Aksai shifted his gaze toward the crowd before speaking further.
"In a few days," he said, his voice carrying across the hall, "the Erald Cove Guild will list all the resources it has to offer to drifting cultivators."
He raised a finger slightly.
"Each resource will have a clear contribution point price. After that, we will release the missions."
The hall grew quiet again, but this silence was mixed with a certain sense of excitent among the drifting cultivators.
"The missions may involve risks," Aksai continued. "So will have strict ti limits. So may involve conflict."
His eyes swept across the audience.
"But the risks will match the rewards," he said. "The higher the danger, the higher the contribution points."
Aksai's tone remained calm but firm.
"The Erald Cove Guild will not exploit drifting cultivators," he said. "But we will also not suffer losses for no reason."
A faint smile appeared on his face as he continued.
"We will not treat anyone as lesser because of their background," Aksai said. "Effort will be rewarded fairly, no matter which faction or organization you belong to."
As he spoke, his gaze lingered for a brief mont on the demonic cultivators seated among the guests. His smile deepened just a little.
The hall erupted into hushed excitent.
Many drifting cultivators clenched their fists in anticipation.
For the first ti in many years, they felt that they no longer had to rely solely on the Haan Di. They were especially uneasy at the thought of the Haan Di Lord dying in the near future.
After all, only the Haan Di Lord cared about drifting cultivators and made use of them. The rest of the Lords were busy leading their own sects.
A Lord was needed to lead these drifting cultivators in the Haan Di Lord's eventual absence, and Aksai filled that role perfectly.
Jian remained kneeling at the front, his heart pounding. He knew this was not just a role. It was a test, and he needed to do well in it to beco a permanent mber of Erald Cove.
Aksai then turned toward the raised seat where the Haan Di Lord was resting. He stepped forward and bowed deeply, his posture respectful and calm.
"Forgive for copying your concept and using it in my own way, Lord Haan Di," Aksai said sincerely.
"I have no intention of competing with you. While the Haan Di State is active on the mainland, we at Erald Cove have decided to focus on the Dadangar Archipelago.
"We wish to work alongside the Haan Di administration and coordinate with them to reduce any friction. I hope you won't mind."
For a mont, the hall remained quiet.
Then the Haan Di Lord let out a laugh, but it quickly turned into a rough cough. His thin body shook as he covered his mouth with his sleeve. The sound echoed through the hall, making many people tense. After a few breaths, he slowly cald himself and waved his hand lightly.
"I… I don't mind, young Lord Aksai," he said with a tired smile. "In fact, it is good that you are thinking about drifting cultivators."
His voice was weak, but his words were clear.
"I know you said that forming a sect feels too restrictive for you," he continued. "I understand that feeling. But I also know that sects have their own benefits. With rules and limits, it becos easier to control the masses."
He paused to take another breath before going on.
"And yet, you chose a different path," the Haan Di Lord said. "That alone tells a lot about you. I can only wish you good luck, as soone who has walked this sa road all his life."
His eyes dimd slightly as he spoke next.
"Let's be honest," he said softly. "I don't have much ti left in this world."
A faint sigh escaped his lips.
"So it is good to see that my successor, Sirina, will have an ally like you," he added. "The two of you should talk in private and set clear no-conflict rules between your two guilds. I will support both of you as long as I am still alive."
He laughed again, though this ti it sounded weaker. His face turned red from the long speech, and he leaned back into his seat, breathing heavily.
"Hahaha… talking this much really isn't for old n anymore," he said.
Aksai straightened from his bow, his expression serious and respectful. Many people in the hall looked at the Haan Di Lord with mixed feelings. So felt worry, while others felt a quiet sense of relief. But they all knew one thing clearly. The era was changing.
After the Haan Di Lord finished speaking, the other Lords on the raised platform stood up one after another.
The Purple River Lord clasped his hands and smiled. "Congratulations, Lord Aksai, on establishing the Erald Cove Guild. It is no small step."
Another Lord nodded. "Hahaha. It seems you are quite close with the Haan Di Lord, Lord Aksai. Maybe we should start treating you like a second Haan Di Lord."
More voices followed. So sounded warm. So sounded polite and distant. But all of them followed the sa rules and offered their greetings.
In their hearts, the Lords had mixed feelings.
They all controlled one of the Big Five Sects. Drifting cultivators were an important part of the resource flow in the Subcontinent. After all, talented drifting cultivators can always be turned into sect disciples by the well-established sects.
Furthermore, because Aksai did not have a sect, his guild also did not have set regional boundaries. Although Aksai had said that he would focus on the Dadangar seas, his guild couldn't just ignore the mainland for obvious reasons.
The Lords had tolerated the Haan Di Lord's existence because of the fact that Haan Di Lord was strong in his pri. It was also because of neutral state Haan Di's geographical advantage. But could they do the sa for an upstart Lord like Aksai who obviously had bigger ambitions than the Haan Di Lord.
In short, Aksai's guild would surely affect their interests in one way or another in the future. Still, none of them showed this on their faces.
After all, the Haan Di Lord was already at death's door.
The number of drifting cultivators would not suddenly increase. They would only change the way they earned their resources. From the Lords' point of view, this was acceptable, as long as the balance did not break.
Aksai returned their greetings calmly.
"Thank you for your kind words, Lords," he said with a light smile. "I hope Erald Cove and the other forces can coexist peacefully."
The mood in the hall eased.
The celebration continued. More guests ca forward to offer their blessings. Ti passed quietly as cups were raised, words were exchanged, and laughter echoed through the hall.
Then, the atmosphere slowly changed.
Four beautiful ladies stepped onto the raised platform. Their steps were light and in sync. They moved to the center and gently parted to the sides.
Between them walked a young and graceful woman. Her face was calm, and her eyes were lowered. In her hands, she carried a platter made of white jade.
On the platter rested a purple-red globe.
It looked like glass, yet it shimred like flowing liquid. Soft light moved inside it, changing shapes again and again. Even from afar, one could feel a strange pull coming from it.
Whispers spread through the hall.
"That is…"
"A Spirit Signature Globe."
Many Experts straightened their backs. Even the Lords showed interest.
This was a special Spirit item used by high-level cultivators, especially mid and late stage Experts. It could capture a person's Spirit signature and reflect it as an abstract image. The image was said to be shaped by one's nature, will, and path.
So even believed that the globe absorbed the thoughts and feelings of everyone around at the sa ti, making the image even more complete. After all, it was said that one's cultivation path also affected the others around them.
Such an item was often used when a Spirit cultivator wished to look into their true self and choose a Dao na.
The young woman stopped in front of Aksai and lowered the platter slightly.
At that mont, everyone understood.
Since Aksai had brought out this item, it ant only one thing. He was about to declare his Dao na.
The hall fell silent. All eyes focused on Aksai and the glowing purple-red globe before him.
Aksai stepped closer to the platter without any hesitation.
The young woman holding it lowered her head and took a small step back. The purple-red globe now rested alone between Aksai and the crowd.
Aksai placed both his hands on the smooth surface of the globe.
It felt warm.
He closed his eyes and slowly sent his Spirit Sense into it. His thoughts beca calm, and his breathing turned steady.
Even he was curious about his Individuality and his Dao na.
User Comments
0 comments from readers