that time?
Does it matter? Howland wondered, The smaller sects within Graotan maintain their own areas, and the rest is not populated by cultivators.
It could be, though. Anton shook his head. Why not expand the area?
The Order doesnt have need of more land, Howland explained. Our numbers rise and fall as time passes, but we have an entire mountain and the forests for just a few thousand at any time. The area we control is already quite expansive.
Thats true, Anton agreed. But think of the border. The formation keeps intruders in and out, understandably. But it also keeps the natural energy controlled.
The Order is not entirely selfless. The benefits to the surrounding farmers would be negligible compared to our losses. We put in the work and reap the rewards.
I fully understand that. However, couldnt the surrounding area instead benefit the Order? If the land adjacent grows more, it would contribute back to the Orders land.
Alas, Howland said, Its not quite so efficient. The maximum growth that would have on the surrounding area would not be enough to recoup the losses given any amount of time. If our numbers swelled and we had several times as many disciples, perhaps expanding would be prudent. But we can barely manage the area we have now.
It just needs to be tended to by cultivators, right? Anton asked.
Right.
Let me tell you about some thoughts Ive been having. I think imagining ourselves as cultivators and the rest of the country as non-cultivators is perhaps merely limiting the Order.
They talked for some time. Howland thought Antons ideas of how easy it was to teach everyone to cultivate were a bit exaggerated, but he had to admit that Anton had significant success in the area already. Howland couldnt say it was impossible, either. Anton had much more understanding of non-cultivator activities and the benefits even small amounts of cultivation would provide them. Unknowingly at the time, some buried thoughts in Howlands head slipped into place. He wanted more people to care about the land and not just think of it as something low level cultivators did for contribution points. He hadnt even considered those outside the Order in regards to that. From that point on, his cultivation would creep forward from its formerly stagnant status.
Please report us if you find any errors so we can fix it asap!
Chapter 89
During his time away, Anton had forgotten just how much of a difference there was between the quantity and quality of the energy on the Orders grounds and that elsewhere. The boost was just what he needed to push through to the completion of the twelfth star. That was all there was to it, the majority of the real work having already been done. The part of cultivation where he gathered energy was just more of the same.
He looked up the mountain towards the peaks. The energy there had been much stronger to the point he could barely handle it. Now, he wanted to test how it affected him differently. But though he fully intended to go and talk to Grand Elder Vandale, he wasnt quite ready and there were so many other things that needed doing.
Hed only been separated from Catarina a short time, though he supposed several months was quite meaningful to those who were young. It had been more than half of a year since hed seen Timothy. The young man was at the ninth star, only a small portion short of the peak of Body Tempering. His cultivation progress was fine, but there was something Anton shook his head. One thing at a time.
The opportunities to enter the Order were held monthly. Anton knew he might be able to push for those he knew to be tested earlier, but he didnt want to show any favoritism. That wouldnt help them in the long run. Besides, he had full confidence in Pete and Oskar. Some of the others were on track to third star and planned to join the Order as well, but those two were the most skilled in cultivation. Patricia, Oskars wife, was somewhat behind since she didnt have a chance to cultivate until later. It seemed likely she would reach third star soon enough, but she wasnt sure if she wanted to join the Order. She would be able to stay with Oskar regardless- the Order allowed family and even a number of permanent guests.
Anton had considered bringing some of the others to train, but being able to reach the third star without relying on sheer quantity of energy was sort of the point of the tests. There was probably more to it, but Anton hadnt actually participated. He would observe this time. He was certain the entrance qualifications had not changed in decades or centuries, like most other things. Though he had his complaints with the Order, he didnt find that they were bad in how they handled things. He just thought they could be better. He might change his mind once hed had more exposure to cultivators but he was not going to just assume those who were older knew better. They might, or they might not.
First he was going to find Elder Howland. He should be able to answer some of Antons questions, or at least point him in the right direction. The man wasnt hard to find. He was always around somewhere, it just depended on which farming plot he was working with that day.
It had been nearly half a year since Anton had seen the man. During that time, hed grown from late Body Tempering all the way to the twelfth star, significantly closing the gap between himself and the Elder. Elder Howland was only at the fifteenth star, so his status as an Elder clearly wasnt for his cultivation prowess but his other usefulness. Not that Anton intended to mention that.
-----
Charlton Howland was in a good mood. Hoyt had returned, in Spirit Building no less. Yet he still came to tend to the fields. Not just the more troublesome plants either, but some of the mundane ones. He could certainly earn more contribution points elsewhere, and having completed Body Tempering it wasnt even really good training. Sure, he didnt come by every day anymore, but he only needed to come by weekly to do as much as hed been doing before he set off on his journey.
He nearly didnt recognize Anton when he showed up. Trusting Hoyts word that Anton had reached the eleventh star was easy. Hoyt saw it and relayed the information. But the prediction that he would reach twelfth star in the next few months before he returned to the Order had seemed somewhat unbelievable. Then again, it seemed likely barely a few months before that Anton had first joined the Order. What was another star or two when hed gone from four to eleven in that time?
Does it matter? Howland wondered, The smaller sects within Graotan maintain their own areas, and the rest is not populated by cultivators.
It could be, though. Anton shook his head. Why not expand the area?
The Order doesnt have need of more land, Howland explained. Our numbers rise and fall as time passes, but we have an entire mountain and the forests for just a few thousand at any time. The area we control is already quite expansive.
Thats true, Anton agreed. But think of the border. The formation keeps intruders in and out, understandably. But it also keeps the natural energy controlled.
The Order is not entirely selfless. The benefits to the surrounding farmers would be negligible compared to our losses. We put in the work and reap the rewards.
I fully understand that. However, couldnt the surrounding area instead benefit the Order? If the land adjacent grows more, it would contribute back to the Orders land.
Alas, Howland said, Its not quite so efficient. The maximum growth that would have on the surrounding area would not be enough to recoup the losses given any amount of time. If our numbers swelled and we had several times as many disciples, perhaps expanding would be prudent. But we can barely manage the area we have now.
It just needs to be tended to by cultivators, right? Anton asked.
Right.
Let me tell you about some thoughts Ive been having. I think imagining ourselves as cultivators and the rest of the country as non-cultivators is perhaps merely limiting the Order.
They talked for some time. Howland thought Antons ideas of how easy it was to teach everyone to cultivate were a bit exaggerated, but he had to admit that Anton had significant success in the area already. Howland couldnt say it was impossible, either. Anton had much more understanding of non-cultivator activities and the benefits even small amounts of cultivation would provide them. Unknowingly at the time, some buried thoughts in Howlands head slipped into place. He wanted more people to care about the land and not just think of it as something low level cultivators did for contribution points. He hadnt even considered those outside the Order in regards to that. From that point on, his cultivation would creep forward from its formerly stagnant status.
Chapter 89During his time away, Anton had forgotten just how much of a difference there was between the quantity and quality of the energy on the Orders grounds and that elsewhere. The boost was just what he needed to push through to the completion of the twelfth star. That was all there was to it, the majority of the real work having already been done. The part of cultivation where he gathered energy was just more of the same.He looked up the mountain towards the peaks. The energy there had been much stronger to the point he could barely handle it. Now, he wanted to test how it affected him differently. But though he fully intended to go and talk to Grand Elder Vandale, he wasnt quite ready and there were so many other things that needed doing.Hed only been separated from Catarina a short time, though he supposed several months was quite meaningful to those who were young. It had been more than half of a year since hed seen Timothy. The young man was at the ninth star, only a small portion short of the peak of Body Tempering. His cultivation progress was fine, but there was something Anton shook his head. One thing at a time.The opportunities to enter the Order were held monthly. Anton knew he might be able to push for those he knew to be tested earlier, but he didnt want to show any favoritism. That wouldnt help them in the long run. Besides, he had full confidence in Pete and Oskar. Some of the others were on track to third star and planned to join the Order as well, but those two were the most skilled in cultivation. Patricia, Oskars wife, was somewhat behind since she didnt have a chance to cultivate until later. It seemed likely she would reach third star soon enough, but she wasnt sure if she wanted to join the Order. She would be able to stay with Oskar regardless- the Order allowed family and even a number of permanent guests. Anton had considered bringing some of the others to train, but being able to reach the third star without relying on sheer quantity of energy was sort of the point of the tests. There was probably more to it, but Anton hadnt actually participated. He would observe this time. He was certain the entrance qualifications had not changed in decades or centuries, like most other things. Though he had his complaints with the Order, he didnt find that they were bad in how they handled things. He just thought they could be better. He might change his mind once hed had more exposure to cultivators but he was not going to just assume those who were older knew better. They might, or they might not.First he was going to find Elder Howland. He should be able to answer some of Antons questions, or at least point him in the right direction. The man wasnt hard to find. He was always around somewhere, it just depended on which farming plot he was working with that day. It had been nearly half a year since Anton had seen the man. During that time, hed grown from late Body Tempering all the way to the twelfth star, significantly closing the gap between himself and the Elder. Elder Howland was only at the fifteenth star, so his status as an Elder clearly wasnt for his cultivation prowess but his other usefulness. Not that Anton intended to mention that. -----Charlton Howland was in a good mood. Hoyt had returned, in Spirit Building no less. Yet he still came to tend to the fields. Not just the more troublesome plants either, but some of the mundane ones. He could certainly earn more contribution points elsewhere, and having completed Body Tempering it wasnt even really good training. Sure, he didnt come by every day anymore, but he only needed to come by weekly to do as much as hed been doing before he set off on his journey.He nearly didnt recognize Anton when he showed up. Trusting Hoyts word that Anton had reached the eleventh star was easy. Hoyt saw it and relayed the information. But the prediction that he would reach twelfth star in the next few months before he returned to the Order had seemed somewhat unbelievable. Then again, it seemed likely barely a few months before that Anton had first joined the Order. What was another star or two when hed gone from four to eleven in that time?Does it matter? Howland wondered, The smaller sects within Graotan maintain their own areas, and the rest is not populated by cultivators.It could be, though. Anton shook his head. Why not expand the area?The Order doesnt have need of more land, Howland explained. Our numbers rise and fall as time passes, but we have an entire mountain and the forests for just a few thousand at any time. The area we control is already quite expansive.Thats true, Anton agreed. But think of the border. The formation keeps intruders in and out, understandably. But it also keeps the natural energy controlled.The Order is not entirely selfless. The benefits to the surrounding farmers would be negligible compared to our losses. We put in the work and reap the rewards.I fully understand that. However, couldnt the surrounding area instead benefit the Order? If the land adjacent grows more, it would contribute back to the Orders land.Alas, Howland said, Its not quite so efficient. The maximum growth that would have on the surrounding area would not be enough to recoup the losses given any amount of time. If our numbers swelled and we had several times as many disciples, perhaps expanding would be prudent. But we can barely manage the area we have now.It just needs to be tended to by cultivators, right? Anton asked.Right.Let me tell you about some thoughts Ive been having. I think imagining ourselves as cultivators and the rest of the country as non-cultivators is perhaps merely limiting the Order.They talked for some time. Howland thought Antons ideas of how easy it was to teach everyone to cultivate were a bit exaggerated, but he had to admit that Anton had significant success in the area already. Howland couldnt say it was impossible, either. Anton had much more understanding of non-cultivator activities and the benefits even small amounts of cultivation would provide them. Unknowingly at the time, some buried thoughts in Howlands head slipped into place. He wanted more people to care about the land and not just think of it as something low level cultivators did for contribution points. He hadnt even considered those outside the Order in regards to that. From that point on, his cultivation would creep forward from its formerly stagnant status.
