Chapter 438


    There were certain mysteries still about how Vari was unable to control her actions- influencing the minds of others was difficult even for powerful cultivators. Catarina conjectured that the Holy Harmony Technique had some interaction with formations set up ons controlled by the Harmonious Citadel. Without visiting herself she could not confirm anything, but that along with more mundane methods was likely how Varis brainwashing came to be. She wouldnt question her control being rewritten if she was taught that all was as it should be.


    Besides that point, assisting Vari with her potential cultivation options was going well. She was learning much, but when it came to matters of ascension her knowledge wascking.


    What do you <em>mean</em> you had to tear apart the fabric of the world to ascend? Varis eye twitched. Isnt it just another cultivation advancement?


    The lower realms dont have any ascension energy, Catarina pointed out. Upper energy, as you would call it here. So to get ess to it various extreme measures are required. Advancing without it is impossible.


    I have the feeling you were going to say something else there, Vari said.


    Catarina raised an eyebrow, Oh? Do I detect a hint of Insight in there?


    ... it seemed important to train that. Its difficult, though. I think the Holy Harmony Technique is ipatible with it by design, Vari sighed. Its I almost wish I could just be like I was before, believing the Saints were something great. I guess they are great, by some definitions. And also <em>terrible</em>. Her eyes shed, Im going to <em>destroy</em> them. Then she cleared her throat. Just kidding. I know Im not strong enough to do that.


    Wow, Alva said. This is a pretty serious flip, either way.


    Vari shrugged, Almost everything they told me is a lie, or at least a deception. Now that Im willing to ept that, anything less than wholehearted rejection would be a disservice to myself. She frowned for a few moments, Its still hard not to fall into old habits though. But about that ascension thing


    Were fairly certain that actual ascension creates a fundamental difference in Integration cultivators, Catarina said. The members of the Harmonious Citadel wevee into conflict with all Integration cultivators on some level should be considered elites. They had ws but were still strong but not as much as perhaps they should be.


    I think you guys have weird standards, Varimented.


    Do we? I understand that we are not typical cultivators where wee from, but even you were able to stand up against an Integration cultivator for a time. The difference in power is not what it should be.


    Vari shook her head, We were inside your formation though. But Ill admit there might have been something else. I felt she frowned, Like I was taking something back, I guess? Not just my determination to resist, but also something more practical.


    Very interesting, Catarina replied. What would you say that <em>something</em> was?


    I can only guess, Vari admitted. But it should be devotion. Thats the fundamental difference with the Glorious Harmony Technique. I dont know that for sure, though. Making use of that will likely be difficult. I cant exactly practice safely. Her mind drifted away, thinking of various absurd options. I at least might be able to alter my cultivation technique to maintain control over myself, with your help.


    There were many more details to discuss- but such things took time, during which they had other goals to pursue. That included a return to Everhearts Tomb.


    -----


    Having previously studied the Great Hall, there were several more locations that Catarina surmised some important connections to her formation te were. The Gardens were sprawling and wild, a ce that nobody wanted tond directly even if some chose to explore the area. The Labyrinth was another, and their previous trip they had simply been trying to get through- their route either hadnt taken them close to the sort of thing she imagined, or they missed it. That left the Library, which was not only a ce people were willing toe and go, but also potentially useful for various endeavors.


    It seemed to be full of all sorts of cultivation knowledge but instead of being freely avable, ess to certain parts of it had all sorts of stiptions and tests. As was the case with the entire tomb contrary to those on Ceretos, some of those tests could be deadly. They still maintained the frustrations that were Everhearts bread and butter, of course- the annoyance factor was perhaps even increased, with the danger dialed up as well.


    Outside of the Library was a schrly projection of Everheart- a well manicured beard meant to provide a tone of dignity, along with well fitting robes that were not overly ornamented, at least as standards of powerful cultivators went.


    Stay in line, everyone! Everheart called out. Everyone will be processed quickly. There was only a single entrance, and for some reason people were being manually observed by this projection instead of things being handled by a formation. It seemed unnecessary, but that was just one entricity of Everheart. Given that this was one of thergest points of interest on the, the fact that only several hundred individuals were in line was quite reasonable. Level one ess, Everheart handed a group badges. Next! Several more cultivators approached him. Insufficient contribution points. Goplete some challenges or hunt down some bounties, he gestured to the side.


    What are the bounties? Vari asked Alva.


    Alva didnt know, but she was able to focus her eyes more than the others. It appears to be tied to people and particr texts. It seems that people have stolen some things from the LIbrary.


    Another group approached, Wee with donations, the leader said, holding out a magic bag.


    Everheart dumped it out on a nearby table- his usual carefree attitude showing through, though he <em>did</em> use his energy to soften theirnding to avoid damaging them. Moonlight Shadows Everheart flipped through the book, Already have it, he casually tossed it back into the bag. Golden Heart he said as he unfurled a scroll. An early copy. Fascinating. He set it aside. Ten Thousand Sword Stances Everheart looked through it. Ehh I guess I <em>technically</em> dont have it. Thats worth something. He continued to sort through the book- rejecting many and disparaging many more. This is sufficient for you to go to the third level, he dered to the group, tossing them back the bag of the rejects. The rest were swept out behind him with a flick of his sleeve, flying into the Library on their own.


    The line moved fairly quickly- Everheart made snap judgements about donations of texts, and people either had enough points to enter or not. Eventually it came to time for the five- or seven, if the wolves were to be counted. Any destruction of property by your animals will be your responsibility. As a group, you can descend to the second level. With that he waved them through. But just as they were about to cross the threshold, Everheart turned from the group he was about to screen back to them. One moment. They stopped, aware that ignoring him could be dangerous. You dont happen to have a copy of Candle Wax, do you?


    I dont believe so, Catarina took the mantle of speaking for the group. Why?


    Its simply that I have been looking for it, Everheart shrugged. Its worth extra until my whim passes. There was a muttering of those in line at that. Then Everheart turned to the group in front of him again. This technique manual is garbage, he said. An older member of their group dove after the book he tossed into the distance, a pained look on his face.


    Before they could be stopped again, the others continue past the threshold, finding themselves inside the Library proper. Unlike the Great Hall it was a reasonable height- shelves that the average human could reach the top of- but stretching out in all directions as far as the eye could see. Scrolls and books and even ancient stone tablets filled the shelves, or asional other methods of storage. They didnt have a specific goal in mind except for the thing Catarina was looking for, but the huge stores of knowledge were an opportunity for all of them.


    -----


    Inside the Library seemed safe, which didnt mean it was. In fact, Catarina could confirm that it was decidedly <em>not</em> safe, but nothing under Everhearts control ever was. From what she could tell it was mainly for the protection of the books. In this ce, fighting was expressly not allowed. Why does he allow books to be stolen? Catarina wondered.


    People are just tricky, I guess, Vari said.


    That only works if you arent being monitored at every moment. cing something in a storage bag will hide it from vision at the exit, but he still knows who stole what. Otherwise there wouldnt be bounties. This ce has sufficient power to just <em>stop</em> them. Or it should Catarina muttered to herself, Is there insufficient power, or is it for some sort of sadistic fun? The truth would likely swing towards thetter.


    Vari looked at the shelves around her. They were vast in scope, rows and rows stretching off beyond where she could see. I dont know how anyone finds anything here, she admitted.


    That is my job, a floating orb of light said from right next to her. She startled, as she hadnt sensed it approach. Do not be rmed. Combat functions are not included in me. What do you want to find?


    Uh Vari frowned. Things on the Integration stage and stealing energy?


    I can direct you to the former. The majority of thetter category are in levels you do not have ess to. Do you desire materials on Ascension as well?


    Theres a difference? Vari asked.


    The orb of light paused for a few moments. I do not understand such things, but they are ovepping categories. What do you wish to be directed to?


    Umm, both, please.


    Very well. Please be advised that you are limited to- the voice faltered briefly, -eight texts in your possession at any time. Reading tables are provided throughout the Library. Please remember to eat and drink, but do not make a mess. This includes forgoing such activities and dying on the floor. You will not be forgiven for such an act.


    ... I dont n to die, Vari said. Can you help me find my way back to mypanions?


    They are here, the ball of light said.


    I meanter.


    Yes. With their permission, I can guide you to others.


    Okay, Vari nodded. Ill find you allter, then?


    She followed the ball of light which scurried off down between rows of shelves- while also remaining exactly in ce. Can I help you find something? Catarina somehow felt the formless voice was directed at her.


    Formations, she said without thinking. Though her answer would have ultimately been the same regardless.


    Timothy and Hoyt left to study energy redirection and fire control respectively, though as they were inspired they might find interest in different topics.


    That left Alva with two wolves- one seemingly quitefortable and the other concerned about being indoors. Spikes was still new to non-cave things around her.


    Your interests? the light askes Alva.


    Archery, mountedbat Alva frowned for a moment, then was nudged by Fuzz. She watched how his paw moved on the ground, tracing letters but not actually scratching the surface. And he wants beast techniques, if you have them.


    Very well. This way. The light split in two. Archery here. The other swirled slightly, Beast techniques here. I must remind you that damage to property via teeth marks still results in penalties.


    Uh, actually, Alva said. ... maybe Ill go with them right now.


    The light leading the other direction disappeared, and she followed the other with the two wolves. Spikes didnt seem to fully understand what was happening, though Fuzz seemed to be able to partially exin. At least the light didnt require rification on beast techniques or maybe it did. If she found herself looking at taming options, she would have to be more clever with her wording. If Everheart even <em>had</em> what Fuzz was looking for.