Truthful Transmigration

The flight from the Fifth Peak to the Fourth Peak was no further than the typical distance in the Sky Islands, except it was arranged much more vertically. The difference in difficulty John had noted reaching the Fifth Peak was even more pronounced. He was tempted to support Ayhan and Lir, but he thought better of it. Instead, he only provided support for Viriato, who simply could not fly on his own. It might be possible for the man to learn a non-air flying technique, but that would be a long term project.

John paid careful attention to their flight along the path, trying to discern how and why it was different. The general aura around the Sky Islands still existed. The Peaks weren’t lacking in the crystals either. If anything, they had more of them. So why was it more difficult to fly between them?

Some part of it was the verticality. However, that only slightly increased the distance and shouldn’t have made the actual flight more difficult than anywhere else. It wasn’t that the connections were weaker either.

He pondered as the four of them flew upward. His two disciples were having particular difficulty, requiring great concentration from them. When they reached the Fourth Peak, John took stock of himself and the others.

“That was more difficult, wasn’t it?” he commented. Ayhan and Lir nodded. “Could you do it again?”

“It was quite strenuous… but I believe so,” Ayhan commented.

“My spiritual energy isn’t particularly low,” Lir agreed. “Is there some reason we would have to?” she asked, looking around.

“Not at all,” John shook his head. Indeed, his two disciples felt if not fresh at least somewhat vigorous. John hadn’t particularly been focused on replenishment of his energy, but he found himself nearly full.

Interesting. Was it a difference between skill or technique required and actual expenditure? He’d have to continue to pay attention to that. But first, they had a new Peak to get acquainted with. Not that they intended to be around for terribly long.

John still wasn’t quite certain if his message had actually reached Sitora, but he would reach her eventually. And chances were she would notice him regardless. He could already sense her, and it wasn’t likely she would simply ignore a new Ascending Soul Phase cultivator in the area.

The Third Peak might still be a problem. John was going to maintain caution with regards to them, since some of their disciples had tried to kill him. He couldn’t imagine that was outside of the direction of their elders, though he couldn’t say for certain if they were a unified faction. Perhaps he could learn some of that on the Fourth Peak.

“Congratulations on your ascension to the Fourth Peak,” said an older man who awaited them at the gates. His cultivation was in the late Consolidated Soul Phase, so most likely he was an elder of some sort. There were at least a handful of others that John could sense who appeared stronger than him, but he was still relatively near the top. “May we assume you are interested in continuing your ascension?”

“Absolutely,” John said. “My retinue is also interested in taking the challenges.”

“Very good.” He inclined his head. “The island is available, if you wish to meet with her.”

“I would appreciate it,” John said. Reading the situation, he continued. “I assume someone will help my disciples settle in?” John intended to take Viriato with him, and ultimately that was approved.

John had only briefly met the island master of the Fifth Peak. Without intending any sort of insult, that had been all that was useful. John wasn’t going to become a disciple of the Fifth Peak or engage in local politics long term. Her passing along John’s message was a fairly simple favor, and acknowledging that was pretty much the limit of appropriate reparations.

The island master of the fourth peak was a step above Mirka. Quite literally, of course, being one peak higher, but that was true in many ways. She was in the early Ascending Soul Phase, though at the thirty-ninth rank compared to John’s thirty-seventh. She seemed young, though that was sometimes difficult to judge.

She was seated on a throne, floating above the rest of the room- though sufficiently far back people didn’t have to crane their necks too much. John inclined himself just enough to be respectful but not necessarily subordinate. While the Sky Islands might not recognize it, John believed himself to be an equal as the head of a sect with his cultivation. Viriato bowed much deeper.

“John Miller of the Six Elements Crossroads,” the woman said. “Welcome. I am Venera.”

She floated down from her position, landing atop the steps that led to the same level as her ‘throne’ would be, if it didn’t fly. She was making a show of her power, but not so much that she would embarrass herself if she later lost to John. It was an open question, since John only had so many experiences fighting Ascending Soul Phase cultivators. However, he was quite certain he could perform well enough to pass regardless. And when the time came, he wanted to win.

“It appears you are acquainted with Sitora,” Venera commented.

“That is correct. We fought against mutual foes in the past.” To some, it wouldn’t be that long ago. Even to John it wasn’t all that long, about a third of his time spent in this world. Perhaps a particularly long fifteen years in some ways, but he thought himself better for it.

“Curious,” the woman said. “I’ve spoken with her of what happened only rarely, and she said little even then.”

“She managed to settle the score with an old rival of hers,” John explained. Surely that wasn’t secret.

“Yes. From the Molten Sea,” Venera nodded. “They traveled quite far to fight over some prize.” Venera turned to Viriato. “You are Viriato, an elder of the sect, correct?”

“Yes, island master,” Viriato replied.

“You practice an unusual combination of elements,” Venera said. “Our challenges are doubtless still valuable for your advancement, but without the air element among your totems I suspect you have another purpose. Otherwise another elder would have been brought.”

Except for the fact that the Six Elements Crossroads had few others who could claim the title of elder at the moment, she was spot on.

“That’s right,” Viriato said. “My purpose is to open negotiations to trade with the Sky Islands, whether directly or through the Wuthering Steppes.”

“As long as you can provide something of sufficient value, we may be interested. But such a talk is for another time.” Her eyes returned to John. “I am interested in hearing more about your sect. Your cultivations are quite… intriguing. Moreover, your sect was founded recently, was it not?”

John answered some questions she had. Nothing sensitive, but there was no point in denying things like their disciples usually practicing a cycle of elements. Venera found herself quite fascinated by their ability to cultivate in a neutral element zone.

In return, John managed to slip in some questions about the various Peaks, including the Third and Second Peaks. It didn’t seem the Third Peak had made any sort of public declaration about him, but there was no reason for them to have done so. At best, they would have exposed their own wrongdoing, or at least opened themselves up to questions they would rather not have asked.

There was no luck with there being some sort of minority faction that might have been responsible for the attack- at least nothing Venera knew of. Not that John had expected much different.

Sitora had not yet sent a reply, but John was ever more confident she would be aware of his presence. It wouldn’t be difficult to recognize him, either. The difference between four and five elements wasn’t so stark that he would feel like a different person. Perhaps if she wasn’t paying attention it might slip her mind, but everyone would feel him once he properly fought. The only appropriate challenge would be with Venera herself, though that would be the last of their group’s challenges.

-----

Ayhan and Lir were able to secure victories once again. Assessing their battles, John determined that while their opponents weren’t particularly stronger than those from the Fifth Peak, they were more skilled. Similar to the arenas below, there were many floating platforms which became both cover and footing. The only difference was that the floor was no longer a valid part of the arena, instead it was simply there to catch anyone who fell.

Once again, an advantage towards those who could fly- but even for Viriato it wasn’t a terribly big disadvantage. He once again maintained a handy lead against his opponent. With water and fire as two of his elements, he had both a dominating element and one that was easily overcome. However, the Sky Islands weren’t used to opponents with both. They focused too much on trying to take advantage of his water element and not enough on the threat of fire.

Combined with light and darkness, which he used with great skill, his opponent was kept off balance the whole fight. Viriato also managed to confuse his opponent as to which platform he was actually standing on, with false projections appearing real enough until an attack was launched- and even then if the attack missed it wasn’t always clear which was which.

The victories weren’t necessarily easy for any of the three, but they were determined to win. Meanwhile, the Fourth Peak cultivators fought well because they didn’t want to be embarrassed, but they had little to actually gain from a victory. It was that edge that kept the rest ahead, and John hoped that they would be able to keep it up.

-----

More important than fighting well against Venera was learning. Of course, if he lost terribly in his first actual fight against an island master he would be extremely embarrassed, but John was confident he would hold his ground well enough.

He was looking forward most to his first time fighting an Ascending Soul Phase cultivator that he hadn’t known beforehand. And a proper fight with just him. He’d fought against Gesine in the past, and the Society of Midnight had pushed their sect master to display a similar level of power, though the breakthrough hadn’t been stabilized. John hadn’t fought Rezso head on, taking a back seat to Charlotte.

Perhaps he shouldn’t be interested in a one-on-one fight, if he wanted to use his abilities most effectively. But either way, measuring himself against Venera required doing his best, and he would learn the most that was as well. His goals were aligned. However, if possible, he also wanted to win instead of just meeting the minimum standards.

Venera readied a large hooked polearm as they faced off against each other. John could expect her to fight up close, which was fine with him given his own style. No doubt her ability to fly would be better than his, but with the size of the platforms… he had an idea of what her strategy was.

When the battle began, John was happy he hadn’t truly displayed his abilities in the Sky Islands just yet. Venera deflected his throwing daggers seriously, but she didn’t sense the true dangers behind them. Ethereal flames began to flicker over her, and while she would sense their effects soon enough the flames fed easily on her earth element.

John didn’t expect the battle to last long enough for her to get worn down from just that, but he had a strategy. Venera approached quickly, and the first sweep of her polearm pushed John to the edge of the platform. She landed, solidifying her own footing- and ensuring there was nowhere on the platform out of her reach.

His free hand was used to catch and deflect the haft of the weapon, when he could not parry it with his sword. He didn’t try to hold his position long, rapidly switching to a different platform. They were all of similar size, but he was still better off fighting his opponent before she had established her footing. John’s mind raced as his spiritual energy fed into itself, five elements working in concert. He couldn’t wait to see what else she had in mind.