C_Mantis
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Chapter 403
🕑 Added 2025-02-28 19:59:01 +0000 UTCChapter 403
Giving Esmeralda and Jericho the devices they had stolen from Raffi, the six of them sat in the suite just decompressing for a long few minutes after the last stressful few weeks. It felt much longer than that, but, in reality, it had only been a short few weeks.
Allie sighed as she popped to her feet. “Want me to start digging once we get any leads? Once I get something, we can start making them really hurt.”
Phoenix Liz fluttered off Matt’s shoulder and gave Allie a feathery hug before pecking her on the head.
“Ow. You could have said so nicer. With actual words.”
Liz grinned. “Thank you, Allie, but no. At least, not for now. I’m not happy, but we are far too weak to actually fight these people, even if we identify them. Which we haven’t done, let me remind you. And I don’t need you getting squished for me, even if I appreciate the offer.”
Returning with a plate of finger food from the suite's kitchen, Allie started munching on the various fruits and snacks.
“What's your plan now, then?” Susanne asked the question they were all pondering.
Liz looked towards Matt and Aster. “We need to do four things, as I count them. Work on repairing my reputation. Finish clearing the mess these assholes made of Aster's initiative. Start looking out for shit they might be stirring in our duchies. And, finally, Matt needs to do more PR stuff as the skills spread. While Raffi’s hatred towards me seemed more for our ducal reforms, I don’t think he was lying when he said we ruined business interests of the society he was a part of. We can’t start worrying about everything else and then forget what forced their hand to begin with. Actually, five, because I want to check in with Melinda and see if she needs additional help since Raffi didn’t spill. I don’t like secret research facilities tainting the reputation of blood magic any more than they already have.”
Matt winced. “Sorry about that. I knew the skills would have a reaction, but I didn’t think it would be quite as big as it turned out. At least from our enemies' reaction. I expected something more along the lines of the aura potion. Not an attack on your character.”
Liz leaned over Aster and rubbed his hand. “You aren’t to blame for the reactions of others.”
Matt was nodding when he saw her swipe a handful of food from the tray. Wanting to lighten the mood, he gasped. “You didn’t really feel bad, you just wanted snacks.”
Liz just made a motion like she couldn’t hear him over her perfectly quiet chewing.
Seeing her grin, Matt looked to Susanne and Zack. “What about you two?”
Zack looked at his glowing hand. “I really need to return to this.”
Aster leaned over Susanne grabbed the hand, and wiggled it, which showcased its weird after image effect. “Yeah, what did you do to your hand?”
Zack absently allowed Matt’s sister to draw shapes in the air with his hand as he explained, filling his plate with telekinesis instead. “I have been corresponding with Ellen as of late, and we have been studying historical Ascenders in an effort to replicate some of their notable capabilities. Willoh - the Legend, not the Master of Willow Streams - was known for possessing a hand which was simultaneously wholly physical and spiritual, enabling him to physically interact with mana in ways that could be further modified with skills and other Natural Treasures. I am currently experimenting with a combination of Wraith Claw, Last Moon’s Breath, and an Arcane [Palm of Tranquility] for stability and safety. Unfortunately, when actually testing it, I discovered that the combination had not adequately kept my spirit and body in-sync, so while it technically works, the delay between my biology and spirit renders it largely useless. I have more luck with fine manipulation utilizing my Domain.”
“You said it’s a skill, right? Why can’t you just turn it off?”
“It is [Palm of Tranquility] which enables my hand to move at all, and that is still after several additional methods of temporary stabilization to make myself mobile enough to travel. What I am doing now is not dissimilar from running a strength buff to bypass a broken arm. Simple enough to do, and not hazardous with proper care, but nonetheless frustrating to work with. Ellen has some ideas in regards to what will fix it, as do I, but we’re still working on gathering the required materials.”
Matt leaned forward and inspected the arm before pulling himself away.
He had way too much on his plate to start getting involved with a new project right now.
Still, he couldn’t help but say, “Send me what you ran into. I'd love to look it over when I get a minute. It's really quite fascinating.”
Zack did so, and Matt sent himself a reminder for a few months out. Surely he’d have more time then.
Susanne got them back on track with a nod to Aster after swallowing her own snack. “I’m willing to help where I can. At least until my next delving block, but that's five years out, and I don’t have anything critical to do until then.”
Aster tried to thank her, but what came out of her overstuffed mouth was unintelligible.
Seeing just how much the others were enjoying the snacks, Zack included, Matt tried one, only to open his eyes wide.
“You assholes could have told me these were from Tal Vesti’s and not the staff here.”
Grabbing the last of the food off the plate, Matt frowned at his meager portion. Tal Vesti’s was a Talented restaurant they had been to a few years ago, and the owner and chef occasionally sent food up to their suite if they were at the Capital.
The style had been so unassuming, he had assumed it had been made by the hotel staff, but now the others' behavior made a lot more sense.
Fiends, all of them.
Food platter demolished, their chats turned to the news as they caught back up.
Liz’s name had been cleared ostensibly, with all of the higher Tier news channels having retracted their statements. But the few weeks were also enough time to have new scandals pop up and push her story off the headlines.
That wasn’t the worst thing, but Matt agreed that Liz would need to do her own press tour to help reestablish her Ascender image.
Being a bloodthirsty or ruthless Ascender wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, as many Ascenders throughout the Great Power’s history were feared more than liked. In the Empire, that meant more negative news stories, but power shone through them all. He also knew Liz was sensitive to the ‘blood mage evil’ perception, and wouldn’t accept that outcome.
He also knew she was right. He needed to get out there and do more interviews with the new skills, even if he had wanted to avoid it.
They, at least probably, had some time before the next attack, given their response to the last one and their pattern of attack.
Though, Matt wanted to attack first. “So, about the society. We can’t attack them directly quite yet, given our Tier and their probable Tiers. But I had another idea that could piss them off and possibly even make life difficult for them once we figure our target.”
Matt had everyone's attention at that statement. “Let’s force our way onto several school’s Board of Governors. Once there, we can start making waves until something splashes back. I’m sure most of the people on those boards are part of the stronger societies. Throwing wrenches in their plans is a good first step to finding society members.”
Aster put her hand in the air. “Oh, I’ll do that. That sounds like a blast and I’m the only one here who actually was a part of an academy.”
Matt shrugged. “I figured we all do it. Once we have leads, pick the three most suspicious academies and buy our ways onto the boards. Go on the offensive. It's not like the boards meet up all that often. It's usually once a decade. We should be able to work around that.”
Liz shook her head. “I doubt that would actually harm the societies. They are far more than a school board. That would just be a waste of our time even if we knew the society in question and their assets. No, we need to wait for the information on Raffi’s data to come back and we can start chasing down people he was in contact with and unravel things that way.”
Midway through his idea, Allie groaned as she leaned back in her chair. “Ugh. No, we actually got a job. This one is your fault though, Matt.”
Matt checked his AI and looked for any Imperial messages, but found none. Just when he was going to say something, a forward arrived from Allie.
The heading immediately caught his attention because it was from Carissa, Manny’s wife.
Reading deeper, his eyes went into his hairline.
Winter Hornet was requesting a meeting with the ascender who had brought up the knowledge of the new skills.
Apparently, Rah had agreed to the meeting, and Carissa had okayed it in Manny’s place, but someone, specifically Allie, needed to bring Rah to Sect space and back. Safely.
“How did he even find out about Rah? Did Sien spill?”
Aster's question was a good one, but Allie shook her head. “No, I already asked Carissa. Apparently, he figured it out all on his own, due to the different structure and ideology behind the skills.” Popping to her feet she clapped. “Chop chop. Up! On your feet. You are all coming with me. I’m not quarantining alone. That shit sucks and if I have to suffer so do you.”
Matt sighed and leaned back on the couch just to annoy Allie. “I’m sure he's not the only one. I didn’t hide that we got the info from someone else and just polished it up. It's not like ascenders are unheard of in our realm, just really rare, so it's not that crazy he, or more likely his people, put the clues together. I’m just surprised that Rah said he's ok with it.”
Allie rolled her eyes. “Let's go ask him. Get on your feet you lazy bums.”
A second later they were on Titan Torch’s moon, just outside Rah’s compound.
Luna greeted them with a yawn as she lay in a sunny spot in cat form. Next to her was Ciceron who looked… disheveled was the most polite word Matt could come up with.
Rah, however, looked as put together as always, but from his body language was clearly frustrated as well.
“Yo!”
Allie announced their arrival with a wave.
Rah blinked up at their arrival. “Thank you for coming, Allie. I didn’t want to impose, but Carissa said you were willing and it would save years of travel.”
“It's fine. I don’t like being a taxi, but helping a friend is enough reason to do it. Really, it's just about making sure everyone knows I’m not at their beck and call.”
Rah stood and looked down at Ciceron. “Let's call it a break here and we can resume when I get back in a day or so with fresh eyes and minds.”
Ciceron groaned. “No I don’t need a break, I need to figure this out. I swear the answer is right in front of me, I just can't see it.”
Matt looked to Luna, who just swished her tail over her eyes and flattened her ears, pretending to not hear any of it. “We’ll talk about just what you did to your spirit when you get back, Matthew, but I don’t have the energy to deal with two idiots right now, so begone.”
Allie gestured, and Rah appeared next to them. Before they could be stopped, they vanished to appear on Yun Me’s world.
Instead of the Sect’s strongest non-Ascender waiting for them, they found a clone of Winter Hornet. That had been part of the deal Carissa had struck, and had been in the briefing, though its presence to Matt was all but indistinguishable from that of a proper Tier 50.
Before having interacted with the man and Sien during the end of the war ceremony, Matt would have been nervous being in front of an enemy Tier 50. But out of all of the Tier 50s, he was probably afraid of the Sect’s leader the least.
He’d surely lock Matt up if he could, but he also respected personal strength to a fault, being willing to attack Virgil when she threatened Aiden in his battle.
So long as his Talent was a secret, he was safe near the man, and he had filled his mana pool, making his generation practically zero, so even if his veil was pierced, nothing of consequence would be noticed.
“Ah, it is good you brought guests, Ascender Long Shadow. Everyone else, welcome back.”
Turning to Rah, Winter Hornet bowed. “Welcome to our Realm. I am Grand Elder Winter Hornet, as I am certain you are aware, and speaking to one who has reached the apex of their home, I greet you. Furthermore, I desire to present you with an award recognizing your capabilities regarding self-created skills. They shall surely forge my people into ever-greater versions of themselves for all time and eternity.”
Having said that, he bowed once more, deeper this time.
Rah returned the bow deeper still, saying, “I simply shared with Ascender Titan what I was paid for. He and his people improved on what my own had done. My realm is… less developed than yours. Maybe less connected is a better word. There are no entities such as yours in my realm, and it has resulted in less formal development of some things. It should be him you thank, not I.”
Winter Hornet’s gaze moved to Matt and stared at him for a long minute before nodding. “Indeed, Ascender Titan. Sharing such information freely was foolish.”
Matt blinked at the rebuke, not sure how to take it, but was even more confused when what felt like Winter Hornet’s Domain - despite the way a [Clone] shouldn’t have one - shifted into conveying a specific shade of enjoyment, despite the man’s physical bearing remaining unchanged. “That said, I thank you for doing so. I will have a suitable gift delivered, but I had believed you were only acting as a cover for our mutual friend here, and so didn’t prepare one. For that, I apologize.”
Turning back to Rah, the Tier 50 spoke as a box floated over from the nearby table. “Carissa mentioned that you were working on an older, more traditional ambient essence cultivation style, and found the Empires’ records lacking.”
Rah’s eyes went wide, as did Matt’s, as they realized what was in the box.
Winter Hornet didn’t move, but his Domain shifted into a strange mix of approval and disapproval. “The Sophrons rose in flames, burning the old to make way for the new. And yet, it is a truth that fire rarely discriminates, and thereby has lost much of what it once was. Yet, preparations were not made to preserve such knowledge, no Elders hiding away valuable knowledge whereupon a future generation may yet stumble upon them. Had you ascended into the old dynasty, or had they taken proper precautions for their inevitable usurpation, this information would likely have been made available to you and I have some curiosity as to what you might become with it. Within this is a fairly comprehensive set of manuals and teaching aids pertaining to ambient essence cultivation. Perhaps some of it may prove useful to you. Sadly, none of these techniques are truly exceptional, as time more than malice saw to it many of these records were lost as they were deemed worthless.”
Rah bowed even deeper. “Thank you. This means more than I can convey.”
Winter Hornet’s happiness intensified to the point it was nearly painful, and he gestured for a second box to float over in front of Rah. “Gratitude is valuable, but you underestimate what is rightfully yours and requires no thanks. My next gift is freely given. A writ of Sect Elder status. It carries with it no duties, but should you ever desire it, you may found your own Sect. Even a Sect of a single person, should you simply desire to settle within the Hierarchy of Sects and be left alone. From my understanding, you may find our society more comfortable than the Sophron Empire.”
Matt raised an eyebrow at that comment, wondering if Carissa had informed Winter Hornet about Rah’s realm.
Rah took the second box much slower but bowed all the same. “Thank you. I can’t promise I’ll use it, but thank you, nonetheless.”
Winter Hornet gave a dismissive wave, and his happiness changed inscrutably before a third box appeared out of nowhere.
His next words caught them all off guard. “This isn’t a gift or reward, but a payment. I desire manuals for every technique you possess of base Tier 14 and below.”
Rah’s eyes widened, but he remained silent for a long few minutes. Finally he said, “I would prefer to not share that information. I shared all of the easy to create Tier 0 skills I had with Ascender Titan, and was willing to do so with you, but they were found nonviable with this Realm’s level of technology and availability of skills.”
Winter Hornet didn’t even waver. “I am strong enough to compel you. Not with force, of course, for my power is hardly so limited. Yet I am certain you shall give way, once you see the payment.”
Rah’s shoulders slumped as he asked the question Winter Hornet was waiting for. “And what is in the third box?”
“The full cultivation method of Nahla of Waves Rise. An ascender who arose from a realm about a million years ago or so. She landed in the Sects, and founded her own as befit her strength and power. In her glory, she rose all the way to Tier 47, taking on a leadership role before Ascending when she lost her bid for Tier 50. Before she left, she recorded her cultivation technique in its entirety, along with her notes from before she arrived in our realm, as well as her notes of her adjustments post arrival in this realm.”
Matt leaned forward with nearly everyone else except Rah, who stood there in stunned silence until he shook himself awake.
“That would be a price worth paying. But why, if she arrived in the Sects, do you not have this information already?”
Winter Hornet’s Domain wavered for the first time, becoming one of disappointment. “A very interesting question and one I wish I had an answer for. There was no mention of an ability to create skills in her preserved writings. Which means either she didn’t come from your realm, or she is so old she predates your method’s spread, and you somehow never heard of her or her time. If she had this ability, she chose not to share it, even at the height of her power, which I find unlikely given her recorded personality. Or, someone wiped the information, which I would be very keen to uncover if so. Sadly, all I have is speculation.”
Rah nodded slowly. “May I see the beginnings of her techniques? I have seen many a cultivation technique in my time. Especially for beginners, so I should be able to see if the methodology matches anything I know from my realm. That won't guarantee that she didn’t come from my realm, but it would mean she didn’t come from the interconnected areas that I was in.”
Winter Hornet made a show of thinking for a moment, before nodding and holding out a sheet of magically conjured paper to Rah.
After taking it, Rah scanned it before handing it back, and then conjuring what Matt recognized as his first few cultivation layers with its stars and eddies.
“That is like nothing I’ve seen. This projection is the Tier 1 technique which I utilized, and its methodology is wholly dissimilar. Even in its variations, my people believed they harnessed the power of the stars, and our methods reflect that. This to me seems more like a methodology of building a tower. Interconnected, and reaching both up and down to create a firm foundation. It's quite marvelous.”
Winter Hornet approved. “Fascinating. I wish we could ask her, but this realm rarely gets ascenders. Common belief is that, if there is a realm connected to ours, they aren't that advanced, but I believe there simply isn’t a realm connected to ours, and only people like yourself and Nahla, who are blown off course, so to speak, arrive here. Shame, given how much there is for us to learn from just a single person.”
They sat there in silence as Rah pondered the offer, long enough for Allie to start asking Winter Hornet questions about his history.
“Ey old man, people in the Empire say you are happy you were born a slave; is that true? Feels like bullshit propaganda, so I wanted to ask.”
Winter Hornet’s attention focused on Allie for a moment before answering, “That question has many answers, as things change in a life as long as mine. Now, yes I am happy for it. When I was a slave, no, I wished with all I was for it to be different. I wished for an easy way out. For someone else to change the slave pens, the sect, the planet, the Sects as a whole, or even the realm itself and save me. I wished to have a life like I heard rumors about in the other Great Powers. I dreamt of soft beds, of warm feet, and full bellies. But now that I am older, and possibly wiser, my perspective has shifted. Ignoring the philosophical question, that if my life was different, would I still be myself, my early years shaped me more and in more profound ways than the ones that followed. I learned that no one will save you except yourself, and the hatred that burned within me fueled my rise farther than other more transient motivations. Risk must be smartly balanced against reward, and sometimes you need to be willing to bet everything to win, but you also need to know when to surrender. I am the man I am today because nothing was given to me. I earned everything through my own efforts. I had no easy way out, and that made me capable. It was cruel, but there were clear ways to escape for those of us who were willing to put in the effort. I was not born exceptional, but I made myself extraordinary. It is not the only path, but it was mine. So yes, I am happy I was born a slave.”
Allie just looked at Tier 50 strangely. “Has anyone ever told you that you're a weird fucking guy?”
Winter Hornet burst out laughing at the comment. When he got himself under control, he nodded deep enough it was almost a bow. “Many times Ascender Long Shadow, many times. But I am who I am, and I am happy with who I am.”
Full of merriment, the Winter Hornet waved and a scroll appeared. “Give this to Ascender Drowning Waters when you return. I painted his moment of glory and wanted to give it to him in thanks for showing me something so exceptional. I am still working on one to commemorate your victory, Ascender Long Shadow, but I have yet to feel truly compelled. As marvelous as your feat was, it was rather eclipsed by Ascender Drowning Waters’ moment of glory. In other circumstances, I might have presented this with far more pageantry, but I know how little he cares for such things.”
Allie plucked it off Winter Hornet’s hand and unraveled the scroll, showing them the artwork.
It was genuinely master level work.
Looking at it instantly immersed them in a battlefield whose place could have either been in deep space or the deep oceans, cloying blacks and oppressive blues seamlessly flowing outwards from an exceptionally radiant Aiden, glowing with tentacles as he hunted the minnows around him, and the tentacles snatched ships and people, breaking them in half and dragging them into absolutely impenetrable depths at speeds Matt couldn’t even follow.
Aster whistled. “That's really well done. Any chance you have one of me being super cute?”
Winter Hornet acknowledged the compliment. “I must apologize, as I do not. Do something truly exceptional, even amongst your Ascender peers, and maybe inspiration will strike me.”
Aster nodded. “Deal. And I’ll hold you to it.”
Rah finally seemed to finish his internal deliberations. “I can accept this deal on one condition.”
Winter Hornet inclined his head towards Rah, giving the man his full attention. “Naturally. Though I do not possess enough feathers to truly offer anything, the Realm is within my grasp.”
“If I give you the skills, I will share them with Ascender Titan. I already did for the lowest Tier ones, and some of the higher Tier ones, but I would feel remiss if I went back on my word thanks to being tempted.”
Matt immediately waved the comment away. “Rah, don’t feel like you owe me anything. You’ve seen my intentions. They would just be interesting curiosities to me. I’ll let the masses of people make their own skills so they may profit off of them. I simply wanted the things that could help the poorest of people. There is no need to give up this trade for me.”
Instead of looking relieved at Matt’s reassurance, Rah just looked more conflicted.
Winter Hornet made things worse by bringing his full attention onto Matt. “You are truly unique, Ascender Titan, are you not? Selflessness is good for a frontliner, yet you are not a true defender. You do everything to your utmost. Stronger than a warrior, more magical than a mage. A true Master in your hybrid style, yet most individuals I have met like you think of themselves as the most important person in the Realm, the one to whom all things are owed. The Master of All certainly did, and that ultimately killed him. There is much you dabble in, yet you never give anything anything less than your full capability. It matters not whether your guild is but a passing fancy, for you would never allow yourself anything less than full commitment to it, giving away secrets that could easily define a powerful Sect to all those who would listen. Do you have some grand, nefarious plan you wish to monologue about, by any chance? It would certainly prove enlightening.”
Matt met the Tier 50 clone’s eyes without wavering. “No. Believe it or not, I’m dumb enough to truly want to help people.”
For the first time, Winter Hornet’s emotions became that of steel, and Matt saw the Tier 50 who had climbed over a pile of corpses to rise out of the slave mines he had been tossed into. “Do not disparage yourself, Ascender Titan, it is unbecoming. Those with power set the trends. Not the sheep or the cattle. If your goal is generosity, it is not foolish, it is right. If you wish to hoard your power like a dragon, that is also right. The strong are right, and doubt is for those who are wrong. The desire to bend the Realm in your passage is not foolishness, it is the only endeavor truly worth pursuing. Let all those who follow after you do so upon a monument of your greatness. Already, the techniques and potions you have provided the means to create have empowered even those who may claim to be your enemies. They curse you but they suckle at the teat of your generosity like a hungry cub. That may prove to eventually become your undoing, should you overestimate your own might. A secret shared is a secret dulled.”
Winter Hornet paused for a moment, “Though a dulled dagger would hardly be the worst weapon a Master has utilized to grand effect. No matter your path, Ascender Titan, never apologize nor denigrate yourself for your goals.”
Matt nodded to acknowledge he heard the Tier 50, but he disagreed. “I don’t disagree that greatness can come from hardship, but I also don’t believe it's a necessary ingredient either. I'd much rather let those who are hungry, as you say, chance the dream regardless of starting wealth, while ensuring everyone else can be comfortable.”
Winter Hornet returned to polite interest. “To reshape the Realm in your passage is the only goal which matters. Perhaps you shall surprise even me, for all that I disagree with your philosophy. I shall be watching you with great interest, and perhaps someday you shall compel me to gift you a painting as well.”
He then became far more somber. “It is a pity you weren’t born within a Sect. You would have made a truly fascinating Young Master.”
Matt vehemently disagreed, but just nodded once more, letting silence return to the room.
It didn’t last for long, as Winter Hornet commented on Zack’s arm and tried to barter a technique that might be of some help with his endeavor. Once that failed, he talked to Liz about her Ichor. Once she made it clear she wasn’t interested in selling enough blood essence to allow someone else to convert their bloodline to Ichor, he turned his attention to Aster and asked about her efforts to create her ideal Rank 1 bloodline with a Level 5 mana type that didn’t exist. He even had a pointer or two to share with Susanne about her sword writing.
The threat, if it could be called that, was clear, even if it was given in idle chatter. He knew all about them, and was kept well informed.
Thankfully before too long, Rah saved them by standing and bowing. “I will accept your offer, so long as you allow my condition, but without it, I can’t in good conscience break my word.”
Winter Hornet became pleased and returned the bow. “Then let the deal be struck and sealed. I truly hope you make a name for yourself, Ra’thala from a lower Realm.”
Rah waved at the data pad Winter Hornet’s clone presented, and after tapping at it a few times, he nodded. “Marvelous. Unlike Ascender Titan, I shan't be sharing these around, so worry not. I am grateful for your visit, but I must return.”
Having said that his body, pad included, vanished into a puff of mist.
Aster started mumbling about what she had seen as Allie teleported them all back to the Empire, where they could quarantine.
Comments
Sean Shivers
I think what makes him truly scary is that he HAS self awareness, he even has the capacity for empathy, he just ALSO has a philosophy that is utterly evil.
Johnathan Teeple
Back when I was a horribly mistreated slave I didn't like it. But now that I'm literally one of the most powerful beings in existence being a slave wasn't so bad and I see no problem with slavery continuing. I hope Winter hornets utter lack of self-awareness becomes his downfall.
Julie Smith
I assume she saw some dimensional manipulation. We'll probably find out more later.
Julie Smith
See Ally for proof of this thesis.
Julie Smith
You've got some clever ideas there. If I were Mantis and I had the time, I'd write it as a side story.
Julie Smith
Wonderful characterization of Winter Hornet! It truly balances our view of the Sects and also illuminates our view of the past, pre-Sophon empire. I strongly feel what WH has given will be useful to both Rah and Matt. We will see.
Nyroe
Yeah, right! We all know you're hiding a Tier 51 Super Duper Great power somewhere out there in the universe! Charl will be unchained!
Desidia
I hope this is all leading to Aster inventing some kind of support skill/bloodline cultivation core. Rah and Aster should build a set of advanced cultivation skills, like Heart of Power.
HunterIV4
I absolutely love how even the "villains" in this story feel like real people. The conflicts between the great powers are ideological, but in a natural way; the Empire isn't "good" (they enforce censorship, use blood magic on prisoners, force awakenings, not to mention historical evils), their opponents aren't "bad" (except maybe the Federation, although it reminds me a lot of Germany post WW1). They have different goals and philosophies. While it's obviously inspired by "cold war" conflicts and modern political landscapes that simply adds to the feeling of realism. Even "true war" feels very much like a "nuclear winter" scenario and the people of the world very much want to avoid it, even if they are willing to go that far. As a big fan of world history, the worldbuilding here is magnificent IMO.
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
Alex
Tier 1 Talent. Primary Effect: You will be reborn by merging with the spirit of a compatible being as they Awaken. Secondary Effect: Your past lives are recorded by your spirit. Tertiary Effect: Certain portions of your past lives will not be recorded. Quaternary Effect: Your past lives will be remembered through a dream-like haze. Tier 3 Talent. Primary Effect: You remember your previous lives with greater clarity. Secondary Effect: Your former selves will merge with your current self to make a greater whole. Tier 25 Talent. Primary Effect: You can give yourself skills you possessed in your previous lives by directing essence, or resources to your Tier 25 Talent. Secondary Effect: You can give yourself enhancements you possessed in your previous lives by directing essence, or resources to your Tier 25 Talent. Tertiary Effect: You can give yourself growth items you possessed in your previous lives by directing essence, or resources to your Tier 25 Talent. Tier 50 Talent. Primary Effect: You can merge skills you possessed in your previous lives with skills you possess in your current one by directing essence, or resources to your Tier 50 Talent. Secondary Effect: You can merge enhancements you possessed in your previous lives with enhancements you possess in your current one by directing essence, or resources to your Tier 50 Talent. Tertiary Effect: You can merge growth items you possessed in your previous lives with growth items you possess in your current one by directing essence, or resources to your Tier 50 Talent. Quaternary Effect: A catastrophic failure during merging will result in the permanent loss of all skills, enhancements, or growth items involved. Not sure if that Talent set is actually allowed since it's stupidly powerful, but it would be interesting for sure. The Tier 1 Talent would basically latch on to a pre-Awakened who passed a set of checks, then when that person Awakened you'd merge with them and they'd become your new self. Most of the information about your past lives would be locked away in a black box that your new self wouldn't be able to access - hence the "dream-like haze" description: this is a safety feature, because some high Tier information can kill a low Tier if they try to comprehend it. The 'will not be recorded' bit is another safety feature to prevent your spirit from being infected by evil shit that could carry over between lives, like the mind-viruses Cosmind hits people with. The Tier 3 Talent would allow more information from the black box of your past lives to leak out as you advanced, and it would merge your past selves with your new self in healthy way. The Tier 25 and 50 Talents would essentially allow you to create a build that transcended lives, which is the real power of the Talent set.
Nick O'Gara
Tier 3 talent, spiritual remembrance.. knowledge gained through inspirations in previous lives becomes available upon reaching inspiration tier.
C_Mantis
I set up the sensing rule for the sole reason to prevent the "And from the midst comes a enemy who is once again stronger than the MCs faction now that they defeated the last baddies." I hate how often that trope is used to make sure it was impossible here as without a t50 you cant be a GP.
Alex
The Tier 50s can sense cultivators that are Tier 46 or above from anywhere in the Realm. I’d be surprised if there wasn’t an uncontacted, unknown civilization somewhere in the depths of chaotic space, but their strongest cultivators would — at MOST — be Tier 45. That does not a Great Power make. Any one of the Royals could end a civilization like that single-handedly.
Kbzzy
There could be one stranded out in chaotic space, though I doubt it
MinE
It would be funny if he just showed up one day with no explanation.
Alex
I think Max would consider it a personal insult if Charl was still alive since killing him was the crowning achievement of her career as a Chosen. If he was still alive and she found out about it I think she’d immediately go and rectify the situation. Even though he was her boyfriend. Ascenders are weird man.
MinE
You can't hide a great power.
Drew Tunison
Not gonna lie that with all the master of all references I am hoping for a true war with a hidden great power run by said master of all. He would be a great meglomaniacal villian that could force many of the other great powers to truly ally and the right amount of douche to do such a thing.
Mario Reiman
If i had a chance to isekai into such a world with a option to choose my own talents tier 1 would have some sort of prepetual/rebirth component about it. Would be quite nice to pretty much explore any and most of the factions and career paths that are possible in that realm. tier 3 would have some sort of slow growth aspect about it (i.e. endless stacking of essence/or skills without caring too much about level or something of the kind)
Brian Small
That was my thought as well!
Kbzzy
Can’t wait for the ascender titan painting now
Dallin S
Thank you, I looked at all the other comments and they just gave vague mentions but I couldn’t find it.
Zach Paish
The legend of William Oh by macronomicon on royal road. The mc lost his hand and got a intangible magic hand replacement.
Alex
Okay, if even Winter Hornet is calling Master of All a self-obsessed douchebag then Charl must have been a truly spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime asshole.
Anime Problem
Winter Hornet is honest about himself and how he rules you can not like it but you can't say that he'd ever deny the cruelty that exists which is why despite being monstrous he's likeable he's a bit like a Genghis Khan figure.
C_Mantis
fixed good catch
Jason Hardman
Or the first "prove" could be changed to "come" instead, to suit his particular speech style.
Aaron Hardin
My feeling of the sects is that they are a generally shitty place to live for everyone but the best connected or most talented, but due to them respecting strength regardless of where it comes from (certainly they are better than most of the current Xanxia novels being published), they are the easiest great power for other powers to deal with, as they are straightforward in terms of understanding their intentions. The Sects are not the worst of the great powers to live in.
Havokk
the line " That may prove to eventually prove your undoing" perhaps " That may prove to eventually be your undoing" might be a clearer read
AirSak2000
Is Willoh the Legend a reference to "The Legend of William Oh"?
Sean C Jackson
I understand I've sick all week too.
Cindri
Was the tower building mana a reference to soulhome or wttmv or unintended
C_Mantis
honestly it might have been. Im sick thats my excuse!
Alex
Ascenders hate doing boring work. :) gotta find every excuse you can.
Tom C
Feel better soon. Health is paramount! TFTC
C_Mantis
yeah thats just her trying not to do work her Talent is 'weak' enough it doesn't have any inherent restrctions.
Dereion Hardin
I thought it was a tier 48 planet that was broken during the shattering
Gordon Tucker
They should skip 404 and go straight from 403 to 405. 404 would forever be not found.
Dallin S
I guess I’m lost what is willow a reference to?
Donan The Barbarian
Are you sure that you wouldn't speedrun to the highest tier you can without being forced to ascend then spend eternity protecting copies of everything you've read/watched so that you can consume and protect the most knowledge you can? Cause that's what I'd want to do, spend forever as the most knowledgeable being in the realm freely sharing copies of what I've learned while always learning more!
Sean McClain
Hornet: Might makes right, period. Janet: protect the weak at all cost even to themselves, by the will of the voters. (Who can vote is a different subject) Virgil: the weak are just components to the mighty to be used for their pursuit of power. JR: wealth and trade makes right. Gather strength to do commerce. Emperor: I rule but not dictate, hybrid of meritocracy and noblesse obligation Clans and Monsters: bloodlines and family ties.
Lonnie
It's been going around
fruit dragon
Get well soon
Tim Johnson
i literally just read the latest chapter on william oh and i failed to make the connection. jesus christ i read too much to not make something that direct and obvious.
Ves
Ye that's my issue with Janet, it's that she's kind of a hypocrite in certain ways and I vehemently do not agree with the republics method of veiled planets but I understand that she is trying to do good within her own view but that's also what limits her
JoshCalmick
Wow I love Winter Hornet. I'm such a big fan of the sects and the other powers in the world. I always want to see more of them and watching MLA and the other ascenders interacting with different cultures of the universe is so much fun to read.
Alex
Jack shook her head vigorously. “Nope, sorry. Teaching is the only thing my Talent doesn’t cover. It’s about learning, not teaching. I hoard the knowledge. Rawr. My knowledge. No givey.” - Echos Chapter 4. I'm about 1000% sure she was just trying to weasel her way out of the teaching job that was being forced on her, and I'd be flabbergasted if her Talents actually had that restriction.
Rhaid
Really enjoyed this chapter! I loved hearing from Winter Hornet, you could really understand his ideology and how the Sects came to that conclusion.
C_Mantis
That would be a goated Talent.
Daedalus
That's Jack, yeah.
Brad
Thanks for the Chapter and get better. Being sick sucks I am in that boat to right now.
Daedalus
Mantis set it up with "oh Zack is trying to make his hand weird thanks to inspiration of a past Ascender" and I couldn't just let that *pass by*
C_Mantis
They had a t50 planet but it was broken and shattered in the shattering thanks to everyone fighting over it.
Alex
You know, I've officially decided that I could never be an Ascender. Even if I was some combat prodigy (which wouldn't happen, even if I did get some completely busted combat Talent) the Realm is way too interesting for me to speedrun my way through it. There's just so much interesting shit to explore; you could dedicate a life longer than Aunt Helen's just to researching the history of art in the Empire - even if you ignored the apparently massive amounts of information that was lost in the fall of the Old Dynasty. The Empire has millions of worlds, and millions of years of history; think of how many books have been written in Empire common, how many TV shows and movies there are. The Empire's version of One Piece has probably been running for a hundred thousand years, with millions of chapters!!! I could live a VERY long, VERY happy life if I had a seeker Talent that let me find good books to read.
Alex
Was Ellen/Jack the Jack of all trades person? The one that mastered kinda everything? I remember one of the legends saying that their talent allowed them to learn everything, not to teach anything when they were told to teach Seasidhe (or however her name is spelled)
MikeL
Didn’t this realm once have tier 49 & 50 planets? Just rifts? Even at the Sundering they didn’t. So before that? It’s been implied that their realm is broken/imbalanced without the highest tier worlds. Could this maybe be the reason that the lower realms are not connected and there are no ascenders?
C_Mantis
fixed ty
C_Mantis
Yeah one of my betas saw the opportunity and wanted to add it. I haven't read it but always fun to be able to nod towards other RR stories.
Josh Bullock
Ah Willoh the Legend! How am I not surprised to find that tales of his glory have spread as far as another universe - even if his name was somewhat mangled along the way... Thanks for the chapter and I hope you feel better soon!
Sebastiaan B
once we figure out or target.” -> our target. wish to horde your power like a dragon-> hoard
Alex
I respect that Janet is actually trying to fulfill her campaign promises. She is trying to be a good person. I respect that. I just disagree with what she thinks is best for the people. And she's a conspiracy theorist. I hope she starts to see reason after she gets those reports. And as much as the sects suck, Winter Hornet is at least honest. I also always enjoy it when he gets screentime. Janet just alway makes me really angry :D
Daedalus
Winter Hornet: Hate to love Janet: Love to hate Virgil: Hate to hate JR: Love to love
Daedalus
Cosmind = Max, the Corporations mind mage Mastermind = Jack/Ellen, the Legends ??? (her build hasn't really been explored much)
Alex
Cosmind is Max isnt it? Corporations.
SunStar
The ridiculous coincidence of Chapter 404 having a not found error next Monday. Masterful.
A Flashy BR
Get well soon very fun chapter
Alex
I like Winter Hornet so much it's pissing me off.
Matt H
I think Hastor would've been up there as well if we'd had more time with him. And, weirdly enough, I think Janet also has a chance of becoming a favorite depending on how she responds to those reports she commissioned and acts moving forward.
figaro1010
I think that’s cosmind?
Ves
Hornet has to be my favourite leader besides Emmanuel, get well soon
Alex
Thanks. I knew the name sounded familiar, I just couldnt place it. Jack of all trades :) teacher of none
C_Mantis
Also known as Jack, shes the know it all on the dwarf ascender team.
Alex
Who is Ellen?
Aiden Bishop
Get well soon, thank you for the chapter!
John Smith
Feel better man. The most important thing is your health
Kasamuri
Get well soon!
nolan saylor
Thanks Mantis! Thanks Dae! Aster using Zack's hand to trace pictures is making me a bit nostalgic for writing in the air with sparklers. Double Willow, though this time deliberate by Mantis, and even with different spellings right off the bat. I'm so proud. ;) I do enjoy the history lessons to try and learn from past Ascenders. I would be curious if past Ascenders left monoliths. Or maybe at least good records in the hands of the Emperors. -Or I guess the Sophrons could've burned those records as well. Maybe some were burned not by the Sophrons but by the previous emperor in spite. Or maybe passed on to/ stolen by nobles. Interesting abilities by Willoh. In the whole realm there really must be ever so many interesting things to experiment over. I do like logic for how Matt gets to meet and interact with other Leaders. Allie is helpful for moving the story along, not just for moving them around in space. I am not sure if Cicerion is disheveled due to working or if it's hinted that he and Luna got up to some fun... Honestly surprised that the T40+ even looks disheveled, how can Luna be so relaxed about that when he should be able to shower in a blink. Or is it that he would be so particular about his cleaning that it would take to long? Matt can tell Mara and Leon's clones but not a T50's, a nice hint of the power gap. "I am strong enough to compel you. Not with force, of course," but said in such a way that Rah is reminded of said personal power WH won't use. Tower building. Maybe a reference to another fun story...though there are maybe 3 off the top of my head that feel similar enough. I do just like the different methods. Seeing others that aren't just a simple ball. It makes me hope that there may be other methods than a ball that are equivalently effective. WH is definitely weird. It still doesn't really sound like he was happy he was born a slave, but happy that he feels he earned and deserves all he has now. He has pride. It says yes but in a way that feels like it shouldn't be. Like having loving parents somehow means you didn't earn your power. -I feel is is a gradient that he has decided is black and white. Parents can give slavery, debt, nothing, an education, a college degree, or a small million dollar loan. Where is the line drawn? Still, it does make me feel better about WH. Feels more like a real and reasonable person than some irl people. -Yup WH is certainly going to be interesting in the true war. I am curious to see how he, more than other GP leaders, will react to Matt setting these trends. Though my current guess is that WH is still one of the strong who can set a trend, Matt and DW have potential but are not T50s. Power in their own tiers is not the same as overwhelming power. Ascender Long Shadow. I feel that could be a translation, that the Sects have many words for Shadow and just chose this one, that re-translating became Long Shadow. WH gifting a painting suddenly seems a fun future milestone. Though he could always gift a painting as the true war starts, gifting one after is also an option. It is sorta a threat to let them know he knows them, but it is also a sort of kindness. Letting them know that their secrets can be discovered. Warning them that others can find knowledge about them and encouraging them to improve their information defenses. A gift only for those who can grasp it, fitting kindness from the Sects. What did Aster see that had her mumbling? Teleportation through mist? Maybe a last gift.
Kasamuri
Thanks for the chapter
