Chapter 244
If Vincent had been anywhere else, he would have been happy to recruit most of the people he saw into the Order. Even if they were a bit older, many had already reached several stars of cultivation. With the improvements in energy around the Order itself, he figured most of them could reach late Body Tempering.
But the factors were quite different from a normal visit to a town. This was one of Antons projects, so Vincent was not terribly surprised that everyone was already cultivating. The man had a talent for guiding people through the early ranks of cultivation- and Vincent imagined that would stretch ever onward as Anton himself grew.
That didnt mean Anton could magically grant everyone talent. Some people might never go beyond one or two stars in their entire life, but most people didnt even complete the first step of cultivation whether or not they had the opportunity put in front of them.
Anton encouraged everyone to do whatever else they would be doing, but better due to the effects of good health and some control of energy. Living a normal life, elevated somewhat. Farmers produced more and better crops. Weavers refined higher quality cloth. Blacksmiths worked more quickly and with more precision. Even merchants who got by primarily through thinking and talking could temper their brain, though that required care.
The difficulty for many people was finding the spare time to cultivate to begin with. If a common laborer had a few free moments, they would rather relax at a bar instead of spending it training. Even when they were able to integrate training into their normal work, the additional fatigue was off putting to many. The only thing that kept some people going was seeing the results of others. Anton did his best to encourage everyone, but there was only so much he could do.
Vincent paid close attention to how Anton worked. If he only promoted cultivation, he could have easily formed an elite class that took over. The fact that he was starting with those in the lowest positions helped prevent that, as well as his other teachings. He strongly encouraged helping and promoting others.Ñøv€lRapture marked the initial hosting of this chapter on Ñôv€lß¡n.
Currently, Anton was speaking with a warehouse manager who was having trouble understanding some of the ideas. I do not understand why I should pay for workers who are doing nothing, the man complained.
Training isnt nothing. It will make them more efficient at their work, Anton said.
And I will pay them for that work, when they do it. If they wish to train themselves, I wont stop them.
It is clear it has been some time since you performed any labor yourself, Anton gently replied. Vincent was certain that Anton knew the man probably hadnt ever had to labor himself, and was simply being generous. One more hour of work is just one more hour. But if that energy can be devoted to improvement, you will see interest in the future.
Even if I waste my money on them, the man said, Once they grow strong they will simply leave me behind.
Some of them might, Anton acknowledged. But if they are treated well, most will treat you well in return.
Now, I know a question that is on all of your minds, Anton continued. What of the Order? Arent we supposed to defend Graotan, defend you? The answer is we will, but we cannot be everywhere. And Im sure you dont want the Order interfering with you over smaller matters. If someone who cultivates gets too rowdy at a pub, you dont want a trained soldier to have to come deal with him. Better if the pub owner or some of the other patrons can settle that properly, Im sure well all agree. Im sure wed all be happier if nobody ever got in conflict with each other, but to my knowledge that isnt possible to achieve. So do be aware of your power and that of those around you, and use it properly.
The very last thing Anton wanted was for anyone trained by him, either directly or indirectly, to cause a major incident. But even if he could focus on just one group of people, he couldnt see into the deepest inner workings of everyones minds and see what made them tick. He could do a half-decent job of it though, weeding out those who just wanted to be stronger to use that power to control others. There were other cultivation techniques available for them, but theyd have to find them without Antons help.
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Alva stood tall and proud next to her grandfather. She had grown out of being a child and was now a proper young woman. Her training was going exceptionally well, especially since she didnt have to hold back on account of potentially causing harm to a developing body. While she might change somewhat in the coming years, she was now fully seventeen years old. Some people would consider her an adult, while others wouldnt- until they knew she was a cultivator.
There was something about riding around a giant wolf and having the ability to pick up a small house that made people willing to accept you as an adult. Alva knew that most houses wouldnt actually hold together if someone tried to pick them up, but that wasnt the point. The point was that she was now in mid Spirit Building, on the border with the late stage. She was strong, and proud!
But if she got too proud shed find herself flopped onto her butt when she sparred with her grandfather. While she was technically closer to him in terms of stars, he was in Essence Collection and that was a gap that was difficult to deal with. That didnt even count the weird techniques he had to call on extra energy. She talked him into telling her about them, thinking there was some trick and there was. It wasnt that he was hiding it from her, but Fleeting Youth just wasnt going to work. She had no idea what it was like to be old, and her brushes with death had been more on the physical peril end than watching her friends and family grow old and fade away.
Alva grimaced as she considered the fact that there were different kinds of familiarity with death that people could have. The unfortunate thing about life was that it was inevitably tied to death, but as a cultivator Alva was going to do her best to minimize some of the possible avenues for herself and others she cared about.
When can I fight alongside you? Alva asked. I feel like Im never going to be good enough.
Thats not true, her grandfather quickly responded. Youre good enough. She rolled her eyes. He said that, but I just havent had anything I needed to do. Just isolated training. Its good for me, roaming about teaching people, but even then Im sure Ill need more practical experience soon. You and Fuzz can come along.
Oh. Alva didnt quite know what to say. That sounds good.
Her grandfather grinned at her, as if reading her every thought. Perhaps he was, because his training in Insight and Earthly Connection were both very strong. In fact, I was thinking of making a trip rather soon. My business will be perfectly peaceful. Alva couldnt help but frown. So, of course, expect to be attacked several times at least. At least until we get close to the Frostmirror Sect. Then Id expect people to be more cautious.
Alva could have tried to hide her excitement, but that would have just resulted in her grandpa teasing her with things like not getting to come along. And whether or not he actually meant it, it would hurt to think it for a second. So Alva simply nodded enthusiastically. Great! When do we go?