Chapter 8

I was surprised to learn that clan Ashton was one of the stronger border clans. They were very close to becoming one of the middle clans. They already had the strength to make the move and take over a new territory in one of the more civilized areas. The main issue was that they lacked the strength to confidently defend new territory. Many clans had fallen soon after attempting to become a middle clan and failing.

The clan head was a peak seventh level mage cultivator. That made him hundreds of times stronger than the average man. Plus he was a dual mage with mastery over both fire and the rare talent of light. To make matters even better I found out he wasn’t the strongest mage cultivator in the clan. A few of the elders were in the eighth rank. Many of them had mage talent, one was even talented in three of the basic elements. Despite that none were considered as talented as the clan head. After all, light magic was a hundred times rarer than elemental magic.

At first I was a bit confused by the whole mage cultivator thing. I had read a number of stories on Earth about both mages and cultivators. It was confusing that they were combined in this world. My new memories provided some much needed answers.

Anyone could be a cultivator. It just took time, training, and a bit of resources. When someone cultivated it multiplied their base attributes. That included more than just strength and toughness. It also multiplied the amount of mana they could store and use. Which meant that almost all mages were also cultivators. They were also far more deadly than simple cultivators.

Typically a mage cultivator could defeat a cultivator that was an entire level above them. Plus they could use magic for area of effect attacks when outnumbered by weaker enemies. Because of this clans invested most of their resources into those with mage talent.

That didn’t mean there weren’t any powerful non-mage cultivators. Ninth rank cultivators were significantly more powerful than eight rank cultivators. A ninth rank cultivator could easily defeat an eighth rank mage cultivator. However, they would still be lacking when compared to ninth rank mage cultivators.

Very few clans outside of the central clans had ninth rank cultivators. Even if they did, they were loath to use them. Ninth rank cultivators were the trump cards of any clan that had them. Accidents could happen. Losing a ninth rank cultivator could be devastating to a clan.

One of the biggest reasons no clan would risk a ninth rank cultivator was because of how long they lived. A seventh rank cultivator would live at least twice as long as the average mortal. An eighth rank cultivator could easily live for a thousand years. And a ninth rank cultivator could live for ten thousand years or more. Which meant that when a member of a clan reached the ninth rank they would become a guardian of that clan for hundreds of generations. The loss of that guardian would be a blow that most clans couldn’t even comprehend.

What Emma told me about the clan covered more than just the strength of their cultivators and mage cultivators. We also discussed the other preparations they had made. I came to appreciate just how smart the clan head was. He didn’t make short term plans. Clan Ashton had a thriving group of craftsmen that could provide everything that an army of cultivators would need.

The needs of a cultivator were simple but creating those items was hardly simple. Often the craftsman had to be a cultivator themselves. Even the lowest rank six cultivator was at least ten times stronger than a normal human. In their hands a normal weapon would easily break. A blacksmith would need to be able to infuse cultivation energy in the weapon in order to reinforce it.

In addition to armor and weapons cultivators needed pills created by an alchemist. Those pills would multiply the amount of energy they could accumulate while cultivating. It was nearly impossible for someone to become a sixth level cultivator without pills. Pills could also temporarily make a cultivator more powerful. Which was invaluable in combat. There were even pills that could heal. Some were nearly as effective as having a life mage.

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Techniques were another important aspect of cultivation. Clan Ashton had spent a great deal in order to collect a massive library of cultivation, defensive, offensive, and movement techniques. Every cultivator was slightly different and the most effective technique would vary for each. Of course it lacked the higher grade techniques of the central clans. It wouldn’t lose out when compared in size or scope though for any of the lower grades.

Of course it was impossible for clan Ashton to hide everything they had achieved. There were a number of clans that were jealous of their success. If they could defeat clan Ashton then they would be able to steal some of what clan Ashton had acquired and strengthen their own clans. The worst of these enemies was clan Hill.

Clan Hill was one of the clans that bordered the territory of clan Ashton. Numerous times over the past couple hundred years the two clans had clashed. Over the past decade those fights had intensified. And clan Hill only became more desperate as clan Ashton became more powerful. For now clan Ashton was focused on becoming a middle clan. After that goal was achieved it was unlikely that they would forget their grudge with clan Hill.

Finally Emma finished her introduction of her clan. It had been informative and I appreciated the information. Especially since it meant that she clearly viewed me as more than just breeding stock for the clan. If my only purpose had been to stay in my room there was no reason to provide me such detailed information.

The conversation moved on to our personal lives again. “I understand you were a lightning mage?” Emma asked me.

I nodded. “I was. Although I have to admit I had only mastered the basic elements before the war that destroyed my clan. I had just begun to learn the second tier magics.”

“That level of talent is still very impressive. What were all of your talents? All I’ve heard is that you had the talent to become a lightning mage.” Emma asked.

“All the prerequisites to become a lightning mage obviously. That would be first tier talents in fire, earth, and air. I also happened to be talented in water. So the full elemental battle mage talents. In addition I had the talent for the second tier lava, sand, explosion, and ice magics.” I said with a bit of pride.

In my generation there had only been a handful of more talented mage cultivators in my clan. The only thing I had been lacking was talent in one of the higher tier one magics. If I had also been talented in light, dark, life, or death mage I could have easily become the successor of my clan.

“So what about you? I know you said that you only have talent as a life mage. You never mentioned what cultivation rank you are though.” I asked Emma.

“I’m an early level six mage cultivator. Although I’m right on the border of being a mid level six.” Emma said.

As a cultivator in the borderlands that was very impressive for her age. I hadn’t asked but she looked to be in her early twenties. Maybe mid twenties since cultivators had slightly longer lifespans. Although it would only be a slight change until a cultivator reached the seventh level. Reaching that level showed that she was dedicated and focused on being a cultivator and becoming more powerful.

I found myself just a bit overwhelmed by Emma. She was beautiful, intelligent, powerful, and hardworking. Plus many in her situation would have been arrogant and nearly insufferable. Yet she wasn’t.

Apparently I didn’t do a very good job of not displaying my emotions at the moment. Emma blushed and looked to the side. When she looked out the window I saw a moment of shock though.

“I didn’t realize how long we have been talking. I have meetings I’m late for.” Emma said quickly getting up from the table.

She paused for a second. “I’ll have some of the maids clean up. For now you should focus on getting better. Tomorrow the clan head wants to meet with you. Is there anything I can have the maids get you?”

For a second I nearly told her no. Then I thought of something. “I’d love to get some fresh air. Is there a safe area I can walk around outside?”

Emma thought about it for a second. “The alchemy garden is inside the castle. It’s also heavily guarded. Just ask some of the guards outside your door and they will escort you there.”

“That will work.” I said with a grin that I couldn’t keep off my face. That had been exactly what I was hoping for. With any luck I’d be able to find a high grade plant I could move into my universe. Something that would give me a significant and steady stream of energy.

Emma hesitated again just before she reached the door. “I really enjoyed having lunch with you. I’d ask if you wanted to do the same for dinner but I already told my family I’d eat dinner with them. Would you like to have lunch together tomorrow?” She asked.

“I’d enjoy that.” I said and then she rushed out of the room.