The chaos of the remaining Confluence cultivators attempting to flee Waral had resulted in vulnerability in the remaining cities- both because of the sudden loss and because they simply didn’t have the necessary fighting strength. With only partially effective weapon emplacements and a lack of motivation for the cities as a whole to stand up against the Lower Realms Alliance forces, the remaining Numerological Compact forces and any others who chose to fight were quickly subdued.
Thus, the rest of Waral fell under the control of the Alliance, solving one of their most pressing issues while raising many more. They had access to large quantities of information available on the moon, but parsing it all would take a long time. Certain systems could help but the information all had to be fed into them. The same was true with reading techniques like Ten Thousand Scrolls- while individual cultivators could read and comprehend large amounts of information they had to be physically present with the data.
Despite their great advancements in the field of formations, most of the information available still seemed to be stored in books and scrolls instead of something resembling computers or other storage systems. Though there did seem to be some attempts to create something, there wasn’t anything functional on Waral.
The final consequence of the events was the hivemind growing. That answered many of the questions they had. Even people who had been used to power the ships escaping the planet became part of it- though whether it was because of the already large group nearby or because they had very recently been connected to all of the others in one of the larger power stations was unclear.
That left only one city with the freed slaves not having a connection to the hivemind. The first of them, where the connection had been broken rather forcefully along with the destruction of the power station. It wasn’t clear whether it was a good or bad thing for those individuals.
The rest who were part of the hivemind didn’t tend to seem upset at their circumstances, but it wasn’t clear if they could be. Even they didn’t truly know what the consequences were, let alone outsiders trying to figure them out.
At least they had avoided any further rash actions like killing large numbers of people. That was still likely going to happen, but with a proper chance for people to defend their actions. The Lower Realms Alliance wanted to have something at least close to fairness.
The cultivators of the Numerological Compact might argue that everything they did was legal- though that wasn’t even entirely true despite the slavery aspect being legal- but the Lower Realms Alliance had a broader set of morals to enforce. Though it would ultimately be quite similar to the winners of a war purging those who disagreed with them, they wouldn’t tolerate sects associated with the upper realms treating people like property.
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Great care was taken with the reinforcements coming to Waral, circumventing where the enemy was most concentrated. The additional ships were sufficient in number that they would likely be able to stand up to most enemy fleets alone, but the full strength of the enemy was yet unknown and their larger ships were still a significant concern.
Devon was quite surprised at how many of his new disciples showed up. He hadn’t intended to doubt their convictions, but there was quite a step to take from cultivating a new style for a few weeks before returning to a star system where one was enslaved just a short time before. They should have been made aware that Waral could be attacked at any time- more easily than their base on Kathariel, specifically. Yet they chose to come anyway. Devon greatly appreciated that.
A notable absence from the reinforcements was Anton. It was understandable, of course. He was already reluctant to take part in wars solely within the lower realms, and he was needed in case of another attack on their base. Though Anton had also contacted Devon specifically with additional information- he was on the verge of completing his connection to Kathariel’s star. That would greatly increase their stability in the region while leaving Anton able to use his more rapid connections that were limited in number wherever they should need it.
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Devon’s main role now that the planet was conquered was to act as a deterrent, both for the locals and for potential incoming enemy forces. He tried to make his presence known in each city, though it seemed that if he didn’t conceal himself most cultivators could feel him from any side of the moon. On a larger planet it might have required active usage of his natural energy for the ripples of his power to spread to everyone, but Waral was modest enough in size that his location was usually quite obvious.
Few people tended to interact with him- those that did were usually part of the hivemind, giving them something akin to prior experience. Not that he was pestered by them, and whenever they brought anything to his attention it was usually quite important. Thus, Devon wasn’t particularly surprised when an old woman walked up to him. The connection was obvious to Devon, because even if each strand was subtle there were countless webs of connection between those in the hivemind.
“Ammar wishes to speak with you,” the old woman said.
“Is that so? What is the issue?” Devon asked.
“It is a personal matter,” she replied.
Devon nodded. It was clear that people still had a sense of self, and they liked to be spoken to personally. Even if information might be passed through, it was still preferred to meet in person. “Is it an urgent matter? If not, I shall visit within the next few days.”
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A few moments passed before the woman nodded. “He finds that acceptable, and will make himself available whenever you arrive.”
Devon still intended to show up when it would be normal waking hours on that part of the moon- though such things were less clear when the hours of night and day were far fewer. Still, cities fell into a general rhythm along with their inhabitants.
Though if it were entirely up to him Devon might have gone immediately to see Ammar, he continued with his practice of making his presence apparent to the locals. It was good not only for the sake of stability- his power brought both fear and respect- but also for the sake of devotion. It wasn’t something Devon was specifically seeking out, but that made it all the more genuine.
The people of Waral had experienced his power directly instead of hearing about what he did in some other system. And the respect that was formed for him was amplified among the hivemind. That made Devon somewhat uncomfortable, as he didn’t want to be taken as some sort of god or a cult figure… but at the moment things were still acceptable.
After a reasonable period, Devon went to find Ammar in his city. “You wished to speak with me?” Devon asked.
“Indeed,” Ammar inclined his head. “It was about an offer you made to people in another city. You said you would teach the Shattered Chains to anyone who wished to learn.”
“Ah. I see,” Devon replied.
“I wish to learn,” Ammar said straightforwardly.
Devon pursed his lips. “I did mean what I said, in the context it was spoken. But now, I have some reservations.”
“I understand. You have concerns about your secrets being revealed to others.”
“They are not exactly secrets,” Devon said. “The relevant issue here is that this style was personal to me, and this sect will be seen as an extension of that. I can’t have people representing the Shattered Chains that aren’t willing to act in an appropriate manner.”
Ammar nodded. “That does make things more difficult. Though perhaps not as much as you might imagine.”
“What do you mean?” Devon asked.
“As you can tell, each of us has our own cultivations. We did not suddenly become aware of each detail of each other’s lives. Details only spread between us as they become relevant. This would not necessarily stop others from ‘listening in’, as it were, but those of us who truly wish to learn would be able to monitor those among us. In fact, it would be easier for us than worrying about one of your members taking your guidance to be learned by random criminals.”
“I think I understand what you are saying,” Devon said. “If you are willing to enforce the practice of my techniques to those willing to follow the restrictions I set forth, then I think it will work out.”
“Myself and the others who wish to learn have asked about your restrictions previously. However, I do not know the full details.”
“It’s pretty simple,” Devon said. “Follow the laws of the Alliance. Do not stand by idly when people are in danger. And of course, don’t allow slavery to persist. The last of those is in large part for your own sake- much as I would say that you should not recklessly circulate your natural energy. It is a core principle. Of course, that does not mean you should act recklessly. I had to stand by during much of my early freedom, pushing for opportunities where I could. I didn’t have the personal strength to take down Ofrurg, though I did manage to take down one of those responsible for my chains early on.”
“I see,” Ammar said. “I am certain the Alliance has many restrictions to study. But what else? What of contributions to the sect?”
Devon waved his hand. “What about them? I suppose if we need to set up training facilities, someone has to pay for that. But the only practical restrictions are the moral ones. Oh, and the laws of the Alliance, while many, are fairly straightforward. You have to respect other sapient life. There are various laws about other things, but that’s the important part.”
“I have only the utmost respect for my fellow humans,” Ammar nodded. “Though, based on your actions… the requirements are not universal, are they? What about our enemies?”
“They deserve respect as well. But that doesn’t mean not killing them when necessary. You should not be cruel. And the core principles stand just as much for those we fight. If we turn into slavers ourselves, we are to be destested. I will have no disciples who do such.”
“That will not be an issue for me,” Ammar agreed.
“I do have one point to bring up,” Devon said. “You mentioned humans, but I did mean all sapient life.”
“Legends speak of great beasts able to cultivate,” Ammar said. “Here, they have long been extinct.”
“They would be included,” Devon said. “Regardless of whether they meet a specific threshold, one should act appropriately. I would not accept slaughtering beasts without reason simply because they are unintelligent. Hunting for food or for materials is one thing, but random destruction of life is not. But I did have specific things in mind for the sapients, and we have a possibility of finding more.”
Revealing void ants here, especially to the members of a hivemind, might be a bit problematic. But there were the people of Akrys to consider- and they already had some who had come to Waral. Introducing Grain and the other locusts to the locals was something that would have to be carefully considered, but those who were once enslaved should at least be able to respect others who had fought for their freedom.
“I find your restrictions more than acceptable,” Ammar announced. “So do many others. They would wish to learn from you as well.”
“As long as they can agree that the style may only be practiced by those willing to maintain a righteous life. However, I am not entirely against others using the cultivation principles behind everything, as long as they do not attempt to impersonate members of the Shattered Chains. As for those who wish to learn, I would still like to meet them all in person, if we can arrange for that.”
“It will not be difficult, if you are willing to travel,” Ammar said. “Or if you have some way to transport all of us to the same city, should that be more convenient for you.”
In truth, the main restrictions Devon had were that people not act like criminals. If people weren’t willing to follow the simple rules Devon laid down, he thought they would have much worse problems. Anyone who couldn’t treat others properly wouldn’t do well in the Alliance as a whole. Not that mistakes were unforgivable- it was remaining in the wrong that would be the problem. The Alliance did their best to actually correct those in the wrong, not just locking them up, but it wasn’t always possible.