Chapter 743


    Getting involved with conflicts on the right side was one way to improve the world bit by bit, but that was only when there <em>was</em> a right side. Most conflicts came from limited resources- whether tangible or intangible. It wasnt always clear that one side had a clear and legitimate im to something. For cultivators, there were many such things in the wilderness between imed territories. They were often imed on the basis of whoever arrived first though it could also devolve into whoever had the greater strength forcing others to give up whatever they had otherwise rightfully earned for themselves. Sometimes there would be a battle, other times there would be a threat. Always there would be negative feelings for those who remained.


    Though he could not deal with everything throughout a whole, Anton still did his best to fend off any trouble he could anticipate. And one such instance of trouble was brewing in the desert to the south of Vochaye. It was called the ded Dust Bowl, a harsh desert full of many particrly prickly varieties of cactus. And of course, some of them were useful for cultivation in various ways. There were many properties in the fruits and flesh of cacti to be exploited.


    More than a few people were aware of a particr phenomenon taking ce involving a century pir cactus. As the name implied, they grew very slowly, maturing only over the course of a hundred years. They stood tall and strong, but more importantly the water contained within them was of the highest quality. Some might say purity, but Anton knew that <em>pure</em> water was rtively uninteresting to most. This had condensed natural energy infused into it along with various chemicalpounds that made it useful for medicines of various types.


    There were strict requirements for such a thing to grow, and before its time of maturity it was rtively worthless. Thus, the various sects surrounding the desert had been carefully watching, unable to stake a permanent im to the area as it was mostly inhospitable. At least by most standards. Even if they had staked a im, it was likely other sects would havee along to remove the beleaguered disciples stationed as guards at a regr pace.


    So now, there were a half dozen smaller sects and tworger ones approaching, as the transformation would take ce within the next few days, turning the liquid within from bitter and poisonous to useful.


    Anton knew of the tworger sects. The Fog Zephyr Cult and the morous River Pce both cultivated the secrets of water, so having such a unique source of valuable water was desirable to both. At the same time, living in the desert was impossible for them, at least if they wished to cultivate. The smaller sects would likelybine forces, intent on getting whatever they could.


    It wasnt possible for the sects to send many of their core members far from their sect, not without risking danger from others, so each group had a few dozen individuals between elders and disciples. Not a poor showing, especially for a world like Poriza where natural energy was sparse.


    Though he wasnt the first to depart, Anton <em>was</em> the first to arrive. His timing was aided by the simple fact that all parties involved were close enough together for him to sense their movements, just a few hundreds of kilometers. That was nothing, even if it was all directly through the atmosphere.


    An old man and woman respectively lead the two sects, and their steps paused as they arrived with near simultaneity, taking in each other and Anton.


    Of course we would find <em>you</em> here, the old man said to the woman.


    Much the same, I suppose we should have anticipated seeing some of your kind, the woman retorted.


    Silence reigned for a few moments, then the man spoke to Anton. Friend, are you here for the pir cactus as well? The answer was obvious, as it was the only feature for quite some distance. Though what a feature it was. Almost closer to a great tree than a cactus, it was ten stories tall and wider around than a mans arms could encircle- not that anyone would try it, with the sharp des that stuck out from it. They had a simr property to the western creeper back on Ceretos that allowed them to puncture natural energy defenses.


    You are Anton of the Order of One Hundred Stars, are you not? the woman asked. If you help us secure it, we can split it between us. Looks were exchanged between the rival elders, intense gazes shing.


    We have some time to discuss the options, Anton said. But not all of the interested parties are here as of yet. We should wait a short time.


    The two didnt seem particrly happy to ept that, but it was not as if they could divide the thing between them yet anyway. The desired properties wouldnte about for another few days, and damaging the nt before then would ruin it.


    As Anton was fully aware, the smaller sects were not far off. Their leader was a younger woman, at leastpared to the others. Before she could make any demands, Anton took direction of the situation. We are all here now, he dered. Now then, there are several ways we can handle this matter. I should say that it appears impossible for any of our groups toe out the sole victor in a conflict. Thus as the first option, we can simply divide it into quarters. There would be no losses for any of us, even if the gains are somewhat less than hoped. Anton surveyed the situation. People werent happy about that idea, though the lesser sects wouldnt exactly be disappointed even with the thought they would be sharing a quarter.


    The other option is simple. I can make use of this right now. Within fifty years, I can provide each party with the equivalent of a full century pir cactus. Only out of respect for him did the others stay quiet. It was quite an unptable option for Anton to walk away with everything for a promise in the future. Even if it was ultimately supposed to pay out four times as much, the benefit in the near future might outweigh that in their estimation. Fifty years was not insignificant, even for cultivators. They might need the benefits sooner.


    What else? the man asked. You said there were several options.


    Well, yes, Anton nodded. But the final one involves a few secrets Anton looked around at everyone. But perhaps it is necessary to divulge. Actually, there is a special method to grow such a thing from its seeds. In the right conditions it might reach its peak in two decades or even a single decade. But it is a difficult path to achieve. Actually, this is what I nned to do. It is only that it requires great care. Out of dozens of seeds, perhaps only a few would grow properly. That was mostly a lie. At least from Antons perspective, he could perfectly manage its growth every time. And it wouldnt even be that difficult for those unfamiliar with the techniques involved.


    So why is this in question? the woman said. We split the nt and the seeds, then grow what we can for ourselves.


    Unfortunately, it doesnt work like that, Anton shook his head. This part was important. The transformation we are all waiting for is only the first step in the process for it to reproduce. All of the energy and vitality of the specimen will be infused into the seeds shortly thereafter leaving us with little but slightly sweet water and tough cactus flesh if we wait to harvest the seeds. But before then, they have no potency.


    Still said the younger woman. You said they can grow again in just a decade?


    Only in the hands of a master. It could easily perish without the knowledge to properly take care of it. Which is why it would be best left in my hands.


    I understand, the man said. You do not wish to give away your information so easily. What is your price?


    Indeed, the older woman from the morous River Pce pressed him. Clearly you are angling for something, or you would not have mentioned it at all.


    Alright, you got me, Anton shrugged. I could teach you what I know, and we all split the seeds. But what I would require from all of you would be every second growth.


    Half of our efforts? the Fog Zephyr Cult representative frowned.


    Not quite, Anton said. Every second nt. So if you only manage to sessfully grow one Anton shrugged. Then you are up three quarters of a century cactus. And if you grow two, that one goes to me. But if you have the skill to grow three two of them are yours, though you would have to surpass even my own estimations for production. Anton didnt feel bad about lying when it was for peoples own direct benefit. And the terms were urate. But if you fail to even grow one, it will be no fault of my own. After all, I offered to produce each of you one. Though for your share of the seeds, I could instead grow a specimen for each party involved.


    How many seeds will there be? the woman representing the lesser sects asked.


    More than a handful for each group. Likely only a single seed for several of your sects but perhaps you might get lucky and produce something equivalent to this, Anton gestured to therge ded cactus, In the next few decades.


    How strict are the growth requirements? the man asked. And what of formations? Because if the expenses outweigh what we might gain


    No, no formations, Anton shook his head. It simply requires a sealed area, carefully monitored. Akin to a greenhouse, the ss growing structures you may have heard about. Producing clear ss was actually rtively easy with the right techniques, and Anton had shared such information. But any mistakes could dy or even terminate the growth of a pir cactus. He emphasized that point because while he knew they could grow to full size in a decade instead of a century, the conditions had to be just right. Otherwise a cycle might pass and it would require another decade due to the particr biology of the nts. He knew of simr things from others, and had gathered all the locally avable information to confirm his theories.


    So, we can either split it as it is, or grow them the old man nodded. I am notfortable relying fully on you, but even if we must wait a full century for a few seeds to develop I think our sect might benefit. I do not think we can afford to simply harvest it.


    Though we had ns for how we were to use this, the morous River Pce thinks the same.


    We cannot oppose the majority, said the younger woman. And I think we would like to grow them ourselves, with your instruction.


    Anton smiled. Then we should draft up the contracts. I would of course take your word, but it would not bind your whole sects. I share every secret I know about their growth, and you provide me with every second nt produced.


    There was some negotiation between the lesser sects. Could the grow independently, or did it have to bemunal? Could they afford for it to <em>not</em> bemunal? The risk of getting nothing at all seemed high if they each had only a single seed. Ultimately, they worked out the terms as if they were one individual. If two of their sects produced one, the others would split the first and Anton would gain the second.


    Though of course he didnt necessarily intend to hold people to thetter part. Not perpetually, anyway. He could gain more goodwill by simply forgiving the debt, preferably after a single round of growth. Because he <em>could</em> make use of the actual nts for the sect or outside of it.


    As for growing the cactus, it didnt actually need to be in a desert. It just needed the right bnce of humidity and temperature. And of course, enough natural energy. It simply happened that this particr desert was perfect, so the nt grew naturally- but its long life cycle and value to cultivators meant it was slowly going extinct. But if they could grow it on their own in a more convenient space, then it would naturally be able to fill its habitat in the wild once more. Everyone would be a winner. And nobody had to get hurt. Hopefully, everyone involved here would have some fond memories of each other in the future.