Molting the Mortal Coil

Sage’s airship flew directly towards the Hoplite settlements. Since he didn’t wish to waste any time, once they’d entered the wilderness he released another ten thousand Dragoons and had them spread over the Province to round up the scattered squads of the Jade Horde. He used the intelligence gathered by the information network to plot their routes. For his own efforts, he took Songji along and they stopped at the half-dozen small settlements in the province and surrounded them. He released his Hypnotic Eyes and the majority of the town marched over to him in orderly fashion. They were sent directly into his Inner World to join the other Hoplites while the Dragoon’s stripped the settlement, anything useful was also sent in with them.

There were only a handful of non-Hoplites living near or in the Hoplite settlements and Sage gave them the choice of going with them, or having their memory of the day wiped. One man was strong enough that Sage had to take his true form to wipe his memories, and there was surprisingly a kind woman who had taken it upon herself to care for the Hoplites. Amazingly, she was just as strong as Ruanfu and Sage had already upset her.

“What have you done?”

Sage didn’t fear her, but she was certainly an unexpected variable and outside his range of control. She had been hiding her aura and strength so he only recognized after he’d put half the settlement into his Inner World, “The situation is complicated, but you could say I am protecting them.”

This woman had pitied the low intelligence and simple living conditions of the Hoplites, so despite her great strength she was living among them. Teaching the children and helping them to improve their village.

“Where did all the villagers go? What did you do?”

She was already gathering her power, trying to determine if Sage had used some evil method to destroy the villagers without leaving any evidence. Storage treasures that could actually contain people were extremely rare and absurdly expensive. She had no idea the Hoplites were actually Spirit Insects and could even be stored in Beast Bags, not to mention thinking that Sage could have something like the Universe Ring or his own Inner World.

Sage contemplated how to respond. He didn’t wish to needlessly come into conflict with a level 61, not to mention whatever power she might belong to. She could certainly be a rogue cultivator with no backing, but the chances of that were low. Then Sage pointed to the two thousand Dragoons encircling the settlement, “As you can see, they are similar species. Instead of wiping the Hoplites out, I am taking them away instead.”

She took a closer look at the Dragoons around her and seemed somewhat at a loss, “How can you take them away? It seems to me you’re just using some secret method to wipe them out and now you are spewing lies to trick me.”

Busybodies. They’re always a pain to deal with.

“I would not like to invite a conflict with you, or those who back you. I possess a World Core. The Hoplites have been sent there. If you wish to see, you will have to put yourself at my mercy and I don’t believe you trust me enough for that.”

Revealing his secrets was unfortunate, but it was something he’d been prepared to do. Those at the highest levels were likely already aware of this information, so he was merely sharing it with the next rung down. For the woman to enter his Inner World she would have to not resist his power and once she was there, she would truly have little chance against him. While he couldn’t enter his own Inner World, Sage had a great influence over it. The whole world could fight against her. What she said next surprised him.

“I will agree, let me see them.”

The woman’s words shocked him and it took a moment for him to realize she was serious. She abruptly concealed her aura and drew back her strength. Sage was surprised and also tempted. He drew her into his Inner World, wondering if this was some sort of trap, but continuing nonetheless. There was very little chance she had been waiting here for him and even less that she had some method of resisting him after she entered his Inner World. Sage sent her to the island where he’d been isolating all the Hoplites. Efficiency wise, he should have just been killing them off. Only, the ones living in the settlements really had nothing to do with betraying him, and even the soldiers directly serving Wu Chang were merely following orders. He made the Hoplites to follow the commands of their superior officers, it was his own fault that he allowed someone else to enter that command structure and turn them against him.

The woman flew around the massive island for a while, realizing just how many of these Hoplites were gathered here. She was surprised to find there were also some humans mixed in among them. Eventually, she stopped in mid-air and looked to Sage’s consciousness that had been following her around. It looked just the same as he did in the real world, but it was only a spirit body. She seemed to be thinking something over. Sage made a guess, “I am not a travel agency that will arrange for constant visits. This is a one time trip to show you my sincerity. If you wish to stay, the only way I will let you out in the future is if you work for me.”

He did not want some woman constantly chasing him down so she could visit the Hoplites. Laying down the harsh conditions was merely his method to fish for another Nascent Soul Cultivator. There wasn’t much chance she’d agree, but he took the chance to offer anyway. It was also possible she’d be insulted and he’d gain her enmity, but he didn’t feel like wasting the time to slowly convince her. He didn’t even know her name.

“Alright. I can agree to your terms, but only if you let me return to my clan first. I have some arrangements to make before I can leave them.”

Wait. What? She agrees? This lady has some sort of complex.

Not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, Sage agreed with her terms and returned her to the real world. The Dragoons were finished stripping the village and Sage sent the supplies and materials to the Inner World, right next to those from the settlement. He led the woman to the airship and stepped on board. Songji was looking at him oddly, “Big Brother, who is this?”

Only then did they finally make introductions. Sage cupped his fist, “I am Lang Sheng. Former Leader of the Jade Horde, and now City Lord of Lionheart Town.”

Songji understood what was going on, “I am Tiankong Songji. What’s your name, sister?”

The woman’s brow rose when she heard Sage’s introduction, but she replied calmly, “I am Dian Huifang, it is nice meeting you. Can you please take me to my clan in Flying Wind Province?”

Wait… Dian Clan in Flying Wind Province. That sounds familiar.