Molting the Mortal Coil

He hadn’t yet tested the Gauss Rifle or other electrical gadgets, but from his previous experiments, he was pretty sure they wouldn’t work. Even if they did, they likely wouldn’t work very well. There was just something about the way electricity worked that was different in this world. Even if the weapons continued to function they likely wouldn’t last long before the batteries were completely dead. On the other hand, they were the Thundercloud Sect, and they had many more experts of a lightning nature than other groups did. He wouldn’t be surprised if they found a way to recharge the batteries, but even so it was only a few rifles. They would at best have a few more elite assassin weapons. Just like if they figured out how to recreate the Shard Rifles, but in even smaller quantities.

Sage had to answer a few more questions to clarify some of the things he’d experienced in that other world, especially the specifics about the poisonous environment. Once he demonstrated his new rank and mastery of the Law of Corruption, they no longer took his opinion for granted. They already knew how to get to that world, and now that he had properly explored it, they were better informed about the risks and benefits. If he had to guess, he was pretty sure they would be moving their focus onto other worlds and leaving that one with its deadly poisons alone. They’d already lost a bunch of elite disciples from the first trip. Sage went even further and gave them a few of the giant cockroaches that came from the Hidden Domain to let them try and find out what made it possible for the bug to survive in that harsh world.

At that point, Sage felt his deal with the Thundercloud Sect to be complete. Previously, he might have tried to use this as an opportunity to establish deeper relations with them, but he no longer needed to. Manji was already near the very top of the power structure in the Thundercloud Sect which meant he already had a man on the inside. Of course, Manji wasn’t his subordinate, but they were now close enough to be family so Sage had complete confidence in Manji being on his side in future matters.

After a few more formalities, Sage handed over the ‘entrance pass’ and took his leave. He returned to the Dian Clan, and at that point was reminded how this whole ordeal was their fault. Well, that and the awkward speech of Dian Huifang. She was just going to be out of contact for a few years or decades, yet when it came out of her mouth it sounded like she was eloping with a scoundrel that was kidnapping her. Sage had to go on a two year detour merely to appease these unreasonable people. They’d even told him that they were going to kill him if it wasn’t for his saving of Xuelong. It was times like these that reminded him how different this world was from Earth. Such unreasonable and needlessly violent attitudes weren’t even unusual or odd, they were even taken to be the norm. When someone goes against a more powerful entity, they were, more often than not, put to death. Nobody even blinked an eye when whole clans were wiped out, at most they would merely lecture their own clan members not to offend greater powers. Mass killings weren’t atrocities, they were merely teaching moments and examples of what not to do.

Even if it was the norm, it still disgusted Sage. It was one thing for him to be ruthless in self defense or for revenge. It was another thing entirely to choose to kill just to solve simple and mundane problems. Just like how he’d captured most of the Flares and Scyzur he was in conflict with, Sage preferred not to commit murder when he didn’t need to. That might also have influenced his decision to be so focused upon Hypnotism. By influencing minds, he could defuse problems and prevent many deaths. He knew that if he focused upon his physical fighting force he’d need to be using his fists to solve his problems. Very quickly he would be bathing in blood, which was something he was partial to preventing.

Upon meeting with the Dian Clan higher-ups once more, he no longer cared so much. Having advanced his own rank, he no longer placed as much importance upon recruiting Dian Huifang. It was especially annoying because of all the trouble trying to recruit her had caused. Sage didn’t care to even negotiate. He merely gave them an ultimatum, “Dian Huifang can do as she wishes. It seems that the position I was offering her was not properly appreciated and the Dian Clan would rather force their members to break their word than uphold a promise.”

He’d already wasted two years on this silly errand. He no longer needed sixth rank cultivators as badly as before. Certainly, every one he could get would strengthen his side, but now that he was stronger and he had a friend among the Thundercloud Sect, he didn’t care to devote so much attention to the Dian Clan anymore. He had many better things to do.

The Dian Clan Elders were enraged by his insult, but he merely bowed to them and said his farewells. Leaving Dian Huifang behind and leaving without any further ado. He learned that Songji had long ago taken the airship and returned to Lionheart Town so Sage didn’t have a majestic vehicle to leave on, but he was in too much of a hurry to care. With a little trickery, he avoided the people sent to tail him and used a Warp Worm to disappear into thin air. He tunneled out of Flying Wind Province and made his way back to Lionheart Town to get a proper status report.

Entering Lionheart Town, he was surprised at how thriving everything seemed to be. The population of the city seemed to have increased by quite a bit and he saw many more people walking the streets than in the past. Yet, that wasn’t the most stunning change. What most caught the eye was the dozens of airships flying to and from the city. There was even a large spire at the edge of town where a half dozen airships were moored a hundred feet into the air. Laborers were loading and unloading chests of goods from the ships, and there was a steady flow of carts and wagons entering the bottom floor of the large building.

Just as Sage was admiring the efficiency of the workers, he suddenly heard a loud voice, “You still have the gall to come back? Where the hell have you been!?”

He turned around and saw a large group of Dragoons escorting a woman with a slim and delicate frame. Even though she had quite an ample chest, no one was brave enough to dare look at it. She always seemed to have a calm face, but there was a furious fire in her eyes. She was currently glaring at Sage and even though she was much smaller than him, he felt like he was looking up at a giant. So much for the pride of a Nascent Soul. Where did she learn to be so scary?

“Wan Ling! I was just coming to look for you. I was wronged by the Thundercloud Sect! They nearly killed me for trying to recruit someone that’s a family member of their Sect member and I had to spend two years saving my own skin.”

He immediately tried to explain himself, but Wan Ling saw right through him, “Hmph, you think half-truths will work on me? You better not have come back empty handed. Airships may be much cheaper than Flying Ships, but there’s still a limit on how many can afford them. Come on, we have a lot of business to discuss!”