While he waited to hear the results of what happened with the ascender’s corpse, Anton returned to an area he had passed up. He hadn’t exactly been avoiding the area around Arbington, but his travels hadn’t brought him close. Perhaps his sense of time was getting screwed up even more, as seven years and around a third of his cultivation career didn’t feel like all that long. Then again, time had a way of slipping from your fingers when times were relatively peaceful.

Anton was quite pleased to find that everyone he was searching for was still present. He was still quite some distance off, but he found Idalia and Hiram quickly. Even Sasho and Trix were somewhat pleasant to see, since that meant their rehabilitation had worked well enough.

The thing that pleased him most was that Hiram noticed his approach. Not immediately, but a reasonable distance away. Few people had the sort of range Anton did, and in late Spirit Building it would have been close enough to Anton’s limit for him to properly defend himself. The man immediately changed his route to intersect with Anton, though that involved very little effort.

“Anton! You’ve returned. It has been… quite some time.” Hiram bowed respectfully as Anton approached. “I thought we might never meet again.”

“Every meeting could be the last. But something led me back here. Well, Aicenith in general. Nothing calls me to Arbington except for people I wanted to visit.”

“I’m sure everyone will be glad to see you’ve returned,” Hiram nodded. “You changed the future of this place. From one under the thumb of bandits to… well, at least we can live our lives.”

“How are things with the Gray Rock Sect?” Anton asked, knowing that they still had members nearby. What took some a day to travel was potentially within Anton’s senses, though only a small slice at a time.

“They have been holding onto what position they can. I don’t think they understand how many of us are ready and willing to fight. Alas, your predictions were correct. I am not strong enough to take revenge alone just yet, and the others… most don’t have a grudge worth risking their lives. So I wouldn’t ask it of them.”

Hiram had advanced to late Spirit Building over the past eight or so years. Anton knew that was quite impressive, even though his own advancement had been somewhat more smooth. He had the resources of a sect to rely on though, abundant natural energy and proper training resources. Though the area around them was beginning to grow in spiritual energy, it was still below the level of what most sects would settle for when choosing a location. Likewise, the various townspeople weren’t so intrinsically connected, except by the origins of how they learned cultivation. Namely, from Anton. It had taken a few years to begin the process and he’d honestly only made progress with the best, but it seemed they had managed to continue teaching each other to some extent. That was the ideal, a society able to grow in cultivation together without being greedy.

But if people needed personal benefit from others cultivating, the general growth of the region’s energy and the efficiency of other workers would be just that. As he passed through the area he saw many people taking advantage of leisure time, even in the middle of the day. Some were actually cultivating, but while cultivation was certainly hard work it was nearly always satisfying. The rewards of growing stronger were tangible to those who attained each step of cultivation and were something that could not easily be lost with a bad harvest or the ravages of age.

“How has your cultivation been, Hiram?” Anton asked.

“Quite well, with only a few lasting troubles. Perhaps you can provide some advice…” Hiram began to explain, and he would be the first of many who sought out advice.

While Anton would have liked to show up with all new techniques for everyone, all he had was a little more experience in cultivation. As far as the areas people were training, their specialized practice outweighed Anton’s more abundant overall experience. He didn’t mind that. In fact, he took heart in it. Nearly everyone was comfortable talking with Anton about their cultivation, since he gave them the knowledge to begin with. If they were stuck, simply explaining it might allow them to have some insights if Anton wasn’t able to specifically provide advice.

-----

“I think it is time,” Hiram said to no one in particular- though Anton and Idalia were both close enough to easily hear.

“Time for what?” Idalia asked.

“Revenge,” Hiram declared. “I would not wish to push your assistance too far, senior Anton, but… if all goes according to plan, you would merely be a deterrent force.”

“I am happy to help a righteous cause,” Anton replied. “But of course I would like to hear through all of it.”

“Yes, well… in my heart I would like to slaughter the whole sect. But I do not think that would be the best for anyone involved. The Gray Rock Sect is corrupt and has been oppressive, but they still represent a decent measure of power. They possess a number of late Spirit Building elders who could match me. They are cowards who would not risk themselves against a single Essence Collection cultivator, but that is not the point. Engaging in a direct battle would result in losses on both sides, even if we could combine the power of the whole region against them.” Hiram shook his head, “Just those who have been personally wronged by them beyond simple ‘taxes’ would not be enough. It doesn’t have to go that far though.”

“What was your plan?” Idalia asked.

“It is simple. We will call out the corrupt among them. I specifically recall the faces of the disciples who killed my wife. I will challenge them, and others will bring their own grievances. If they refuse outright… we shall simply have to wait. Then when the time comes, I intend to slaughter them all or drive them out of the region.” He bit his lip, “Though the first sounds more brutal, if they shelter criminals so easily it is better for the world.”

“It also gives them the chance to foist wrongdoing on just those specifically mentioned,” Anton nodded. “I think I get it. They must understand the rising power around them.”

“Exactly. And if they simply think to wipe us out… I was hoping you would provide your aid. Just having you standing on our side would be a major factor. You don’t have to do anything.”

“If they don’t act, I won’t… but if they intend to silence you, I see no reason to hold back. The only question is whether or not I should be present as a threat. They’re more likely to attack if they think you have no backing, but… is provoking them into a conflict the right option?” Anton had an idea of his own answer, but everyone would consider different factors.

“I would like it if you were there openly as a reminder that they are not the only sect in the world. In fact, they are worth so little they could only lord over this region until a determined bandit showed up, when they fled with their tail between their legs.” Hiram stomped his foot for emphasis. “A fact I would like to remind them of, but the group I have been working with would prefer not getting into open conflict. And there’s that invasion to consider. While I don’t place much hope on them, if the Gray Rock Sect produced an Essence Collection cultivator or two in the next decades… it’s probably better to leave them somewhat intact.”

Anton nodded, “An unpleasant thought, but exterminating people is not always an appropriate response. I can’t say for sure that turning a blind eye to what their disciples have done is appropriate, but once human life has been lost there’s no way to bring it back.”

“And it would weaken us,” Idalia said. “It’s best if they stay around somewhat less powerful, to deter anyone else who might want to move into the region to try to take over.”

That was a major factor in the minds of many. None were fond of the Gray Rock Sect, but they knew there were many who were worse. Even if they wouldn’t stand up against a powerful enough group just moving in like Birita did, those who weren’t local wouldn’t necessarily know that. It was better to have them as a sort of buffer.

“Well then,” Anton said. “The general idea is sound. Talk to the others so we can begin the arrangements, and find out whatever we are missing.”

-----

The general idea of storming up to the sect and demanding duels was a nice thought, but it could easily be construed as an attack. It wouldn’t take much for things to just become a battle regardless of anyone’s preferences. Thus, sending a messenger became the choice. The intention was to arrange for a specific date to settle grievances. As for why it would be taken seriously, the messenger was a large part of that.

Anton inspected the stone buildings that made up the Gray Rock Sect. They had a few hundred members total, mostly in Body Tempering from the feel of it. A couple dozen in Spirit Building, with two in at the peak. Perhaps they had planned to wait a decade to complete their advancement and deal with Birita, though whether that increase in strength would have helped would have depended on how her lieutenants advanced to support her.

The guards at the gates, standing atop stone towers, called down to Anton. The man who spoke was firm in his tone, but Anton knew he was terrified inside. “Halt. What business do you have with the Gray Rock Sect?”

Some cultivators who were strong enough didn’t do well with commands of any sort, but Anton wasn’t so petty as to react negatively to a guard doing his job. He wasn’t going to act timidly, however. He let his energy be a bit more clear, so the guards could be certain they weren’t mistaken about his power. “I bring a missive on behalf of many local residents.” Anton unfurled a scroll. “It lays out grievances against the Gray Rock Sect that they wish to address personally.”

The guards of course were not qualified to provide any sort of answer to Anton, but one did take the scroll, which was quickly sealed with Anton’s energy to prevent it from being tampered with along the way. Not that it would benefit a random guard to do so.

“I will return in three days for your response,” Anton explained. “I look forward to it.”

The ultimatum Anton delivered detailed more than just grievances, but whether or not certain individuals would accept monetary compensation. Loved ones couldn’t be brought back, but not everyone wanted to fight even if they had learned to cultivate. Likewise, a disciple of the sect might not be eager to get into a battle with a group eager for revenge. Then there was the implicit threat of Anton’s presence, and while they didn’t know exactly what extent he was backing up the locals it would make them think carefully.

-----

The Gray Rock Sect had to agree to the format offered. Elder Anuja didn’t like it, but she’d sensed the late Essence Collection aura on the missive. However, they had offered some slight modifications. She knew that the local populace had grown greatly in cultivation over the last years, but she didn’t know how to judge their strength. Thus, a format that might be best for everyone was decided. It was more or less a tournament, but the strongest would be first in line. That included one Hiram, who had nearly reached her own level in that time. He had a death grudge with several disciples.

The crazy thing was he agreed to fight them all at once. They were only in early or mid Spirit Building, but even so… fighting several at once could be a great disadvantage. That suited the Gray Rock Sect though. The results of the event would be greatly influenced by the first few battles. If it was a series of battles intended for entertainment then the fights were in the wrong order… but if people with more minor grievances were to be given the option to surrender, they needed to see the results of battles that were going to happen anyway.

Anuja hoped that the Gray Rock Sect would win the first rounds to deliver a morale blow to the others, but her hope was just that. Especially since a cultivator like the one who had delivered the missive could just make whatever declarations they wanted and nobody could stop him. Maybe if the entire sect was willing to sacrifice itself, but who would be willing to make the first move? Not her, and anyone weaker would hardly last a second.

Elder Anuja sensed something disturbing along the road ahead. Yet she didn’t jump to conclusions. In fact, she could easily sense the aura of Gray Rock Sect members there. As she rounded a bend with the others, she found her theory correct. There was a bundle of people there, all unconscious and uncomfortably tied together. Atop it was a note.

“Seems some people snuck out at night. You can have them back.”

Personally, Elder Anuja thought it was a good sign. Not that they’d had disciples sneaking away to flee from the event, but the fact that they were alive. The disciples in question hadn’t exactly been gently knocked unconscious, but that was their own problem to deal with. Their loss would ultimately be the Gray Rock Sect’s… not gain, really. It wasn’t even a neutral outcome. They would probably die and bring the sect shame, but that was better than angering a powerful cultivator. Some cultivators thought shame was worse than death, but most of them were already dead. The rest were willing to put up with inconveniences for something they couldn’t get back.

Besides, they weren’t guaranteed to lose, right? Though Elder Anuja had to admit that the others traveling with her weren’t exactly enthusiastic after de-entangling the pile of half a dozen people. They were the ones who made the wrong people angry though, when they should have known better. That was her justification, at least. Either way, she intended to make sure nobody had reason to come after her in particular, and the other elders doubtless felt the same.