Eternal Emerald Dragon

After rejoicing with his family, Lind did call for a meeting. He had been delaying until he had more power and he was at the peak of the Demi Tier. It was not enough alone for what awaited him.

The Bastard had made an artificial structure in the darkness, not a hold. Yet, Lind suspected a hold did exist too, possibly consumed in large part for the structure he had found.

The First had more records than his machines could gather yet they were limited after the outer shell was completed.

The thing was larger than most worlds on the outside. The inside could be worse. If the plan was to wear him down by any means necessary, it was absolutely possible. He would need help while working to protect them as much as he could.

He was able to interfere with the Fiend's ability to absorb life so he had to make artifacts, armor, and more to make sure anyone that wanted to go had that same level of protection their holds now enjoyed.

It was far harder not because he lacked the ability but because it was so damned slow! He would consume a lot of power and resources to match the level of the Eternal Realm. Materials were more abundant but he knew there was a step beyond grade 9.

He could feel it.

It just eluded him and its requirements were definitely harsh!

Still, it was enough for his needs. Many had artifacts still lingering from his other selves but they were useless to the current him.

The principles behind them were incomplete and incompatible with his new Path. His fully fleshed out Harmonic Core easily let him improve his efficiency as he got a lot more practice with variety.

Once that got taken care of, he began to put together a picture of what he was really facing.

The Bastard had clearly laid bait out so he wanted Lind to come to the structure. Getting in was not the problem but what waited beyond it. Based on the cursory scan he got back, the exterior shell acted mostly like an insulator.

All energy was muted or absorbed to hide it from the aura of any cultivator. It was likely a massive space to absorb both external and internal energies. It may even power several artifacts.

Given that the theory behind the multi-artifact construct was similar to his, it would make sense the construct would consume all energies to fuel itself. It was based on Fiend's point of view so unlike the other Eternal Realm cultivators, he could use it all.

Lind also had to assume the interior was a death trap specifically focused on his existence. Whether it was himself or his creations, the Bastard would have attempted to thwart the devastating effect of harmonic Qi.

With all that in mind, Lind called a meeting to a large hall near his new mansion. It was a combination of training location and storage that he had expanded and opened to the air to allow easy access.

There were no spies left to worry about. Everyone understood the danger or were expelled long ago. The Bastard was not playing games anymore. It was kill or be killed.

He entered the Hall to find it packed. Many were Immortals ensuring the chaos was contained. The moment he was noticed, silence descended and he was unobstructed as he came to the center of the room.

The sun streamed down while a few shadows were cast by floating figures above. Despite looming above him, none felt superior. His aura was clear and stronger than any in their history had given off.

If any had survived an encounter with the group that had unlocked their mental prowess would still find them wanting compared to Lind.

He was at the pinnacle in such a short time yet they had seen his other selves suffer and die long ago. In that regard, he had lived a very long time in their eyes.

He summoned Haro who bowed before he projected from the plate artifact. The massive structure was now revealed to all. A scale was shimmering on all 3 dimensions.

[This is his lair. He built it. I do not know how long or when, but it is there. It hides in the dark. The size is an estimate as the way I used to record it revealed several immediate issues.] The plumes of orange and yellow drew the eyes.

They saw the drones blow up yet nothing was there. A barrier.

[We have to breach that but I suspect it is not that tough. Too strong and it would draw attention from afar. It likely will paralyze or absorb vitality fast enough no one can call out. We will attack from afar to breach it.] He outlined a fairly straightforward assault.

The beings around him had been alive far longer than him. They had survived an unknown number of wars and battles. He had no need to explain siege tactics.

Many present had also experienced fighting with the Fiend but that was far from what they needed. Direct combat was never the true threat.

[The Bastard is strong as a fighter like any of us but the real danger is when you think you have protected yourself or your artifacts had safeguarded you. He is patient and will absolutely find ways to exhaust the harmonic Qi that protects you. Once a weakness appears, it will be all he needs at a distance to rip your lifeforce into his dantian.] Some nodded while many seemed doubtful.

Haro manipulated a control on the artifact in his hands and the Final Fiend War excerpts played. Lind explained what they were seeing and the horror of billions of lives snuffed out despite having such powerful weapons.

They saw the tactics and rundown of how powerless they had been until Lind had pushed himself or others sacrificed themselves to achieve victory. There was no clear upper hand, ever.

A Fiend battle was always a race against time to kill them completely before they found a way to refine their foe's existence.

[It is better to assume we will face traps or situations meant to not harm us, but to deplete our energies. He has time. The more of us he kills, the farther away the Harvest will come.] Everyone had been briefed on the truth.

The Eternal Realm was 2 tiers and the Demi Tier was on clock none could fully predict. One day, they would be consumed in a massive event that will replenish the Sea of Realms.

As for the Full Tier, no one had any answers. They only knew they were forced to leave.

In a way, the Fiend had given them more time but the price was too high and eventually, his goal was to consume them all to ascend himself.

[Emerald Dragon, is there a way to end this swiftly?] A gigantic man spoke up. The aura of a wild beast was clear and Lind smiled as he saw a bear like figure flash in his vision.

[No. The Bastard will excel at delay, deflect, and even absolute avoidance if necessary to stay alive. He is not reckless and his one track mind is not his weakness but his strength. He assumes you are trying to kill him and contemplates every conceivable way to live.] Lind paused as he knew the next part would be hard for them to accept.

[In this upcoming fight, you are my eyes and ears. When the time comes, you can try to corner him but do not under any circumstance try to directly kill him. I have seen Fiends entice enemies to do exactly that so they can refine the lifeforce via that attack.] That caused a lot of grumbling but Haro had the projection showing exactly that.

Sometimes, no one had a choice and became sacrificial figures so others could kill Fiends when Lind's weapons or artifacts were exhausted. While he had ended it, the price had been very steep.

Those in the hall that had lived it were solemn.

[So what, we wait for you to hopefully find us?] A young human man spoke up angrily but Lind raised his hand.

[Your aura is not safe but any artifact or weapon from me is. Anything from another 6 elemental can also mitigate him to a point to buy you time. Just as he wants to exhaust us, we want to force him to make a choice. He does not want to use lifeforce if he can avoid it. He needs every scrap to ascend.] Silence so profoundly fell that a feather could have been heard floating in the air.

He was outlining less of a battle and more of a hunt! Further, he was making it clear that no one there could kill the target! He alone could.

[What do we do if we can't escape?] Shoti spoke up. The question was not harsh but it struck to the heart of everyone. Lind looked at her and became very sad.

[There are 3 realistic options. If you can force him to tap into his reserves, he will exert every effort to make you fill in for what he consumed. If you are at a stalemate, endure as long as you can. If you are about to be taken, self-destruct.] An uproar came but Lind was unmoved.

It was the one thing he had learned in all the battles with Fiends. They absolutely did not want self-destruction. It was not the same as dying or losing a body, it was total annihilation.

Nothing to consume and nothing to even salvage. It would be the one thing that would make the Fiends never wanted from their prey.

Fighting back was an amusement and the Bastard seemed to enjoy it more than others.

[You expect us to die?!] Various voices transmitted it but Lind looked up at them and his emerald gaze chilled them.

[If it means he will go with me, I am dying. There is no victory or defeat here. You have to accept this if you come. Life or death. That is what we are fighting for. If you cannot escape, deny him! If you cannot beat him, deny him! All that matters is weakening him and making him fail. We are all dead if we do not kill him. How you wish to die is up to you but I would recommend annihilation over being made into a resource.] Shoti then tossed a jade slip to Haro.

He paused before he looked up at her grimly. She only nodded and infused his spirit into it.

What followed was her words. She described what it felt like as the process began. Falling into a gray lightless world and that when the final speck of light was gone, hope would die.

She was aware of both her body and the dantian she was being pulled towards. She described the whole horrific process and then explained how some things were lost from that moment because she was saved.

A part of her had been lost for a long time until a way to restore her soul was found.

The protests died. There was no argument to the visceral words. Shoti stood there whole but the scar of that moment was still present.

[So, the plan is to swarm the defenses until they break. Once inside, we must find him and survive. Work together and retreat if possible. We are looking to corner him not be taken down one at a time. Fight to live, that is the only path forward!] The summary of what was to come made some leave but most stayed.

They were tired of hiding from the monster in the dark. It was time to kill him forever!

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