Chapter 22 - Dao Conference

Falven was back at his Soaring Hill, resuming its training. Several days passed by in which he kept cultivating, studying the manuals, Crimson Bloodlust and the bone.

Truth was that Crimson Bloodlust had never spoken to him, he had lied to influence the elders’ opinion as smoothly as possible. He needed two things to reach his goal. The first one consisted in becoming powerful enough to forge its own fate. The second was a powerful army to wage war against the Heavens.

Although human forces had sharply declined after the Heavens Punishment, nothing could completely erase the domineering lineages which once stood proud in this planet. Among the several planets, this world was the home of the strongest forces humanity ever had, because of that it was known as the Apex World in the past. Falven knew that these frightening sects had hidden their legacies from the annihilation, giving hope to the future generations.

Every one of those sect had made preparations in the past, he was there. When he fell after being betrayed, the human forces should have seen the incoming calamity. Falven had decided to trust those powerful lineages, he needed to trust them, he felt he could trust them. Not their altruism, neither their good faith, he would trust their unwillingness to disappear and their power.

The Vastlands, the continent where he was now, were the home of most of these sects: Yin Yang Grotto, Devil Slaying Sect, Scorching Heavens Sect, Surging Vitality Tribe, they all had had an Immortal God cultivator. Falven’s plan was to recruit experts who could somewhat inherit these legacies, becoming powerful enough to help him in the future.

The Vastlands was the biggest continent of the Apex World, its natural chi was one incredible dense and vibrating. Four huge chi veins run under the continent, originating from its north, south, west and east poles and meeting at the middle of the continent itself.

The other two dominant sects had been the Asura Tower and the Sun-eating Sect. The former was the leading sect of the Apex World, where Falven came from. It was located in the current Barren Lands, a continent which had been banished by the Heavens to prosper ever again, each sect, city and country were annihilated, leaving only barren lands behind. No sect would go there, it was deemed a cursed land now, hated by the Heavens. Falven could guess the truth, the Asura Tower had been the outmost apex of humanity, a frightening existence even for the Heavens. Thus, these so called Heavens wanted to make sure it would never come to life again, capsizing that land.

“Senior Brother, we have important news for you” Roaring Lion exclaimed, while he and Gentle Waters arrived with happy smiles. “The Dao Conference is going to take place soon, as a core disciple of the Devil Slaying Sect you’re requested to join” Gentle Waters introduced the matter.

“Dao Conference?” “Yes, it’s more a meeting between young geniuses to say the truth, held by the Princess of the Unbroken Kingdom. She’s a beauty known by all for her wisdom and keen vision, you cannot miss this. The prodigies of each sect with a foothold in the capital will also be present. It’s a great occasion to discuss about the Dao and getting to know each other, the core disciple Devil Suppresser will also be present” Roaring Lion explained.

Falven wasn’t too excited about this matter, it could be considered a time loss for him. But he needed a powerful army in the future, he would test his luck and check if there was any talented youngster to groom. Furthermore the princess of the Unbroken Kingdom would host the conference… nostalgic thoughts entered his mind, a long time had passed, she was no more in this world.

“Very well, let’s go” “Senior brother, we cannot come, only the three core discples are allowed to join” Gentle Waters smilingly informed the youth. Falven well understood that the two desired to join, their facial expressions were too honest “No need to worry, if I say you can come then you can come”.

--------

The conference was held in a courtyard of the Royal Palace. All around marble statues and flourishing plants adorned the place, where young geniuses started to greet each other talking to old friends or making new allies.

A fairly tall guy, with delicate facial features, a robust body and a calm attitude approached the trio. The two youngsters immediately greeted him with great courtesy, bowing their heads “Senior Brother!”.

“Roaring Lion, Gentle Waters, I’m glad to see you here. Geniuses like you are far superior to many in this room, it would be a pity for the Dao conference if you missed it” The core disciple greeted the duo, before looking at Falven “I finally meet you, brother Fate Destroyer. Please pardon me for my late introduction and for not having congratulated you as the new core disciple of our sect”.

“Your words are too kind martial brother, it’s my fault for having passed all the time in seclusion. It’s an honour to meet you” Falven replied.

Roaring Lion exclaimed “She’s here!”. The princess elegantly entered the courtyard, under looks full of awe. She wore a long silver dress which fell as gently on her long legs as her dark brown hair on her uncovered shoulders. Her bearing was elegant and warm.

“Young prodigies of the Unbroken Kingdom, welcome to the royal courtyard for the annual Dao Conference. This place is brightened by your presence, thank you for having found the time to come” the princess smilingly declared, looking at each one of her guests.

The relationship between the kingdom and the sect was peculiar. Even if the Unbroken Kingdom was actually independent, its leader would come generation after generation from the Devil Slaying Sect. Each generation the sect would groom as core disciple a descendent of the Chosen Fate family to make him become a king or queen.

Sayri Chosen Fate was an only child and she had lost her parents at a young age, becoming the Unbroken Princess not long ago. She acted wisely and was able to quickly solidify her position thanks to the support of the sect and her loyal guardian the Royal Lord, a powerful Commander expert. This conference was an opportunity for her to build ties with the future pillars of many sects in the Country.

The conference started with Princess Sayri introducing some concepts on the Dao and the other geniuses explaining their understandings about them. Actually Sayri showed a deep attitude as a Dao lecturer and the presents would often gain insights by her words. But in the end Falven wasn’t interested in this level of discussion, the only interesting cultivators seemed to be the ones coming from the Devil Slaying Sect.

“Dao is harmony, everything flows following its essence. The waving waters, the blooming flowers, the erupting volcanoes, the offensive techniques of cultivators. Everything is ruled by the Dao and occurs in harmony with it. For the Dao there’s no Wrong nor right, that's human job”. The princess finished telling another chapter of her Dao lectures, opening a debate.

“Quite interesting” Falven whispered. He started appreciating her comprehensions of the world, he could feel that behind her sociable appearance she was distant from everyone else, as if she was playing in a never-ending masquerade. Similar mind recognise each other, it had been the same for hit... it had always been.

“Dao is the principle behind the world, the mechanism that allows swords to cut, life to grow, cultivators to cultivate. What’s the direction this mechanism moves forward, shall we seek a direction where to walk following the Dao Laws? Shouldn’t it be the Heavens, shan’t we aim for them? Maybe, by understanding the aim we can gain insights on the cultivation process, let’s say our direction is the Heavens, what then?” the core disciple of the fourth rate Thousands Stars Sect wondered.

“Brother Kao, your question is profound and righteous. We shall cultivate aiming for the Heavens, the apex of the existence, what else if not the Heavens? Dao is harmony, we shall peaceful look to the Heavens, using the Dao way to get glimpses of their majesty, being inspired by them. In the past humans tried to replace the Heavens, that’s why they were annihilated. Blind fools! Through harmony with the Dao Laws and the Heavens Will se shall acquire superior prosperity!” The core disciple of the Bloody Moon Sect stated.

“The one who has doubts and wonders about his direction shall one day find a path, who already believes to know the right path is doomed to stagnation!” Falven garnered the attention of all, and the hostility of the Bloody Moon core disciple.