Chapter 817


    The sensation of the uing system was a wee relief for Anton. Of any ce he could be, the void between stars was the leastfortable for him. Even Aipra had its own sense offort from the people there and thes natural energy, limited as it was.


    Here he was, at the end of his journey. Yet Anton felt no diminishing in the sense of urgency within himself. Instead, it heightened. The tiniest strand of his energy pierced ahead, finding the strange state of Vreltsary barrier as he had already been apprised. He immediately began searching for familiar energy, and within a few moments he found it. Beneath the barrier was Devon, embroiled inbat with numerous foes.


    Anton was still at the very edge of the system. Or what could barely be called the system. He wasnt just a few times further from the star than the he was seeking, but hundreds of times that. He only managed to pick out Devon because he was familiar, and of course being in the Enrichment stage helped. This wasnt a system where he had a bound star, but he still had the energy of his other stars flowing through him.


    There was no way Anton would be able to reach the battle at his current speed. Devon was already looking fatigued, and even if Anton pushed himself to his limits it could still take him an hour to reach him.


    Anton closed his eyes, blocking out the light of the local sun and the other stars. He allowed himself a moment to focus as he clutched his bow. Then, he drew upon the power of a ce he could never reach. The dense and distant energy of ascension did not fit him. Without the techniques of Fleeting Youth it would wrestle against him, trying to ovee him. But what he took was bound to his will. And what he wanted was a single shot.


    What was the point of practicing a technique if he never used it? It wasnt even as far as he had previously attacked. Granted, he hadnt been able to hit a target at such distances as it was all he could do was make it maintain its form. Either way, this was the option he had. His arrow burst forward, nearly negating his coreward momentum.


    Then he was the arrow, flying through space. Zipping past outers- not that he actually drew close to most of them. Just one, slightly curving space which he allowed to deflect his trajectory.


    Time meant nothing. His attack far surpassed any reasonable limitation on speed. Naturalws could not constrain it. He reached the barrier in what felt like mere moments. It slowed him no more than the surface of water, a momentary hitch after which he was free from restrictions. And then he struck, the energy exploding in all directions as his attacknded.


    Then Anton was back in himself. Perhaps he had put too much of himself into that shot. Both because he didnt think he could manage it again and because it was an unnecessary amount of power. Especially considering the results. His attack hadnt even hit.


    -----


    There wasnt a single moment that Devon sensed the arrows approach. It was beyond the limits of his senses, and then it had arrived. There was not a single moment in between, no time for him- or anyone else- to react.


    So the first thing Devonprehended was the explosion, tearing through a portion of the battlefield. It struck between him and the Ebon Skulls, wiping out half their undead army in an instant. Devon was nearly as awestruck as everyone else was, but recognizing the enemy he didnt respond with fear. Instead, heshed out at the nearest suit of armor- or perhaps a corpse encased by one. His chainsshed around it, taking advantage of the momentarily broken connection to render one of the most dangerous targets asunder. It was just slightly durable metal and flesh in that moment, not something representing an Anchoring cultivators power.


    The next moment, Devon shared a look with the Ebon Skulls. Immediately following that, they acted as one, forcing their armies to converge on him. Yet at the same time, they themselves withdrew. No, they fled.


    The Creeping Fire Sect cultivators were further from the location of impact, so perhaps they got a more subdued impression. That is to say, it took them a minute to begin their flight- a minute during which Devon had disentangled himself from the swarming masses of the necromancer army, which was now little more than a pile of scrap and corpses. Not that hed destroyed them all personally, but with their controllers getting further and further away they could not act.


    Devon moved to cut off the retreat of the remaining two. Tay and Ashildr had been fighting against them, and all seemed equally worn down- which meant that the addition of Devon would spell their swift defeat. He only caught one of them- unfortunately not Anki- but he had only <em>tried</em> to stop one, since he didnt wish to risk both escaping. Injuring two Anchoring cultivators was worth far less than removing one from the equation entirely.


    Youre smiling, Taymented when everything had settled down. Did you know this was going to happen?


    Devonughed. Of course not. Otherwise I would have told you to dy for exactly this long. And yet just because he didnt know didnt mean there wasnt some part of him that believed. Devons chains symbolized how he broke free from those chains, taking control of his own life. But he could have a little bit of that freedom and his ability to decide the course of his own destiny while still very much appreciating his grandpa saving his life. And to be fair, he <em>had</em> asked for him toe.


    -----


    A little more than an hourter and a man-sized hole was torn in the barrier, the local area of which was slightly weakened after having been directly punctured by a single attack. The barrier could seal itself even after the previous extreme attack of the cultivator, but up close he was able to hold it open long enough to get through.


    He flew down towards the Runic Complex, stopping just outside their barely functional barrier. This was the point where he would give his name and ask for entry normally. Devon! Tell them to open the stupid barrier!


    Not long after, Anton found himself face to face with one of the longest beards he had seen. It rivaled Elder Var of the Grasping Willows, perhaps even putting it to shame. There was another old woman as well, standing cautiously as he approached. And then Devon.


    Devon gestured. This is Anton. Sect Head of the Order of One Hundred Stars. But you should probably address him by his name.


    ... Are you sure thats alright? Tay raised a bushy eyebrow.


    Dont worry, hell tell you how he feels, Devon grinned. Wont you?


    Yep, Anton said. He looked at Devons arm- orck thereof- and his face fell for a brief moment. And nows not the time for formality. I have a very important question for you. Tay of the Supreme Silver Sect, I believe?


    Tay nodded. Of course. What is the question?


    It is partially a question, partially a request. And you are one of those whose opinions matter. May I bond to your star? I would like permission.


    Yes, Tay said.


    You see, the reason is- just like that? Anton tilted his head.


    I was told to expect this. I havent heard the responses of everyone yet, but for my personal part I agree. You dont have to ask, do you?


    I dont, Anton confirmed.


    Then the fact that you are asking makes me want to agree. Though if I could make one request here?


    Tell me, Anton said.


    One of ourpanions here Cai of Marvelous Rabbit Mountain. He was separated from us on the battlefield and he hasnt returned yet.


    Marvelous Rabbit Mountain Anton swept his senses across the nearby area, picking up some traces of energy. He followed them quite a bit further. Several hundred kilometers, in fact. Holding his bow in hand, he took several shots one after the other. He should be fine. Hes on his way back. So what is your request?


    That was the request, Tay said.


    Hes not even from your, Anton pointed out.


    Cai is still one of our allies. If a bit overly enthusiastic.


    Hes also my ally, you know. Even if I havent fought alongside him personally, Anton said. I wouldnt just leave him. Especially not as apanion of my grandson.


    I just thought it might be beneath you.


    The only thing beneath me right now is a bunch of dirt. And formations. And some rather extensive tunnels. Anton shook his head. Should have stopped at the dirt. Might have been funny. Regardless, Im not going to show up and then not involve myself. He turned to Devon, looking at hismunicator. Whats this about information transfers?


    Devon gestured towards the formation. The Trigold Cluster is transferringprehensive information about the local post-Life Transformation stage. Its mostlyplete, but we could potentially stop it. Or corrupt it.


    I said only if you could take over all of them within the month, Ashildr pointed out.


    I see, Anton said. Then weve no time to lose. Tay, you know who else we should talk to about the sun thing, correct? Anton looked at Ashildr. Also, Devon, whats your opinion on <em>her</em>? Shes a local for certain. But I was hearing things about conflicts.


    She was doing what she had to, I think, Devon exined. Or at least what she thought she had to, while mitigating some of her actual contributions.


    Fine. Your opinion then? Same question, Anton said.


    Ashildr looked somewhat blindsided.About bonding to our sun?


    Thats right.


    Will it cause it any harm?


    It shouldnt, Anton said. Id really rather my bonded stars remain healthy. Ive done my best not to cause them any harm so far, with great sess.


    I suppose I agree, then, she said.


    Great. Anton held his hand out towards Tay. Grab on. Im exhausted, so we should probably get this over with as soon as possible.


    Get what over with? Tay asked, reaching forward his hand.


    Visiting all of the others. Anton grasped his forearm and pulled them both upward.


    -----


    After a flurry of being dragged from sect to sect to personally get answers, Tay wondered how a self-proimed exhausted man could drag him around so easily, flying like it meant nothing. Tay <em>could</em> fly if he needed to, but he was generally morefortable with his feet on the ground. This Anton fellow was far toofortable tearing through out of the atmosphere as he hopped from ce to ce.


    Im not sure I got fully honest answers, Anton said to him as they took a break in the Supreme Silver Sect. Tay was somewhat worried about how things might be with the Runic Complex, but it wouldnt take long for them to return at the speed this man had been dragging him around. But Im at least d that people have been consenting to my request.


    I dont think anyone would dare to lie to you Anton, Tay said.


    Thats just the thing, isnt it? They were certainly truthful, but not without some reluctance. But I am aware my presence itself was something of a coercion.


    I suppose so. But they really need to agree. This bond. It would make you a more effectivebatant? Tay asked.


    Indeed, Anton said.


    Then we have to agree, not from the threat of you but of the Trigold Cluster. Most people were leaning towards agreement anyway, and us flying in just encouraged them to make up their minds faster.


    Anyone else we should see?


    Well, we certainly have the majority. I guess of the important individuals Heath? I havent asked him.


    Well do that in a bit. I have to go talk to someone.


    Here? Tay asked.


    From our alliance, Anton said. We should have lunch.


    Well, actually... Tay had some ideas about that himself.