Chapter 404


    There was a period of tense and slow waiting between further messages. There were, in fact, further messages received in fairly short order- the problem was they hadnt really <emmunicated</em> yet. Originally there had been more than a dozen different potentialmunication methods, and of those three received usable messages all of which basically said she was trying to make things work. Their responses didnt seem to mean anything.


    That led to quite a bit of confusion over the next few months before they finally got something like a response, and then some clear messages. Catarina carefully worded several of her messages and indicated they were all sent at the same time- and they also arrived at the same time within a small tolerance.


    By that point, they had discovered a property that couldnt be ovee. Messages took approximately two months to travel in either direction, though multiple messages appeared to remain in transit on their own without interfering. In short, it was close to four months to send out a message and receive a reply, assuming the reply was instantaneous. Yet instead of anyone being disappointed by that news, they were ted.


    Clearmunication between the upper and lower realms requiring only a matter of months? That was far better than had been anticipated. It wasnt instantaneous like theirmunications between the continents, but it <em>worked</em>. The limitations meant it was nearly impossible to have any sort of discussion, but simply rying information was possible.


    There were more limitations. Unlike the messaging tes, it didnt require someone to be <em>looking</em> at something to get information, but there was only so much any one message could hold, and a limit to the number of messages that could wait to be viewed. So it still required someone- or several people- constantly on duty monitoring for iing messages. But that was a small price to pay for themunication.


    Ultimately, Catarina and Timothy had arrived safely. They arrived on a world not <em>terribly</em> different from their own. Language was somewhat different, but it didnt take long for high level cultivators to resolve the differences in speech. It did appear that they arrived in the Scarlet Midfields, which was about as good as they could hope. The Exalted Quadrant was unclear in terms of hostility, while the Trigold Cluster was strictly hostile. As for more detailed information, it was still forting. There was only so much that could be said at once, and working out if themunication had worked at all and how had taken more than half a year. But at least the local cultivator groups appeared to be non-hostile, if not exactly friendly.


    And there was one more piece of information that had beene across almost by ident. Information about Everheart, which was both unexpected and unsurprising in the end. Everheart had a tomb. The only surprise was that instead of arge number of them, there appeared to only be one though it seemed to upy a ratherrge portion of a barren world.


    As for getting between worlds in the upper realms? That information was yet forting along with many other details people were curious about. It did seem to be possible though.


    Meanwhile, Catarina had excitedly mentioned dozens of ways she could think of to improve theirmunication except she would need to work on both ends of theirmunication system. And while traveling between worlds in the upper realms seemed attainable, traveling from the upper to lower realms seemed impossible except in certain key situations.


    -----


    At least theyre fine, Anton said. No news on Fuzz yet, but apparently theyll be looking out for him.


    I cant believe he ran off and left me here! Alvained. Thats so like Fuzz.


    Anton nodded, He wasnt willing to let himself hold you back. At least we should be able to get some information about the upper realms before you go. Others are eagerly awaiting that as well plus workingmunications. It seems only a few formation masters can put those together, and were still trying to keep it secret. Everythings kept in very secure areas so the Exalted Archipgo cant steal our information.


    Im sure theyll figure it out eventually, Alva said. If its going to be used more, theyll inevitably steal it.


    Anton nodded, There was some talk of selling it to them before that point. Its not my work, so I was only able to offer my opinion of caution. Though if we can move from our current situation to something like useful trade partners, it would be good. At long as we arent seen as some sort of emerging threat. Though perhaps only a small part of those in the upper realms are really aware of us Anton shrugged.


    Who knows Alva shook her head. Hopefully we can learn enough before I go. As for you, grandpa Im sorry well be leaving you behind.


    I have dealt with such before, Anton smiled softly. Why, Catarinas own grandmother was a simr example, though perhaps we departed on not the best terms. But people have to move on, they cant be just tied down to one ce. Unless they want to be, Anton added. Personally, I am not upset that my ce has widened to a world or at least two continents and some portion of the rest. Im quite content to stop there.


    Only because you have to be, Alva said.


    Perhaps, Anton admitted, But having seen the development of the world in the second half of my life, I am truly quite pleased. And though I may be resigned to my ce here, I do have an idea on how to cross the next threshold of power.


    You keep saying that, Alva said, But youll never talk about it.


    I just want to make sure that nobody foolish tries it before me, Anton said. For a number of reasons.


    Seems dangerous.


    Of course it will be. Its something new and the traditional method of ascension is not exactly a trivial pursuit.


    -----


    Given the opportunity, Anton was quite eager to go meet with Sect Head Treloar of the Worthy Shore Society. Acting as a diplomat was a nice change of pace from being some sort of warrior or enforcer, and the more simr conduct he could manage the happier he was. Though a simple exchange of information would be much more efficient in another manner, this allowed some level of secrecy in the details while making sure the information didnt get seen by the wrong people.


    Anton had no way to <em>know</em> that Treloar had something secretive to discuss, except perhaps that was the only sensible option. So after getting settled in for his stay and exchanging formalities, he found himself in the first discussion with the man. So, why did you request a visit?


    Thats fairly simple. Were both interested in promoting peace and the exchange of information. There are some things best discussed in person. Im sure you know the Exalted Archipgo is quite interested in what has been happening back on the continents. Much interesting news has reached us. Its not really a secret that this generation of cultivators you have is quite exceptional. One would expect at least a few of them to ascend, and that seems to be the case. Anton waited in silence, offering no specific reaction. You seem to be cautious? Wondering if Im probing for information? Good. But I can say we are quite certain of some number of ascensions. And an impressive wave following behind, shoring up any gaps that might have been left. Perhaps even you might ascend soon.


    I dont know if I have the talent for that, Anton hedged. I am not young. He didnt want to let on exactly how many years he felt he had left. Some decades, certainly, but that wasnt really the limiting factor if he continued with his current ns.


    Really? Sect Head Treloar made a show of narrowing his eyes. Yet when you first encountered the Worthy Shore Society, you were merely in early Life Transformation. That seems to be sufficient growth over thest handful of decades. But I wont pry. Nor do we n to disseminate that information to people who dont need it. I simply thought toment on what has been observed. A truly talented batch by any measure. Far more than some might have thought possible, and enough to make any sect jealous. Especially with the Trigold Clusters previous actions. Then again, there <em>is</em> something special about this world.


    In what way? Anton asked. I cant im to have been to any others. He wasnt counting the moon, of course.


    Now <em>that</em> is a question I dont have the answer to. I personally have only lived here as well but it seems to be something intangible. Enough that the Exalted Quadrant was keen to establish a permanent presence here. Though perhaps in some way we are also the cause of some amount of whatever happened here.


    The sharing ofplete techniques and notes on ascension had certainly helped. It saved some trial and error or at least a few decades of sects bumbling around to make progress. But while it had been allowed, it also wasnt encouraged for them to speak of it.


    I dont want to diminish your own efforts, of course, Treloar continued. People dont just stumble into Life Transformation and Ascension by ident, no matter what information is avable to them. And the dedication to building up your natural energy levels was certainly a determining factor in your sess. It has made a number of us quite interested in keeping an eye on you for some time.


    Anton hoped that meant there wouldnt be any further interference. Paying attention to what is going on in the world is always admirable, Anton said.


    Indeed. Now, the next matter is simply a personal curiosity on my part. Feel no obligation to answer. It is about the organization of your Order. The Order of the Ny-Nine- no, it should be One Hundred Stars. Is that alright, Grand Elder Anton?


    I dont think theres anything particrly secret about our rankings, Anton agreed.


    Well, it is simply a curiosity but why do you not have a sect head? It seems that a council of Grand Elders has done quite well for you all this time, but in certain circumstances having a leader to call upon can be useful.


    Well, I hadnt thought about it all that much, Anton admitted. Traditionally, the wisest and most powerful Grand Elders have held more sway than the others. But I think that the actual reason is simply tradition. Ever since the founding of the Order and the discovery of our deficiencies weve only had the first Sect Head and a couple others. With nine Grand Elders and ny elders, it fit quite well with the Ny-Nine Stars.


    Interesting, Treloar admitted. A reasonable enough result. And with your sects high internal unity, it was perhaps unnecessary to formally appoint a head. Ill admit, my own position doesmand respect but while I hold this position here, others are surpassing me. Gelens was a fine leader, but her talent didnt exactly lend itself to long term stability. So here I am, expected tost for a good half century at least without ascending or kicking the bucket.


    That sounds less morous than one might expect.


    Oh, Im really not going toin, Treloar said. The resources afforded to this position are considerable, and I do in fact have a greater chance to ascend because of it. The loss of time performing important functions is more than made up for by the benefits. Obviously in the upper realms things are organized differently since it is assumed everyone will stay around for the rest of their long natural lifespans.


    Really? Theres no upper-upper realm that cultivators pass on to beyond that?


    If there is, theyve certainly done quite a good job keeping things secret from us down here. Not that anyone gets close enough to matter. There hasnt been a Domination cultivator in living memory, I believe.


    Domination was new. Anton presumed that it should be after Augmentation, unless there were further unknown ranks. Perhaps he could find out. Wouldnt that mean that Fajra, of the Radiant Beauty Sect would be among the upper levels of power?


    There is still quite a gap between those within the Augmentation stage, and their personal abilities are a great factor, Treloar said. There was a sparkle in his eye that said he was quite enjoying speaking as he was, and likely wished to say more but couldnt. That was Antons interpretation, at least.


    I would not wish to run into one unbound by the shackles of the lower realms regardless, Anton said.


    Nobody would.


    Though Treloar didnt give up any information on the topic, the fact that ascension cultivators were weaker in the lower realms had been fairly obvious. The anti-ascension techniques helped further, but defeating the invaders didnt really indicate they could fight them on a level ying field. And with only a disorganized group of ascension cultivators making their way into the upper realms, they might be at risk. Though that information had been assumed from the beginning. The call of cultivation was undeniable, however. Anton looked up into the sky wistfully.