Benton’s face must have showed his concern at sensing a cultivator heading their way because Yang Xiu said, “Is something wrong, Master?”
From the cultivator’s movement speed, they weren’t using a flying sword. In fact, they weren’t moving fast at all. Unless he missed his guess, it was someone in the Qi Gathering realm. Either that or someone hiding their cultivation.
“Give me a minute,” Benton said.
The cultivator stayed on the path to the village until reaching fairly near where Benton judged the gate to be. At that point, the person changed heading toward the arena.
Well, the good thing was that Benton would know soon who was coming for a visit. The cultivator had obviously sensed two sets of cultivators, one in the village and one out in the middle of nowhere, and had chosen the middle of nowhere group as the more interesting one.
“Everyone stand up.”
The entire council complied quickly and quietly.
“What I believe is most likely a Foundation Establishment Cultivator is heading right for us from the direction of Vermillion Incomparable Rain Town.”
The person’s speed was in the range of what he would expect from a Qi Gathering cultivator, but they had obviously used spiritual sense to detect the presence of his group, which was why he had made that conclusion.
“They’ll be here in a few minutes.” Benton stowed the table and chairs in his ring. “Ye Zan, Hou Yazhu, you two stay on the arena floor. Start sparring. Everyone else, to the stands.”
Benton didn’t want to hide the arena, and assuming the cultivator was from one of the big three sects, he needed a way to explain its existence. What better way for that subterfuge than to use it for its intended purpose?
“Why, yes, big three sect cultivator, we did just happen to build an arena in the middle of nowhere. We obviously needed somewhere to spar, right? Why do you ask?”
He chuckled at the imagined conversation, hoping it would go along well with the reputation he was building for being unfathomable.
Qi Gathering cultivators were slow in comparison to Foundation Establishment cultivators, but next to mortals, they were still quite fast. The one approaching the arena was moving with quite the bit of velocity indeed.
Soon, the person stopped outside the entrance to the arena. Ye Zan and Hou Yazhu had barely had a chance to exchange more than a few strikes.
The cultivator waiting outside was a really good sign. Busting in would have signaled aggression. Waiting to be admitted started things off in a cordial manner.
Now, who present could Benton use to escort the cultivator inside that would send the right message? He definitely didn’t want to use anyone too aggressive or martially inclined like either of the twins. Benton wanted to be more welcoming than that. Timid and harmless Wan Ai would be a good choice, but there was no way the girl was up for being the first contact with an unknown cultivator.
No. There was only one person who might appear harmless but who could defend himself and who Benton trusted to represent the sect.
“Zou Tian, please escort in our visitor.”
“Yes, Master.”
When the boy returned, Benton was shocked by the person who accompanied him.
“Kang Lin!” Benton exclaimed. “Welcome. It’s so good to see you again. Did you come to teach Yang Ru further lessons with the spear?”
The girl was obviously surprised at the extremely warm welcome, but she recovered quickly. “If the Esteemed Master Cultivator requests and this one’s duties allow her time, of course.”
Benton grinned even as the disciple in question frowned.
Hmm. Thinking long term, relationships between his sect and the big three would only be improved by personal relationships, and it occurred to him that the girl might just be a good match for Yang Ru.
They had the spear in common, and her more outgoing nature would help draw out the taciturn boy,
Of course, such decisions weren’t Benton’s to make, or at least they hadn’t been back on Earth. Here…
One weird thing about her presence was that she was definitely still at the peak of the Qi Gathering realm.
“May I ask how you detected us?” Benton said.
“This lowly one is in possession of a detection treasure, Esteemed Master Cultivator.”
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Nice. That made sense. He smiled at her.
“Everyone, this is Kang Lin, a distinguished cultivator from the Poison Claw Sect and granddaughter of Friend Kang Ya-Ting.” He continued, introducing each of the eight remaining disciples that the girl hadn’t met back in the city.
After greetings and introductions were complete, Benton said, “You said that a duty brought you here?”
“Yes, Esteemed Master Cultivator. This one’s grandfather has a message.” She produced a scroll from inside her robe and presented it to Benton.
He quickly unrolled it and started reading.
> Friend Chao,
>
> Your letter did find me well and was surprising. I couldn’t help but wonder at the meaning of the strange symbol—:)?
>
> I was saddened to learn that a member of the Jade Chameleon Sect caused you trouble and threatened one of your disciples. Fear not that the event caused me any trouble, and I thank you for your thoughtfulness upon apprising me of the whereabouts of the body. The Jade Chameleon Sect extends their thanks as well and wished for you to know that they consider the matter a disagreement between equals.
>
> The man who threatened your disciple was named Teng Chun. Much as you surmised, no one in his sect will miss him besides his father, Teng Jian.
>
> Teng Jian is unfortunately in seclusion attempting a breakthrough from the sixth minor realm of Golden Core to the seventh minor realm. He has been secluded these past few months and might remain so for as long or more, even up to a year.
>
> It is thought by those close to him that Teng Jian will not react well to the death of his son. You may find him visiting you soon after he emerges from his seclusion.
>
> I am sure that you will have no issues dealing with a single Golden Core cultivator, but I didn’t want you to be surprised.
>
> I do have some curiosity about the actual fight. One of our spiritual residue readers was able to pick up impressions from the area, clear enough that she could identify each of the people at the site when it happened. One person was absent, however.
>
> You are, apparently, completely invisible to her skills, which became apparent when Teng Chun was instantly killed by a single strike despite being cloaked in illusion.
>
> Friend Chao is quite formidable.
>
> It is quite curious that you do not show up to her skill, though. Such ability to hide from it is unprecedented.
>
> Another curiosity is that this one’s sect members found robes that were soiled from a breakthrough buried in the woods. These clothes resembled ones that Friend Chao had been seen wearing in the city.
>
> I am quite perplexed by the meaning of these two oddities.
>
> Until next time.
> - Friend Kang
Benton laughed. He did so enjoy the back and forth between him and Kang Ya-Ting. On the other hand, he felt like an idiot for not thinking about the fact that someone could find his soiled clothes.
Oh well, what was done couldn’t be changed. Hopefully, it would be just one more anecdote to add to his unfathomability. At least, he’d killed the guy cloaked in illusion with a single strike. That should lend even more credence to Benton’s supposed cultivation level.
The worst he could expect as a result of the event from the Poison Claw Sect were tests and probes. A far greater threat was an upper realm Golden Core cultivator gunning for him.
If he had only a few more months, that could present a big problem. A year? Not so much if he gained Sect Points as quickly as he was anticipating.
“Kang Lin,” Benton said. “I would like to pen a reply to your grandfather. Do you have time to wait?”
“Of course, Esteemed Master Cultivator.”
“Gratitude. Can I offer you any refreshments or anything?”
She politely refused, and he got to writing the letter.
> Friend Kang,
>
> Your granddaughter is a delight. She is welcome to visit us at any time. Tell me, is she interested in anyone? I would love to know what she thinks of Yang Ru.
>
> Anyway, I was very happy to hear from you. The fact that my actions did not cause you undue work gladdens me.
>
> Look at the symbol sideways. The two dots are eyes and the curved line a mouth. It’s a smiley face :)!
>
> Much gratitude for the heads up about Teng Jian. I’m guessing that he’ll be out for revenge, and there is likely no way for me to talk him out of pursuing a grudge against me?
>
> Pity. There are so few people with the ability to reach Nascent Soul, and him breaking through to the seventh minor realm of Golden Core would make him one of them. I hate to think that I’ll be forced to remove him from this world.
>
> Maybe he’ll do better in his next life.
>
> Anyway, as long as he confines any ill intent towards me, I will hold no ill will against his sect. If you could gently pass along that, if any of my disciples or the village come to harm, I will be greatly displeased. Greatly. It has been quite some time since I truly unleashed the reins of my anger, but I fear it still resides in me.
>
> As for the oddities, I know better than most that living a long time can get boring. If the mysteries presented by this humble one brings you joy as you puzzle their meaning, I am truly pleased.
>
> Come out for a visit sometime and be sure to bring your granddaughter with you!
>
> - Friend Su
>
> P.S. We’re expecting a beast tide. Best guess is between two months and a year or so. Not exactly sure of the timing, obviously, but it’s definitely going to happen. I’m worried about Friend Fatty Ren up in Rain Town. The civilians are vulnerable if the tide extends that far, and he doesn’t have the resources to protect them. Maybe see about getting him some help if you can?
>
> P.P.S. Oops. I also forgot one other thing. Not knowing about the tide until I got back to the village, I woefully underbought bows and especially arrows. If you could mention that to a merchant, I'll be back in Rain Town in six weeks or so. Would love to trade beast skins, claws, etc. for them but could work with cash.
>
> TTYL
Benton signed the reply scroll, rolled it up, and sealed it with wax. “Do you want to stay the night, Kang Lin? You are welcome to visit. Plenty of spirit beasts around if you want to collect some meat or cores.”
“Gratitude for the generous offer, Esteemed Master Cultivator, but this one’s duty is to return with any reply as quickly as possible to Honored Grandfather.”
Benton sighed. “I understand. Thanks for visiting and both bringing me his message and waiting while I composed mine. I hope you can come again sometime and stay longer.”
“Of course, Esteemed Master Cultivator. Until next time?”
“Until next time, Kang Lin. Best of luck to you.”
Benton almost offered to have the twins or, if she preferred, just Yang Ru to escort her past the worst of the spirit beasts, but the girl was a peak Qi Gathering cultivator from a prestigious sect. She’d probably take the suggestion as an insult.
With the dismissal, she turned and ran from the arena.
“What a lovely girl,” Benton said. “It’s so nice to have visitors.”