Chapter 610


    There were significant oddities withrge maic fields that Anton hadnt experienced when viewing it on a small scale. Before attuning to histest star he had not encountered maism on a relevant scale to hinder or help a cultivator. Rutera had some experience with how they worked, as they were a source of power that did not rely on natural energy- Anton would have to study with them at some point. But for the moment, he remained on Inistra, training Varghese and generally looking for ces to spread the anti-Twin Soul Sect techniques.


    As promised, he was developing techniques Varghese could use. Instead of simply attracting materials along a path, with sufficient power other behaviors could be observed. That included odd behavior where <em>all</em> movement was resisted, though that generally affectedrge and regrly shaped materials. That didnt mean he couldnt apply the same effect to weapons, but it was moreplicated.


    The important thing was, if he could apply such a thing it would be a powerful way to resist <em>most</em> weapons in a way that couldnt be directly overpowered with greater quantities of energy. Anton wasnt quite certain yet, but the way movement was resisted more strongly the faster an iing object approached didnt seem to cause him to expend more energy sustaining the field. At least, not significantly. Instead, the object fought against itself. If that was true, he could greatly improve hisbat effectiveness. At high levels of maism, more things were affected than casual observations would indicate.


    Varghese wouldnt be able to achieve such effects, not early at least, but any way to affect an enemys weapons or movements in general that went outside of the expected channels could be powerful. It only took Anton a week to provide a basic version either he or Varghese could developter. It would serve him throughout Spirit Building, at least.


    Now remember, you almost certainly dont want to draw attacks towards your body, Anton said, halting a sword he was holding for the sake of training the young man. He felt the force pulling it closer, but did not let it move. At your level, I would focus on a shell around you. That is the least likely to result in critical ws.


    Varghese nodded, Im trying. However, I cant do as much as I would like throughout the day, with my energy otherwise upied. You being here to train me whenever I want is already a miracle, but if I could get some of those lodestones for myself


    You want a permanent ma? Anton asked.


    I think it would be useful for my studies.


    Anton pulled out a bar of iron, reshaping it with his energy and then charging it. The internal structure was realigned to flow in a single direction, unlocking the materials innate maism. Im not sure how long it willst, Anton admitted as he tossed it to his student, But it should suffice for some time. Dont fret if you manage to ruin it while experimenting.


    Varghese touched it to his sword and found himself almost unable to pull it away- it involved sliding it to a point where it had less contact with the de. This is quite strong. I can just have this?


    Some things of great value to you are not worth so much to others, Anton said. All I ask is that you maintain your principles, continue your training, and pass on knowledge to others once you have a proper understanding.


    All, huh, Varghese frowned.


    You find that unreasonable? Anton asked.


    Not at all. Its just strange. Everyones holding tightly onto their scraps of cultivation knowledge, and here you are giving out astounding knowledge freely.


    I will admit, Anton said, Its not an entirely fairparison. I am wealthy in knowledge. Nothing I do here can give anyone an advantage over me. So it is rather simple to provide whatever I see fit.


    I suppose, Varghese admitted, But I have the feeling you would be doing the same if you were much less powerful.


    Like anyone, I look out for family and friends first. I simply have the luxury of expanding the field of thetter.


    Varghese flipped the iron bar over in his hand, manipting his energy to have it briefly float before it crashed into his hand, jolting his arm back. Thank you. I can learn much with this and your technique manual.


    Do keep it secret, Anton said. For your own sake, really. As you say, people are holding onto their scraps of knowledge. They would take that from you, if you are careless. However, I think you can trust the Iron te Mercenaries more than others.


    How can you tell? Varghese asked.


    Insight. And centuries of experience. Im not going to tell you they are ultimate paragons of virtue who will never harm you. But if you treat them well, they will do the same in return. Captain Sharma recognized your potential, along with Vasudha- though shed be less willing to admit it. Unfortunately, it is here that our time will have toe to an end, for a while.


    What do you mean? Varghese asked.


    Ive traveled to other parts of your. The Twin Soul Sect infects it all. I must spend more time observing people elsewhere, to find others worthy of learning what they need to know. And then I have to return home for a time.


    Where <em>is</em> home? Varghese asked.


    There, Anton pointed to a particr spot in the sky. Ceretos star was not visible from within the atmosphere, but he had a perfect sense of where all of his stars were. Ceretos. If you are inclined to visit it well, expect it to take some time. Probably centuries, for civilization to recover to a point you have hope. But maybe less, if you contribute to yours growth.


    Thats a lot of responsibility for just me.


    Anton shrugged, You dont have to. Just do your best. Work towards what you want, as long as it betters the world in some way. You know my guidance. I might direct others towards you, or I might not. But I cant always be here.


    I know, Varghese sighed. Im also sure your other duties are important.


    Damn right! Anton nodded, I havent seen mytest grandkid in <em>years</em> now. Anton grinned, And of course there are likely other worlds simrly situated to your own, around other stars.


    How many? Varghese asked, looking at the stars.


    Who knows? Anton shook his head. In this region of space? Hundreds, at least. Perhaps not all were devastated by invasion for one reason or other. Perhaps they simply had nothing of value, or hid themselves, or perhaps they even managed to resist. But I want <em>everyone</em> to be able to develop and grow. I wont stand for this oppression from the upper realms. Especially not when theyre weaker than they think.


    ... How so? Theypletely devastated Inistra.


    I know some who could do that alone. And they grow weak here in the lower realms. If I manage to advance to the next stage I dont think anyone could match me. Perhaps a domination cultivator who would be willing to risk themself by being here.


    Domination?


    Once one surpasses Life Transformation, the first step after Ascension is Integration. Then Augmentation, and finally Domination.


    And thats the peak of cultivation?


    Anton shrugged. How should I know? I havent even heard a single reliable report of Domination cultivators with names, not in thousands of worlds. It might be the end of that path, but perhaps there is more.


    That path?


    Of course. As you can clearly see, I am here. Not ascended. Anton grinned. If I dont return to tell you about Assimtion in a century or so, maybe try to find Ceretos. Someone there can help. But having the information avable to you now wouldnt help your cultivation. Anton paused for a moment, thinking. Once you are secure in Spirit Building, I give you permission to instruct others on the One Hundred Stars. However, you must test them first.


    For cultivation talent?


    No, Anton strongly refuted the answer. That hardly matters. Test their character. Rely on your judgment, perhaps after training Insight. I dont care how strong the people you teach be. I just care that they wont misuse whatever strength they get.


    I will take this responsibility seriously, Varghese said.


    You dont have to spread, Anton reminded him. Oh, and if you find others practicing One Hundred Stars, do try to get along? You dont have to join up into one sect, but as long as they maintain reasonable principles you dont have to worry about other details.


    Of course, Varghese said, his face turning down. You will train others.


    Hey, Anton caught his attention, making him look back up. Dont forget youre still my personal disciple. I chose to train <em>you</em>. And training others is just basic math. Even Vincent, our most prolific recruiter, only pulled in some hundreds of individuals. Youll hardly get a world-spanning sect in any reasonable time if its just you.


    A world-spanning sect Varghese said dreamily.


    Or multi-world. If we werent so far, I would happily consider you a branch. And perhaps some day, if the reach of both of us expands, we will unite. Or stubbornly refuse to agree because of the color of drapes we prefer.


    ...What? Varghese frowned.


    Look, kid, sometimes sects break up over stupid crap.


    With that, Anton really <em>did</em> need to get back on track. It was a long journey back home, and he did want to sow more seeds along the way.


    -----


    Watching a wolf puking its guts wasnt particrly fun for Alva, but Aconite was the one who chose to recover on her own. Alva was of course going to monitor her- stopping Fuzz from butting in was difficult enough. Spikes was willing to go along, as the stone wolf came from a background forged in trials. Not that Fuzz exactly had things easy. He was first found nearly dead, and then unable to control his own body for a while.


    So, Alva said to her nephew. What did you learn?


    ... Thats Im not ready for a hunt.


    Pick something else, Alva said.


    ... Dont chew poisonous nts?


    Alvaughed, Hey, Im pretty sure you knew that one already, unlike <em>someone</em>.


    I dont know, Chidi said finally.


    Youre supposed to say something about teamwork.


    More like being saved by someone way stronger, Chidi sighed. We couldnt do it.


    You think so? Alva raised her eyebrow, a gesture Chidi might not pick up. The kid was good at sensing movement, but despite how much it seemed like it sometimes he still couldnt actually <em>see</em>. Because I didnt scratch that boar. That was all the two of you. I dyed it for a moment mostly to remind you that I would support you. Just to be clear, I was watching the whole time and I thought you were doing fine.


    We almost died.


    Thats how you grow, Alva shrugged, In my opinion, you were always on the side of things where you were going to live.


    The newly named Aconite grunted in response. Alva had learned to understand Fuzz and his kin- how could she not?- but nothing understandable came out of the young wolf. Well, young by the standards of a wolf with cultivation. More than a decade would put her well past adult age, if she were simply a normal beast. But the intelligence developed by her parents caused her and the other pups to have different growth. Aconite had the physical maturity of and adult wolf, and she likely surpassed them mentally- but with that intelligence came all sort of other problems. Likeing up with ideas to use poison by coating her own fangs with it. That was a move of desperation, but even coating her paws had let some seep in through her pads and the skin beneath her fur.


    Alva shook her head. The wolf was now named, and perhaps appropriately. Because while locally aconite or sometimes monkshood were appropriate names, back on Ceretos Anton had introduced it to her as wolfsbane. And given how the wolf almost killed herself, what name could be more appropriate?