Chapter 472: The Power of Restraint

Stella watched the situation with her arms crossed and an amused smile. She was curious how Ash planned to handle this. If it were in the past, he would likely go all out and kill the cultivators, but Stella had noticed something—with power came restraint.

In a way, the ability to show restraint was the greatest show of power. It meant you were so overwhelmingly more powerful than your opponents that you could dictate their life and death with no risk to yourself.

"Should we do something about that?" Ryker asked, tugging lightly at her sleeve.

"Why?" Stella said, shrugging. "It would be a waste of Qi."

Unlike Ash, they didn't have unlimited Qi to throw around. Teleporting through the aether was already a luxury, but stopping a dozen Jade Sentinels in their tracks would take everything she had and might even be fatal. She was still too weak to have the power of restraint that Ash could wield. So, funnily enough, these fools flying through the sky to try and destroy Willow had a better chance of survival if she didn't get involved.

"But what will happen if they damage the Patriarch's property?" Ryker asked again, being careful to choose his words around the Celestial Warden.

"They can't," Stella said simply, dismissing his worries. After all, a fragment of Ash's soul was present within the Bastion. "All we can do is wait and see if they will live or die."

The blazing trail of Star Core Realm cultivators arcing into the sky from the mountain was closing in on Willow. A few raised their swords, conjuring techniques, and in a wave, they were launched toward the Bastion.

Ashlock answered in kind.

Reality around Willow shimmered violently as space bent under immense pressure, rapidly compressing and decompressing in chaotic waves. The techniques soaring through the air were torn apart by the convulsing fabric of space. Then, with a devastating pulse of spatial Qi, reality around Willow suddenly expanded outward—unleashing a shockwave that sent the gathered cultivators hurtling back to where they had come from.

"See? There was nothing to worry about," Stella said with a smirk as the mountain trembled from the impact.

Tiberius, who had gone as pale as parchment, didn't seem to mirror her nonchalance. His hand was tightly clasped around a communication jade as he stared into the distance.

"Hey, cheer up," Stella patted him on the back. "It looks like they all survived. That's good, right?"

Tiberius slowly turned to look at her. "That's not what I'm worried about. We..." he gulped, "just attacked an envoy from the Ashfallen Sect."

Stella glanced at Willow floating in the sky. I suppose to him, Willow is impressive, but compared to Moros, I'd hardly call him an envoy—he's more like a scout.

"Don't worry about it," Stella said, waving him off.

"Really?"

"What? Do you think we answer every small transgression against us with violence?" Stella said, narrowing her eyes.

Tiberius smiled wearily. "I suppose a lot of my preconceptions about how the Ashfallen Sect handles things came after witnessing the fate of the Lunarshade family."

"Ah..." Stella blinked and realized where the confusion had come from. Wiping out an entire noble family in a night because they dared to hurt her while she was bragging about being able to kill them with a single finger might have been a little bit of an overreaction. Though to be fair, while it had been instigated by her, it was Ash who went all the way to annihilation.

A cultivator entered the room with a message. "Celestial Warden, the stand-down order has been issued. However, the Lotus Informants and Sage Advisors are requesting if you have any more orders for us regarding the hostile floating island?"

The Celestial Warden glared at the cultivator. "Who said it was hostile? It was you idiots who went and poked a hornet's nest without checking first. Inform everyone it's an envoy hailing from the Ashfallen Sect and should be treated with respect."

"Don't forget to tell the populace about the portals that are about to appear," Stella added.

"Yeah, what she said," Tiberius said and then paused. "Actually, I'll just do that myself." Turning around, he kicked the giant window, shattering it into a million pieces. Jumping through the flying shards, his Star Core hummed, and he took flight.

Stella flinched as she hadn't been expecting that. Qi crackled at the edge of the broken window frame, and from a quick look at the runic enhancements engraved in the frame, she realized just how much force had been in that casual-looking kick.

Even with the ashen snowfall affecting the capabilities of their formations, I might not have been able to break that window without unleashing my full strength—yet he simply kicked it like that?

The Celestial Warden was a monster among men.

Maybe I should speak to him a little nicer... nah, we've got a good thing going. For whatever reason, he does nearly everything I ask without hesitation and knows how short I like my meetings. Actually, now that he mentioned seeing the Lunarshade incident, I can understand where some of that fear toward myself and the Ashfallen Sect comes from.

Shrugging, Stella saw a pair of chairs near the window and decided to take a seat. Jasmine happily took the other seat next to her, leaving Ryker to drag one from elsewhere.

"Can I get you three anything?" the cultivator from earlier asked. He was a middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of a Lotus Informant.

"Tea, tea, spirit wine."

Stella felt the stares of Jasmine and Ryker.

"What?" Stella shot back.

"Really, Master? Spirit wine?" Jasmine said.

Ryker nodded in agreement. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not? We are going to be here for ages," Stella said, crossing her legs and getting comfortable in the chair.

"We are? Why?" Ryker asked.

Stella waved her VIP pendant in his face, "Because I haven't been paid yet, and there's no way I'm coming back here a second time to spend my Yinxi Coins." She glanced over her shoulder at the waiting cultivator. "Two teas for the children and spirit wine for me," she said, and the man bowed before leaving.

"Now, let's enjoy the show," Stella said, her spatial ring flashing as she withdrew three similar fruits and passed one to Ryker and Jasmine, respectively. They were ones Ash grew purely for taste and would serve as the perfect snack.

If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

Taking a bite and savoring the divine flavor, she directed some Qi to her eyes and ears to not miss a thing as Tiberius paused a cautious distance from the Bastion.

"Greetings, envoy of Ashfallen," he said, bowing ever so slightly.

There was a drawn-out silence until Anubis, the shadow lich, stepped out of the shadows cast by Willow's canopy.

"I've heard a lot about you from my daughter," Ash replied via Anubis.

Tiberius glanced over his shoulder, and Stella gave him a little wave. He smiled wearily.

"Hah... good things, I hope?" Tiberius said to Anubis.

"Mostly good," the shadow lich grinned.

"That's a relief, and I wanted to apologize for my people attacking you. We were on high alert after a beam shot through the sky, and the clouds turned to ash that messed with our formations."

"Then it's my fault, so all is forgiven. Besides, sending those weaklings back with a little spatial Qi was easy enough."

"A little spatial technique... I see," Tiberius mumbled as he scratched the back of his head. "I guess compared to that beam you shot at the beast tide, it could be considered little. Actually, on that topic, I was informed by Stella that you are ready to make portals leading to the new city? Do you need time to set them up? I can have people assist—"

Anubis raised his hand to indicate he should be quiet. "No need for any help. The portals will be ready within a few minutes."

Tiberius nodded in understanding. "Truly, you are deserving of your divine status. However, before I make the announcement to the populace, may I inquire how many portals there will be and where they will be placed so I can inform my people and we can avoid a confused panic?"

Anubis met the Celestial Warden's gaze. "I'm busy, so I want this to be quick. I'm thinking at least a thousand portals, and I'll have them formed at the ends of streets to make the evacuation swift."

"Did you say a... thousand?"

"Not enough?" Ash asked. "I can do ten thousand if needed. It's not a hassle, really, as they are all leading to the same place."

"He's showing off and doesn't even know it," Ryker chuckled from Stella's side. He was happily munching on the fruit, and she noticed a silver aura around his eyes, suggesting he was enhancing his eyesight with Qi like she was.

Stella nodded. "It's not his fault that everything he does is so ridiculous."

"A thousand should suffice. Please don't stretch yourself," the Celestial Warden half begged.

Anubis nodded and clapped his hands, "Very well, let's begin."

Streaks of spatial Qi erupted from Willow like a barrage of falling stars, arcing through the sky toward the city below. At the sight of each impact, a swirling portal was birthed that shimmered with distorted space.

Clearly surprised at the speed of developments, the Celestial Warden floated to be positioned above the city. The air around him trembled with power. Breathing in deeply, he opened his arms, and his Qi-empowered voice boomed throughout the sky like a god passing judgment.

"Citizens of Nightshade City, my name is Tiberius, and for those who don't know, I'm the Celestial Warden of the Eternal Pursuit Pavilion. With the beast tide arriving far sooner than forecasted and under the cover of a raging storm, evacuations have begun. However, a new location for the Tainted Cloud Sect has yet to be found, so a temporary settlement in the Qi-deprived lands far from the beast-infested leyline has been established. As many of you know, airships have been leaving like clockwork to move people, but due to the vast distance between here and the settlement in the Qi-deprived lands, evacuations have been far slower than intended. In light of this, I have struck a deal with the Ashfallen Sect, a new powerhouse in the region and the owner of this floating island I stand beside, for your salvation," he paused, letting his words settle in. "I know it sounds scary, but do not be afraid. A new city awaits you through one of the thousand portals that have appeared throughout the city, and I promise you will be treated well should you go through it. However, you must be quick... there's no telling how long the portals will remain open, and if you remain here in Nightshade City, only death awaits you."

With that, the Celestial Warden finished his speech. He turned to Anubis.

"Was that all correct?" he asked.

Anubis nodded but raised his finger. "I would like you to add one last thing. Tell them the All-Seeing Eye has generously cleared the weather for them and prepared food and housing for everyone."

"The All-Seeing Eye? I'm not sure I know of them, nor will the citizens of this city." The Celestial Warden frowned.

"I know," Anubis grinned. "But they will soon enough."

The Celestial Warden shrugged. Clearing his throat and taking a moment to think of what to say, he eventually addressed the city. "Praise be to the All-Seeing Eye for clearing the weather on this day and preparing food and housing for you all on the other side. That is all. Good luck."

He exchanged a nod with Anubis before returning to the office. Shattered glass crunched underfoot as he walked inside through the broken window. Stella noticed his gaze pause on the three of them sitting in seats, eating fruit and drinking.

"Did you enjoy the show?" he asked, chuckling.

"Yeah, not bad," Stella replied, taking a final bite of the fruit. It was the perfect amount of sweetness, with a zesty flavor, and paired well with the expensive-tasting spirit wine. It wasn't as good as the stuff Douglas had made, but it was palatable.

"Not bad..." the Celestial Warden shook his head while muttering to himself and walking through the room toward his desk. Collapsing into his chair with a sigh, he spent a moment looking out the broken window at the clear night sky.

Stella stretched her back and slouched in her chair as she felt the warmth of the alcohol spread through her body. Taking a moment to appreciate the night sky, a thought drifted through her mind.

I'm bored.

Tilting her head, she eyed the Celestial Warden. "Can I just get paid now?"

He shook his head like a parent saying no to a child. "Not until I've verified that the mortals have been moved successfully and I can establish the new branch for the Eternal Pursuit Pavilion in this new city. Only then will you be accredited the funds."

"Ugh," Stella grumbled and stared up at the ceiling. "I hate waiting around and doing nothing."

"Do you have no other tasks or things you wish to buy and sell while here? It will take some time to move operations to the new city and get everything set up again, so this might be your last opportunity for a while," he paused. "Actually, I think some merchants were doing flash sales."

Stella flipped open her pendant and checked her balance. She had a few thousand Yinxi coins. It was enough to buy some decent stuff, but she couldn't be bothered. The only thing she wanted to buy was spirit stones so Ash's offspring could get stronger.

"Hold on," Stella stood up and walked over to the Celestial Warden's desk. Pausing before it, she stared at it. "Does this thing still work?" she asked, pointing at the desk.

Tiberius looked at her weirdly. "It sure does. Why?"

Stella made her way around the desk and stood before him. "Move over, I want to call someone."

He raised a brow. "Who?"

"Janus Crestfallen, the same person I called last time," she replied and gestured for him to shoo.

The Celestial Warden leaned back in his chair. "Is that so? Well, you know it costs a lot to use it?"

Stella snorted and crossed her arms. "It costs a lot now? Last time, you practically forced me to make the call despite my attempts to tell you I would do it later, and you told me it was free of charge."

"Times have changed," Tiberius gestured to the outside. "The beast tide made things expensive, you know?"

"Whatever. I can pay later," Stella said impatiently.

"No need," the Celestial Warden waved his hand, "For you, it can be free. I'll just need a small favor from you later."

Stella raised a brow, "What kind of favor?"

"I just want you to introduce me to someone. Nothing crazy, I assure you."

Stella narrowed her eyes at him—while sounding innocent enough, it sounded hella suspicious.

"Who?"

He smiled. "That's a secret. Trust me, it will be no fun if I tell you now."

Stella wasn't sure about owing this man a favor, but if it was going to be interesting, maybe it would help quell her boredom while waiting for the money to be sent.

"Fine, you got a deal."

"Great!" Tiberius sat forward and slotted his pendant into a hole in his desk with a click. Power rippled across the desk surface, causing a golden interface to manifest. Like last time, it presented all the pavilion's operations, but many seemed to be unavailable. "That ashen snowfall really did a number on our formations, huh," he muttered as his hand danced across the interface until he located the message function and selected the Frozen Star Sect. He wrote out a quick message request and sent it off.

"We can only hope he's still staying there, as I have no way to contact Janus Crestfallen directly," he said, rising from his chair and offering it to her.

Stella took the offered seat and stared at the interface. Minutes went by, and she began to irritably drum the armrest with her fingers. For some reason, the longer the wait, the more her confidence began to waver. What was she supposed to say to Janus, her brother who had saved her from the Celestial Empire at the risk of his own life?

A giant projection of a man's face suddenly appeared, scaring the life out of her.

"Stella?" The face she vaguely remembered from her childhood leaned in. "Is that really you?"

"Y-Yes," she meekly replied, getting cold feet. "Hello, brother," she gulped. "We have a lot to talk about, don't we?"