“It seems I didn’t need to be worried.” Zuri Blackpetals said as she walked into the waiting room. Tundra was sitting alone, having tea and watching the rest of his party being busy. Just outside of the waiting area was a large hangar that housed their first 70-man flying ship. There were about ten or so Flaming Phoenix’s shipwright disciples working hard.
They outfitted their ship with equipment and formations. At the same time, the rest of Tundra’s party were huddled and listened to one of the Flaming Phoenix’s Elders as she gave an overview of how to use a flying ship. That wasn’t necessary for Tundra, so he thought it appropriate to sit out of it.
Conveniently, Zuri thought it was also a good idea for her to come and meet him. “Fairly good strategy to just go for it.”
“Thank you. What brings you here, Lady Blackpetals?” Tundra thought it was strange she came again.
“Here. There’s some things I can’t do in public. Not in an auction hall where a thousand eyes are on us.” In that waiting room where there were only the two of them, the woman took out a golden scroll, and handed it over.
“-what.” Tundra knew what it was as he accepted it, and reached for it “Princess Luharl? Wait, our meeting in Forgestone Peak was not a coincidence.”
Zuri smiled. “You pick up on things quickly. Some things are arranged as they are meant to be.”
An invitation from the royal house. In it was a scroll inviting ten members who were fifth realm or lower to join a royal treasure realm. It was one of those special realms Tundra had no knowledge of, because these things were kept secret, known only to the members of the Royal Family and their allies.
Even in the later years of his life, he still did not have an inkling of the full extent of the royal family’s network of secret treasure realms.
“Will you be joining?” Tundra asked, as he contemplated the possibility and benefits of such an item. Such treasure realms could contain special treasures and relics could improve physiques, bestow unique bloodlines and even more wild things. In some cases, even mere exposure to the unique properties of the treasure realm could significantly elevate one’s cultivation quality.
“Alas, not me, but my disciples.” Zuri Blackpetals said. “Opportunities for our juniors, not us.”
Tundra continued reading, and once he finished, he turned to stare at the visitor. The Princess specified that three of the ten invitation slots would be from Tundra’s family, and specifically named Edison, Anna and Larian. “The Princess-”
“You know what she wants. This is the first of many.” Zuri stood and said before she left. “Prepare well.”
***
Tundra sat on the relatively cramped bridge of their new ship, as his mind continued to plan for the coming challenges. They already had a tournament to attend, and now, a royal invitation to one of the private treasure realms for their core disciples and elders.
This was the Princess’s attempt to pull them into her sphere of influence, and the fact that she named his descendants meant she wanted to get to know them better. It was an opportunity, but also a great risk.
A trip to prepare for.
On the other hand, he’d have to start hedging bets, and went to see Severian to discuss how to move forward.
“Oh dear.” Severian’s face was as pale as it could be as Tundra shared what was discussed.
“We’re being scouted.” Tundra said. “Are you able to figure out how to reach out to the other princes and princesses, discreetly? If we could get another prince or princess from the royal family interested in us, we’d be able to operate with far more leeway. Do you know anyone who could put us into their sphere of influence?”
As a Sect, if he is seen as too closely associated with one of the royal descendants, it would mark them and they would be indirectly excluded from certain opportunities. Tundra wasn’t too worried about techniques and cultivation know-how, he alone was worth a hundred of those. But resources and unique materials were spread throughout the world, and it was unfortunate that imperial factionalism meant sellers were selective.
He also didn’t want themselves targeted by those eager to prove their own worth to the prince they supported.
Their actions would be scrutinized by other sects from differing factions, and any small mishap would be made into a cause for harassment and war. He wouldn’t be able to avoid all of it, but he needed to buy time to build their sect’s strength.
So, while the Princess’s actions brought them opportunity, it represented a risk for them. As a sect, they needed to make some moves to correct the perception, so that factions would still consider them to be neutral.
At least, for a bit longer.
Tundra knew some of his own contacts, but Prince Kaorl was far too weak and later, he was murdered by an unknown factor. But Tundra knew he may not have much of a choice, if Princess Luharl already made her play.
Severian sat, as he thought about it. “I may have a way of reaching out to Prince Gomerl, but our bargaining position will be fairly weak.”
Prince Gomerl was one of the leading candidates, and so he had a strong position, and may not bother to offer much for the support of a mid tier sect like them. If another Princess or Prince contested them, it’s likely Prince Gomerl would weigh the odds and decide it wasn’t worth it.
The regressor stood, and paced the room. Strategically, he needed both. “We should attempt both Prince Gomerl and Prince Kaorl, but we’ll have to play disinterest, as if we’re just sensing their level of interest. I’ll hand you some higher value pills, we’ll need to trade for information on what royal events are happening over the next few years, and see what we can do to be seen there.”
His elder touched his chin. “Well. I’ll have to travel some more, then.”
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The two old friends sat, both in their own thoughts.
“Should I tell the kids?” Tundra asked, a little unsure whether it was the right time to tell them. He didn’t have a strategy yet. Or an idea of what was going to happen. They wouldn’t like it anyway, but there is no rejecting a royal offer. Offending a royal family was a death sentence since there are far too many eager subordinates trying to show their value.
Elder Severian looked out the window of their flying ship. Right now it was flying in accordance to set instructions. “It’s your call, Tundra. But if you ask me, they should know. As soon as you are ready.”
In some ways, Tundra already knew that was what he needed to do. It was one of those things where he just needed reassurance. “You’re right. There’s no hiding it.”
***
Edison trembled as he was briefed. There was a genuine look of fear on Anna as well, though Larian, for once, looked unsure.
“Father.” Anna asked. “Is- must we do this?”
“Yes. A royal invitation like this is an instruction. You would have to be severely incapacitated to decline.” His father answered, and as their father took in their facial expression, his own expression changed to one of worry. “The three of you have never been to a treasure realm?”
The three nodded.
“I see the problem.” Tundra rubbed his chin, his mind most likely thought about what should be the next step.
The young master didn’t know what to expect. Tales of treasure realms were plentiful. After all, each of the great sects were more than happy to share tales of their great successes and victories in these treasure realms, but so much of it was stories repeated a thousand times that he wasn’t sure what was true, and what were lies.
The three children looked at their father, and somehow, Edison wondered how their father would solve the problem.
After a long pause, he looked at them and sighed. “We will have to prepare the three of you the best that we can. We have six months. The rest of the way, you’ll have to walk it yourselves.”
Anna paused. “Six months? We- how can we be ready?”
“With treasure realms, you never will be truly ready. Each treasure realm is unique, and understanding the treasure realms is a task even masters often stumble on.” Tundra answered, his factual statement only amplified their fear. This was a test, a real one that they could not escape. “But as this is a royal treasure realm, I suspect the level of danger may not be all that high.”
“What- what are royal treasure realms?” Anna asked, trying her best to gather all the information she could.
Edison paused as their father admitted he didn’t know something again. “Information on the private treasure realms controlled by the royal family is really rare. Each private treasure realm is a remnant created by its creator. Existences that could create private treasure realms were usually in the 9th or 10th realm, and so, what you face depends on what their creators intended them to be.”
“Then-” Anna’s face paled. Edison too, felt his own heart pound.
“Is there a chance that we could die?” Edison asked. Tales of treasure realms were full of heroism, but on a whole, many, many people died in treasure realms.
“Yes.” His father said. “I hope it’ll never get to that point, but the chance is always there.”
Anna looked at her half-brothers, and then back at their father. “Are- are we the only ones?”
“No, all in all ten of you are invited.”
“Then the other invitees must protect us!” Edison said, his mind and heart possessed by fear. He was the young master of the Fox family, naturally the others must protect them!
That changed the mood. Their father frowned, and Edison saw a man who was clearly trying to hold back his disappointment. He blinked a few times, and Edison waited for the punishment. He recognized that look in their father. It was the look that made him feel like he had no self worth.
Anna decided to back him up, and repeated the question. “Father, will they protect us?”
There was a moment that felt like an eternity, where it was just silence. The flying ship’s hum could still be faintly heard through the reinforced walls of the flying ship. Tundra blinked, looked afar, and then back at the three of them. “This is an opportunity for them, as much as it is for you three. I will ask that they look after you, and provide cover where possible. But in the next six months, you three will have to train intensively to pull your own weight. The Princess intends for this incident as one to pull us closer into her sphere of influence, so I doubt any significant risk will come to your lives. But treasure realms are treasure realms.”
Edison trembled, and Anna held his hand. She said the words in their hearts. “Father, I’m afraid.”
Another moment of silence, as they awaited their father’s response. Edison wouldn’t be able to admit those words, but Anna was willing to.
Would their father admonish them for it?
“My children have lived a life of comfort and were never truly tested. To be thrust and invited to a treasure realm like this is certainly a big leap, but it was bound to happen. As our sect gains strength, the eyes of the royal families will inevitably turn on us. I will have to get the three of you ready, as fast and as much as we can.”
“Is- is there no other way?” Anna asked.
“No. I’ll have powerful protective talismans made for the three of you. That should help you survive the treasure realm.”
***
Tundra walked to the top of their new flying ship, and here, one could truly feel the speed that the ship traveled. A fall from this height would usually kill those in the 3rd realm, though for someone like Tundra, it would usually be fairly harmless.
The interaction with his three children exhausted him, though, as he felt the wind on his face and skin, he could now understand it. He would have to prepare them, but only hoped that they could step up when the moment came.
“Wow. I didn’t know you could come up here.”
Tundra turned and smiled at Elly. “Yes. Many battles are fought on such decks.”
“Ah.” Elly said, as she grabbed Tundra’s hand and approached the edge of the upper deck. Everything looked small from this view. “Edison told me about it.”
He somehow expected it. His son usually turned to his mother whenever he had something on his mind. “How did he take it?”
“He’s afraid. Really afraid. He looked quite pale when he told me about it. I don’t blame him, I would be deathly afraid too, if I’m asked to join a royal treasure realm exploration trip.”
“There will be more.” Tundra said with a sigh. This was the price of progress, though his mind thought about which Core Disciple to populate the remaining seven places. “Encourage him to prepare for the trip. I hope he gains some confidence and capabilities from this opportunity.”
A treasure realm could bring rewards, and if there are some unique materials or resources, he could help make something for them. Elly nodded, as she stood and held Tundra’s arm. “I’ll try. Our son’s trying, and I think he hopes you see it. Acknowledge his efforts.”
The regressor knew It was hard. He was used to seeing truly incredible things, so it was hard to fake it. But he’ll try.
“Do you have a plan for them?”
“Roughly. I could reserve one of the slots for Jashen or Jon, but I think that’ll be a waste of this opportunity. I’m- I’m still thinking about it.”
If there were a few sects involved, it’s likely they were competing with about a hundred other cultivators for whatever is in the treasure realm.
On one hand, if they underperformed, it’s likely that Princess Luharl would downgrade her assessment of their sect and they’d lose her attention. That may not be a bad thing if they still want to be seen as neutral. But if it’s too fake, it could be seen as a sign of disrespect, that he didn’t respect the royal institution. This sort of consideration was why he hated dealing with the royal family. Everything was about balancing on a tightrope.