There was a sense of panic that spread out as the looming threat of war returned. In a way it was more problematic because of the uncertainty behind it. There was no guarantee of when, where, or even if there would be a war. But there could be, and people didn’t just revoke pacts preventing them from going to war unless they meant to take advantage of that fact.

Yet months had passed with no further sightings of ships from the Exalted Archipelago, and it was impossible to remain on high alert forever. For the moment there was an agreement to have ships patrolling the borders closest to the Exalted Archipelago, though it was possible that people would soon grow tired of financing an effort that didn’t appear to be protecting them. Ambati would no doubt feel more secure, but as much as fleets patrolling to the west would protect the entire continent of Brogora, it wouldn’t seem like that to those who didn’t share the borders.

Plans were under way to attempt to scout the Exalted Archipelago, but even the ‘friendly’ portion where the Worthy Shore Society was might be a risk to approach. Even if others didn’t spot them coming, the Worthy Shore Society would already understand what they wanted to know and had chosen not to reveal more, likely to protect themselves.

With the topic of naval combat arising, Anton had been inspired to visit Paradise. Not because he thought the giant creature would interfere with battles between locals- even if it would, he wouldn’t want to risk it taking the wrong side- but because he had some free time before he was going to set out for a deployment among the sea scouts. And as he’d continued to cultivate over the decades, he began to understand how strong inspiration could be, some sort of intuition about a path forward.

The existence of teleportation formations between the continents had done nothing to reduce the number of ships traveling back and forth. After all, the expenses of the formations meant that they were only efficient in terms of time. Storage bags still had to be taken into account for how much they could transport, and thus the slower sea routes were still efficient for shipping large quantities of goods of any kind.

Trade had only been increasing as people began to understand the extent of the different resources that they could offer each other, and merchants were glad to make use of the opportunities available. As the knowledge about the other continent had been intentionally severed the cycle before, the new trade routes were barely getting started.

It was simple enough to get a ride on a ship that would be going past Paradise, with the old turtle being back on his route. Paradise was still considered lucky, so even if it took them a day or two out of their way most ships were happy to do it. It seemed that ships that took a stop at paradise had a higher chance of arriving successfully at their destination, and while those taking the southern routes didn’t have the chance the northern route had a steady flow.

Given Paradise’s predilection to occasionally dive under the sea, permanent structures upon his back took more work to put into place. They weren’t impossible of course- plants managed to thrive upon his shell. It simply took extra work, and the Island Tenders were reluctant to add too much.

When he landed, Anton saw that the ranks of the Island Tenders had swelled significantly. Before it was just a loose group of individuals dedicated to taking care of the area, but it had developed into a proper sect, with their own techniques. Anton could sense the five central ‘hills’ were occupied by them, while the four on either side had room for visiting cultivators. The port was at the front, nestling atop the shell where a number of movable docks usually stood. When Paradise dove sections of them could be removed so that they would not have to deal with the lifting drag of the dive.

“Grand Elder Anton,” the captain of the ship spoke as Anton departed. “Will you be continuing on with us afterwards?”

Anton shook his head. “No, I am not sure how long I will take, after which I will be heading back to Brogora.”

“Good luck with your cultivation, then,” the man bowed his head.

“And you as well,” Anton smiled. “Make sure to keep practicing your domain control.”

After taking in the people and the changes to the island, Anton focused on why he was present. At least, one of the reasons. Perhaps there was another layer he didn’t understand yet, but there was something obvious to look over first.

Paradise was strong. World-alteringly strong, in fact. It was well known that humans followed different rules from beasts, but with proper cultivation humans could overcome most beasts, even those with strong bodies and the use of natural energy. Yet there were many exceptions, with the most notable examples being from the ocean which was relatively untamed. It was easier to support a large form in the sea, and natural energy took that to the extreme.

That was the part that interested Anton. Because while Paradise had power beyond the strength of a Life Transformation cultivator, he only used natural energy. A massive amount of it, but there had to be something behind that. It was already known where it came from. The ecosystem on his back provided much of it, but that couldn’t be all of it. After all, Anton had stood in areas with greater concentrations of natural energy, but that didn’t mean he could use all of it.

On previous trips he hadn’t paid much attention to the underside of the shell. Not what was inside- the main body of the creature- as sensing the internals of a living creature was quite difficult. Instead, all the way around and underneath on the belly. It seemed to be somewhat smoother, though Anton could have blamed that on faulty recollections. He thought that might be worth exploring, though before he did anything else he should at least check in with the Island Tenders. He was planning to stay for at least a few days, and as a Grand Elder of the Order it would be rather rude to not at least acknowledge the controlling sect in the area.

He made his way directly uphill to the frontmost location. He had considered it a mere formality, but as he arrived a disciple came up to him. “Grand Elder Anton? Of the Order of Ninety-Nine Stars?”

“That’s right,” Anton replied.

“The Island Head would like to meet with you, if it is convenient.”

“Of course,” Anton nodded. “Where should I go?”

“The central hill,” the woman said, handing him a token that radiated some natural energy. “I’m sure you can find your way once you are close, but I can guide you if you wish.”

“I will do just fine without guidance, thank you,” Anton inclined his head.

He had no need to refuse the guidance, but he could already sense his destination… and since there was a message waiting for him, he could assume the Island Head had likewise sensed him. A pretty decent range, but of course this was the territory of the Island Tenders so it was to be expected.

He took the low route between the ‘hills’ so he would not have to go up and down so much- or directly past residences and the structures the sect had set up. When he reached the center he found an open pagoda where the Island Head waited. “I thought you said you weren’t making any permanent structures,” Anton commented.

“Times change,” Erin shrugged. “And we have to live somewhere. Most things are made from bamboo anyway. They’re not the weighty structures everyone has back on the continents. And… we did need to take in weaker disciples. Protected shelters were necessary for that. I think the formations are based off of the Luminous Ocean Society’s work.”

“That makes sense,” Anton nodded. “So, you are the Island Head now?” he said as he sat on one of the benches.

“I sort of fell into the role of leadership. Someone had to do it, and without direction we would just be a bunch of people living on a turtle. That was fine for a while, but we’ve needed to formalize things a bit.”

“Why call me over?” Anton asked. “I understand I’m a Grand Elder, but I didn’t come here specifically for any sort of diplomatic interaction.”

“That’s simple, you were one of the people who found Paradise,” she gestured around them. “It would be a shame to miss you.”

“Is this another one of those fortune things?” Anton asked.

“It could be. But part of it is also maintaining relations with a powerful acquaintance. I see your cultivation has continued to improve.”

“Mostly,” Anton agreed. “Though my cultivation has hit a roadblock recently.”

“And you chose to come here. You aren’t just passing through, right?”

“I’m not sure how long I’ll stay. Maybe I won’t learn much of anything. Though you should know more about Paradise than anyone else, so maybe you can help me figure out why I’m here.”

“Ah, one of those things. Well, where do you want to start?”

“I wish I knew,” Anton answered honestly. “I suppose I might as well start with something probably unrelated. I noticed that Paradise’s underside felt… smoother? I could be imaging it though.”

“Oh, that’s simple,” Erin nodded. She gestured to a strange lounging chair nearby, which seemed to have been made from two large shells jointed together. “The barnacles on Paradise had grown unreasonably large. It was determined that at a certain size they were no longer contributing to the ecosystem but instead detracting from it… and providing significant drag as well. So we began to remove them. This is one of the larger and more interesting varieties that we have found and it seemed a shame to just destroy them.”

“You swim underneath Paradise?” Anton asked.

“That’s right. Only the stronger of us, of course. The speed isn’t an issue directly, but it’s quite a distance underwater to the center. Want to try it?”

“Perhaps another time,” Anton shook his head. “It was just idle curiosity. I would be interested if you have any understanding of how Paradise makes use of all of his power… though of course that might be a sect secret.”

“It is not particularly secret. We don’t spread the word, but the information isn’t sensitive either. It can’t really be misused. He’s just… big. It’s not really more difficult for him to control the natural energy close around his body than it is for you.”

“That’s…” Anton thought for a few moments. “I suppose a larger dantian and meridians would be only natural. Though controlling unrefined energy seems as if it should be more difficult.”

Erin nodded slowly, “In truth, we don’t get that many opportunities to observe Paradise in action. Only a few times since the invasion has he done anything of note. But…” she swirled a bit of natural energy around her finger, “I’d say it still follows that same rule. He’s large enough to have great stores of his own energy supported within his body, so he can control more outward. Not really something most cultivators can aspire to. Size also doesn’t seem to be a factor on the human scale.”

“I was hoping for more than just that he’s big, has a lot of natural energy, and can use it,” Anton admitted. “But perhaps that’s a bit unfair.”

“Perhaps you might discover more during your time here,” Erin pointed out. “And there is some of our training that might benefit you. We generally avoid overusing the natural energy here… but we do have some techniques that empower us here.”

“That seems like it might be secret.”

“The full details, certainly,” Erin admitted. “But knowing we can do it… well, it’s not strange that a sect would have an advantage in their own territory. Even if we’re just tenants for a giant turtle.”

“Tenants?” Anton nodded. “I like that. You have to take care of the land and pay him his due. I’d like to think we do much the same on the continent, though without a giant turtle that can eat us if we screw it up. Specifically natural energy… it doesn’t just belong to whoever owns the land. At least, I don’t think it’s useful to think of it like that anymore, even if some always will.” Anton slowly spread out his senses to encompass the whole of Paradise. It was difficult to take in as just one thing, but that difficulty stimulated thoughts. Whether any of them would lead to practical improvements in his cultivation or a way to break through Anton didn’t know, but it was a worthwhile effort nonetheless.