Chapter 247: Starting Over

Chapter 247: Starting Over

"I am surprised that worked," Ashlock mused as he felt heaven establish a connection between himself and Julian. It felt similar to when the Redclaws swore an oath to the Ashfallen Sect. "Since anything to do with Ashfallen is linked to me, they will be oath-bound to me even if they didn't know of my existence through these divine ink contracts."

Ashlock watched Julian spend the next minute expressing his immense gratitude to Elder Brent and the Ashfallen Trading Company for his new position and his surprise to be receiving a house. The man had been staying with his family in one of the servant rooms inside the White Stone Palace. There was no reason he couldn't continue to live there, but Ashlock was keen to separate groups of people as much as possible to avoid sensitive activities leaking to lower chains of command. Even with the ethereal chains wrapped around his heart and soul to enforce the oath of secrecy, not everyone was under a similar oath. Julian's wife and daughter were such examples.

"That heavenly ink contract took a lot of convincing from Kaida as it was a bit of a rushed job, and I woke him up from a nap. In retaliation, he refused to make any more unless he could see the people himself." Ashlock would shake his head if he could. Of course, he could demand the Lindwyrm to make them anyway; Kaida was enslaved by the system, but Ashlock didn't feel like it. He liked to treat everyone under him as equally as he could... well, except Stella. She got special treatment, which was likely corrupting her attitude a bit. Maple was also a bit harder to order around.

"Nobody would believe the daughter and wife if they went around claiming I had a way to turn them from a mortal into a cultivator anyway. Due to the oath, Julian cannot share anything he learns with his family, so it should be fine." Ashlock obviously expected the two ex-mortals to visit Kaida for contracts. "All those trivial benefits I added should entice them to bind their souls to the Ashfallen Sect."

They certainly wouldn't be trivial to Julian, but a single bottle of pills, a handful of spirit stones, and a single fruit a month was nothing for Ashlock to concern himself with.

"You better get going," Elder Brent gestured to the door, "The speech starts soon."

"Thank you again. I will get my wife and daughter to hear the Grand Elder's profound words." Julian gave another bow and then left with measured strides. He was a true businessman who knew how to please his higher-ups.

"He's perfect for the job. Not only does he have prior experience, but he is also easy to win over with such few resources." Ashlock didn't even want to think about how much someone like Sebastian would demand to fill the position. "Also, since he is now a cultivator, if he eventually reaches the higher realms and extends his lifespan, he can hold that position for a long time without us having to waste time finding a new person."

Ashlock watched Julian strode through the hallway of the White Stone Palace and drag his confused wife and excited daughter to the square. Even while not being watched by the Elder, Julian respected the maids and other Redclaws as he passed them by giving them nods.

"Immortal, are you there?" Elder Brent asked the ceiling in the meeting room while eating a Mind Fortress pill.

"Yes, I am here," Ashlock replied through {Abyssal Whispers}.

"I apologize for calling out to you like that, but would it be possible for me to stay behind this time?" Elder Brent requested, "I know I am on the cusp of reaching the Star Core Realm, but I would rather watch over the Ashfallen City's development and ensure everything goes smoothly than go to the Mystic Realm. It simply wouldn't sit right with me."

"Just admit you dislike cultivating," Ashlock replied and held back a laugh when he saw Elder Brent freeze. He had noticed that Elder Brent seemed strangely behind his peers despite all the boosts he had been receiving. "Don't worry. Everyone has their own interests and strengths. I will want you to reach the Star Core Realm eventually, but I was wondering who I would leave in charge while everyone is gone and if you are volunteering..."

Elder Brent wearily smiled and scratched the back of his neck, "I always found cultivating incredibly dull since I was a child and never had much talent for it. So yes, I am happy to volunteer to stay behind."

"Fine, I will have you manage Ashfallen City over the next week alongside the other Redclaws. The place will need some policing as there will be rampant crime. The people are desperate, and the houses are far from secure."

"Thank you," Elder Brent bowed and went to the door to follow after Julian toward the square. The speech was about to begin.

***

"Darling, where are we going? Are we going to be okay? Hey... speak to me. Did the meeting with the Elder go well?"

Julian slowed his hurried steps and smiled warmly at his wife Catherine, who was a step behind with their daughter Jasmine.

"We are going to meet up with the others from Slymere and hear what the Redclaw Grand Elder has in mind for us." Julian ruffled Jasmine's hair as she also seemed concerned and quiet, "As for the meeting with the esteemed Elder Brent, it went more than well. I've been given a job by the leader of this placedon't give me that faceI have never seen such a generous offer. We are going to be fine, trust me. More than fine."Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Catherine's gaze seemed to burrow into his soul in search of lies. They had been together for more than twenty years, so he could only smile wider when he saw the look of relief wash over her after finding his enthusiasm genuine.

"Oh, thank the heavens," Catherine looked down at Jasmine, "Did you hear that Jaz? Daddy has got a job with the cultivators."

"When can I be a cultivator too?" Jasmine asked innocently while looking between the two of them with expectant eyes. "I want to fly!"

Julian crouched down to meet his daughter's eyes and grinned. He was almost too excited to tell them the good news that his precious family would also be able to cultivate, and best of all, he could watch them progress from the side rather than down in a mine working off an impossible debt.

"Now, I am sure everyone is skeptical. Why would we provide such things to you? Well, there are two answers." The Grand Elder paused, and Julian felt like he was hanging on his every word, "The first is because we can. Making homes was easy for us, and there is plenty of food due to the lively forest that covers the land that stimulates crop growth. The second reason, however, is a little more practical. The Ashfallen Trading Company has been outsourcing its work to the mortals of Darklight City, but they are jobs that would better suit the people of Slymere. Therefore, in the coming months, the Ashfallen Trading Company will offer jobs to the citizens of Ashfallen Cityyour new home."

A portal rippled into existence directly under the Grand Elder, much like the one Julian had used to escape the city days earlier. Through the purple hue rift that tore through space, Julian could see a wide stone road flanked by buildings on either side and red leaf trees?

"Before you all explore your new home, there are a few things I want to say." The Grand Elder said, "We ask that those who plan to run shops inhabit the houses closest to the road to stimulate commerce. There are also houses up in the mountains for those who prefer a quieter existence away from the noise of a city, and there are also some below ground in the mine. To make living underground more appealing, those who reside down in the mine will have complete access to the mine with no taxes."

Julian noticed a more shifty group of industry workers exchange a knowing grin.

"Food will be delivered at midday and distributed from carts on the central road. You can travel and work in Darklight City if you wish, and you can also upgrade or change your houses however you want within reason. However, you may not harm or chop down any trees." The Grand Elder's piercing gaze swept over everyone present, "I have no doubt crime will run rampant. My family, including an Elder, will keep watch, so approach them with any issues. Let's keep safe and make it through this winter alive while making Ashfallen City a place worth living."

A silence fell over the square as everyone waited for the Grand Elder to finish.

"Oh... and it's first come, first serve on the housing, so best of luck."

More portals rippled to life across the square. It didn't even take a few seconds for people to dash toward their nearest one.

Julian grabbed Catherine's hands and jogged toward the nearest portal that had appeared just behind them. Jasmine clung to his head tightly.

"This is crazy," Catherine shouted over the stampede, "How can they decide who lives where this way?"

"I agree, but how else could they do it? Off money? Status? Age? There are a hundred thousand people here, and the cultivators certainly don't care enough to talk to each of us and assign housing."

"Honey," Catherine squeezed his hand, "Did you forget we are cultivators too?"

Julian turned to smile as they ran through the portal, "We may be in body, but not yet in mind. Look at us; we are running to go live with our fellow mortals rather than staying up here."

The world around Julian rippled, and he felt his ears pop as the air pressure changed. The temperature also went up alongside the overwhelming smell of nature. On either side of him were the rows of the houses that flanked the main road.

We don't need a house near the main road. I want somewhere safe and quiet where we can all cultivate. Julian looked up at the towering mountain and saw houses nestled among the trees. Deciding that was perfect, he made his way through the chaotic, narrow streets and began his climb.

"Not getting tired?" Julian asked Jasmine after a while, and the little girl shook her head. "Really? These steps are steep."

"I don't get tired anymore," Jasmine declared with a grin, "Cultivators can run forever!"

She's not wrong. I haven't felt this full of energy in all my life. We are at the bottom of the barrel of cultivation, yet I already feel like I could run up these steps as if I were decades younger.

After a while of not seeing anyone, Julian looked over his shoulder and saw a few groups of people far behind, also moving to higher ground, and they all had one thing in common. Their clothes were of high quality.

They are all the nobles of Slymere. I even recognize some of them. Julian couldn't help but laugh. Was it so ingrained in Slymere's noble culture that the higher up the mountain they were, the higher their social standing? I suppose I am doing the same, though it was for a different reason.

"Darling, how about this one?" Catherine's voice drew his attention. She was standing before a stone house that looked identical to all the others they had passed, but it was built on a rock outcrop that jutted out of the mountain, and it was hidden from the houses above it by the beautiful scarlet-leaved tree that overshadowed it.

"It's perfect," Julian walked into the empty shell of a house. There were no windows besides the doorway and a hole that led into the basement. Jumping down to look, he saw it was just as bare as the upstairs, except there was a hole in the corner that was likely the toilet.

"Okay, we will take a walk to Darklight City first thing in the morning," Julian called up through the hole and chuckled when Jasmine poked her head through with a cute smile. "We might as well use some of our funds to flesh this place out.

"I agree," Catherine replied as she scooped up Jasmine in a hug, "At least a door would be nice."