Chapter 216: Martial Conference Begins (5)

Chapter 216: Martial Conference Begins (5)

Sky City, or rather, Grand Sky City, as it is unofficially known, is a large, sprawling metropolis, at least by the standards of the lesser lifeforms inhabiting it. Unlike Star City which does not have the backing of the most powerful sect to indulge in calling itself Grand flying here is not prohibited, except it is done through these kite-shaped flying vehicles called Solar Shuttles.

The sky is dotted with them, and though they are of varying sizes, on average they are about ten steps tall, thirty steps long, and twenty-five steps wide; they are shaped like spindles or wedges, with an aerodynamic form resembling delta-winged atmospheric-flight craft, though the resemblance to technologies I am familiar with ends there.

Though the lower part of these Solar Shuttles resemble the keel of a boat, the top surface is flat, and generally outfitted with such living amenities like pavilions, gazebos, and some larger ones even have modest buildings for rest and relaxation.

Interested in the kind of formation powering these craft, I direct my [Critical Analysis] ability at them but find out little more than a basic description of function, speed, and grade.

[ Solar Shuttle - Sky grade ]

[ Capable of autonomous flight at the speed of a Core Formation cultivator using a Heaven grade flying vessel. Consumes spirit stones to operate. ]

I dont even receive an insight into the artifice, presumably because I lack the appropriate facility in my Inner World to study it, or because most of my Inner World is still in ruins.

Are you interested in Solar Shuttles? my owner suddenly asks, catching me by surprise.

I no longer understand how or through which function she can read my thoughts or intentions I am not sure which.

Yes, I tell her, my [Telepathy] causing a slight quiver in my control over my aura, allowing a slip of [Avarice] to radiate outward, drawing gazes of the folk traversing the main, central street.

If we still had some of that spirit stone and spirit ore, I couldve maybe purchased one, she says. You want to study it, right?

More like I want to devour it, but studying is also part of the process.

Since she can already peek into my main process and knows the answer, I refrain from answering her.

On second thought, maybe it is not my [Avarice] that drew the attention of the townfolk, but the fact that my owner, to them, appears to be talking to herself, while holding her head high proudly.

Ever since she returned to the sect, after the princess incident, she has put a lot less effort into hiding me or trying not to interact with me in the presence of others. Perhaps saying that she is putting a lot less effort into it is the wrong way to phrase it. Its more like she no longer cares about it at all, and in a way I understand her.

It is not like sword cultivators to engage in subterfuge and clandestine means; like the sword, they are proud and forward in everything they do.

Zhu Xuelian? a voice calls out to my owner from the front and left, and she glances through the crowd to find the source.

Greetings, brother Sun, she says, nodding to Sun Yongzheng and then his companion. Brother Tian.

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Much appreciated, Lan Xiaohui says.

Sun Yongzheng nods to my owner, then to his companion, and they continue on their way, this time with another addition to the group.

So what sect did you come from, Sister Zhu? Sun Yongzheng asks.

You arent just a wanderer? Tian Li asks as if to dispel the most worrying possibility.

Technically, Lan Xiaohui is a wanderer, since she never learned anything from the sect she was technically a part of.

The Seven Killing Swords sect, my owner replies.

Sun Yongzhengs head jerks toward my owner with a fierce look in his eyes, but after a moment, his features soften.

Noticing this, Lan Xiaohui continues to explain. I was betrothed to the Sect Patriarchs son, but I had no interest in cultivation or martial arts at the time.

Ah, I see, Sun Yongzheng says, seemingly able to understand the implicit statement that my owner made that she has very little to do with that sect. My brother was also part of that sect.

You have a brother, Brother Sun? Tian Li asks.

I had one, yes, he says. He is no longer of this world.

Lan Xiaohui ponders. Brother Sun, could it be that your brother is Sun Zhen?

Sun Zhen? The prodigy cultivator simulacrum of my Inner World? I am ready to dismiss the possibility as a coincidence but quickly reconsider.

I dont know where Sun Zhen came from, but in the days I do not remember during which my consciousness was not yet formed apparently, there was a great calamity within the sect, and many disciples died, fighting over my possession. It stands to reason that mostly the talented and powerful could obtain me, and only those more powerful and more talented could obtain me from them.

You knew my brother? Sun Yongzheng asks, confirming my owners theory.

Lan Xiaohui nods. Then she shakes her head. No, I am sorry; I only heard of him.

The reason she nodded first was because she does, in fact, know his brother. She even met him, after his demise. Many times, in fact; she even spoke to him once or twice.

Sun Yongzheng nods. Lets discuss something else.

Lan Xiaohui nods and doesnt bring it up again while they walk the rest of the way to the estate that has been granted to the Galaxy Sword Sect.