POV Elder Jeoksa Jaemin

  Elder Jaemin of the Jeoksa Family stepped out of the

  carriage, and he made no effort to hide his disdain. He held a fan in

  his hand and could easily have used it to hide his expressions, but he

  made no such attempt.

  Peasants and wasteland savages who played at being nobles

  were unworthy of his practiced courtesy. His flawless white and teal

  robes made even the clothes of this cult’s upper echelon look cheap. The

  black cylindrical hat with wide brim which protected his topknot added

  to his noble appearance.

  His eyes quickly scrutinized the large outer court of the

  palace and took mental notes of both what it had attempted to achieve

  and in which precise ways it had failed to do so. Certain features and

  design choices were clearly made by someone unqualified to construct

  something that could be called a palace.

  The leader of the escort guards, who had dismounted the moment they stopped, stepped up and announced, “Elder Jeoksa Jaemin, Ambassador of the mighty Jeoksa

  Family!” He looked at the two wasteland savages, and he

  noticed that they both remained on their feet. “Kneel before your

  betters! How dare you insult his eminence!” His hand moved toward his

  sword but was stopped by the elder.

  “Captain Dam, halt.” The elder’s eyes were glued to

  Sebastian’s face. While he had not paid much attention to the guards at

  the gates as they entered the city—such trivial matters were left to his

  escorts—he was still of such a high level that he could recall every

  detail, should he choose to do so. Usually there would be no point but

  the moment he laid eyes on Sebastian his instincts screamed at him. He

  knew the man standing in front of him—not personally, but he knew of

  him. It took only a few moments to go through his memories and recognize

  who the man was. “Don’t you realize who this man is, Captain? We are in

  the presence of the fallen morning star, the Heavenly Demon.” He

  chuckled as his mind raced with possibilities. “I confess, originally I

  came here with the intention of accepting whoever had endured the recent

  Major Accomplishment Tribulation into the service of our Jeoksa Family

  to earn favor with the patriarch, but now I’m not so sure that’s the

  best course of action. You are aware, I presume, that both the Great

  Martial Alliance and the Lumerian Kingdom are looking for you. Turning

  you over to the alliance would earn me enough contribution to the Family

  that I could ascend to Core Elder...”

  POV Sebastian

  As the elder continued his ramblings, seemingly without

  any care for anyone else’s thoughts on the topic, Sebastian considered

  his options. He had never been particularly low profile with where he

  was nor his identity ever since he founded the cult, but the Red Sea was

  so secluded that it had not been much of an issue before.

  I knew I’d be found sooner or later,

  but honestly I had hoped there would have been time to develop the cult

  a little more. From the pressure of their essence, only the elder

  himself and the leader of the guards are over level 50. The elder even

  over level 60.

  Alright, let’s take a breath.

  The way I see it, there are two ways this ends—either I kill them all or I send them on their way.

  If I kill them I make enemies with

  this Jeoksa Family, which would likely mean the end of the cult. They’re

  too close and too strong. Killing an elder here as an ambassador would

  mean bringing their entire army to our doorstep.

  But if I send them home, this greedy

  bastard will settle for reporting my location to the Great Martial

  Alliance, and they’ll come for me instead. Although, they may already

  know where I am and about the cult, but at least they haven’t acted on

  it yet. If someone raised the issue, that would probably change.

  It would be easier to kill them but probably worse in the long run, but I really don’t like being so passive in this.

  I need to make a decision, but they both feel like bad options. So, maybe there’s a third one!

  He’s greedy, I can use that. I’ve

  read enough novels about stuff like this, there’s always someone in

  every sect or Family that will prioritize personal benefit over

  everything else, and Elder Jaemin certainly looks the part.

  When the elder finished his monologue about Sebastian’s fate, a sudden, physical pressure fell on the five visitors.

  Sebastian had reached inward, to the singularity that

  formed his Soul Seed. It was modeled after a true black hole, and

  through it, he pulled out its powers of gravity into the real world. He had never tried something like it before, but it was a

  thought he had toyed around with during his previous testing. Could he

  project the gravity of his black hole and control its powers?

  The answer was a resounding yes.

  The space around the ambassador and his escorts trembled

  and distorted with power. All five of them collapsed under their own

  weight. The elder and the leader of his guards fell to their knees, but

  they at least managed to resist to a certain extent. The other two

  guards were pressed flat against the ground. Even so, they held up

  better than the coachman. He had still been sitting on the carriage when

  the pressure erupted, and he violently collapsed onto the ground, bones

  breaking in the process.

  Sebastian narrowed his eyes and adjusted his control of

  the gravity. It lessened slightly for the coachman but increased for the

  elder and guard leader. They could still stay on their knees but could

  not for the life of them get back on their feet. As their struggle

  intensified, their faces distorted in strained grimaces.

  “S— Sto— Stop this,” the elder said in a whisper as he could barely get the words out.

  The guard made a desperate effort to reach for his sword,

  but a Demonic Essence Sword manifested in the air right in front of

  him, putting a stop to his meager attempt. He turned his gaze from the

  dark sword floating the air to the eyes of the man who created it. Upon locking eyes with Sebastian, the man froze. The air

  between them was distorted from the gravitational pressure, but

  Sebastian’s indifferent gaze pierced through it. As a [Nascent Soul]

  stage cultivator, his direct attention wasn’t something just anyone

  could endure.

  A visible tremor shot through the guard, who broke out

  into a cold sweat. The man’s strength wavered for a moment, and he

  failed to keep his head up. A CRACK resonated as the tiled stone beneath him cracked at the impact with his forehead.

  Sebastian turned his attention back to the elder.

  Even with a lifetime of carefully perfecting his control over his expressions, the elder couldn’t hide his fear.

  “Elder Jeoksa Jaemin, let us talk," Sebastian said. "I have a proposition for you.”

  He released the group from the gravity of his Soul Seed, and they all gasped for air like they'd had been drowning and suddenly breached the surface.

  The two weaker guards retreated to help the coachman who

  was still unconscious but alive. For a brief moment, the leader of the

  guards reacted on sheer habit and placed his hand on his sword to

  protect his elder.

  Sebastian immediately reactivated his gravity on the

  guard who once again collapsed flat on the ground under the concentrated

  might of Sebastian’s Soul Seed.

  “Captain Dam!” Elder Jaemin shouted. He turned to

  Sebastian and pleaded. “Please… Cult Leader, my escort won’t try

  anything,” Elder Jaemin said before turning to the guard. “Will you?”

  The gravity vanished as quickly as it appeared, and the escort guard stood back up, carefully and respectfully.

  “No, sir.” He retreated a few step to stand behind the elder.

  “Vice Leader Macias, please help our guests settle in

  while I speak with the Ambassador. And get the coachman some medical attention.” Sebastian rarely referred to his own

  people with proper titles or the like, but to maintain the dignity of

  the cult, and their image in the eyes of their guests, it felt

  appropriate.

  “Of course, Demon Lord,” Marion said with a polite bow.

  “Please, come with me,” she said to the four escorts as she walked

  toward the reception hall on the right hand side of the outer court.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Well, that just leaves us. Come with me, Ambassador.” Sebastian led the ambassador to the Supreme Hall of the Heavenly Demon.

  His eyes were kept pointed in front of him, but through

  his spiritual sense, he could see the ambassador squirm. The man acted as

  though he had fully submitted, but his eyes betrayed him. They

  were constantly scanning both Sebastian and the area around them for

  anything he could use to gain an advantage.

  They entered an office which overlooked a garden within

  the inner court on one side, and on the other side, views of the city

  provided a beautiful backdrop. Though parts of the palace covered some of the

  view, the city at this point stretched out across the horizon.

  The middle of the room was raised up a half step, and a

  small table stood in the center. Sebastian took a seat. “Please, sit,”

  he said, gesturing to the opposite chair.

  Ambassador Jaemin sat down and an awkward silence ensued.

  He knew better than to initiate a conversation like this. It would

  place him in a weaker position and would make him lose an opportunity to

  gauge the man in front of him.

  Sebastian didn’t care. After a few moments of silence, he chose to begin.

  “Let’s summarize so we can start fresh, on the same page

  as it were.” Sebastian held a firm eye contact. “From what I understood

  of your little monologue earlier, you expected to find a lowly gang

  leader who recently endured his Major Accomplishment Tribulation, and

  you intended to make him work for you, correct?”

  The experienced Ambassador narrowed his eyes. “Correct.”

  “And, upon arriving, you realized that you instead found

  the man wanted by the Great Martial Alliance, as well as their enemy,

  the Lumerian Kingdom, yes?”

  “…yes.”

  Sebastian smiled. “Well, as you can see. I am not some…

  ‘wasteland savage’, as you so affectionately called the people of the

  Red Sea.” The contempt in his tone was unmistakable. “I am strong enough

  not to be bullied by visitors. If that is your goal, you would need a

  full invasion for that. Naturally, I would not want your Family to

  launch an attack against our city. Of course, I also can’t let you

  summon the forces of the Great Martial Alliance here either. This leaves

  me in an awkward spot.” Sebastian paused for dramatic effect. “However,

  I’ve found that it is in situations such as these that the greatest

  advantages lie. I believe there is a way this ends with both of us

  benefiting, greatly.”

  Outwardly, the elder didn't react, but through his

  spiritual sense, Sebastian could tell that the man’s greed wouldn’t let

  an opportunity slip through his fingers.

  Elder Jaemin’s pulse quickened slightly, minute drops of sweat formed, and his pupils grew by a fraction.

  “You’re certainly correct, Cult Leader. I must apologize

  for earlier, my fidelity to my Family got the better of me as I saw an

  opportunity to contribute. Naturally, I wouldn’t dare act against the

  Heavenly Demon.” Any discomfort he might have felt could not be seen.

  Even the infinitesimal symptoms from earlier vanished as he settled into his

  performance. “If you see a way for us to move past this slight on my

  part, and in such a way that we both may benefit, I am all ears.”

  His

  acting was so impeccable that Sebastian almost wanted to believe him,

  almost.

  “For starters, my Heavenly Demon Divine Cult is still

  new, still developing. And we would like to continue doing so. For that

  we will need allies, and I believe you would make the perfect partner. I

  can see how skilled of an ambassador you are, that happens to be

  exactly what we need.”

  Even Elder Jaemin’s perfect act struggled to keep it

  together at the suggestion. “Partner?” he asked incredulously. “I

  recognize that you are more powerful than expected, and that your

  background is greater than anticipated, but… and forgive me for saying

  this, why would I recommend to my patriarch that my great Family should

  ally with you when you are hunted by the Great Martial Alliance?”

  Time for the most crucial part.

  Sebastian leaned forward. “Why should someone as talented

  as you need to recommend anything to someone else?” Although the

  ambassador was resistant, Sebastian could tell that he was intrigued. He

  decided to lay it on thick. “A man with your aptitude shouldn’t settle

  for ascending to Core Elder, the title of Patriarch is much more

  fitting.”

  Elder Jaemin’s eyes opened wide, unable to believe what

  he was hearing. “I am many things, Cult Leader, but traitor is not one

  of them.”

  “Is it treason to act in the best interest of your

  Family?” Sebastian said. “My Divine Cult might be young now, but soon we

  will be a force to be reckoned with. With the help of a talented

  patriarch leading a powerful Family as our allies, that time will come

  even sooner. Any aid given to our Divine Cult’s rise would be repaid,

  tenfold.”

  The ambassador took a deep breath and leaned back in his

  chair. “Cult Leader, while I appreciate your favorable impression of me,

  I am afraid my loyalty to the patriarch, and my Family, is not so

  easily swayed. With your power, I am certain that your cult shall rise

  in due time, but for now you have only just endured your Major

  Accomplishment Tribulation. To even discuss a conflict with my own

  patriarch, or any other, requires a level far higher than that.”

  Sebastian realized that the first bait he threw out

  wasn’t enough to hook the elder. That was alright, he had more to offer.

  He leaned back and chuckled. “You came here after seeing what you

  thought was a Major Accomplishment Tribulation, yes? Let us correct that

  misconception, shall we? Yes, it was me who was the target for the

  [System]’s trial, but what I endured was not a Major Accomplishment Tribulation.”

  For the first time, the elder’s acting truly faltered.

  “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean, Cult Leader. The

  tribulation was large to be sure, it covered a great deal of the Red

  Sea, but there was no Tribulation Fire or other visible signs of a Grand

  Accomplishment Tribulation.”

  Sebastian flashed a smile. “It wasn’t a Grand

  Accomplishment Tribulation either, it was something else entirely. A

  Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation.”

  The elder’s shock quickly turned to confusion. “A what? I’ve never heard of any such tribulation.”

  “That’s not surprising,” Sebastian said, confident that

  his baits had found purchase. “I’m the first in eons to summon one, if

  not the first. Major Accomplishment,

  and Grand Accomplishment for that matter, are tribulations for those who

  reach certain levels. That is no longer possible for me as I am no

  longer under the purview of the Leveling System. Instead, I walk the

  ancient path of cultivation.”

  Elder Jaemin took a moment to process. “I’ve never heard

  of this ‘path of cultivation’ either but if what you’re saying is true,

  and... for whatever reason, I am inclined to believe you—against my better judgment—then I

  suppose there are some benefits to this path. Benefits that are in my

  interest as well?”

  “There is,” Sebastian said, holding the ambassador’s

  complete attention. “The greatest being that cultivators do not have

  limits.”

  The ambassador’s eyes widened in shock. “I— Wait… What exactly do you mean, 'no limits'?”

  “I mean just that, Ambassador.” Sebastian knew he had

  him—hook, line, and sinker. “Myself, and my demonic cultivators who have

  graduated from our Cave of Latent Demons, no longer have any limits.

  Since we no longer level the same way you do, our potential is truly

  limitless. Naturally, there are caveats and requirements, time being the

  biggest one. But given that time, I will—without question—surpass the

  power of an Immortal at level 100. It is why I moved here, to the Red

  Sea. It is a place where I can develop myself and my disciples in

  relative peace. We are still fairly weak, but in another decade we will

  likely rival the average Group bordering the Red Sea.” With every word,

  Sebastian's presence grew. He was no longer giving a pitch but rather

  speaking from the heart. Subconsciously, he drew power from his Soul

  Seed which seeped into the office, distorting the air around them. “In

  two decades, we will surpass them. In three and beyond, my Heavenly

  Demon Divine Cult will become the single most powerful force in

  Mugongji, and eventually, in the entirety of this world!”

  The elder lost his composure. His mind went into

  overdrive thinking about the implications for what he just learned. His

  eyes threatened to bore a hole in the table.

  “You said would benefit from this. I will reach my

  limit in roughly a hundred years, and I will never reach Grand Accomplishment.”

  He squeezed his fist to stop his body from trembling and looked up at

  Sebastian. “Can you make me a cultivator to surpass that limit?”

  “Unfortunately, no,” Sebastian answered, deflating the

  ambassador somewhat. “Among the caveats and requirements I mentioned, a

  major one is that anyone beyond level four, or perhaps five, is already

  too deep onto the path of leveling, and they can no longer turn to

  cultivation. Not without a near certain risk of death, a risk that

  increases with every level.”

  “Level five?” He paused to consider an idea. After a

  moment, he looked at Sebastian with greed in his eyes. “I have a son. My

  firstborn and only son. He is only two years old at the moment and his

  limit is… disappointing. He will never surpass Major Accomplishment, but

  you are saying that you can change that?”

  Sebastian smiled as he knew the deal was done. “Yes. At

  two years old, he is still too young, but when he grows a little older

  we can take him to study and train. When he graduates, he will be a

  demonic cultivator, with infinite potential.”

  The elder’s eyes turned serious. “And what would you ask of me in return?”

  “Simple, Ambassador. What my Divine Cult needs most of

  all right now is time, and resources of course, but time is the most

  crucial factor. If you and your Jeoksa Family could help keep the other

  forces, and especially the Great Martial Alliance out of the Red Sea,

  then we could grow without issue. Soon we will be strong enough to deal

  with any who might seek to threaten us, but until then, we need your

  help. You could certainly help as the ambassador you already are, but as

  patriarch, we could help your Family expand as well. As you know, the

  Red Sea doesn’t have many monsters or opportunities in general, but

  having our disciples work together with your Family in expanding your

  own influence, they would gain crucial experience.”

  The Ambassador had almost completely lost his carefully

  constructed mask, his greed and ambition was clearly written all over

  his face.

  Sebastian let the man stew and mull the offer over, but

  he knew it was already decided. He had read countless novels where a

  shady elder plotted with foreign powers to elevate their own personal

  status and power within their sect or Family. It brought a smile to his

  face to be responsible for such a plot himself.

  “So, to summarize,” the elder said in a professional

  tone. “The Heavenly Demon Divine Cult aids in my ascension to patriarch

  and in return I, and the Jeoksa Family, provide resources to the cult as

  well as help keep foreign forces away from the Red Sea while the Cult

  develops. When I have taken my place as patriarch, the cult will provide

  aid in expanding the Jeoksa Family and to increase our influence.

  Additionally, when my son is ready, he will be trained to become a

  demonic cultivator, and will have the full support of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Have I included everything?”

  Sebastian smiled and nodded. “You have. Together, we

  shall grow more powerful than the Great Martial Alliance could ever

  dream of.”

  “Well then,” Ambassador Jaemin said, “I believe we have a deal.”

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