Chapter 404
There was a period of tense and slow waiting between further messages. There were, in fact, further messages received in fairly short order- the problem was they hadnt really communicated yet. Originally there had been more than a dozen different potential communication methods, and of those three received usable messages all of which basically said she was trying to make things work. Their responses didnt seem to mean anything.nôvel binz was the first platform to present this chapter.
That led to quite a bit of confusion over the next few months before they finally got something like a response, and then some clear messages. Catarina carefully worded several of her messages and indicated they were all sent at the same time- and they also arrived at the same time within a small tolerance.
By that point, they had discovered a property that couldnt be overcome. Messages took approximately two months to travel in either direction, though multiple messages appeared to remain in transit on their own without interfering. In short, it was close to four months to send out a message and receive a reply, assuming the reply was instantaneous. Yet instead of anyone being disappointed by that news, they were elated.
Clear communication between the upper and lower realms requiring only a matter of months? That was far better than had been anticipated. It wasnt instantaneous like their communications between the continents, but it worked. The limitations meant it was nearly impossible to have any sort of discussion, but simply relaying information was possible.
There were more limitations. Unlike the messaging plates, it didnt require someone to be looking at something to get information, but there was only so much any one message could hold, and a limit to the number of messages that could wait to be viewed. So it still required someone- or several people- constantly on duty monitoring for incoming messages. But that was a small price to pay for the communication.
Ultimately, Catarina and Timothy had arrived safely. They arrived on a world not terribly different from their own. Language was somewhat different, but it didnt take long for high level cultivators to resolve the differences in speech. It did appear that they arrived in the Scarlet Midfields, which was about as good as they could hope. The Exalted Quadrant was unclear in terms of hostility, while the Trigold Cluster was strictly hostile. As for more detailed information, it was still forthcoming. There was only so much that could be said at once, and working out if the communication had worked at all and how had taken more than half a year. But at least the local cultivator groups appeared to be non-hostile, if not exactly friendly.
And there was one more piece of information that had been come across almost by accident. Information about Everheart, which was both unexpected and unsurprising in the end. Everheart had a tomb. The only surprise was that instead of a large number of them, there appeared to only be one though it seemed to occupy a rather large portion of a barren world.
As for getting between worlds in the upper realms? That information was yet forthcoming along with many other details people were curious about. It did seem to be possible though.
Meanwhile, Catarina had excitedly mentioned dozens of ways she could think of to improve their communication except she would need to work on both ends of their communication system. And while traveling between worlds in the upper realms seemed attainable, traveling from the upper to lower realms seemed impossible except in certain key situations.
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At least theyre fine, Anton said. No news on Fuzz yet, but apparently theyll be looking out for him.
I cant believe he ran off and left me here! Alva complained. Thats so like Fuzz.
Anton nodded, He wasnt willing to let himself hold you back. At least we should be able to get some information about the upper realms before you go. Others are eagerly awaiting that as well plus working communications. It seems only a few formation masters can put those together, and were still trying to keep it secret. Everythings kept in very secure areas so the Exalted Archipelago cant steal our information.
Im sure theyll figure it out eventually, Alva said. If its going to be used more, theyll inevitably steal it.
Anton nodded, There was some talk of selling it to them before that point. Its not my work, so I was only able to offer my opinion of caution. Though if we can move from our current situation to something like useful trade partners, it would be good. At long as we arent seen as some sort of emerging threat. Though perhaps only a small part of those in the upper realms are really aware of us Anton shrugged.
Who knows Alva shook her head. Hopefully we can learn enough before I go. As for you, grandpa Im sorry well be leaving you behind.
I dont want to diminish your own efforts, of course, Treloar continued. People dont just stumble into Life Transformation and Ascension by accident, no matter what information is available to them. And the dedication to building up your natural energy levels was certainly a determining factor in your success. It has made a number of us quite interested in keeping an eye on you for some time.
Anton hoped that meant there wouldnt be any further interference. Paying attention to what is going on in the world is always admirable, Anton said.
Indeed. Now, the next matter is simply a personal curiosity on my part. Feel no obligation to answer. It is about the organization of your Order. The Order of the Ninety-Nine- no, it should be One Hundred Stars. Is that alright, Grand Elder Anton?
I dont think theres anything particularly secret about our rankings, Anton agreed.
Well, it is simply a curiosity but why do you not have a sect head? It seems that a council of Grand Elders has done quite well for you all this time, but in certain circumstances having a leader to call upon can be useful.
Well, I hadnt thought about it all that much, Anton admitted. Traditionally, the wisest and most powerful Grand Elders have held more sway than the others. But I think that the actual reason is simply tradition. Ever since the founding of the Order and the discovery of our deficiencies weve only had the first Sect Head and a couple others. With nine Grand Elders and ninety elders, it fit quite well with the Ninety-Nine Stars.
Interesting, Treloar admitted. A reasonable enough result. And with your sects high internal unity, it was perhaps unnecessary to formally appoint a head. Ill admit, my own position does command respect but while I hold this position here, others are surpassing me. Gelens was a fine leader, but her talent didnt exactly lend itself to long term stability. So here I am, expected to last for a good half century at least without ascending or kicking the bucket.
That sounds less glamorous than one might expect.
Oh, Im really not going to complain, Treloar said. The resources afforded to this position are considerable, and I do in fact have a greater chance to ascend because of it. The loss of time performing important functions is more than made up for by the benefits. Obviously in the upper realms things are organized differently since it is assumed everyone will stay around for the rest of their long natural lifespans.
Really? Theres no upper-upper realm that cultivators pass on to beyond that?
If there is, theyve certainly done quite a good job keeping things secret from us down here. Not that anyone gets close enough to matter. There hasnt been a Domination cultivator in living memory, I believe.
Domination was new. Anton presumed that it should be after Augmentation, unless there were further unknown ranks. Perhaps he could find out. Wouldnt that mean that Fajra, of the Radiant Beauty Sect would be among the upper levels of power?
There is still quite a gap between those within the Augmentation stage, and their personal abilities are a great factor, Treloar said. There was a sparkle in his eye that said he was quite enjoying speaking as he was, and likely wished to say more but couldnt. That was Antons interpretation, at least.
I would not wish to run into one unbound by the shackles of the lower realms regardless, Anton said.
Nobody would.
Though Treloar didnt give up any information on the topic, the fact that ascension cultivators were weaker in the lower realms had been fairly obvious. The anti-ascension techniques helped further, but defeating the invaders didnt really indicate they could fight them on a level playing field. And with only a disorganized group of ascension cultivators making their way into the upper realms, they might be at risk. Though that information had been assumed from the beginning. The call of cultivation was undeniable, however. Anton looked up into the sky wistfully.