"As of today, we'll be adding Faction Leader Silver into our ranks," Patriarch Dimsum decided as all the faction leaders nodded in agreeing to him.
Originally, they felt skeptical about it until the patriarch relayed some information from Lord Baruch. With Lord Baruch's words backing up Silver on his knowledge, they no longer had lingering doubts regarding him.
"We'll give Silver the alias of vice-leader under Old Yam to prevent mass displeasure from the disciples. Please inform your vice leaders of Silver, as he will now be a part of our ranks. If any disciples have issues pertaining to this decision, announce his accomplishments.
Tell them that during the 5 years, he helped us through experiments that we've successfully completed based on his insights. Do not say it is from his written exams. We need to ensure his status is set in stone.
Silver, as the faction leader under the guise of vice, you must handle your responsibilities with care. You will always have ample time to cultivate, since there isn't much happening in the Undecided Faction.
I hope you can give the other faction leaders a hand to help further and strengthen our sect. Send me the details you want for your personal medallion, tokens and what you want built on your Eclipse Peak. This will ensure your status in and out of the sect.
Another thing, I may add, is that your medallion allow access to everything within the sect and unlimited time on the Isle of Wisdom."
"Thank you," Silver spoke with a heart filled with gratitude but he felt puzzled. He was stuck in the Isle of Knowledge for 5 years. What could give him this much status.
"The reason you have earned this position is due to Lord Baruch, Silver," Patriarch Dimsum added when he saw Silver's puzzled expression.
"I see. I must thank everyone for giving me this once in a lifetime chance then. I hope to ensure the growth of our sect and protect it with the fullest of my capabilities!"
"No worries lad, I enjoy your presence and the help you've given cannot be repaid in many lifetimes," declared Old Yam smiling brightly.
He was dead set on having his Silver wed his daughter. Such a talent, multitudes of knowledge, and strong cultivation wasn't something he would let go. He wanted talented grandkids and the rights to brag!
He had to strike the iron while it's still hot and not spoken for.
"I'm sure you have an idea in mind of what your insignia for your medallion and tokens would be?" inquired Inscriptionist Velvet looking at Silver.
"Yes, I would like to see what your insignia would be. If you don't mind," Blacksmith Fang added. He created the molds of the medallions and sent them to Velvet, who inscribed the insignia, formation and/or arrays.
"Let me draw it up write now," grinned Silver as a brush and paper appeared in his hands from his spatial ring.
Everyone stared at the paper intently, curious as to what he would draw.
Silver began drawing out his insignia. In one stroke, lasting 10 minutes, an image of a crow with three eyes appeared. Once he picked up his brush, a powerful and thick intent gushed into the atmosphere of the third pagoda floor.
A three-eyed crow ink drawing flew out of the paper, flapping its wings around the room and flaunting it's intent. The intent was exceedingly compelling. It locked everyone, excluding Silver, in place.
It felt as if the intent was from a supreme being above life and death, chaos and order, space and time. All disintegrated under its pressure. This was the intent of emptiness that Silver comprehended when he attained enlightenment in the void.
It begins with nothing. It ends with nothing. An unfathomable and untouchable power released from the void.
The crow cawed three times before returning into the piece of paper. Everyone released their breath, feeling amazed beyond words.
"Amazing! This inscription can help me make a breakthrough!" exclaimed Inscriptionist Velvet full of exuberance.
Even though she couldn't recreate the intent, it still gave her invaluable insights! Just the thought of inscribing that profound insignia onto the medallion gave her an exciting chill. A geyser of euphoria.
The bottleneck she'd been stuck at can finally be broken.
"Looks like I get to finally use that Dark Star Ore I been dying to try," beamed Blacksmith Fang.
He too, like Inscriptionist Velvet, needed something to advance his smithing skills. Creating a medallion is doable, at least in his current level, so he wasn't too concerned about it. But after what he witnessed, making a medallion worth of this insignia could be challenge he needed.
Finally, the Dark Star Ore that was covered in dust finally had a use to him. The ore was quite rare, but it was extremely heavy and nearly impossible hard to shape. He got it quite cheap when he bought it at an auction.
"Dark Star Ore? Do you have one the size of my torso?" inquired Silver as he stared at Blacksmith Fang with a serious expression.
Dark Star Ore was what his old halberd, Starless, was made from. The ore itself, once formed into a weapon or treasure, appeared pitch black like a starless sky. He truly wanted to make Starless once more! It was his strongest weapon, but sadly it was completely obliterated when he died.
"If you do, I'll give you a smithing technique as remuneration!"
"Show me this technique first, then I'll decide," Fang replied as an anxious feeling begun welling up in his heart.
"Here you go. I never repay others badly," Silver reassured Fang. He brought out a piece of white information jade slip. Placing the jade on his forehead, he recorded the technique and the blueprint for his halberd within.
Once he inserted the information, he gave the jade slip to Blacksmith Fang.
"Alright . . ." Fang replied while grabbing the jade slip. He immediately placed it against his forehead with an awkward expression.
Not long after, his facial expression began to redden with shock and elation. The more he read the information, the more he lost control of his emotions.
Staring at Silver, one could see a faint feeling of worship within Blacksmith Fang's eyes.
"THANK YOU, FACTION LEADER SILVER. IT'S AN ABSOLUTE DEAL!"
Without giving Silver a chance to say anything, in case he would refute, Blacksmith Fang vanished out of the pagoda. He flew to his workshop with the highest speed he could muster.
It almost appeared he had become possessed by a supreme being by the speed he flew. He truly felt delighted all over, fully satisfied that he came to this year's meeting. He will safeguard the Undecided Faction with all his heart.
Hopefully some talented ones in the field of smithing would be sent to him after being directed by Silver.
Everyone stared at Silver in awe, besides Old Yam, Inscriptionist Velvet, and Patriarch Dimsum. The rest showed calculative expression. They all felt envious of the excitement Blacksmith Fang expressed when he fled to his workshop.
They decided to strengthen their relationship immediately with Silver. Who knows what treasure he gave Blacksmith Fang, but they want something equivalent to it too!
"Not to worry, I'll help when I have some free time," Silver hurriedly announced with cold sweat.
He felt like he was a prey surrounded by vicious hunters. He had even better manuals but most of the manuals he gave out were considered mid-tier in his old world. The one he gave Blacksmith was a high-tier one, but it could be considered an extreme-tier in this world.
"Everyone besides Old Yam and Silver is dismissed," Patriarch Dimsum commanded as he waved his right hand in a shoo-ing manner.
Looking at the stern facial expression of their sect's patriarch, everyone else still grumbled in displeasure. Contemplating in their heart, they would trade anything to obtain Silver's knowledge.
"Hopefully within this week, you'll get your medallion and tokens. Every faction leader is given 33 tokens allowing any individuals and disciples access to reside on your Eclipse Peak. They will be able to obtain monthly resources from the sect.
They still have to accumulate merit points from tasks and missions like every other disciple. Not only that, every year, you must take on a mission from the sect. Your will be given in a month after this year ends.
The mission can change depending on the outcome but most of it is traveling within the Desolate Tundra Continent. I wish you the best, Faction Leader Silver, in all of your endeavors. Old Yam, please take care of him, he may be our future pillar that our Floating Cloud Sect needs."
After informing Silver, Patriarch Dimsum, waved them off.
"Yes, Patriarch," Old Yam and Silver uniformly acknowledged as they got up from their seats.
They gave Patriarch Dimsum a quick salute* and walk down the stairs and out of the pagoda.
Old Yam summon his rowboat, when they got close to the edge of the island. Both hopped onto the boat and flew away.
Staring at the leaving duo, Patriarch Dimsum sighed audibly. He hoped that the future of the sect would continue to stay bright but it's future held something more catastrophic and menacing.
This future included White Lotus City too. Based on the divinations from Starfinder, the city's fate star had been flickering lately. This was an ominous sign written in the [Divine Records of Divination].
Every super sect leader already knew of the perilous situation and already begun preparing for a bloody and despondent future. Even their sect was of no exceptions.
Time was running out.