Elder Cultivator

Chapter 913

After the first in person diplomatic sessions, it became clear that the winning side of the civil war no longer wished to be associated with the Trigold Clusters. That could only be a good thing for the rest of the lower realms, but it didnt suddenly make everyone friends. After all, they had still been fighting against these very same people before the destruction of Zunrose. Separating from the rest of the Trigold Cluster didnt suddenly make everything about them line up with the Shining Cooperative or Lower Realms Alliance.

With the official declaration of separation came a name for the Fearsome Menagerie and their allied sects, the Adamant Federation. They held most of the northwestern systems in the region. Likewise, the other group which had rallied together the southeastern planets came to call themselves the Free Planet Guardians.

Even if they had similar overarching ideas, the two factions were not in perfect alignment with each other. Beyond the division between the two groups there were smaller factions among the larger of the two, the Adamant Federation which carried more of the population and larger sects.

Though it might seem like the two larger factions were otherwise quite similar, there were important differences especially from a diplomatic standpoint. One had been almost entirely uncommunicative during the war, while the other had taken the risk to open negotiations earlier from a position of weakness. Tor and the future Free Planet Guardians had taken the initiative to come to Inistra along with a small group when it could have very easily cost all of them their lives.

Even so, the war was over and peace would reign for at least a while. Any diplomatic progress was better than none, even if there were serious reservations about the Adamant Federations operations.

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The war had forced the Shining Cooperative and Lower Realms Alliance into acting as a greater whole temporarily, but as the echoes of war began to fade they drew back slightly. The war had drawn them closer together, as they fought alongside each other offensively and defensively. They had shared information and resources as well. Even so, they didnt operate under the same power structures, and they recoiled somewhat from the clash of cultures.

They ultimately kept their borders open, within reason. The local systems around Poriza and Inistra were the only parts of the Lower Realms Alliance actually close to the Shining Cooperative, but while the war had driven people away, it also brought others into the area. Now, many people were settling down in the region. The established systems along the long arm that Anton had inadvertently created when seeking out Azun had grown more robust, and shipments flowed more freely.

While the war wasnt overall good for them, it had bolstered the economy of the trade routes. Now that the war was over, it was seen as a good investment opportunity. Furthermore, the Lower Realms Alliance decided to promote expansion into the region- both around Inistra and Poriza, and the other systems along the way.

They were still integrating Vrelt and Nidec on the western end of the alliance, though over the decades of war they had made great strides. Vrelt obviously had strong feelings about the Trigold Cluster considering their former occupation, and the people of Nidec werent much different- including those that had been integrated from the Exalted Quadrants sects.

However, this was one of the points of contention with the Shining Cooperative. They were still unused to any positive interactions with anyone even vaguely associated with the upper realms. The vast majority of them were still hesitant about the Scarlet Alliance, though perhaps the few ascenders from within them would be able to put their minds at ease. They were given methods to remain in direct communication with those members who ascended, with a few restrictions.

Then there was the matter of the void ants. Needless to say, the Shining Cooperative had understood their utility in the war, and also their danger. The void ants had been too valuable to keep out of the war, so they had been revealed without as much groundwork in place as the Lower Realms Alliance would have wished.

Their hesitation was understandable, and a clever publicity campaign drove people towards uncertainty rather than towards their natural fear. The upper realms had tried to exterminate void ants, after all. Sure, they were dangerous but nobody wanted to be like the upper realms, did they? The Shining Cooperative certainly didnt. That was enough for them to not freak out too much, though they forbid void ants from entering any of their systems.

It was hoped by the Alliance that they might grow used to them over time, seeing them within the Alliances boundaries. Every planet they had colonies, they were visibly present in major cities. They had their own walkways so they could move around safely. Some were underground, but as many as possible were kept visible for the sake of reminding the human citizens who they lived alongside of their existence.

Humans from the alliance frequently saw their utility not just as soldiers in war, but as workers for anything that had to happen on a small scale, especially around dangerous energy. It was hoped that the local attitudes would spread to the Shining Cooperative, given time.

Obviously their few occupied planets in the former Trigold territory would have locals with a very different view of the void ants, though ultimately very few people experienced being on the wrong side of the battlefield from the void ants because most of them had ended up dead at the hands of the Alliance members, both large and small.

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Things were just beginning to settle down when another major piece of news popped up. Fortunately, it was good news rather than ill. For those who were not paying much attention, it seemed like another petition to join the Lower Realms Alliance. Certainly a newsworthy event, as that didnt happen every year or even every decade. But the planet of Akrys wasnt just any planet. It was one that warranted the personal attention of Anton, for various reasons.

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Are you certain you wish to join the Alliance? Anton said. It will be a significant change to your planet, and it doesnt come with only benefits.

We cant be more certain, Three Squeaks said. We voted on it. Even the tortoises. Do you know how long it takes to get those guys to do anything? Decades! Three Squeaks paused. Some of them voted against joining, but overall most people voted to join. Even the weird fellows from the deeps.

Really? Anton raised an eyebrow. Im surprised about that.

They really liked those pressure based and geothermal cultivation techniques you supplied to the Akrys Alliance, Three Squeaks said. And you have more things like that, right?

We do, Anton agreed. But this isnt something that should be rushed into. This planetary unification is a big deal, but Akrys probably needs time to continue developing its own culture

How long do you think its been since you first showed up and saved my life? Three Squeaks said. And the entire den, of course.

Well, lets see, Anton furrowed his brow. I suppose it has been a while. You were barely in the beginnings of cultivation, and now youre close to the hundredth star Anton looked down at his tiniest disciple. At least tiniest in terms of direct disciples, because he was pretty sure hed sensed an entire division of woodlice practicing the One Hundred Stars when he was approaching. So I suppose it has been quite a while.

You said something about normal human lifespans being a century, Three Squeaks said. And its been that long. I finished my trip around the world decades ago, introducing everyone to intentional cultivation. Everyone is growing so quickly, using the principles you taught us. But were nearing the limits of our understanding. We might be able to figure more things out with another few hundred years. But if we can instead work together with humans, it would be much better for us. And yes, I remember you said not all humans are as kind as you.

Its true, Anton admitted. Weve just seen some of the worst of humans.

Three Squeaks shuddered. Im not in Assimilation yet but I felt it. Its strange to think that even several centuries from now well be able to look at a star we know is no longer there. I understand- no, we understand there are dangers. But were not asking to be dumped into the middle of human civilization all at once. We just dont want to keep the planet closed to visitors anymore, and if thats the case we might as well be part of the alliance. Weve read through the translated versions of your foundational codes and the like, and Fearsome Mandibles has explained quite a bit more to us. We have some idea of what were getting into.

Anton nodded. I dont disagree that joining the Alliance could be beneficial. I just didnt want to throw off your development any more than I already have.

Its probably way too late for that, Three Squeaks said. And you have the experience to help us avoid mistakes. You might notice we have quite a diversity of cultivation styles. Well, thats also true of our tools and buildings. Thats not a problem at all, as you taught me to celebrate such things but some of them arent very good. Our ability to spread information over our planet is limited. It took several years to even vote on this thing.

We can provide information on better communications formations, Anton said. Perhaps we should have already.

But thats not the only thing, Three Squeaks replied. Its just one part of many. We can focus on our planetary development or retaining our identities as different species. If we do both, were splitting ourselves. But some of the select few humans that have come here to live among us and study us have great insights into the development of cultures. Youre saying we shouldnt be like humans, and youre probably right. But remaining as we are simply for the sake of being untainted is already a moot point.

Perhaps I shouldnt have landed at all Anton pondered.

No way. Like I said, Id be dead. And our whole colony. Echoing Cry would probably eat meerkats. So many sapient people would be consuming each other for relatively minor boosts in power. Also, theres a pretty good chance our existence to begin with was already due to human interference. Theres no saying if and when they might come back to check on us- perhaps theyre from the upper realms and it would be with the next cycle, but they could be from the lower realms and ready to show up any day. If theyre not our friends, we need to be able to defend ourselves. Three Squeaks paused. Also I want to meet the other branch heads. If Im a member of the Order of One Hundred Stars, I personally already feel like I should be part of the Lower Realms Alliance.

Well, technically the Order of One Hundred Stars isnt restricted just to the Lower Realms Alliance, Anton said.

The one in the upper realms doesnt count, Three Squeaks said.

... Theres a single branch of the sect in the Shining Cooperative. But, Anton shrugged. I dont actually want to stop you. I just wanted to make sure you were properly informed. And if others had the information available to them and made the same choice, then I trust your people to manage this. And I cant imagine the Alliance will reject your request to join. Akrys is quite popular.

Because of the pictures? Three Squeaks asked. People like pictures of humans too. Especially ones with funny hair, or weird clothes. And hats.

Ive noticed hats, actually. There was also some amount of other clothing, though it was usually minimal for those with fur, as it was mostly unnecessary. It seemed to be mainly for modesty or style, or in the rarest cases as a form of protection- they were cultivators after all, even if the planet was mainly peaceful. If nothing else, there were powerful beasts that lacked the intelligence to negotiate.

Akrys joining the Lower Realms Alliance would most likely be good. A ray of positivity among all of the negativity that had been going on for so long. Anton imagined that traffic would have restricted, though. Nobody wanted millions of tourists showing up and ruining the planet. Though it sounded like the locals were also interested in seeing human planets in person, which should be interesting for those responsible for such things to coordinate. It wasnt actually Antons job to deal with borders or treaties, with the specific exception of the Order- and even then the branch heads handled most of that.