Sixth Realm

by Michael Chatfield

  “Your cultivation is stronger every time I am able to meet you branch leader Storgaard."

  "This humble master was pleased to receive your invite."

  "Progress in the Third Realm?" Jasper asked Yi.

  "Mixed, we have been instigating things here. It is known that Old Hei, passed to the Seventh Realm and his direct disciple had an issue with the Willful Institute. He didn't come outright and admit that there was an issue, but in the past couple of years he wasn't kind in issues that dealt with the Willful Institute. We have inflated these rumors among other groups. It has made them bolder and they have made more applications to the Alchemist Association to deal with the Willful Institute. No matter the mood of the Alchemist Association, seeing so many people turning in on the Willful Institute. They aren't stupid to stand in the way of the tide. The Associations have lasted for centuries because they know when to step forward and back. They've turned a blind eye to it all, while holding out a hand behind their back. As long as they see a return then they are fine with a change in the Willful Institute's position in the Third Realm."

  ***

  Storgaard smiled as she walked through the groups, greeting people here and there, she made sure to meet with them all.

  When her eyes looked at the last group her eyes tightened. The leader was talking to one of his aides not caring about where he was.

  "Adventurer's Guild," her aide's sound transmission sounded in her ear.

  Storgaard's cheek twitched as she walked up. The leader, the vice guild leader seemed to sense her presence as she walked up.

  He cupped his fists and bowed his head.

  "Branch Leader Storgaard, thank you for the invitation," The man's words were simple and straightforward, there was no grovelling in his tone, not display of his obedience or subservience.

  "I heard of your Guild leader's actions against Elder Hui and I couldn't help but want to meet him," She reached out her hand.

  "I am sorry that he is not here to meet with you, I am vice leader Jasper," The man smiled genially as he reached out his hand.

  She squeezed on his hand, trying to show her dominance. His smile didn't falter but his eyebrow arched as she felt that she had gripped an iron bar, she didn't put much strength in his hand, simply shaking her hand as if he didn't feel her exerting her strength. She applied all of her strength but Jasper looked confused.

  "I heard that he is training with some of your members," She focused her mana cultivation and shot her aura out, it covered Jasper and no one else, looking to suppress him, she didn't care to humiliate him, she wanted to test his limits.

  Jasper's breathing didn't even change as he scratched his neck.

  "I am sorry about that but we only got a few places in the top ten rankings of the Vuzgal competition last year. With the greater competition this year we're hoping that we can hold onto the spots and get more people in the top one hundred."

  Storgaard was focusing on suppressing him with her aura that her mind was a few moments slower. Her mind turned chaotic for a moment.

  "Vuzgal?" She asked as her suppressing mana cultivation fell on the two men behind Jasper.

  The man wearing a black cloak looked up with a dangerous look in his eye, his finger touching his ring as the people with him all became alert.

  She felt as if she was staring at a pack of wolves and she was nothing but an ordinary human. The other wearing simple clothes let out a controlled breath before showing a look of displeasure at Storgaard.

  She quickly dissipated her aura, the pressure disappearing. The cold killing intent disappeared from the members of the group as if it never existed, the simple looking man seemed to fade into the background again.

  "Yes, we were lucky enough to enter the competition last year and we could even get a guild house inside the city, have you heard of it? I heard that the Grey Peak Sect is looking to enter some of their warriors into the competition as well?" Jasper said as if nothing had happened.

  "I didn't know that you were competing in the Vuzgal competition?"

  "We are hoping to use it to launch into the Fifth Realm. We are a neutral party unless someone attacks our people. There are many missions that people need to be completed across the realms. We'll take on any mission that will not anger another group."

  "That seems hard," Storgaard said, with her background she knew how hard it was for independent forces to operate on their own.

  "We work mainly with the associations, guarding traders from place to place as well as crafters. There are also people that want to act in another area but because of their position and who they are allied with, they can't be seen to act. We can be that intermediary."

  Why do I feel like there are more mysteries behind this association than one can see on the surface?

  Her aide cleared his throat.

  "Thank you for coming," She said, clasping her fist.

  Maybe having the vice leader here is not such a small thing, they are already looking at getting into the Fifth Realm. To deal with such sensitive missions then their connections must not be small.

  She headed to the front of the room and saw the person leading the Alchemist Association cup their hands in greeting to the Vice leader of the guild and bow his head deeply.

  The Vice Guild Leader Jasper only cupped his hands, clearly showing that his position was much higher.

  The Alchemist Association representative actually looked pleased to get even this acknowledgement.

  She cleared her throat and looked at everyone there.

  "We have all got information that the Willful Institute has not been calm in the last few weeks. They lost a number of competitions and their treasury was even emptied by some unknown force. They have been trying to pin this on my Grey Peak Branch. Here, today I will swear on the Ten Realms with my life that neither I nor my people stole from the Willful Institute!"

  The golden light of the Ten Realms descended and then disappeared.

  Storgaard stood there unaffected as people started to talk among themselves.

  You all thought that we really had stolen from the Willful Institute.

  "If they can falsely accuse my branch, then will they then accuse others in the area, using that as a reason to attack our branches? They are the only ones that have said it was my branch that attacked them. Could it not be that they created the attack themselves, using it as a ploy to attack others? Use it to show their weaknesses? In the last few days, people from the higher realms have been gathering and reinforcing Elder Hui. The build up is coordinated, does it just seem like a simple ploy, or are they trying to expand their territory again?"

  The murmurs and talk in the room increased again for a few seconds before it settled down again.

  "All of us are members of sects no less powerful than the Willful Institute. What I am proposing is that we create an alliance to work together and remove this branch location. It is only a fight in the Third Realm, few will care, the gains would be too much for my own Grey Peak Sect Branch to take, but I think that we can come to an agreement between us all under the instruction of the Alchemist Association," She cupped her first to the Alchemist Association representative who stood there passively and nodded.

  ***

  Grand Elder Hui and his fellow Elders all had cold expressions.

  "The Grey Peak Sect is too shameless! Using the cover of the Adventurer's Guild they stabbed us in the back and stole our treasures!" Elder Tsi slammed her fist in anger.

  "How will we have the face to deal with the other factions? We are barely able to keep up our contributions," Elder Rei sighed.

  "I have sent word to the people in our own faction. This is not something that we can hide. With the Grey Peak Sect attacking us, then this might be the start of something more," Grand Elder Hui looked like he had aged decades in a few short weeks.

  At that time a woman burst into the meeting room.

  "You dare to interrupt!" Grand Elder Hui's power gathered as the anger that rested close to the surf
ace fought to be released.

  "Elder Xiao has arrived!" The terrified looking student said.

  Grand Elder Hui's mind ground to a stop.

  "He arrived here? So quickly?" Hui's mind started to turn over when there was a sound of rushing wind. The doors opened wider. A group of people wearing robes of the Willful Institute walked into the room.

  "Elder Xiao!" Grand Elder Hui bowed to the man who entered the room. He and all of the people with him didn't suppress their cultivation showing them to be from the late stages of the vapor mana core, to the early stages of the Mist mana core and in their late level forties.

  Hui's eyes scanned the people in the group, there were members from all of the factions. Hui felt something off as he saw them altogether, they looked harmonious in their actions instead of the usual bickering and anger they showed at one another.

  "Branch leader Hui, branch elders," Elder Xiao said.

  The doors slammed shut behind the group and formations activated so that no one would be able to listen in on their conversations.

  "The Willful Institute is under attack. We have been sent with a group of members from the Fourth Realm branches to assist you in dealing with this Adventurer's Guild and showing the people of the Ten Realms we are not to be messed with!"

  Hui and the other branch elders looked at one another, surprise in their eyes, some panic but mostly anger.

  "We are not the only branch under attack?"

  "Just a few weeks ago one of our branches in the Fourth Realm was attacked by several united Sects, in just a day and a half of fighting, the city was torn apart and the sects divided it up."

  A chill ran through the room as the elder's hardened their expressions.

  Seeing them all together then it makes sense. We cannot deal with this in just our factions.

  "Elder Xiao, what about the Grey Peak Sect?"

  "They are a large power in the Ten Realms, if we can show how we deal with the Adventurer's Guild, then it could make them think twice about attacking us again. Then if we go there afterwards, they might be more agreeable to handing back what they took with interest."

  ***

  “Well it looks like things will be harder in the future,” Glosil said, his eyes were flicking to the information coming into the command center, there were more operations going on around the clock now. People barely returned to Alva to rest before they were sent out again on a new mission.

  “In some ways yes, the Willful Institute is starting to work together, their leader isn’t in his position just because of his strength it looks like,” Elan said.

  “Kind of stupid to have someone as the leader just because they are stronger. People who are stronger in the Ten Realms are usually stubborn and hard headed, they have a path to follow and they’ll follow it, they won’t be flexible,” Glosil shook his head.

  “Which is perfect for the next part of our plan.”

  “When you smile like that I almost feel sorry for them. What are you thinking?”

  “The Factions are working together on the surface, it will take time before they can truly come together. If we can exacerbate some issues, create rifts and get the factions cooperation to show faults. Elders taking advantage, bribes, showing favoritism. Assassination, or at least attempted?”

  Chapter: Progress

  "Sect leader Quan," Lord Aditya greeted, waving him to his couches.

  After all I saw, the power backing you. I don't know if I should be awed, terrified or feel lucky that I picked the right side.

  "You are looking stronger with everyday! How are things with the Sect?" Aditya asked as he pulled out tea from Alva.

  "I was able to get some Age Rejuvenation potions, now I look and feel like I did back in my prime, with the help of our benefactors I have been able to open more mana gates and use the impurities in my mana to temper my body. I would not be where I am without their efforts and teachings, or your trust in me," Quan said.

  Aditya waved away the comments and passed Quan a cup of tea.

  "We are but two servants to the same master. We have both been lucky!"

  Quan saw that there was nothing more to say and drank from his tea.

  "Things have progressed well with the Sect.”

  ***

  Erik was sitting in the metal floor, he picked up a piece of metal and tossed it.

  If this was back in my days on Earth I would be scared of cutting my hands. Now metal shards are like pebbles.

  He picked up another piece and tossed it.

  Gilly let out a noise beside him, nudging him.

  Erik smiled and scratched her neck as he sat back. "I feel all this pent up energy sitting here and waiting. Our people are out there fighting the Willful Institute and I am just sitting here, I can't cultivate my body at this rate anymore. I feel that I am not far from breaking through, but Melissa is right, if I keep on pushing at this pace then I could tear my body apart."

  Gilly butted him with her head and glared at him.

  "I wouldn't try to do it intentionally!"

  She butted him again, her eyes narrowing.

  "Yeah I guess you are right, I am turning that frustration and anxiousness onto myself, trying to distract myself and get as strong as possible so when I am needed then I can do even more to help. Being a Lord is a pain in the ass," Erik sighed, thoughts floating in his mind.

  Maybe it is time that Alva was officially ruled by the council and we make them the true power. Having all this power over everyone is a bit scary.

  He sat there absently throwing rocks and petting Gilly.

  "I can't even increase my mana cultivation. I have reached a bottleneck to start forming my liquid core, but my body as feeble as it is now, if I was to do it, then I could kill myself."

  Erik cursed and threw another stone.

  "Egbert, how is work going with the dungeon?"

  "Slowly, the water floor is big. I am using the dungeon core here to redevelop the entire floor, remaking formations as I go. Also with all of the floors now under our command, issues I didn't notice before are appearing. I am having to go back and fix things on different floors first. Just takes time."

  "How long until the dungeon is at one hundred percent?"

  "Should be in a few weeks, like after the fighting competition I think?"

  "That makes me feel secure," Erik muttered.

  "You got something on your mind?"

  It's nothing Egbert, just training, training and more training while people are out there fighting for their lives, fighting for Alva."

  "Sure doesn't sound like you have nothing on your mind," Egbert said grumpily as he made a noise and stopped talking to Erik.

  ***

  "What is this place?" Ledell said as he looked at the long line of people that were leading into a small shop.

  "Is that Iron Wolf Killer Ledell?" Someone in the line said to their friend as he walked up.

  Ledell heard them talking about him as he hunched over, looking more like an ogre than human, scars and piercings covered his body. Studs stuck in his nose and along his ears.

  "What is this place?" He asked one of the people standing in line.

  "It is Momma Rodriguez's restaurant," A bystander said before turning around, instantly they backed up as their legs started to shake.

  "Restaurant, is that like the Sky Reaching Restaurant?"

  "I-I'm not sure," The person said, shaking out of fear.

  Ledell grunted as he looked at the line and the store.

  A group of people left and a young tanned girl appeared.

  "Sorry for the wait, your table is ready," The girl said to the people in line with a smile.

  This is the Fourth Realm, there is no one around to protect the door, it seems that they are fools. Restaurants, I heard that they can make food that can return one's stamina over a longer period compared to the potions and instead of being bland and boring it has flavor and depth.

  Ledell walked forward and pushed past the group that was waiting
in line.

  "Get the next one," He said, shooting them a glare before he walked in.

  "Excuse me you need to line up!" The girl said.

  "Do you know what is good for you, find me a seat!" Ledell said.

  "Lusia, is there someone causing trouble?" A voice came from the rear of the building that was cut off, fierce heat was leaking through the swing door.

  "He just butt the line!" Lusia, the girl said.

  The door opened and Ledell looked over, after all if it was some powerful master he could apologize, if not then he would do as he wanted. The Fourth Realm appreciated tough people. He needed to maintain his outward appearance.

  Butting all these lines, glaring and people and acting like a human ogre. Damn it is tiring. Can I just have a private seat away from everyone?

  A small diminutive woman wearing an apron walked out. Her skin spoke of a lifetime of hard work, while her shoulders showed that she had allowed nothing to break her down or bend her back. She was holding a wooden ladle in one hand casually.

  "What are you going to do about it?" Ledell asked with a sneer.

  "Did your momma not teach you manners! This Momma will!" He didn't know when she moved but he felt the smack before he heard it. He jumped up, grabbing his backside with a yell.

  Tears appeared in his eyes as memories from his childhood appeared.

  "You make so much noise!" Smack "Butt in line!" Smack. "Are you so much bigger and better than others!" Smack "You want to get away from Momma Rodriguez!"

  People watched as Ledell looked like he was dancing, jumping up as his backside was struck and then ducking as she somehow reached up and cuffed his head.

  How is this happening! Please! Please stop.

  "I just want to try your food!" He yelped out. The hits stopped coming.

  I can fight wild beasts with my bare hands, even while heavily wounded. I can't even see this old woman move!No wonder there are no guards, who would dare to make trouble? He looked back at the people in line pitifully.

  Couldn't you have warned me!