Chapter 744


    The wide announcement came as a surprise to most citizens of Xankeshan, though everyone higher ranking and especially military officers were already in the know, so they could be certain they were prepared.


    A mechanical recorded voice made the announcement, flowing through thes formations to spread the sound everywhere. We apologize for the inconvenience, but the use of formation based amenities will be unavable for a short time due to maintenance and upgrades. All traffic will be diverted directly tonding.


    As people began to wonder what was happening, they also expected the flow of energy through the formations to slow or cease. But instead, the rate of energy usage ramped up even as the barrier fell, the upper energy of the being diverted for different uses.


    It ultimately flowed to one ce, Catarinas position at a temporary nexus of the formation. Timothy was there, of course, to see whether she was able to aplish her impossible task. He was a bit disappointed he hadnt beaten her to Augmentation, but he knew he had some decades left to go himself. As for her chances of sess, Timothy had nothing but confidence. He simply wouldnt allow himself to feel anything else. He trusted that all of the work she put in wasnt for naught.


    Chidi was present as well. The flow of upper energy made him tingle, though he had a particr position to stand so as to not disrupt things with his internal partial formations. But there was something about the mass of power that called to him. He hesitated to reach out, not wanting to disrupt anything, but it sat at the back of his mind.


    The process was not a short one. Chidi felt energy flowing into his mother, but it was being absorbed greedily. Not all of it went directly into her, of course. Most of it was reserved for various safety measures- for her own sake, and for the sake of those watching. But even so, the flow of energy directly entering Catarina was greater than that an Augmentation cultivator normally dealt with, based on Chidis observation of Tauno.


    It was more than a few hours of energy continuously pouring into her before Chidi felt her reaching her limits. Power coursed through her, formation markings inside of her but not quite so grant and wild as Chidis that were cut into his body. All of the energy was directed with intention, either by the formations or by Catarinas own will.


    Then all at once, the influx of energy stopped. The dense energy inside Catarina felt like it would explode outward, but instead she kept it tightly controlled. But it had to go somewhere, and that somewhere was back into the formations, reversing the flow. Not all of it, but a significant quantity.


    When everything ended, Chidi didnt think Catarina felt much stronger. Then he realized that part of that was because hed lost his focus for a moment, subconsciously reaching out for that flow and simultaneously improving himself. He had thought he might reach Integration in a battle, but instead it happened extremely naturally as he finally came into perfect sync with upper energy. Or as perfect as could be expected for that level, anyway. True perfection was always the goal- though nobody could agree what perfection <em>was</em>.


    Well, Timothy said. I honestly didnt expect <em>two</em> breakthroughs today. Congrattions.


    Catarina moved over to her son, whose senses were quite clearly locked onto her. Well? she asked. Something you wish to say?


    You dont feel all that much stronger, he admitted. Did everything go alright?


    It went exactly as intended, Catarina said. Do not worry. I <em>am</em> stronger. But Im also not really abatant. Likely there wont be as much improvement in my direct battle prowess, as it was focused on other areas.


    Chidi nodded. That makes sense. Can you tell me what, exactly?


    Its difficult to say, Catarina admitted. Because I am stillprehending the changes I set up. But ultimately, I should perform better in the expected areas. The ability to gather and channel energy, especially for formations. And hopefully my rate of gain of understanding. I achieved some insights. Time will tell if they were wrong.


    -----


    News of his granddaughters Augmentation quickly reached Antons ears, though of course he was part of the loop to begin with. He had known when she was going to make the attempt, and had been waiting impatiently for messages from the upper realms to reach him since that point. The message had been a simple and straightforward acknowledgement of sess, which to Anton assured him that nothing had gone wrong. It was quite like her.


    He had the feeling that the upper realms would remember this as the start of a great time of change. He hoped so, at least, because the alternative was things remaining as they had been- and that was exactly the situation they wanted to avoid.


    In the lower realms, Anton didnt know of anyone closer to reaching the next stage than himself. That did not mean there werent any, but they would have to be among the Snis Cluster. If it was any of the others, they would have to be working very hard to make it a surprise.


    Lev would probably achieve something in time, but the fellow wasnt in a rush. Nthanda was no longer on a path simr to any they had on record, so it would be difficult to say. Annelie would have once been high on Antons list, but her cultivation speed had slowed after Anishs death. Devon was a bit further behind. He could expect anything to be separated by periods of decades, instead of the several times more frequent Ascensions and Assimtions among their poption. Not quite yearly, even among their many billions. Though of course, a diminishing rate was always to be expected between cultivation stages.


    Anton was at the peak himself, one star short of his next prime tempering. He wasnt quite certain if he would immediately reach the next stage uponpleting that star or not, but he <em>did</em> know it had to be something more than usual. And he already had ns in ce. Should they fall through, he would simply have to spend time solidifying some of his other opportunities.


    But for the moment, his nsy with Poriza. Hed begun his influence mainly on one side of the, but hed been slowly spreading. He couldnt say hed achieved world peace, even with all his power. However, hede to know people from every region of the. Just like others, they were all capable of living lives in peacefulmunity. It was simply a long tradition of violence among cultivators that perpetuated- a few decades wasnt enough to erase that. But he saw the opportunity was there, if they kept working at it.


    -----


    Anton put together a worldwide conference of cultivators, pulling representatives from all over. It took several years to organize, and another toe to fruition afterwards because of travel times. But ultimately, thousands of individuals representing every part of the- even smaller sects who worked up the confidence to send their own representatives. And that was exactly what Anton wanted.


    Im sure you all wonder why I gathered you here, Anton said. As you have been told, it is something of great importance to the whole world. All of you know the Order of One Hundred Stars, Anton could say that without reservation, as hed personally met with everyone for at least a few moments. Needless to say, I am a disciple of the celestial bodies, Anton gestured towards the sky. There is great power in the stars. However, the local sun has missed a great opportunity. One for a greater conflux of power that it could share with the inhabitants of itss. But perhaps this very feature has cast a shadow of safety over you.


    Anton saw people had questions, so he pointed out one of the many who he knew would ask the same question in slightly different ways. What do you mean? Safety from what?


    A good question, Anton said. The answer is some particr bad actors in the upper realms. Unfortunately, as far as my information goes these bad actors dominate several of the nearby regions. Regardless, the Trigold Cluster is the most immediate threat. They are known to ravages on a regr basis, letting them develop for some time then stealing their resources.


    Another question on everyones mind. How do you know this?


    He had to answer that question eventually. Ie from another lower realm that was able to withstand their attacks. Some murmurs of surprise and a bit of discontent, but also more than a few individuals simply confirming the detail in their heads. Many already <em>knew</em> something was different about Anton.


    What do you want with us? someone called out without being acknowledged first.


    I have been quite straightforward about that from the beginning, Anton said. I want exactly the results I have been working towards. The growth of your people. But there are risks. I do not believe if you continue as you are that you will ever be discovered, however the greater improvement I have in mind is certainly a risk. Your star can be transformed. It would bring with it a several fold increase in natural energy and the rate of growth. More light. And a bit more warmth. But ultimately, it is a difficult undertaking. One with both inherent and external risk factors to consider.


    There were many questions for Anton to field over the nexting days. Ultimately, he hadnt gathered people for them to make a <em>choice</em> in one single event. Perhaps it was a bit maniptive on his part, but he knew people. And he knew that these particr people wouldnt give up on an elevation of their just because of <em>theoretical</em> risks. Even if Anton had told him that there was a powerful faction one system over ready to attack them, he thought they would have been strongly inclined to want to grow. And he knew that attitude held among most of the people- as he had brought representatives even of themon folk, those involved primarily in industry that involved nobat. Those who produced food and clothing and buildings and everything that allowed humans to live their lives. They had all seen that they could have more, and they would not want to give it up. And importantly- to Anton at least- it wasnt simply personal greed. Wanting more was a good thing, within reason. And he believed these people could see the difference.


    -----


    Before he tried to advance to the next stage of Assimtion, whatever he might call it, Anton knew he should bnce his internal and external cultivation. Which was to say, he didnt want to leave any potential unfulfilled, any stars unbound. He picked out a few more good specimens around the area and along the path between the Alliance and the eastern region. He only had one more, in reserve for Inistra.


    While Anton hadnt been a public figure on Inistra for as much of his presence, he had about half a century longer that he was in frequent interaction with them. He still intended to ask for their permission to bind to their star, simultaneous with but not codependent with their introduction to therger gcticmunity. They were far enough from all of the other systems Anton knew had humans that they would still be effectively alone, but there was still much they could gain from open interaction. Or they could make the choice to be isted. Not that Anton expected that result.


    Most of those who had fought in the invasion had died, but many people still had memories of it or the aftermath. And the idea of others who had gone through the same and would fight together would certainly be appealing to them. Along with Antons personal influence, he didnt expect them to reject either option. And there were still five centuries until the next shift in the tides of the world for everyone to prepare. Anton was quite pleased, even if Poriza was likely to be somewhat behind, should they choose the route that increased their risk.


    Anton had some reason to believe that binding to a star wouldnt make it exclusive to him, but he hadnt had the opportunity to willingly share with anyone. Ultimately, he hoped that he could- because he knew that if a local wanted to draw upon the star and they couldnt both do so safely that he would unbind it, ultimately dropping in cultivation. Because while he would have wasted some of his own time, he also didnt want to stifle others potential. Getting permission might not change that dynamic, but it only seemed fair to ask.