Chapter 295


    Despite all of the Twin Soul Sect members who had been defeated or captured at various points, none of them- not even the Life Transformation experts- had a copy of the cultivation technique on them. From the information that had been obtained, when there <em>were</em> physical copies they were kept in secure locations, away from the sects the members pretended to be a part of. Most recruiting was done by finding talented young cultivators to convert to their cause. If they were found to be unwilling, they were killed. It was unknown what portion of aspiring young cultivators died to the Twin Soul Sect instead of any of the worlds other dangers, but it was too many.


    Anton could have been satisfied with the knowledge that the people on the continent of Aicenith were informed about their presence and working to eradicate them, but he would only be truly happy if they were gone entirely. Preferably with plenty of time left until the invasion, but it wasnt even certain to be possible to wipe them out entirely. Not if only <em>some</em> people put effort towards it.


    There was no way to predict what sects they might be part of, and even then they had to be individually scanned. A good portion of them ended up at higher cultivation as well, making them more dangerous.


    Theirbat styles often matched the sects they purported to be a part of, and even when their true cultivations were revealed they fought much the same. Some switched to different styles of attack that they found personally preferable, but there were hardly any threads to pull on to guess where they might be.


    Except Anton had seen several making use of the same techniques. The gray spheres, which happened to have a name. They were one application of the power of the Deathly Heart Technique. It wasnt a core cultivation style, but more of an additive secondary method like Fleeting Youth. In fact, upon studying it Anton felt it tapped into the same source as the power from beyond death. Without practicing it he couldnt be sure if it also had the same side effect of disrupting future reincarnations. If it did, Anton presumed that Twin Soul Sect members wouldnt practice it. But he had some reservations about trying.


    The technique manual <em>did</em> mention negative side effects, but was decidedly vague about them. There was a method for avoiding them, but it wasnt the sort of thing Anton was willing to do. It involved killing people, and while Anton was willing to do so for the sake of protecting people, it wasnt the same when done to advance a secondary cultivation technique. Since people were going to die anyway, it seemed logical enough to try it out but it felt like that would send him down a path he couldnt recover from. It was something more than just killing people, and while many of Antons enemies doubtless deserved worse than death he wasntfortable without knowing exactly what the effects would be. The technique manual itself was vague, not necessarily because the creator didnt know but because anyone who was going to practice it likely wouldnt care.


    Studying the technique gave him some additional ideas to counter it- none of which involved trying to block the attacks. His earlier instincts had been correct. While it was <em>possible</em> to block the effects, it was difficult. Avoiding it was better, or in the case of the spheres of deathly energy detonating them at a distance was preferable. That wasnt the only form it could take, either.


    Techniques didnt just spring out of the ground, however. They had a source, either a specific person or a sect of some sort. Some were so widespread that their origin had been lost, but this was not one of them. It was used by the Whispering Watchers, a sect of significant influence in the northern part of the continent. While they werent known as murderous psychopaths, they did get into conflicts as often as anyrge sect. It seemed they didnt specifically go on killing sprees to train the technique, but conflicts would inevitably happen.


    With the evidence of just a few of them being part of the Twin Soul Sect it was a step too far to assume there was arger connection, but it did seem like a ce that might appeal to them on arger scale. Even if others shared Antons suspicions it wasnt easy to investigate them, beyond determining in passing that at least many of their low level disciples were <em>not</em> part of the Twin Soul Sect. In theory they, like the other sects, were conducting their own internal investigations. They seemed to have officially begun that before the conflict with Swordmaster Rahayu. Either they hadnt gotten to the few that joined that battle, had missed them somehow or had chosen to ignore them. Anton chose to believe thetter, but he knew he was personally biased because of the Deathly Heart Techniques training requirements. But a bias didnt mean he was necessarily wrong, either.


    -----


    On hisbined quest to learn every upation he could- and thus know how to teach everyone something useful for cultivation- Anton found himself outside a herbalist. There was nothing particrly special about this particr ce, except that it was nearby- and that the proprietor wasnt a cultivator. In his time working the farm he had learned a number of folk remedies for various mdies, but he couldnt be called a real doctor of any sort. Even if he learned everything this woman knew, he likely wouldnt be able to do much with rtion to what they encountered in Foulmarsh. Except maybe the stitching, but even then <em>most</em> people never learned to stitch someone from the inside out.


    As he stepped inside, Anton was briefly reminded of Kephalos ce, with herbs dangling from the ceiling in various ces- but he found this ce to be much more organized. And he recognized the herbs as more mundane things, with primary functions that were not poison. A little bell above the door signaled his entry, and a surprisingly young woman came out of the back. She was hardly older than Alva, and while that might not be considered young for a non-cultivator, it was still young to be an independent doctor known throughout the scattered towns and viges nearby.


    What do you need? the dark-haired woman asked. Salves for rheumatism, perhaps?


    Ill have you know Ive always been much too stubborn to take pain treatment for such a minor thing. And I dont have that particr problem at the moment. He held up his hands, which while wrinkled had none of the joint problems hed suffered before he achieved a certain level of sess in cultivation. I was wondering if you were interested in taking a temporary apprentice.


    She looked around the shop, You have a grandchild that you want to learn from me? I have to say, a few people have vied for such a position, but while I could use extra hands I have certain standards that must be met. Hardworking, capable, a fast learner. And not above performing the mundane tasks of fetching herbs from the forest.


    Ive been known to do such in the past, Anton nodded. Good for building character. And necessary.


    So she said slowly. Where are they? Id like to meet them.


    All of my grandchildren are actually quite upied, Anton admitted. I was interested for myself, actually. I assure you it will be worth your time.


    I doubt it, she said. I have enough to deal with. No offense, but youre not someone I would consider.


    I can actually offer something quite worthwhile. You see- Anton turned and frowned. What poor timing. You have more customersing.


    It was actually a few seconds before the door opened, the bell ringing as the door mmed open with unnecessary force. Almost enough to topple some things off the shelves. In fact, enough that a particr jar could have fallen- but it found itself held back with a gentle touch.


    Threerge men shoved their way into the storefront, stomping towards the counter she stood behind. Idalia! Yourete on your payments to Birita.


    Idalia crossed her arms. I dont owe anyone anything. I own the shop and thend, and shes not a tax official.


    Sure thing, one of the men said. But you still have to pay protection money.


    The only thing anyone needs protecting from is you. Now screw off before I call the guards. Anton was watching her face closely. She was brave, determined but also putting up a strong front. Anton was also aware that there were no guards within three blocks at the moment.


    Go ahead then. The man leaned on the counter. Call them. See if they get here before some sort of ident happens. Like something expensive falling. He swept his hand across the counter, knocking a bundle of jars to the floor. A sound like y and ss cracking rang out. Get it?


    I dont keep much money on me, Idalia kept her strong front, but Anton could tell she was concerned. I can give you some bundles of healing wort that will help heal idental scrapes and the like.


    Well take it back to Birita and see what she says, the man continued to lean on the counter. Bring it out.


    Her eyes flicked between the men, her shelves, and very briefly Anton. She wasnt asking him for help, but she looked somewhat worried. Normally Anton would step up to help someone in distress, but he could tell she had a n. She turned away and hurried into the back.


    Now then, I dont recognize you the man turned to Anton. But theres a weapon tax in this area. Of course, if youre willing to give up that bow on your back the taxes will be waived.


    Anton sighed. This thing? I dont think youd want it. Its cursed, you see.


    Sure thing, the man said. But Im sure we can handle it. The man reached out his hand and grabbed the bow, trying to yank it away. Anton didnt have to do anything and he was still only able to get it about halfway, twisting it over Antons head.


    Well, if you insist, he shook his head. If it gets into your hands, Ill be free of the curse. He reached up and unslung it. One thing about cultivator quality bows that was extremely nice was that they were able to stay strung pretty much indefinitely without damaging the string. It was a bit awkward to carry them that way, but hed gotten used to moving around with a strung bow slung over his body. Here it is, sir, Anton handed the man the bow. It immediately crashed to the ground, and the man cursed. s, Anton sighed. It seems the curse has bound it to me. He lifted it up.


    The man looked at Anton, and seemed about to demand something more, but Idalia came back. Heres your bundles. Now get out.


    The other two men picked up the bundles of herbs while the leader continued to stare at Anton. It only took a little push of effort and some fire in his eyes to make the man back down. Pfeh. Cursed bows. Were leaving, boys!


    They were out of the shop in a few moments, mming the door the other way and causing more trembling. Is it really cursed? Idalia asked. I dont deal with curses.


    You can decide, Anton said, carefully setting it down on the counter. Dont worry, it wont hurt to touch it. As she began to poke and prod the bow, Anton talked about the incident. Birita, huh? Dont know her, but she sounds like bad news. Anton was following the group with his senses, and wondered if they would go directly back to her or shake down some more shops. She and her men probably deserve the runs theyll get from that healing wort.


    I dont know what youre talking about, Idalia said firmly.


    Theres nobody here but us, Anton said. And Im sure it will be fine. It will be a few dayster, so people tend to fail to notice. Gotta survive enough little injuries before you pick up on it or just get told by the right healer. Anton bent down and picked up the various ss and y jars below the counter. Here you go.


    Wha- I thought they broke.


    Anton replicated the sound of cracking ss in the air. Just a little mimicry. Easy enough to do with natural energy. Im just going to be straightforward here. You have problems, and I could teach you to deal with them. In turn, you teach me, and we both win. But- Anton held up a hand to stave off any protests she might have. So Im not holding something above your head, Ill also offer at any time to kill this Birita and her whole gang, then be on my way.


    I dont what?


    Im a cultivator, you see, Anton gestured. Im interested in teaching that to people, and seeing how it can help enhance crafts like yours.


    Birita is a cultivator too, I think, Idalia said. You should be careful.


    Perhaps, Anton said. But thats my problem. Just take some time to consider my offer. Both of them. Anton picked up his bow.


    How heavy is that? Idalia asked as he was going out the door.


    Dont know. Couple hundred, maybe. Doesnt matter much in either direction.