Chapter 31 Preparation
Felix left with Sunlight after putting some clothes on. Felix still needed to heal.
Mercury, Clover, and Earthlight were left alone.
“Mercury, you made him a Mortal Core Cultivation Technique. How?” {Earthlight}
“He had one for himself. I simply pointed him in the right direction.” {Mercury}
“Again. How?” {Earthlight}
“Cultivation Techniques are not based on Truth but on your own beliefs. I wanted one based on Colors, so I thought about what I knew about Color. Felix wanted one based on him being a Pheonix, so I helped him along with what image he wanted.” {Mercury}
“I…What?” {Earthlight}
“Makes sense.” {Clover}
“How do you understand this? Never mind. I forgot who I was talking to.” {Earthlight}
“Merc, are you going to make a Mortal Core Technique for yourself soon?” {Clover}
“I still need to think about it. Especially with us going to Tenebrosity soon.” {Mercury}
“What makes you think Clover is going with you?” {Earthlight}
“…”
“Fine, you are correct. But if anything happens to her!” {Earthlight}
“You know I will protect her.” {Mercury}
“*Sigh* Clover, I need to talk to Mercury alone.” {Earthlight}
“Okay.” {Clover}
Earthlight and Mercury headed to Starlight’s office, where there was privacy.
“What is this about?” {Mercury}
“What happened? You would not leave for no reason.” {Earthlight}
“I have not said what they called me back on Earth, have I?” {Mercury}
“Not that I can remember.” {Earthlight}
“Do you know anything about vampires.” {Mercury}
“!” {Earthlight}
“I will assume that is a yes.” {Mercury}
“Where did you hear about that word?” {Earthlight}
“…”
“The idea of Vampires are like Dragons and Phoenixes. We know that they exist but are rare. They are some of the most human like monsters. I am also using the biological definition of monsters.” {Earthlight}
“The biological definition?” {Mercury}
“It means that they are born through Qi or are born with a Cultivation Base. Animals may live out Qi, monsters cannot. You should not have encountered any true monsters yet. I mean…” {Earthlight}
“I do not count.” {Mercury}
“I know.” {Earthlight}
“Good to know about the difference. What about the vampires?” {Mercury}
“I know about this from my experiences from adventures on Tenebrosity. They called the first Grand Darkness a Vampire. Our Grand Darkness said that this ancestor was alive. Do you think they could be the same?” [Earthlight}
“Well, if they are, we do not have to worry about it.” {Mercury}
“What? How? Do I even want to? Oh no. Were you called a Vampire on Earth?” {Earthlight}
“Well, the people I gave my blood to were.” {Mercury}
“Okay, I want to be done here.” {Earthlight}
“Do you know anything about the Will of the World?” {Mercury}
“Nope. Starlight might, but not me. Nor do I care. I am done.” {Earthlight}
The conversation ended like this.
The month passed by fast.
Clover in an effort to surpass Mercury once again. Used some Earth Resources and made it to Mortal Core. Earthlight made her start carving stuff out of rocks and not just clay. She was happy to start. Without anyone else to practice with Mercury became her punching bag again.
Mercury was thinking about how to Cultivate Mortal Core but failed to find a satisfying way to do so. Mercury, not wanting to waste his time, bought more materials and Light Resources. He planned on just continuing his current Technique if he could not find anything before it was time to go.
Several Grand Elders came by to ask about his Colors and asked if he could write it down for the future. But Mercury said he could not explain it with just words. They had to leave sad but hopeful Mercury would be able to write it down soon. It was a few days before it was time to go did Day also came and introduced himself.
“This is Day, he will take over after Daylight retires from his duties. He will also be the one supervising your trip to Tenebrosity.” {Earthlight}
“Hello!” {Clover}
“Greetings, Grand Elder Day.” {Mercury}
“Greetings as well. But *Sigh* I am not a Grand Elder at the moment. Only after Daylight passes on the Title, can I be called a Grand Elder.” {Day}
“But Grand Elder Lightspeed has a lower” {Mercury}
“Please do not remind me.” {Day}
“Do you know what we will be doing at Tenebrosity?” {Mercury}
“If I am being honest, no. I have ideas but not anything set in stone. Weaving Metal might have a plan already… and speak and they shell appear.” {Day}
Starlight and Weaving Metal landed inside Starlight Manor.
“Greetings Day.” {Starlight}
“Greetings Grand Elder Starlight and… Weaving Metal.” {Day}
“I am not happy working with you either, but this is for the best.” {Weaving Metal}
“I know. I have other things to do. I will meet you at the Teleportation Formations when it is time to leave.” {Day}
“Every well.” {Weaving Metal}
Day flew off.
“You must be Mercury. I have heard a lot about you from Starlight.” {Weaving Metal}
“Greetings, umm.” {Mercury}
“Just call me Weaving Metal. Titles like Grand Elder are for the old people.” {Weaving Metal}
“Wow. You must be really good to get so strong so young!” {Clover}
“Pisstd.” {Earthlight}
Earthlight looked horrified before quickly saying something else.
“Clover, you are still young so you can be forgiven, but you should never ask a lady her age.” {Earthlight}
“So… I am an OLD Lady now.” {Weaving Metal}
“NO! That is not what I meant by that at all! Mercury ask her about her skills with Formations!” {Earthlight}
“So, now you are bringing up my years of experience with Formations.” {Weaving Metal}
“Miss Weaving Metal, I would like to know more about Tenebrosity’s Formations. What I have learned about them is that they are different, but the books and Teacher did not explain how.” {Mercury}
“You will find out more about them when the time comes. For now, can you please leave me with Earthlight for a short while?” {Weaving Metal}
“Mercury, Clover, you cannot leave me with her!” {Earthlight}
“Will you die?” {Mercury}
“… Maybe?” {Earthlight}
“He may feel… sore for a few days, but nothing more.” {Weaving Metal}
“Okay, do you recommend anything to buy at the moment?” {Mercury}
“Mercury! Clover, will you let him do this!?” {Earthlight}
“I would say get some extra clothes and fabrics. Luminescence fashion is always hard to come by over there and you could resell them for a good profit.” {Weaving Metal}
“Thank you for the information. Clover, let’s go clothes shopping.” {Mercury}
“Okay. The other girls at the sect wanted me to go, but I never had time. This is great!” {Clover}
“No!” {Earthlight}
Mercury and Clover came back a few hours later to find Earthlight collapsed on the ground. Broken but not died. He could easily recover in a few hours if he wanted to.
“Mercury, Clover, as soon as I can, I am leaving.” {Earthlight}
Clover lifted Earthlight out of the ground and hugged him.
“Thank you, Clover. We will see each other again. Mercury, please keep her safe.” {Earthlight}
“You know me. I will. You should worry about yourself more.” {Mercury}
“With you gone, the only thing I need to worry about is the new alcohol production. I will see if I could send you over some once it is done.” {Earthlight}
“I will be waiting.” {Mercury}
“Thank you for teaching me.” {Clover}
“Thank you for learning.” {Earthlight}
Mercury and Clover did not see Weaving Metal for the next few days until it was time to go. Mercury had packed up most of his and Clover’s things in one or more of his now several storage rings. Mercury hoped his wealth would still be useable over at Tenebrosity.
Felix came over before it was time to go. Starlight took everyone to the Teleportation Formation, where Day, Weaving Metal, and several other people were waiting. Some were other disciples that were being sent over as well. Some were their friends and family. Many people did not look happy but did not voice it.
After all the people who would be going to Tenebrosity were accounted for, they set off. Weaving Metal went first, and Day went last after all the disciples. After Day came, then the next batch of Teleportation could start. This way they could keep track of everyone. They headed in the direction of Gleaming Metal. From there they would set off to the Gray Continent.
Felix wished Mercury and Clover good luck as they left. When they arrived at the last city before the Shining Sea. Mercury could vaguely make out the outline of mountains out in the distance. The group made their way to an already prepared boat. As Mercury saw it, he could tell that Formation Masters and Weapon Forgers were involved in making it.
“Elder Day, this ship is more than just for crossing the sea, is it?” {Mercury}
“You will see soon. We can talk more after it departs.” {Day}
After everyone was on the ship, it set off. It was a good distance away from the island before the Formations were activated. The ship slowly started to float out of the sea and into the air.
“IT CAN FLY!” {Clover}
The other disciples who were brought were surprised as well.
“I see we are going to fly over the Gray Continent.” {Mercury}
“WHAT!?” {Clover}
“Good insight. The Gray Continent is… unstable. It is constantly changing. It is a paradise for the Cultivators of the Elements other than Light and Darkness, but it comes with constant danger.” {Day}
“What does that mean?” {Mercury}
Weaving Metal overheard them and came over.
“When Light and Darkness Qi meet in large amounts, it forms other the Qi of the other Elements. This causes the land to change rapidly. Lakes could form then dry in week or even days. Mountains could rise and fall. Each time you go to the Gray is a different experience. And one should only do so once they can fly. It is only because of ships like these that the limited trade even exists.” {Weaving Metal}
“More like smuggling.” {Day}
“Well not anymore.” {Weaving Metal}
“Light and Darkness meeting causes the Elements?” {Mercury}
“What was that?” {Day}
“Nothing. What about Tenebrosity? What is it like there?” {Mercury}
“It is hard to see there.” {Day}
“You will get used to it. But yes, it is much darker there. It is hard to describe without you seeing it for yourself. It is better for you to get to Mortal Core soon. With your divine sense being able to see around you would be a great help in you being able to see around yourself.” {Weaving Metal}
“I meant more about what areas there were. What factions or groups exist?” {Mercury}
“That is complex and simple at the same time. It is similar to what you have here. There are six main places around Tenebrosity that people live. The Central Darkness, where the Grand Darkness lives and oversees. Then there is the five Elemental Lands. However, we tend to Cultivate two Elements that complement each other. Take myself for example, I Cultivated Water and Metal. Water condenses on Metal. Wood allows Fire to burn brighter. Water allows Wood to grow. And so forth.” {Weaving Metal}
“My name Weaving Metal comes from the fact that I can make metals bend and flow like water. I liked your name from Mercury being the only water like metal.” {Weaving Metal}
“What about Gallium?” {Mercury}
“What is that?” {Weaving Metal}
“Never mind, will we be able to see the other areas and meet the… leaders of each section. I assume that you are one such leader.” {Mercury}
“You would be correct. We go by Protectors because as we do sometimes lead our area… Not all of us do so. Only me and Forest Fire really have a good control of our areas. The others have more complex relationships with their Protectors.” {Weaving Metal}
“You still call that ‘thing’ a Protector?” {Day}
“Do you want to be near his territory?” {Weaving Metal}
“…”
“That is what I thought.” {Weaving Metal}
“Do you have someone really strong here?” {Clover}
“With any luck you will not meet him. He can be kind but very intimidating.” {Weaving Metal}
“YOU CAN CALL HIM KIND!?” {Day}
“He let you live. Didn’t he?” {Weaving Metal}
“I barely escaped with my life!” {Day}
“He could have easily chased you.” {Weaving Metal}
By this point they were already above the Gray Continent, and it started to get dark. Really dark. Clover and the other disciples could only have experienced this kind of Darkness from being deep in a cave.
“Welcome to Tenebrosity.” {Weaving Metal}
Thank you for reading.
