Unsurprisingly, there were many messages waiting for Anton when he came out of his state of meditation. Yet nothing had been urgent enough to disturb him by sending something to his emergency communicator, so that was good.
He was surprised, even at himself. The fatigue he’d felt wouldn’t have been enough to put him out of commission for what was apparently well over a decade. Though it was somewhat close, as he’d used everything he had.
Instead, he’d been overwhelmed with insights that he had to digest. His successful use of Constellation Shot to take down a Domination cultivator still felt almost like a dream, but he knew it to be real. And while he would like to say he could replicate it, it wasn’t really close. The situation had been quite exceptional, and repeating the task wouldn’t be easy.
Then again, he doubted any Domination cultivators would be so brash as to step foot in the lower realms again. Maybe in another six hundred years at the end of the next cycle… but by then Anton fully expected to be more than they could ever bargain for. And if they forced themselves into the lower realms without the benefit of the tides, even if Anton couldn’t take them alone the Lower Realms Alliance certainly could.
He took in the total losses reported with proper dignity. He’d have to go pay his respects to the fallen. But for the moment he should get out of this star and stretch his old body.
What was notable? Crossed Antennae wished to establish new colonies in the upper realms, somehow. Velvet had gone to visit the Spirit Slicing Sect and was in negotiations with the Chaotic Conglomeration. Rebuilding was… almost finished. Anton rather wanted to participate in some of that process, but he was sure people would forgive him for his absence.
Everheart somehow took over numerous systems within the territory of the major factions and even co-opted some of their cultivators. That wasn’t emergency news because… well, everyone expected that he was alive still. And doing another crazy thing that was primarily damaging to the Exalted Quadrant and Trigold Cluster was only a matter of indirect concern. Anton doubted that Everheart could even have proper allies- though perhaps the minions working for him might count. Rahayu certainly seemed to get along with him just fine.
Ultimately, he was less of a threat than the great powers. Not because he wasn’t dangerous- he might even be more dangerous- but because they could simply stay out of his way and they would be fine. The Scarlet Alliance couldn’t exactly up and move away from the others. Though if he suggested it Catarina would probably try to figure out how to make that work.
Taking in a proper assessment of himself, Anton found his cultivation advanced two steps while he was in his trance. That placed him at one hundred and seventy-one stars. Though he hadn’t bound all of those, both old and new stars. He was closer to a hundred bound stars, especially with replacing his first one hundred stars being a more lengthy process.
Anton reached out towards his stars, gently pulling on the connections between them and himself. He’d have to restrict himself to more reasonably sized attacks for the near future. Maybe he would make use of ten or twenty stars to form a bow, but the full number he had circling around the lower realms was far too much. He’d have to find a good way to practice without alarming people too much as well.
-----
Frankly, Anton thought his timing was pretty good. Nothing terrible had happened while he was in his state of enlightenment. It was about the time he woke up that he heard secondhand news of war in the Trigold Cluster. For their purposes, that was a good thing.
The full details were not complete, but it was clear enough that it was in relation to the Twin Soul Sect. The loss of a Domination cultivator- hopefully their only Domination cultivator- was a serious blow that would reduce their influence significantly.
Frankly, if they were so afraid of death they should have minded their own business. What was the point of creating a reincarnation based technique and then provoking people who would then want to wreck that process? Honestly, some people just thought they could do whatever they wanted without consequences. And they were probably right, until someone like Anton came along and became those consequences.
Of course, it wasn’t just Anton. It was the peoples of the lower realms and the Scarlet Alliance. They were causing a great change in their slice of the galaxy. Anton only hoped there were others doing the same sort of thing beyond where they had explored. The widespread influence of the Exalted Quadrant and Trigold Cluster had forced a certain view of what cultivators were on many worlds, but that would not be true everywhere.
-----
“How did you do that?!” Three Squeaks said when Anton stopped by Akrys.
“I believe the answer should appear fairly straightforward,” Anton grinned. “You felt it. But unfortunately, explaining exactly how the threads of connection between the stars formed is beyond my current understanding. You should be able to create the basic form, however. You just need a few basic stars close enough to string together.”
There were additional complexities that couldn’t be put into words. Anton could only demonstrate, and so he did. But really, it was simple archery… at a larger scale. All he needed was sufficient power, and a proper target. Of course, that was the difficult part, but calling drawing upon stars certainly helped.
-----
Anton went around, checking on each and every one of his stars. He was under no illusions that he was powerful enough to destroy a star on his own just yet, but he could have caused them lingering injuries of a sort. Being physically present allowed him to get the best possible picture of the energy flow within them, and if it was off somehow it would allow him to correct it.
The whole point of Enrichment was that his bound stars should grow stronger because of the connection he had made to them. He wasn’t simply going to treat them as a limitless energy source. Especially since they weren’t limitless. It was simply an amount of energy beyond most comprehension that seemed to last forever.
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And compared to Anton, the stars probably would. Even as a cultivator, his lifespan would probably be… well, he wasn’t a thousand years old just yet but he wasn’t that far either. Maybe he would make it a few thousands when all was said and done, if he hadn’t ruined himself with Candle Wax. Detecting a specific lifespan wasn’t simple, but Anton didn’t want his life to be infinite. It would set a bad example for everyone else.
Fortunately, Anton hadn’t caused too much destabilization. But some of the stars probably lost a few million years, which wasn’t great. Maybe he was thinking too long term, but Anton really wanted to create a good environment for future generations. And maybe that included stars, though he was still a little bit understudied on star formation. Having shoved a few things together to boost stars hardly counted. Maybe he would need to start with something less.
That sounded like a large project that he should think about carefully, however. So he settled for stabilizing each of his stars. He wanted to improve their performance, but he didn’t even know what metric he wanted. Energy output? That would shorten their lifespan, but it was also the practical thing they gave. He tried not to perform too much modification, going with his gut to bring things back to where he thought they should be. Where they felt right.
That was of course an entirely improper metric to use, but as a cultivator certain insights allowed for that result. Of course, some people might disagree on what was right, since that might be what gave them the most power. But Anton thought that was a bit silly, since it usually meant they were a little bit stronger and hated by ten times as many people before they died.
He should really have a chat with Everheart, if he ever came back to the lower realms. That guy had some issues he needed to work through.
-----
There had been precisely one in person interaction between Anton and the people of Xicil, long in the past. Just before the end of the cycle, he had left a note for the desert planet. He took his time approaching, and was quite pleased when he was met by the same fellow as long before, Bishan. He had placed a table with slightly more potent snacks outside of one of their entrances to their underground civilization.
It had been several centuries since they properly saw each other, as Anton had tried not to draw attention to the planet. However, this was the best opportunity they would have as the upper realms was quite occupied. They didn’t have any attention to devote to the lower realms.
“We meet once again,” the man bowed his head. He considered Anton for a few moments. “Your power has improved even further, mighty one.”
The local dialect had shifted slightly further, as the planet remained cut off from the outside worlds. But every word was still recognizable- and cultivators living longer tended to solidify language according to their familiar patterns. “I don’t need any fancy titles,” Anton reminded him. “Anton is perfectly fine. I see your cultivation has advanced as well. You appear to have managed a form of Worldbinding.”
Bishan nodded. “It seemed like the most logical choice. I have no intention of roaming far and wide. And more than simply staking a domain, Xicil is my inspiration.”
“Good,” Anton said. “I would hate for you to have limited yourself unnecessarily. Now then, we have much to discuss. Previously, I kept interactions minimal according to the desires of Xicil. Now, however, we come to an opportunity. Previously, there was only so much I could convey at once. There are several options available to Xicil.”
“I would hear them,” Bishan said stoically.
“First, you can remain hidden. Though I must ask if you have had more ships wander through the system.”
“A few,” Bishan admitted. “Our formations keep the energy signature of the planet small, however.”
“A reasonable choice,” Anton nodded. “Beyond continued isolation, this is the best time to offer other alternatives, since we have just recently been victorious.”
“You have cleared some planets from the influence of the upper realms?” Bishan asked.
“We did that long ago,” Anton said. “No, this time we won everything. The entire invasion, every planet for several hundred lightyears in any direction, every point of entry resulted in the utter defeat of the upper realms.”
Technically, that was a slight exaggeration. Not regarding the results in the Lower Realms Alliance, but the Shining Cooperative and former Trigold factions to their east had some worse results. That said, the overall result of the war was their victory.
“Oh yes,” Anton added, “One of their Domination cultivators died. That is the second stage after Ascension, as you may not have encountered that specific terminology.”
Bishan studied him carefully. “Did you kill that one? I felt something akin to your energy coming from nearby systems, some decades ago. A powerful surge that continued to echo for some time.”
“I finished him off,” Anton admitted. “I extended myself quite far to manage that.” Technically, he’d done the vast majority of the work himself… but it was only because of the support of others that he felt confident focusing on Sudin directly. “That brings me to the second option. Our Lower Realms Alliance is quite powerful. Would you like to join us? You can grow even further than we’ve seen… and once you have others beyond Life Transformation you will be relatively safe even once you are known.”
Bishan thought for a few moments. “An interesting offer. I must assume you vouch for the rest of the Alliance and their intentions.”
“Clearly,” Anton said. “If you wish, I could show you- or others- more about what we are. And that brings us to the third option, which is to remain separate save for any who ascend to the upper realms. There, they could join the ranks of us who have ascended as well. Our methods to draw in particular individuals have improved… though of course it will take more prolonged interaction to connect your people to that system.”
Bishan nodded. “As you know, we seek security over power… but power can lead to the same. What are the chances of one of us growing as strong as yourself?”
“I must admit it is rather small,” Anton said. “Though it is possible for one who is born in the near future to reach the same stage in the centuries before the next cycle. And if you were to join us, we would provide not only opportunities in trade and knowledge, but mutual defense.”
“I think we have hidden ourselves too long,” Bishan said. “I must still consult with the rest of my people about how we might continue.”
“I can leave a proper communication device,” Anton said. “I didn’t before, as the connection could theoretically be traced. Though it should only be possible within our alliance,” Anton shrugged. “These fruits are quite good,” he said. There were quite a variety of fruits from various sorts of succulents, including cacti. All things that did well on the arid planet. “I noticed that the visual of our surroundings have changed to appear more natural, but clearly you implemented improved techniques.”
“That was thanks to your inspiration,” Bishan said. “But I’m sure people would be interested to hear more.”
“Then it will be done,” Anton said. “I have learned much since last time.”