Four days passed in the blink of an eye. Luther and Lyner had both gained a huge amount of respect for each other. Luther had revealed to Lyner in their training sessions that he had broken through with his Sword Dao. There was Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, Master, Grand Master, Divine Blade, Empyrean Blade Swordsman, the rank that Luther achieved as he sent off Lascelas. As for the ranks for those that have gone beyond the Empyrean Blade. That would be in the realm of the Soul Palace stage experts and beyond.
Their world Kalaedonic was split into tiers, the lowest tier was those in the Foundation realms, through the Soul Flame realm. That was the first tier. In the second tier where one had to 'ascend' the tiers, was Soul Palace, Divine Soul and then Eternal Soul realm. The third tier was rumored to be the land of those that have become Demigods. It was easier for those below to climb up, but for those to climb down from a higher tier, they had to pay an astronomical price and had various restrictions applied. However, if said Cultivator or Beast Emperor had broken through in a lower tier, their levels and Cultivation would freeze while they stayed. Which most ended up doing to stabilize their breakthrough, before truly ascending to the next tier where progress would continue again.
Back to the point of Luther and Lyners mutual respect for one another. Luther had broken through and become and Empyrean Blade. And Luther respected the bat shit insane progress Lyner made in four short days. One of the Barstowland Kingdom specializations was technology. They had developed a virtual platform for all schools of Martial Arts, and Weaponized experts to gather. In those virtual platforms, there was the 25,000 years of collected and created knowledge from millions across the Barstowland Kingdom. Lyner had devoured all the techniques and teachings of the Beginner to Advanced Swordsman stage. A feat that would take others 10 years, Lyner breezed through in 4 short days.
It showed in their sparring sessions, Luthers realm of Swordsmanship was still very far out of Lyners reach. But Lyner was like a wild sentient monster with bestial instincts and a tuition that outstripped Luther himself. The inpredictability and adaptive ability Lyner showcased made Luther sweat and feel pressure. There was times as an Empyrean Sword, Luther could not get a hit in on Lyner. No matter how many different Sword Schools he switched to, or what kinds of Sword Qis he brought out of his repertoire. It only took Lyner 5 minutes to learn, adapt and overcome.
Luther had just broken through not long ago, and through their sparring sessions had stabilized and even improved at a noticeable rate himself. Luther no longer looked at Lyner as some 15 year old, but as an formidable foe to sharpen his Sword Dao against. Not that Lyners ability reached his, but the way Lyner fought was nothing like anything he'd seen before. It was chaotic, reckless, self-destructive and had not a single wink of defense in it. Yet there was method to all of that madness, and through that method Luther learned more about Lyner as an individual. Luther was pretty sure he had even seen the most common Defensive Blade, be turned into an attacking skill but still retained the essence of Defensive Blade.
Defensive Blade was a skill that had a limited amount of charges depending on the stage of the skill. In the lowest stage it could neutralize 5 physical/long distance attacks, or it could neutralize 2 magical attacks. Defensive Blade acted as an aura like ability, but was still a defense based ability without the buffs of an aura ability. Lyners Defensive Blade was vastly different in its function. It had the function of aura like skills, but he had lined it up with blades made out of pure Mana. The Defensive Blade currents could throw out the Mana Blades to act as long distance attacks, and it could act like another limb wielding a Mana Sword. It was ingenious but ridiculous at the same time. A fifteen year old had improved, and changed the whole function of Defensive Blade, while retaining the essence of the skill. It was bullshit and Luther was so goddamn jealous and disgusted at the younger bastards genius, he wanted to vomit and gave Lyner death glares.
Luther himself was an Empyrean Blade now, but even he couldn't rewrite the sigils in Defensive Blades makeup without the skill breaking down and becoming unusable. The sigils were present in all skills, and it was those sigils that made the skills what they were. They contained the truths of the universe, and Cultivators often times bought copies of various skills to gain enlightenment through the sigils during the breaking down process.
The aura of an Emperor Cultivation Manual had doubled on Lyners body, it was even becoming part of his aura itself. Lyners attributes were monstrous to begin with, matching those of a level 70 Cultivator who focused on a single attribute, yet all of Lyners attributes across the board were like that. Luther knew that his new brother had only reached level 4 today, but his natural aura was just off the charts. Not only that Lyner had complete control over his aura, he could be sensed as someone as weak as a level 0 human, and someone as strong as a level 70.
And don't even let Luther get started on Lyners Mana, and Mana Control. Both of which would make the goddamn high tier mages blush in shame, and learn from him instead of doing the teaching. Their knowledge was far more valuable yes, but Lyners usage and manipulation was simply unheard of. It was as if the mother of Mana herself had blessed the bastard.
Following the map Lyner had, they were now less than an hour on foot from the capital of the Nethandriel Empire. "Full speed ahead, you've hidden it well but I know you've got unfinished business to do when you return. Let's say we meet in a week after our arrival. I'll still need your help to meet Emperor and Empress Nethandriel. But in the mean time I can explore and try some local specialities, and you can finish your tasks."
Lyner nodded in affirmation then said. "How about we split apart here then? We'll reconvene in 5 days, that will give me enough time to settle some scores."
Luther looked at Lyner with an impassive look before stating matter of factly. "Do what you need to do, but do not burn any bridges. One day there will be a time you create yourself a support system, and one day you will need the support of family. I won't push my nose into your business like you did to mine. But keep my words in mind, blood is thicker than water even with the political bullshit behind it."
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
Lyner waved his hand and grunted half heartedly, not giving his affirmation or denying it outright. "We'll see what their attitude is like when I get back." Lyner said then turned his gaze back to Luther. "Thank you for training me, and for your kind reminders. I'll be tolerable to my family to a certain extent. But I cannot promise I won't act if they push my bottom line."
"That's good enough brother, a showing of overwhelming power gets the job done, especially when you prove the common belief otherwise. Be mindful of the Karma your actions create. It can fuel you and bite you in the ass at the same time." With that Luther vanished, and Lyner knew full well he had already crossed the remaining 65 kilometers with that single step. Where as now he had to do it the old fashioned way. But that was fine, that brief conversation pulled on the innate bloodlust within Lyner. His so called "family" had done wrong by him once.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. This saying briefly crossed Lyners mind, onto more positive thoughts, he would be seeing Azarinth and Leyara his real family today. There was no need to show them a stormy appearance after 7 full years, soon to be 8. Today was a day to wear that calm facade, in the coming next 2 days, it would be up to his extended "family" whether it was to be peaceful or chaotic.
Two hours passed by, Lyner had already been in the capital city for the last hour and some minutes. Making a round trip around the city to some of his and Leyaras favorite food and snack vendors. Of course for Azarinth and himself later, he had gone and "found" the closest resemblance Kalaedonic had that resembled Brandy and Whiskey. Lyner was now kicking himself in the ass, he had already downed the premium drink Cassius had given him upon his departure.
Shrugging it off, Lyner comforted himself by telling himself he was doing a greater deed by not fueling Azarinths drinking habits. Of course that also meant Lyner, the kettle, was now calling the pot black. And it sure felt good as hell!
Lyner spent the greater part of the remaining day sending off letters, and leaving hand written letters containing his orders. Lyner and Azarinth were always capable of communication, given the special circumstances of their Soul. Azarinth made a name for himself in the Assassins world, and then later subordinated himself to the group, Flower Of Seven Sins. Azarinth had already become a Crimson Dagger in the group, and was a Lieutenant to the Sin of Wrath.
Azarinth had an extremely loyal following in the Flower Of Seven Sins, and it was such an foundation that Lyner wished to fully bring under his and Azarinths wings. It was just like on Earth, there was only so many things the various governments could do in the open. But they had various groups that would act and do the dirty work in the dark. Lyner was slowly walking the path of an Emperor, and as such there were many such things in the future he would be unable to do personally. There was a necessity in having hidden blades that could enact his will.
The sun was just starting to descend when Lyner finished up with his errands. Now it was finally time to reunite with Leyara and Azarinth to celebrate with food and drink. But before that, it was time to shake up the family making his return known.
Ten minutes later, Lyner was now standing in front of a massive bell in the outskirts of his families compound. When there was a challenge to be issued by other royal families, or personal grudges to be resolved. The opposing royal families and individuals would strike the bell with adequate force. The more power used, the louder the dong the bell would reverberate with.
Cooling his mind and closing his eyes, Lyner began circulating his Mana in earnest, and rotating the Qi of the Heavenly River Demonic Art within his Dantian. His Mana and Qi entertwined braiding with each other, amplifying the strength of both forces making it far more substantial than 1+1 equals two.
Gathering all the energy into his right fist, Lyners left leg slid back as he dropped his center of gravity. His left arm was hooked with his fist to the side of his chin. Lyners aura rapidly mounted as a golden Dragon began whirling around his body. Opening his eyes, Lyners pupils became vertical with an amber colour. The roar of a Dragon spread across the capital city of the Nethandriel Empire, Lyners fist smashed into the bell with such force the pillars supporting its weight was nearly blown out from the ground.
"DONG!" The bell reverberated loudly and alerted all of those in the Lutherian family compound. Lyners shout echoed loudly and with force as he made his decree.
"I, Lyner Lutherian have returned. On the day the Lutherian family holds the yearly competition, I will challenge all of my siblings and peers in the younger generation to a duel. I will right all of the wrongs that I have experienced across 8 years!"
The golden three-legged Dragon shot up into the sky, roaring as it circled in the airof the capital of the Nethandriel Empire. The darkening sky was lit up once again, it was an majestic gold colour that was blinding to the eyes of those under the Soul Flame realm.
Emperor and Empress Nethandriel had long known Lyner was back, they had high hopes for Lyner to become a pillar of their Empire, and to reach for their dreams of ascending to a higher tier. The man and women were standing together, hand in hand as they watched the sight of the proud Dragon circling the air of their Empire. It was with pride, expectation and excitement they looked on with until the golden Dragon winked out after the aura of an Emperor vanished.
Empress Nethandriel squeezed her husbands hand tightly. "Husband, Lyner is an off-worlder just like you once were, those thousands of years back. Should we step in?"
Emperor Nethandriel pulled his wife into his embrace as he ruffled her long cascading snow white hair. "There is no need for us to step in. We off worlders are given significant advantages upon our arrival. He also has a curse from the System itself. Which means he was a notable figure, or is from a notable heritage to something far grander than Kalaedonic could even possibly begin to imagine. Plus we are both alike, Emperors, or well he is a budding Emperor just yet. If anybody stepped in now, it would disrespect Lyner and quell the momentum he has built up to awakening his Emperor status, so much so to the point it may very well eradicate his pitiful chance of Cultivation altogether."
"Although that doesn't mean we aren't able to go and watch Lyners performance. None under the age of 30 in the Lutherian family, or other royal families are a match for the current Lyner. And that is before his progression even speeds up. There is a lack of stimulus here in the capital city. Keeping Lyner here is no different than cutting off a future powerhouses rise to power. If he's like any of the other off worlder, the only thing that fuels explosive growth is bloodshed and mountains of corpses to become his fertilizer."
The Empress was stunned by her husbands actions, it had been 35,000 years and it was still a shock how different her husband was compared to the natives. The other Kings and Emperors were very much so uncaring, and only viewed women as a tool of pleasure or to show off like a particularly valuable trinket. She then gathered her courage and asked something that was a sore spot to her husband. "You don't speak about the System often, but when you do it is often a time of change in our world, or after effects that change Cultivation and the Dao altogether. You also called yourself a progenitor once upon a time long ago, should we be preparing for the Apocalypse?"
Emperor Nethandriel opened up the Quest he had received upon Lyners arrival to Kalaedonic. [Quest: The Apocalypse: 2 years, 7 months, 04 days. Reward: Removal of curse on the host. Difficulty: ????? Expected survival rate: 1.25%]
Steeling his heart to not let the dread he felt show everytime he looked at his quest. "Yes. We need to prepare even more, train the soldiers harder, push the craftsmen and nail down more alliances. As our Empire is now, as Kalaedonic is as a whole as of now. Our world will not survive the coming Apocalypse. Even if I returned to my status as the World Guardian of Kalaedonic, it would only hasten the Systems arrival.