Chapter 268: Inner Circle

Chapter 268: Inner Circle

"Stella, withdraw your blade," Ashlock instructed.

His adopted daughter huffed the hair out of her eyes in annoyance but thankfully listened to him. She wiped the fresh blood off the black metal with a cloth before depositing the sword in her spatial ring in a flash of silver light.

Sebastian hesitantly raised his head now that the instant threat of death had passed and let out a sigh of relief.

"So you want to join the inner circle," Ashlock spoke into Sebastian's mind with {Abyssal Whispers}. Since he had already cast the skill on him the last time they met under his canopy, he could reawaken the connection so long as Sebastian was within the range of his roots. He also projected his words to Stella and the Grand Elder so they didn't have to listen to a one-sided conversation.

Sebastian quickly fished a bottle of Mind Fortress pills from his pocket and popped the cork. He only gulped down a single pill compared to the three he had last time.

"Immortal, as a person in power, I hope you understand how big of a deal this offer is. I am a servant to an heir of the Silverspire family and a prominent member of a branch family in my own right. For the two of us to offer ourselves to you with an oath of absolute loyalty means we place the Ashfallen Sect above our own family. If you were to go to war with my brothers and sisters, I would be at your side with a blade drawn pointed at my own kin."

Sebastian placed a hand on Ryker's head, and for once, the little rascal didn't raise a fuss, "Despite Ryker being from the main branch, he is the 7th in line, and his mother holds less power than the Grand Elder's other wives. Even if he received the Silver Core, his position in the family would not be elevated by much."

"I understand now. You see more potential for Ryker's future under the banner of Ashfallen. Is that correct?"

"That I do," Sebastian nodded, "It's why I hope you will forgive me for sharing that information with his mother. It took an understandable amount of persuasion for her to agree to let her son swear an oath of loyalty to an unknown sect, knowing that she could one day face Ryker down on a battlefield."

"I believe in the importance of family," Ashlock replied, "There will always be a spot open for Ryker's mother here at Ashfallen, and I will do everything to ensure the scenario you just presented does not occur."

"That I appreciate more than you know," Sebastian ran a hand through his silver hair.

"Despite your conviction, I cannot welcome you into the inner circle."

Sebastian's hand paused.CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

"If you swear an oath of loyalty, I will give you and Ryker access to all the resources you seek. Both of your cultivations will skyrocket, and you will be under my protection. Don't misunderstand. I am generous, and I fully understand the sacrifice that you are making for such a leap," Ashlock paused. "But joining the inner circle for now is impossible."

"Why not?" Sebastian stood up and petitioned to the ceiling, "We share a common enemy. You will have the loyalty of an heir to the main branch of the Silverspire family. One of the most powerful in all of the wilderness!"

Ashlock knew all that, but it didn't change the fact that he didn't want anyone new joining the 'inner circle' because it was nothing like Sebastian was expecting. Everyone was lazy. They didn't have many secret plans like they alluded to, and Ashlock didn't feel like he could be himself with a new person around, especially someone as uptight as Sebastian. Some may call him introverted, but it was the truth. He was happy with his tight-knit group and was adverse to bringing in new people.

Luckily, he had a scapegoat.

"Anyone Stella disapproves of is not allowed in the inner circle," Ashlock said simply as if it were a fact. "I may control things from the shadows, but she is in charge while I cultivate. You betrayed her trust, and she drew her sword on you."

"But I had to"

"There is, unfortunately, nothing I can do. If you earn Stella's approval in the future, perhaps you may be welcomed into the inner circle. But for now, we are happy to take you on as a vassal of the same rank as the Redclaws. You will receive all the same benefits. The only difference is you will live here on White Stone Peak."

Sebastian sat back down and eyed Stella across the table.

Stella was seething with rage.

"Tree, did Nox's attack knock out your brain? How are you sprouting even more nonsense than the Grand Elder was earlier?" Stella shouted at him through telepathy as she ground her teeth, "This is the most ridiculous meeting I have ever been in. I am never agreeing to one of these again!"

"Stella, do you want Sebastian snooping around our peak? Sitting on the bench beside you? Telling you off for lazing around? What about having Ryker constantly asking to be your Disciple or wanting to train with Jasmine? Does that not sound horrifying?"

"You're right... that does sound horrifying."

"The Redclaw Grand Elder and the Silverspires might start asking why Jasmine was let into our inner circle, but they aren't. By making you the gatekeeper, your Disciple's inclusion is obvious, and if you find anyone else you would like on our peak, you can wave them in."

"You know what, I quite like the sound of this." Stella calmed down and resumed her haunty pose as she tapped her chin.

Seeing that his scapegoat was open to the idea, Ashlock went for the finishing blow, "This also gives you a position of absolute authority in the sect. Nobody will want to get on your bad side as it denies them the possibility of reaching the inner circle."

Stella's lips curled up into a smirk, "You heard the immortal. Your actions that put Ashfallen at risk displease me, but your value is notable. Join the sect and work hard, and I may forgive this transgression someday."

Ashlock chuckled as he saw Sebastian's respectful bow, "She plays the part of a haughty princess so well it even tricks seasoned cultivators!"

"Then... we will take you up on this offer." Sebastian sighed, "An oath of loyalty for power. Turning our backs on family, we pledge ourselves to Ashfallen. I hope, in time, you will recognize our worth and sacrifice, Mistress Stella."

"I will make a note of it," Stella nodded, "The oaths will be written up in heavenly ink and delivered to you in the near future. If that is all, I have much to do so"

Stella hummed, "Possibly." She wasn't paying attention to her Disciple as she scanned the land below.

That looks like the village nearest to where I found that kid huddled under a rock from that insect monster. Stella tilted the sword toward it. The location was near the great wall that separated the eastern fields from the rolling meadows of the wilderness. With Tree's presence and Larry's hunting sessions, there have been no incidents with monsters around these parts as of late.

Stella let off the faintest hint of her presence as she arrived above the village and began to descend. All of the doors of the village banged open nearly simultaneously, and middle-aged men and women armed with rusty shovels and rakes ran outside.

"Someone sound the bell to alert the Redclaws!" One of the men shouted as they all glanced around with their knuckles going white from holding the shafts of their tools so tightly. "I sensed a monster."

Is my presence really so frightening? Stella wondered. And why do none of them think to look up?

"Calm down mortals," Stella called out. If they ran the bell, it would cause an unnecessary panic.

All the villagers squinted and covered their eyes from the sun with their arms as they looked up.

"Is this the village with the mortal named..." Stella trailed off and realized she couldn't remember their names or face. Was it something beginning with an A? No, that doesn't seem right; a W, perhaps?

A kid with sandy blonde hair dashed between his father's legs, scrambling to get out of his wooden hut, "Miss cultivator! Is that you!"

Stella squinted at the kid behind her mask. I have no idea who that is.

"What is your name, mortal?" Stella crossed her arms as she floated a few meters overhead with the sun to her back.

"Sam!" The body energetically replied, "You told me I could be a cultivator one day if I reached the top of that mountain, and you would tell me the secret to cultivation!"

That name does sound familiar... Sam. I remember him being a half-dead kid who was nothing but skin and bones, but here he is, bustling with energy and life. Is this really the same mortal I lied to? Yet the story checks out; that is what I told the kid, so this must be him.

Stella lowered her sword and hopped off. Leaving it floating there, she strode over to Sam with Jasmine in tow.

"Are you really Sam?" Stella said as she paused before the boy and looked down at him, "You look more full of life than I remember."

Sam scratched the back of his head, "Well, I had been running from that monster for a few days when you found me. But since you left, I have been eating well and training every day because the village has put their faith in me. Even if I still can't cycle any Qi, if I train myself enough, I should be able to climb that mountain to meet you."

Now I feel bad for lying, though I suppose it's motivated him to train. Yes... let's focus on the positives here. At least I get to look generous in front of my Disciple.

Stella's spatial ring flashed. A truffle, a bottle of pills, and a parchment that detailed the most basic breathing technique appeared in her hands. "This is for you... because of all your hard work."

"You have been watching?" Sam took the gifts with wide eyes.

"Sure..."

I feel like I messed up this conversation somehow. Stella frowned behind her mask and quickly changed the topic. "Eat the truffle and the pills, and follow that parchment, and you should find it easier to cycle Qi. If you want to try your hands at some combat practice, a tournament will be held in a month at Darklight City. Those with the most potential will be welcomed into the Ashfallen Sect and be allowed to live atop White Stone Mountain."

"A month away..." Sam's excitement faded. "That's too soon."

"There will be more tournaments in the future, so don't worry," Stella reassured the boy, "Oh, and my disciple here will be participating, and as of now, she is not far above you in cultivation level."

"Really?" Sam eyed Jasmine, who was a head shorter than him.

"Yeah, if you beat her in a round, maybe I will even let you replace her as my Disciple"

"Master?!" Jasmine shouted in horror.

"Only joking," Stella ruffled her hair. It was fun seeing her react like this.

Sam clenched his fists, and there was the fire of determination in his eyes, "A month... I can do this."

He does know I was joking, right? I would never trade this random mortal for my adorable Disciple. Stella wondered but decided it didn't matter.

"Thank you for blessing my son with such gifts," The man behind Sam, who was likely his father, said with a grin, "The name's Barry, by the way. Feel free to come round whenever you need fresh vegetables or a hearty soup."

"It was nothing really. I was simply passing by," Stella waved the man off and hopped back on her sword. "Thank you for the offer, though. You should check out Ashfallen City, which is near the old mine. It's far closer than Darklight City and would be a good place to sell food."

With that, Stella took to the skies, leaving the villagers behind. There were still a few hours before Jasmine had to go home to her mom, and Stella planned to have her eat every truffle and fruit imaginable.