Chapter 713


    Hundreds of individuals were arrayed in front of Nthanda. An intimidating number she might have once thought impossible. She had never considered herself a teacher, but with Anton away everyone wanted to learn archery from her. She would have preferred if he <em>was</em> around, because while he hadnt been prepared for a body focused cultivator like her, she was alsocking in ability to train those focused primarily on energy. Given the difficulty of tempering the body beyond Spirit Building, few cultivators actually made that their goal.


    Western Steel Body was a good technique, of course. Refined and improved over thest centuries, it was worthy of being called a high tier cultivation method. And yet, with the avability of other notable techniques it was still not very popr. It made sense. After all, Nthandas method to surpass Life Transformation wasnt something she could replicate for others. And these days, Ascension was losing in poprity to Assimtion.


    I see all of you are ready. You have been assigned to yournes. Twenty at a time, you will each perform a hundred shots upon the target.


    There were multiple reasons to have them in such rtively small groups. First, because it was simply impractical to set up hundreds of archery targets. Second was to test their patience. Third, to give people time to rest between stages. And finally, because she could only watch so many people at once. Her assistants were great, but they simply didnt have her experience.


    This isnt a beginners course, Nthanda reminded them. So you are expected to be able to manage on your own. I also need to judge your capabilities firsthand.


    Some people lost points immediately. Just because she hadnt told people to be serious didnt give them an excuse for cking off. They should know to take things seriously, but some were doing the bare minimum required for a hundred shots. She didnt care if they hit the target or even got a bullseye every time, that was losing them some points. They just didnt know it yet. Eventually, she would weed out those who were serious, and those who wanted to participate because of famous names. She understood that some would simply not mesh with her teaching style, but she could direct them to a number of other options.


    Actually, archery was bing less popr year over year. Rutera had guns, after all. Whether they weresers or conventional projectiles, both were effective weapons. Many of the same techniques applied to archery would apply to them. But for Nthanda, they were useless. They relied more on the maniption of natural energy than the body. Good for some, but definitely not for her. Some of those here would do better learning firearms instead, but theyd most likely been drawn to archery because of Antons poprity. Though some did seem to take after her, with a focus on bodily strength.


    Some students didnt put in enough effort. Some pushed themselves too hard, not making it to a hundred shots. Others were able to judge exactly what they wanted, stretching themselves but knowing their own limits. During their training, Nthanda picked out a few she initially judged well, though she might change her mind as she got to understand them.


    Alright, Nthanda said. Now that thats done with, were going on a short ten kilometer run. Anton was still a proponent of physical fitness even if he followed the more traditional energy style, and for cultivators ten kilometers really wasnt all that much. But quite a few peopleined under their breath, wondering how it applied to archery. And she wondered how theyd graduated from school, or how they got here. Were their parents just rich enough to throw away money? What a waste of everyones time. Though it was only a small proportion of people, it still annoyed her that they would take things so lightly.


    Some took Antons mantra of improving themselves in every way for whatever they did lightly. They cared more about appearances than actual substance. But such was the way of people. Eventually, even those who could afford expensive guidance from powerful cultivators and buckets of cultivation medicine would wash out if they didnt give it their all.


    While it might seem the end of the cycle was far away, Nthanda had felt like the two hundred year cycle had gone by in the blink of an eye. Three times that wasnt really all that much more- and theyd already been in <em>one</em> interster war in less than fifty years. They had to be ready, and Nthanda in particr wanted to know who could be relied on.


    -----


    Thinking back on how he first met Anton, Varghese knew he had been foolish. He wanted so much to drive away invaders that he didnt stop to think if he <em>could</em>. And in fact, at the time he most certainly could not. Recently, he had been just part of the efforts of taking down the Twin Soul Sect and other upper realms spies. It was quite clear to him that he was not strong enough yet. He was barely beginning toprehend the information in early Life Transformation- and the One Hundred Stars continued all the way up into <em>Assimtion</em>.


    Hed only recently been able to look at the full technique beyond Life Transformation, and he understood why. First was the dangers of making everything public, and second he wouldn''t have been able to do anything with it before now. Actually, he still wasnt able to do anything but specte.


    He needed toprehend it, though, if he wanted to fight proper invaders. It wasnt just a matter of strength, but simply an issue of lifespan. Even if he reached the peak of Life Transformation he would not live six hundred years, barring some sort of miracle. Nor did he think a Life Transformation cultivation would be sufficient, if the Trigold Cluster brought serious forces upon them.


    He wondered about the One Hundred Stars and its other members. They were apparently both back on Antons home world and a significant number ascended to the upper realms. That was an option for Varghese too, but he doubted he would take it. He had plenty of reasons to stay with his home, including the sect hed identally be responsible for.


    -----


    Ascension cultivators came from the lower realms with some regrity. While at some point the rate for all of Ceretos had been less than one per year, their poption had grown almost a full order of magnitude in the past centuries. Combining that with Weos, Rutera, Gnadus, and a small portion of the Snis Cluster meant they got several per month. It was hard to say if that was many or few considering the tens of billions they drew from, andpared to native Integration cultivators from the upper realms their numbers were far fewer.


    However, one thing about true Ascension cultivators was a required level of energy control that not all Integration cultivators achieved. That was known by most of the powerful factions. There was a reason the upper realms had their fingers in the pockets of the lower realms, after all. The Harmonious Citadel had been quite d to get their hands on anyone they could from the lower realms, and to take a crack at converting them.


    Now, much of the undirected traffic flowed towards Xankeshan or at least someone else in the Scarlet Alliances control. They would not force anyone to join them militarily, but they were at minimum bound by thews.


    Uzun looked at Catarina, and the formation theyd managed to put together. I am quite pleased, he said. We surpassed my expectations because of your formation knowledge.


    On the contrary, Catarina said. Without your technological expertise, we would have needed one of us remaining her to monitor the formation at all times. Or at least someone with great expertise.


    I have another project I am working on, Engineer Uzun said, With regards to our ships. Weve managed to get production underway, which is an amazing step up for how long it has been. But I have concerns about reverse engineering. I am concerned about people getting their hands on subspace drives and automatic barrier load distributors.


    Catarina shook her head. I wouldnt be worried about that too much.


    Why shouldnt I be? Those are the pinnacle of our technology here, greatly affecting how our fleets stay ahead of the Harmonious Citadel.


    I get it, Catarina said. But Id be more concerned about them getting their hands on basic circuits. We could toss subspace drives at them all day and theyd never be able to properly replicate them. Its the simpleponents they could figure out, and begin to develop from there.


    Thats something of a problem, Uzun said, Because were looking to release Ruteran technology for non-military applications on a wider scale.


    Im just saying we need to be cautious with it, Catarina said. And in fact, if it is ubiquitous they may not realize it is of value. Though preferably we would be rid of them first.


    You really think thats possible? Uzun asked. They still have five saints left.


    And probably some backups, Catarina agreed. Its going to be a difficult time for this next century. But I can see Augmentation on the horizon.


    Already? Uzun asked.


    Ive already been here for a hundred and fifty years, Catarina said. Fifty or a hundred more isnt short or longpared to that.


    Uzun shrugged, Some people spend that long in Life Transformation.


    Not many these days, Id imagine, Catarina shook her head. The path is well known now, instead of us stumbling around in the dark.


    So if you break through well nearly match them.


    Catarina smiled, Youre forgetting many others. Myself, of course. Timothy, Chikere, Velvet Alva and Fuzz, even. Maybe it wont happen all at once. Kseniya may take longer as well. But if even two or three of us actually break through within a century? Thats a big deal.


    What do they <em>feed</em> you on Ceretos? Uzun asked.


    Youd know. Basically the same as on Rutera now. And to some extent, here.


    A fair point. Xankeshans practically drowning in upper energy.


    Half of that was Everhearts work. Or those who came before him. But our reciprocative energy growth methods work quite well.


    Im amazed more cultivators dont do it, Uzun said.


    Perhaps they do. Not so much in the Scarlet Midfields, but the Trigold Cluster and the Exalted Quadrant she shook her head.


    Speaking of which, what are we going to do about them?


    Catarinaughed. I have no idea. I cant worry about that now. So Im just going to hope they send a lot of sword cultivators at us.


    And how would that be good?


    Dont you keep up with the news? The sword saint is dead.


    I dont see how that leads into anything.


    You remember who killed him?


    That would be grandmaster Chikere, would it not? Uzun asked.


    Exactly, Catarina said. And I already listed her off.


    ... I dont suppose these are different Chikeres?


    They are not, Catarina said. The one we named our son after is the grandmaster is the one from Ceretos.


    And shes not in Augmentation?


    Not yet.


    Uzun frowned. That doesnt make any sense.


    Thats how things traditionally are with her. I would not count on her for all our troubles, of course. While she is a good friend, she is hardly present reliably. Nor particrly motivated outside of the realm of swords. But that is also why I can rest easy if the biggest problem we face is a swarm of swordmasters.


    Good to hear. Actually, if you have some sway over her movements can you make sure she shows her head around here soon? Now that I am reminded of who she is, Doctor Escarra would be quite cross with me if I did not make sure to properly maintain her arm.


    Please do, Catarina said seriously. She deserves to have the best she can get.