154. Revelations
Ramdaman Star System, Division 70 Moon Base 1
“I have to admit. I did not have much expectation from you yet we ended up with this much of rewards.” Kolas said as he handed five spatial rings to Clay.
“All I did was sit on a chair.”
“Ha ha ha. You’re funnier than I thought. This is where we part and sorry I had to hold on on what you asked for. Until next time.”
Clay watched as Kolas and his group walked away. He had been restless the past two days since they left the Forbidden Zone. All this time, he cannot shake the feeling of being stabbed in the back. And now that the entire crew is leaving him alone, he is getting paranoid even more.
He activated his wings and went back to the ship.
Meanwhile, Kolas and his companions were all beaming with joy as they have acquired ten times their expected rewards. Although it’s a loss they have to surrender one third of their gains, they have obtained two Kantrafeya Trees.
“We could have just declared we only obtained the fruits but why did we have to give him one of the trees.”
“All of you are itinerant cultivators but let me tell you how politics within the Federation works. If that human returns and ask for a refund, the Upper Echelons will fight over that tree then they will bid on ours. And if that human bribes any of the Master like I have envisioned, then we’ll all guaranteed entrance to one of the Hot Spot Planets” Kolas smiled as everything is going as planned.
“Quite the scheming one, aren’t you. But what if that human keeps the ship?”
“Then that’s when it becomes a waste but look here. Everything is tempting right now but he’s still a captain of a Class S ship. We all got families and clan behind us and if you allow your greed to cloud your judgements, then you’re on your own. For now we wait, then we’ll head to an auction after two years.”
Meanwhile, Clay returned back to the ship and slowly walked around the control room. Having gone numerous life and death situations, he had learned to trust his gut-feeling and for the first time, nothing is happening or rather, it is being dragged to a point being ridiculously insane.
“Alice?”
(Yes, Captain.)
“What’s the worst thing that happens if I return this ship and ask for a refund for my True Merit Point?”
(The Federation is fair and partial in giving chances for cultivators who have achieved 1ST Phase in Dao Comprehension. The worst in record is a deduction of 5,000 True Merit Points to repair the ship.)
Clay paused as he began to doubt himself. Having understood the capability of Ascendants, he made a plan to become a disciple or a follower of any Power Houses to ensure his safety. It is unfortunate that he got tangled with Kolas’ request but if there is no severe consequence in asking for a refund, then it would only mean that Kolas was really helping him. But the question is, how did Kolas know his objective?
“How many and what are the cultivation levels Power Houses within Navarum?”
(There are currently 27 Masters all with Divinity cultivation levels and six are rumored to have had achieved 2ND Phase of Dao. If you need more specific information on them, then you would need to spend Merit Points to access the Galactic Database.)
“And how does one become their disciple?”
(Every cultivator who has comprehended the 1ST Phase of Dao will be given three chances to undergo their tests. For cultivators below Ascendance, majority of the time, these lucky cultivators will be personally accepted without undergoing trials. For cases where one does not received an invite, they will utilize at least 4,000 of their points to challenge the tests. As for Ascendant cultivators, it is the same process but higher Merit Point requirements.)
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Clay paused again. He refuse to believe that Kolas is not scheming against him and if it were the opposite, then he can at least verify it with Alice. Kolas said that the rewards are enough to buy any of the Master’s favor and if Alice can verify this, then it only means that he had just become a pessimistic and cynical person.
“Do you know how valuable Kantrafeya Trees are to these Masters?”
(It is unclear what they used it for but Kantrafeya Trees or a.k.a Pinus Void Thunbergii is the best tree among Void species to support spatial-related gardens. While it is unclear what the Masters use them for, what is certain is that one of these trees can grant any cultivator entrance to planets with natural Heaven Qi Veins or Hotspot Planets and the duration of stay is 3,000 years.)
*Sigh
“I guess I have become too cynical, huh?” Clay thought to himself. From his conversation with the Magistrar, passage to Hotspot Planets is stringent that even she can only stay as miner so the fact that these Masters are willing to grant 3,000 years of stay is just an indication how valuable the trees are.
“When do these tests take place and are there requirements or rules that I need to be aware of?”
(The next test will be in 7 years and takes place every ten years Navarum time and the requirement is 1ST Phase of Dao and have not exhausted their 3 attempts. As for rules, the only rule found in database is avoid bribing anyone before on during the test.)
“You said bribing.”
(Yes, Captain. Any form of gifts or favors given before or during the test to anyone connected to the test is bribing and is punished severely up to enslavement.)
“Holy potato!” Clay inwardly cursed. If he could just have asked if bribing or gifting any of the Masters could earn him a status, then he could have had his suspicion answered early on.
His instinct is correct all along. He was able to tell that Kolas was not trustworthy the first time they met and it is a good thing he did not give up.
Clay clenched his fist. It is truly commendable how Kolas was almost able to trick him. “May our paths never cross again.”
Clay sat on the Captain’s seat.
He may have been used but at least he did get 9 Ascendant level beasts he can test on to create Heaven Qi Veins. Should he fail these Master’s test, at least will have his own Vein.
“Start the ship.”
(Aye, Captain.)
“Ready for lift off. Set course to Minraca Efrem Base 3.”
(Captain, 23 of your crew members have not returned. Would you like to lift off?)
Clay was about to say yes but when he heard 23, he just remember the last crew member who has no relation to Kolas.
“Can you wake up Dr. Arkoni and tell him that we have arrived at Division 70 of Ramdaman Star System? Let him take his time.”
(Acknowledged command.)
He almost forgot that Arkoni is only a Foundation Establishment and needed rest. Their last stop was at the perimeter of Forbidden Zone and they have been at warp since.
Clay patiently waited for his commissioned crew member to step out and after around five minutes, Alice said, “Captain Clay, Dr. Arkoni is requesting a voice call. Should I entertain him?”
“Open the channel.”
“Greetings Captain. The trip was quite an adventure and thank you for bringing me closer to my home.”
“I should be the one expressing my gratitude. Your role and presence during the mission was immense and as much as I would like to give you a reward, I have nothing valuable with me now. I was just promoted and the ship is brand new.”
“Then allow this humble old bones to congratulate Captain and the success of his first mission. I asked to be dropped to my home star planet and Captain has already fulfilled my request.”
“I still feel indebted but if one day we’ll meet again, I will compensate this friend properly.” Clay is tempted to ask Alice the quickest way for captain to say goodbye without being impolite.
“You can compensate me now by answering my question before.”
“What question?”
“The blasts fired by the main cannons, was it imbued with 1ST Phase Dao?”
Clay observed the eyes and the elongated banana shaped head of Dr. Arkoni. For a scientist to ask the same question three times, it must be something important.
“There are two states of Dao and the blast you witnessed was ignited by the non-dormant state of my 1ST Phase power.”
“I see. I thank the captain for his time. May luck be with us all. Take care, Captain.”
Clay noticed that Dr. Arkoni has questions but the man chose to end their conversation instead. Even he is curious about the power-scaling of this mysterious power and given the appropriate time, he wouldn’t mind working with another curious mind.
He waited a few minutes before giving instructions to depart however, moments after Arkoni left, Clay suddenly remembered the golden triangular token given to him by Professor One-Hand. “Wait a minute.” He muttered to himself and took out the token.
“Alice, are you able to identify the owner of this token?” To this day, he may not feel indebted to the Professor but he still knows how to repay the favor. He may not do it now but given time, he will visit the Professor’s relatives.
Clay allowed the token to be scanned and after a few seconds, Alice said, “That is an identity token belonging to Valmoor Galaxy and was issued by Gar Wahger Science Academy from Gar Wahger Federation Star System. The name of the owner is Mur Brung.”
“What did you say?”