Waving goodbye to the chef pair after being stuffed full of delicious food, Noxtis and Ember headed over to the largest building situated in the Crimson Scale Tribe where the merchant and cultivation sections were held.
"You were right, Wurino's Ice Fudge Dream was SO creamy and delicate. I was surprised at how fast it disappeared while being stuffed from Velnarra's cooking."
"Right?! I don't usually enjoy eating too much chocolate but the way Wurino makes it, gah, I could eat whole tubs of the stuff and never get tired of it."
"As delicious as it was, I'm not sure I could handle the brain freeze. I'm just glad that I was able to make a good first impression. I'm sorry about poking fun at you, thought it would be a good way to break the ice and all."
"Don't remind me. While they took the information well about our unique...relationship, you best be careful about saying such things around other Crimson Scale disciples, elders, and especially my grandfather. I'm not sure how they would understand the status of our...relationship."
"Do you mean the companionship pact or the sleeping part?"
"BOTH!"
"Okay, I'll just let you do all the talking then. I am a guest after all and as much as I'd like to go wandering around the city, the wall in my cultivation has been bothering me for some time now. So if we can find the necessary materials that would be great."
Nodding, they quickened their pace to the tribe leader area. On the way, they passed by a few guards who questioned Noxtis' appearance but thankfully did not stop them.
Arriving at a crossroads, there were three different but equally large gates before them. Ember explained that these were called the Tri-Crimson Paths that were guarded by a barrier to prevent access by outside forces. The left gate led to the Martial section, the right led to the Merchant Department, and the center was where most of the Royal bloodline, Elders, and a few other important beastkin lived. Each path led to a large section of land with all sorts of different areas like shops, quest hubs, sleeping areas, and other necessities.
Getting permission from the Elder guarding the center gate, Ember led Noxtis through the pathway towards the far back of the area. Unlike the Martial and Merchant areas, the Royals area is much smaller since it doesn't hold nearly as many people or facilities. However other than the shared areas, the individual spaces are up to their owners to design and set up how they wish.
Even outside of the various homes, just traveling inside the area of the gated royal felt oddly satisfying to Noxtis. His body felt so much more invigorated, but closely followed behind Ember as she was explaining the area and winding around the sections that were off-limits to them. Unlike the areas before the crossroads, they passed no guards at all since entering the gate and arrived at the largest and lavish home situated in the very back.
"This is it, I contacted my grandfather that I would be visiting so we should be fine to enter. Be careful though, he is the strongest beastkin of the entire city at the Golden Body stage. Don't mention anything about our special relationship or my plans about leaving the tribe okay?"
"Got it."
Walking inside the courtyard, Noxtis was greeted with the sight of a large square training area alongside a small park complete with a chessboard and a seating area for snacks and drinks. A small hut covered what looked like an artificial rock formation that held a waterfall. "It's like a small paradise here, and the world energy feels so abundant I feel as if I could cultivate just by breathing in this environment."
"Well it is the personal living area of the tribe leader, of course, it will be the best it can be. Although grandpa says it will take a lot more than this to get to the peak stage of the Golden Body, he usually just uses this room to relax rather than cultivate. Most of the time he is off somewhere in the world pushing his limits but always manages to come back for important occasions like the auction and such. Anyway, he should be right in his living quarters, let's go."
While the hut was small when compared to the entire courtyard, it was still a huge building when stacked against what Noxtis had been used to in the past. The dark tiles covered the roof in a simple pattern, and the overall look of the home was simple and unadorned to some of the other areas Noxtis had seen in the city and the other parts of the royal area. Entering the abode behind Ember, Noxtis first experienced an aura of heat very similar to Ember's but to such an immense degree.
Led into another door, a huge hulking form came into Noxtis' vision who was sitting in lotus position in front of a roaring fireplace. What should've been an incredibly sweltering room was actually much calmer than it should ever be. As if all the heat could only pay attention to the mountain of a man before it.
"Grandpa! I'm back! Oh, Vel and Wurino say hi."
*pop* *crack*
A deep rumbling voice sounded out amongst the myriad of pops and cracks as the mountain began to move. "Oh is that so, no wonder you came to visit me so late. Always care more about your stomach than your poor old grandpa." *Sigh*
"Yup! You know as well as I do how cranky I can be without a full belly. *giggle* Anyway, I want you to meet Noxtis, I met this sword cultivator while out on my travels. Thank goodness too, it was so boring before then. None of the other disciples wanted to spar."
A hearty chuckle and a shake of the head as Flint looked over the two young beastkin. "Of course not, they are part of the merchant department after all. And I've heard a lot about you young Onyx Panther, quite a rare bloodline around these areas, even I have never met them before. I see that you're already at the peak saturation of the Bone Stage and...curious what is this power I sense in your body? Somewhat lower than I had expected from the one that Reah took in."
"You know Grandma?!"
Chuckling, Ember's grandfather smiled. "Has she forgotten to tell you about her amazingly handsome leader? My name is Flint."
Stepping in at that point, Ember hurriedly spoke. "Grandpa, that's rude to check someone's cultivation without their consent you know. At the very least for a friend I brought okay?
If you must know, Noxtis had a fortunate encounter with a Dantian Qi sword cultivator who passed on a cultivation technique. You know how much I love the sword right? I kinda forced Noxtis to share the technique with me and now I'm also a Dantian Qi cultivator. That's another reason I wanted to talk to you...Noxtis and I need some materials to forge our own Sword Spirits to progress on our cultivation path."
Flint narrowed his eyes and frowned. "Is that all?"
Nodding nervously, Ember and Noxtis kneeled on the floor.
"You seem to have left out the part where you have this brand on your stomach. Mind telling me what this is about?"
"How did yo..."
"You really didn't think that Elder Gundlach was there for show? Your little antics at Galapagos village weren't privy to only yourselves. While I cannot stop you from choosing with whom you share your bed, it wasn't until I saw this brand that even I hadn't noticed until I examined you myself that I grew concerned. Now you will tell me what you know, and you best not lie to your grandfather now."
*Sigh* Looking at each other, Noxtis and Ember nodded and decided to retell the story of what had happened. And even despite their hesitation, the Mirko Fragment even came out to converse with Tribe Leader Flint to show his sincerity.
Extinguishing the flames from the fireplace, a stack of rocks with little sigils still glowing bright red cooled down. Rubbing his temples as the information digested in his mind, Flint looked at the worried gaze that both youths had and how Noxtis had taken all of the blame upon himself to safeguard his granddaughter despite the fact that he could kill him with a flick of his finger.
"While I am not exactly enthused at how you rushed into a cultivation technique without any prior knowledge, your master Mirko sounds like he comes from the World of Humans. While I know a thing or two about the other worlds, I have yet to experience traveling to one with my power alone. But regardless, anyone, no matter if they are beastkin, human, or any other race, can be deceitful and play with your logic and emotions as easily as they breathe. You both should be cautious.
You both are much stronger than those on the same level but your experience of the world and the ability to use your skills against enemies you may encounter is rudimentary at best. While I know that you wish to leave, you need to prove to me that you're both strong enough to venture out in the world."
"What do you need us to do?"
"There is an upcoming competition between many of the younger beastkin from across the continent. It is called the Unyielding Beastking Tourney, you both must reach at least the top 10 of the competition to be allowed to leave."
Holding up his hand to silence their retorts, Flint stood firm.
This is the minimum I require not only due to make sure my granddaughter is safe but also to prove that you have the conviction needed to emerge victorious through the difficult trials and tribulations you will face. The low-strength demonic beasts and raiders you have fought so far are nothing compared to the dangers you may face on your journey.
Treat the tourney as an elaborate training ground, there is only so much you can learn by fighting each other. Learning to be flexible, promote your strengths, shore up your weaknesses, and recognize the same from your opponents will all be valuable experiences for both of you.
I shall let you look inside our warehouse to look for any materials that you might require but a good portion of our stock has been placed for the upcoming auction so you may have to participate in that. If not, the last resort would be to go explore the Ironback Mountain range to find what you're looking for."
Stumped by the wise words spoken by Tribe Leader Flint, neither Noxtis nor Ember could say anything in response. Somewhat daunted by how much they would need to improve to face off against other top youths across the land, Noxtis also was curious about how he compared to others outside of his master and Ember.
Bowing and looking sternly in the eyes of the intimidating figure before him, Noxtis make a solemn vow. "Thank you Tribe Leader. I will not let your expectations of myself and Ember be for naught, we will be in the top 10 of the tourney!"
Grinning and lightly holding Noxtis' shoulder, Flint was glad that his granddaughter had at least found a strong youth to be her partner. "Good, I expect great things from you both."
Still somewhat angry at Elder Gundlach but sighing at her pettiness, Ember questioned her grandfather. "Grandpa? I am surprised you are not angrier about me having a partner despite not having done 'that', I thought you'd be furious."
A burst of thunderous laughter came from Flint. "Of course not, I myself was quite the charming young fellow back in my day. I courted so many beautiful ladies that my father had a headache trying to placate the other fathers that would come to our doorstep.
*cough* although not all of them were single..."
"What did you say?!"
*Whistling poorly* "Nothing! Let me lead you to the warehouse, let us see if we can't find you the stuff you need."