Nobody here likes you, you know, said Taalay out of the blue. Your alliance, that is. I think I like you just fine.
Really? Devon asked. Why dont you like us? What have we done?
You showed up out of the blue, a clear threat. And the timing wasnt great either. Plans were being made to expand further into the system, and then you showed up and we all had to huddle here, behind our barrier.
Devon avoided mentioning that their barrier didnt really mean anything. Not if the alliance truly meant them harm, at least. His job was to deal with safety and cultivation related exchanges. It was better not to talk too much and ruin political gains or make promises they would have to keep. On the other hand, speaking too little could also have a negative effect as well. How unfortunate, Devon admitted. We didnt really choose the timing. It was just when we happened to find you.
Why were you even looking?
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It wouldnt be much of a Lower Realms Alliance if we stuck to a tiny portion of the lower realms, now would it? Devon asked. Though ultimately, he didnt know how far they could potentially reach. Their neighborhood of the lower realms was already massive, and it should stretch far beyond the territories of the Exalted Quadrant and the Trigold Cluster. But the name fit better than The Alliance of Systems in the Lower Realms Vaguely Near Two Great Powers. But I was about to ask a question. What do you call it?
Call what? Sect Head Taalay asked, his bushy silver eyebrows raising and indicating he had some idea.
Your stage beyond Life Transformation. We call it Assimilation. The name revealed something about their methods and their thought patterns- but it was hardly secret.
Anchoring, Taalay replied.
Interesting, Devon said. That implied being connected to a place, but it could also be an idea. And in another way, it was an alternate to Ascension, so being Anchored to the lower realms also made sense. Some day, I look forward to discussing the principles behind it.
You really think that will happen?
We dont have to be enemies, Devon said. And were not going to assume everyone from Vrelt acts together. Even before it was demonstrated otherwise.
So youre saying when it happens, you want me to choose your side.
Devon shrugged. You can interpret it that way if you wish.
How strong are you? Taalay asked.
Im not hiding that, if you thought I was, Devon said.
I didnt mean just you. But I suppose its a bit early to start asking how many Assimilation cultivators exist in your alliance
Devon smiled, Im absolutely not at liberty to answer that question.
It cant just be the three of you. The first one to approach was different Taalay nodded. And it would be quite irresponsible to send the majority of your cultivators to this place, if you knew anything but I suppose we should return to matters we can speak about clearly. The exchange of techniques.
Indeed, Devon said. Weve prepared a number of lower level techniques. You can distribute them as you wish, though of course you should use your discretion on who receives them. We cant promise you will get exclusive copies of anything, but being first is still valuable. Id suggest going through them all yourself first, because even if they wont be able to replace your higher level methods there are valuable principles within.
Taalay nodded, understanding there was something more. Devon was certain that soon enough, he would find certain perception techniques among everything else, and if he made proper use of them he would discover some things. Hopefully, he had enough discretion to simply take note of what he found instead of rashly acting upon it. Though everyone was ready to flee at a moments notice if necessary. They obviously didnt want to abandon their hosts, but if they provoked half the world thee Assimilation cultivators likely couldnt help the Supreme Silver Sect.
-----
As was always the case in recent years, Antons path led him back to Akrys. He was taking more of an observer role, as pushing the coalition to advance too quickly could cause issues of its own. Besides, he wanted their advancement to naturally fit them. Already, they were developing alternate forms of weapons and tools for their own use. They were of all different shapes and sizes to assist people with their favored activities- made for those without hands and with vastly different bodies. Some were made for generic use, which was to say only controlled by natural energy and not held by the body at all.
Even with the coalition growing rapidly, tools were still relatively foreign to the people, and there were even fewer to make them. Chief among them was Clang, a hippopotamus that had taken to being a smith with relish- enough to change his name, even. Compared to smiths Anton knew, his skills were clumsy. But on the other hand, the smiths Anton knew had been working for at least twenty times as long as he had. Clang had only really taken to the job within the last handful of years.
Arrowheads today, is it? Anton asked. Clang nodded, but kept working. Even with Spirit Arrows being a freely distributed technique, physical arrows still had value. Especially for lower tier cultivators, who couldnt afford to spend as much energy. Many of the local cultivators had taken to cultivation methods that focused more on the body than the development of natural energy. But they could also understand the value of attacking from a distance, for battle or for hunting.
Hunting was an odd topic, with the coalition picking up sapient members from a wide variety of species. With carnivores among them, they had to consume meat, and none of them really questioned that. Instead, the general consensus had been that they tried to ignore mundane members of their former kind. Those who could think tended to consider themselves as something else entirely from the beasts. There would be some concerns if sapience emerged from a group that didnt have it previously, but at the current point of development it seemed to only exist in complete communities or not at all. It was still a strange situation, but that was for the locals of Akrys to work out among them.
After watching the smith for a while, Anton sought out the other craftspeople. He liked to see people making practical things. In the locals current state of development, that also meant a minimum amount of adornments like jewelry or clothing. For them, both were mainly ornamental- though armor and thus padding underneath it was starting to find some popularity. It was a bit awkward for some furred individuals, but they either dealt with it or shaved parts of their bodies to compensate.
Watching people move around for even a short time made it clear how different they were from animals in many ways- they always had been, and Anton simply had given them a boost in developing more methods that distinguished themselves.
On that topic, even some of the void ants adorned themselves with small things- except for the Great Queen who felt no need to distinguish herself. He noticed her approach, along with a number of others.
Seeing their trajectory, Anton went to meet them. Were you looking for me?
Indeed, the Great Queen signed. We came for you. I am here to introduce you to two of my daughters, she gestured. One of them will be the primary queen for our first colony here. And the other will be the first to enter the upper realms.
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I see, Anton nodded, observing them carefully. If he paid attention, he could pick out tiny details of size and form to differentiate between the two. Which one will do which?
I dont know yet, the Great Queen said. That is something that we will determine in the next decades. Both Crossed Antennae and Fearsome Mandibles have potential.
Antons eyes widened. You actually named your daughters?
You know me, the Great Queen said. No. They chose to have names, and picked their own. It seems they were influenced by the locals. The Great Queen performed the equivalent of a shrug. I will admit it is convenient though void ants elsewhere will not be used to names for the most part.
I still find it amazing that you stay organized. Even pheromones must be limited for identification, and there are a vast number of you
But not all of us are individuals, the Great Queen reminded Anton. Many never achieve that potential.
Anton nodded. How do you feel about the locals in that regard?
I find it more odd that they seem to be born with the spark of thought, the Great Queen admitted. Though perhaps we will find that some develop it later. Regardless, it would not affect my treatment. Our more menial members are still a valuable part of our structure, not to be disposed of for no reason. I am quite certain things are different here, though.
Genetics doesnt seem to be a predictor, however, Anton frowned. Theres a lot of very confused scientists who want to flood this place.
Too bad for them, the Great Queen said. Anyway, I was only here to introduce these two. Say hello to Anton, girls.
Crossed Antennae performed something like a bow. My mother has said great things about you. I am honored.
Fearsome Mandibles walked right up to Anton, comically small compared to him. You dont look that tough.
Anton smiled, bending down and flicking her ten meters away. Anton could see she was very confused at the result, most likely assuming she would absorb any energy he used.
I bet she thought she could dodge, Crossed Antennae explained.
She most likely thought your energy would give you away, the Great Queen agreed. But she forgot that you still outclass her with only your body. I must go instruct my foolish daughter so she doesnt get herself killed by taking on something out of her league. Take care.
You too, Anton said. Good luck with that one.
Anton didnt want to be negative but he thought maybe the Great Queen should consider having another daughter or two as options for the important roles they were expected to take over. Then again, the one he expected to be most objective with her assessments of fitness was the Great Queen herself. Clearly, she saw something he didnt.
-----
How is everything going? Devon asked Aerona.
Werent you listening? she raised an eyebrow.
A guard doesnt necessarily overhear everything and I wasnt the only shift. Besides, Id rather hear your opinion.
Were finally going to meet with other sects besides a few minor ones that were hoping to be taken over by us. So thats something, Aerona shrugged.
Too bad we can absorb those smaller groups, but taking over bits and pieces of their planet doesnt seem like the best way to endear ourselves to the locals, Devon said.
I very much agree. People are already chomping at the bit, eager to take us out.
Theres a lot to be learned from who is reacting, especially in official capacities, Devon said. I have a new overview for you.
... You were using that technique? Aerona asked. I didnt even notice.
Devon made an extremely thin chain. Imagine looking for one of these many kilometers away. Its not supposed to be easy to detect. Though its a bit awkward containing it inside the barrier. I cant do it too often or Taalay will figure out Im up to something.
That might not be so bad, Aerona pointed out. Im sure he suspects all of us are up to something to begin with. Simple spying might settle his nerves, if he find out.
Perhaps, Devon said. I still dont know if hes practiced any of those techniques yet. Maybe he hasnt found the right people though.
Or he thought they were worthless.
Hes not stupid, Devon shook his head. All of those were there for a reason. Some, as tantalizing tastes of forbidden knowledge. And some as bait of another kind.
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