Chapter 19

If it wasn’t for my memories of being Zhao I probably would have been shocked at the size of the dining hall. Because of those memories I knew that clans often held dinners in massive rooms. Part of this was because the clan head usually had multiple wives and a corresponding number of children. Another part was because meals were considered social events in this society. At least for someone like a clan head. In addition to their family, high ranking members of the clan would be present. And of course the omnipresent servants and guards were also present.

What did surprise me was that I found myself seated near the head of the table. Just a couple seats away from the clan head. Usually the closer to the clan head the more important you were considered.

I was a few minutes early so I was already seated by the time most of the attendees arrived. Fortunately dinner was served shortly after the clan head’s family and the elders arrived. I noted that elder Yui was not in attendance. I was guessing that was by choice. He didn’t seem like the type of man that enjoyed social events.

Surprisingly nobody talked to me during the meal. It made me wish that Emma had been seated closer to me. Unfortunately she was seated quite a few seats further down the table. Which made sense. Her talent as a life mage was a secret and she was only the niece of the clan head.

I nearly groaned when the meal was served and it was heavily meat based yet again. I loved a good steak. However, I didn’t like eating steak for every single meal. At this point I was craving some vegetables. Or even a salad, despite the fact that I generally disliked salads for meals.

Finally at the end of the meal the clan head turned to me. “I understand you have changed your name to Adam?” He said.

“Yes clan head. My old life is gone. A change of name felt right.” I replied.

The clan head nodded. “Call me Evan. I’d appreciate it if you would stay after the meal. The elders and I wish to talk to you about the role you will have here in the clan.” He asked, although I’d be foolish to take it as anything but an order.

After the dishes were cleared the servants and most of the guards in the hall left. The few guards that remained were obviously trusted with secrets. They checked that there were no eavesdroppers and then shut the doors.

Clan head Evan then took an item out of his pocket and put it in the center of the table. It was a small piece of metal with intricate engravings on it. I was a bit surprised when I realized that it was an enchantment. One of the elders then reached out and fed the enchantment mana and it lit up.

“That won’t stop a mage from listening in on our conversation. But it will indicate if anyone below the ninth level is doing so.” Evan explained when he saw me looking at the enchantment curiously.

Zhao had heard of such enchantments. Although he had never seen one in use. Of course it was only a mediocre version compared to what the central clans had. It could only indicate if a mage was listening in and not stop them. It also couldn’t detect level nine mages.

“I assume you have heard why we bought you from the central clans?” The clan head asked.

I nodded. “Emma told me that you want to raise enough powerful cultivators to become a mid clan. That will take a few generations but having a talented cultivator to father them is the first step.”

The clan head nodded. “We have mostly managed to keep that program hidden. However, a few of our enemies have realized our plans. Which is why they tried to kill you. I have to apologize for that attempt on your life. From now on we will take every precaution possible.”

“I understand. I assume in return for doing this I will get shelter and protection from clan Ashton?” I said just wanting to verify.

The clan head smiled. “Of course. If you have any requests we will also try to meet them.”

“Speaking of requests, I wanted to ask about the hundred magic beasts that were slaughtered yesterday. I understand that elder Yui gave the order. However, you were with him.” One of the elders said.

I had been expecting this line of inquiry ever since the enchantment had been set up. If we were just going to discuss me knocking up a bunch of maids there was no reason to take that precaution. Any enemies that were listening in probably already knew clan Ashton's plans.

“I had an ability activate when my core was shattered and I nearly died.” I said.

None of the elders looked very surprised. Such occurrences were rare but not unheard of. “And your ability had something to do with killing all those magic beasts?” The elder asked.

“Yes. I have access to a spatial storage area. It’s not like a spatial storage item though. It grows when I absorb life and death energy. I can also store living things inside. And it can use the life and death energy of anything inside to grow further.” I explained. All of this was stuff that I had told Emma earlier.

Most of the elders seemed dismissive of my ability. Although spatial storage items were rare and valuable they had little benefit in combat. Mostly they were status symbols for major clans. Occasionally they were used by merchants or by large clans to store emergency supplies.

A couple of the elders and the clan head seemed very interested though. “You said it can store living things inside? Would that include an attacking enemy? What is the range?” Evan asked.

Those questions caused most of the other elders to show at least a bit of interest. “I haven’t tested it yet but I don’t see any reason it can’t store a person inside. I’ve stored plants and animals inside so far. The range increases slightly as the space increases. Currently I can store anything I can see within roughly thirty feet.” I answered.

Evan looked very thoughtful. “It really is too bad that your core was shattered. With such an ability you would be nearly invincible against anyone at the same level. You could just store them in your space and deal with them later. Or even just let them starve to death. However, if you faced a powerful mage or cultivator that knew about this ability they could kill you before you could use it. If they don’t know about your ability then it could easily save your life.”

“Elder Yui probably realized the same when he learned about it. Which would be why he ordered a hundred magic beasts slaughtered so that Adam could absorb the energy.” One of the other elders said.

“That is curious though. Elder Yui has been very against this entire plan since it was first proposed.” One of the other elders said.

The clan head laughed. “He always talked about the risks of becoming a mid clan. After all the competition is fiercer and our enemies would likely become stronger. You forget though that Adam was a lightning cultivator. There is a decent chance we will have many second tier mages. Perhaps even a lightning cultivator or two. If that happens we will be more than qualified to be one of the mid clans. I’m sure he realized that the risks were far less than he originally anticipated.”

All the elders nodded. “Indeed. We were expecting to only have a second tier mage. Adam being a third tier greatly increases our chances.” One of the elders said.

“Although that does bring up one other important issue. I understand that elder Yui has been taking you into the center of the garden? Elder Yui and the other high elders have often said that the center of the garden is fraught with danger. Even I have been barred from going inside.” Evan said.

I calmed myself and had to gather my thoughts. I needed to convince clan head Evan that he should let me continue to go into the center of the garden. At the same time I couldn’t just tell him that elder Yui had a family of dryads.

“There are quite a few dangerous plants inside. And without elder Yui being there it probably would be dangerous for me to venture inside. However, due to those plants I’m also able to absorb a large amount of life energy. As long as elder Yui is with me I’m in no danger. I promise I won’t journey inside without him.” I said hoping that would mollify the clan head.

The clan head thought about what I was saying. “I suppose you have already been inside three times without coming to any harm. Thinking about it I can only think of a couple times when someone went into the center of the garden with elder Yui and didn’t come back out. Usually it’s only when someone goes inside without him that they don’t come back. Perhaps I’ll have to ask him to give me a tour at some point. Meanwhile I don’t see an issue with you going inside, as long as elder Yui is with you.” He said.

Part of me tensed up when he mentioned getting a tour from elder Yui. I was sure he wasn’t going to be happy about that. However, mostly I was just relieved that I wouldn’t have to argue with the clan head.

“While you are at it you should ask elder Yui if there are any plants you should put in your spatial storage. They could probably help you kill any enemies that you put inside your storage space. Maybe we can even get a few powerful monsters for you to store inside.” Evan said.

That last one almost made me laugh. Mostly because of the irony of the statement. First because that was exactly what elder Yui wanted me to do. He wanted me to store a bunch of dangerous plant monsters in my universe. I suspected that elder Yui’s wife would make short work of any intruders I transported into the universe.

I may not have laughed but I couldn’t keep from grinning. “Of course clan head. That is an excellent idea.” I managed to say. Luckily Evan seemed to think I was smiling because of how great his idea was.

“Well I think that covers everything. Does anyone else have any questions for Adam at this time?” Evan asked the elders. All of them shook their heads.

“You can go ahead and return to your room Adam. I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow.” Evan said, dismissing me.

I was tempted to go see if I could find elder Yui. But it was getting late. I was also still sore from all the walking I had done over the past two days. So instead I decided to get some sleep. Plus this time I’d get to absorb a large amount of energy as I slept.