Elder Cultivator

Chapter 905

With the final transmission of a half-finished document, various critical pieces of information reached the combined Shining Cooperative and Lower Realms Alliance forces. As for the veracity of the information they received, the proper codes had been used to verify that the transmission was from the spies the Great Queen sent to Rotaire. Some information had to be acted upon with haste, as there was no certainty that the enemy wasnt aware of the information transmitted.

That haste meant launching immediate raids on several distinct locations hidden away from heavily occupied areas. These were laboratories or storage locations where various bioweapons were being developed or held, as well as prisons where captured members of the alliance were being held. Not many people had been captured by the Trigold Cluster, but they didnt win every engagement, and preventing any captures meant they had to both win smoothly and remain in control of the battlefield afterwards.

Suicide might be a better option than interrogation by the Trigold Cluster, but not everyone had the courage or the opportunity. Learning the location of some of the rare captives was quite valuable, as the rescues would both bring members back into their fold- and prevent the enemy from learning dangerous information. Especially as it related to Assimilation and other post-Life Transformation avenues.

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Most of the revelations from spy efforts hadnt been relevant to Anton. Hed been intent to stay out of the war, and hed ultimately ended up on the edge of the upper and lower realms- still affecting the war, but not necessarily in the role of a soldier. Now he was being called upon because of one particular bit of information.

A spymaster hidden among the Shining Cooperative- and with a clear idea of the planet and main city he should be operating within. As for why he was being called to help with internal affairs of the Shining Cooperative Anton wasnt exactly happy with the purpose, but he understood it and fully agreed. His job was to be a distraction. It would make more sense to have important figures swarming the city if he was visiting.

As allies, Anton was glad to aid them. They made the request and were honest about it, so he could only respond in kind. The only thing he needed was someone to replace him along the border. Or perhaps many someones, to cover the same amount of area he was. At least by now they had some idea of the patterns of shipments- a pattern that could not be adjusted for at least a decade, given that the containers would have already been sent at high velocity through realspace. They were just drifting through the space between realms, and nobody could change that now from either the upper or lower realms.

With sufficient information, the Shining Cooperative could stop everything from being retrieved, and there wasnt too much worry that they would be attacked. In the event where a large fleet was sent to stop them, it might represent a great portion of the Void Scrying Sects remaining ability. Either way, Anton could also aid in battles around two particular stars- Naewu and a second star hed just completed binding.

The only issue Anton had was acting purely as a distraction. It would be so tempting to sweep his senses across the planet, looking for a particular individual. Except, as they didnt have a proper picture of the man, the only functional thing they knew was that he would be a member of the Twin Soul Sect, and hiding his true cultivation not just with their techniques but also some sort of enchanted piece of equipment. Which really didnt narrow things down, as they couldnt just grab everyone with anything enchanted- not without alarming him and sending him into hiding. It was important enough that the personal liberties of their citizens werent the major concern in that regard, but they still couldnt.

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Hardly a month later, Anton arrived on the planet of Alluna. If he was to be there as himself but not a direct part of the investigation, he had to do what he knew best. And for that reason, he immediately began pestering the formation master Ravil in public. Look at this. Your planet is divided into slices of fertility and famine. Natural energy tied up around sects, providing fewer opportunities to feed into the greater system and grow. You should tear down all your formations.

Ravil knew Antons purpose, but some of his defensiveness was quite real. We are aware of your tactics and intentions, but now would not be a good time to completely reshape our entire system of production.

Then when will you do so? Upon the conclusion of the war, as productivity dips? Upon finding new enemies who you need resources to fight? These formations work as intended, but I think the division they make among your own people shows through.

The formation master took a good look at Anton. They were probably quite similar in age- within a century or so, and they even looked it. Except the reason for such was quite different. Anton had been old when he began cultivating, and while he lost a few wrinkles and looked more vibrant than he had been at a hundred he mostly maintained his age. Partially because his lifespan hadnt increased as much per cultivation rank, and partially because that was how he saw himself.

Ravil, meanwhile, had started cultivating as a young man, but his age had advanced with him. He had reached the peak of Life Transformation some time before, but believing that Ascension would only result in being surrounded by enemies and leaving behind those they loved, he and the rest of the Shining Cooperative had avoided that route. With knowledge of Assimilation as an advancement route, he might eventually push further- but his cultivation had stagnated for so long it would be difficult to continue onward.

He carefully considered Antons questions, knowing they had both seen much of the world. We are already implementing your practices in some places. We cant change everything at once, unfortunately.

Anton sighed in an exaggerated manner. Be that way, if you must. But you must at least allow me to visit your farms here and prompt them in the right direction. That was what Anton loved to do, and a great excuse for a number of people- including many stronger cultivators called back from the front lines- to follow him around Alluna, especially near its capital city of Lirlas.

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It was strange for Anton to think that any of the millions of people he passed by might be a spymaster from the Trigold Cluster. So much work had been done to keep them away, but nothing was perfect unless they completely isolated their planets. And the damage from that would be catastrophic for economies as even simple things like food came from many different planets.

Anton wanted to scan everyone he passed. Instead, he settled for passively receiving information with occasional glimpses at things he found interesting. Not using his senses actively at all would be quite suspicious as well.

Alluna was one of the more recent additions to the Shining Cooperative- it had only been a member for a couple decades before they encountered the Lower Realms Alliance. Because of that he could see many differences in how the natives handled things. But the selfishness in their formations wasnt unusual- or even necessarily wrong, with the understanding they had. Even the Order- back when it had been called the Ninety-Nine Stars- kept the natural energy they tended within their own borders. And keeping the fruits of ones own labor wasnt wrong.

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It was just not as right as things could be.

Antons next month was primarily focused on meeting people. And while hed started out with declarations about what would be done, he knew that ultimately wasnt the best way of things. Primarily he spoke with farmers, those in charge of fields both big and small.

The question Anton would ask was simple. What do you want? Most answers were improved production. Anton would then ask why they wanted greater production. And he thought all of the answers were legitimate.

Some simply wanted greater profits. If they were taking care of themselves and their families, that was valuable. Some wanted to support the war, or a certain sect, or to improve their own cultivation. Anton guided all towards similar things.

For those who wanted growth for profits, he advised them to invest in their workers. If they could improve their cultivations and grow stronger, they could do more. And if they were treated well and paid appropriately, they would work harder. Even if they eventually moved on, having connections to more powerful cultivators was always advantageous- and a good reputation would draw in more workers willing to replace them. And over the course of a cultivators lifetime, Anton truly believed that was the best way to reap profits.

Or they could attempt to squeeze everything out of their workers, paying them the bare minimum. If they made that choice, they might make more money in less time. And Anton could very much bet that their time would be less. If they ignored his advice, then it wasnt his business.

Others came to him with particular problems- plant blights and insects among them. He would always take a look, and he could usually suggest a simple fix. If certain plants were mixed together, insects that found certain leaves tasty wouldnt enter the fields. Properly spaced plants were less likely to spread anything between them. And different plants consumed different nutrients, so while it was more work to do so, alternating rows of different plants could greatly help with the spread of disease.

Ultimately, there was always more work that could be done with plants, or pretty much anything in life. People just had to pick goals that would achieve the right balance of effort and output for them.

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Theres only one more visitor for the day, Ravil commented. Another farmer with a unique blight.

Anton nodded. Well Im certainly interested in that, he said. Come on in.

The man who entered had an aura like the sun. Pleasant and warm, just like his smile. Thank you for taking the time to see me.

Of course. What is your name? Im Anton, I suppose you know, Anton said, shaking hands with the man.

Chun Jin, he said. I have I have some grain here, he said, pulling it out of his storage bag and holding it out towards Anton.

Anton reached out for it with his senses, and immediately felt it struggling towards him. Invisible motes rose into the air. Interesting, he said. It has a strange energy to it. He took it in hand, and immediately felt the fires inside himself reacting.

Chun Jin, is it? Ravil asked. Thats an interesting amulet you have. Where did you get it?

Oh this? My grandfather gave it to me.

Amazing. Anton honestly would have believed that. Actually, hed been watching the man outside waiting with the others. He had a friendly personality. Could he really be a spy?

Obviously he could. But they werent completely certain. At least, Anton hadnt been until he received the tainted grain. Now that he had it, he very much wanted to contain it because this had to have been grown somewhere local.

Do you think you could figure out whats wrong with it, senior? Chun Jin asked. Ive inspected it carefully, but it simply falls apart in my hands, he sighed, spreading his arms wide. No one else could help me.

Indeed, Anton said. And who have you asked? Anton was looking for similar energy signatures elsewhere, only a thin tendril of his energy reaching out of the room. It might be more obvious to anyone outside, but the man standing right in front of him should have been overwhelmed with his aura.

The farming secretary for the eastern district, Chun Jin said.

Indeed. I suppose that makes sense. And it would also explain why you chose a sun based cultivation method. I very much approve of people who follow such a path.

Thank you, senior. It is great to hear such words from someone like you.

And I speak them with all sincerity, Anton said.

The energy in the room shifted as the formation master Ravil cleared his throat. Its a shame the words dont apply to you.

What do you mean? Chun Jin asked, looking around with confusion.

The room is already sealed, Ravil said. Now, take off your amulet or well do this the hard way.

Take it off? But its mine. I dont know what you- Chun Jin clutched his amulet in hand, suddenly injecting his energy into it. From the amulet came a great explosion of power that spread throughout the room, consuming everything it touched. Which was everything except for Anton, Ravil, and the spys storage bag. Plus the handful of grain Anton was holding.

Did you get him? Anton asked.

Oh yes, Ravil said. So, Chun Jin, Ravil said to the air in front of them. How is your experience with being inside a spirit binding formation without a physical body? Because I have the feeling you havent done this before. But Ive caught many of your kind in these nets.

Anton could feel the way the formations around the room permeated everything, spectral energy both binding the soul of the man- and making it easier to interact with said soul. Anton could see a vague shape solidifying as the formations stabilized after the detonation.

How did you find out? he asked.

Ravil smiled. Im sure youd like me to gloat, with the intention to escape later. But I am going to say there is no escape for you. And I still wont tell you anything.

Anton thought it was too bad that they hadnt been able to salvage that amulet. It would have been good to know how he was hiding his cultivation even from their proper techniques. Then again, Ravil had gotten a look at it so it might not be hopeless. And as well as it hid his true cultivation his outer display was imperfect. Had he really thought a fake sun would work in front of Anton?

Not that Anton was primarily responsible for his capture. He hadnt even known this was the man until he held the grain- but it seemed the locals had been a step ahead of him. Good. Now they could figure out how to stop whatever the man had put in motion starting with the crops, since hed revealed that to Anton.