Aksai resolved Shuan’s situation peacefully, without resorting to violence.
He instructed Shuan to relinquish all claims to the now-closed Blue Sky Haven and relocate to Emerald Cove.
Aksai suggested that Shuan bring along his parents all his relatives and the faction of the Bluesky Clan that supported him.
Moreover, Shuan could bring his fiancée, Marishaa, to Emerald Cove, where Aksai assured him they could safely wed once they arrived.
Emerald Cove lay beyond the jurisdiction of the Rokur Kingdom, and with four late-stage Spirit Refiners backed by Haan Di, any attempts by the kingdom to intervene there would likely be deterred.
In the broader context, Shuan held limited value to the Rokur Kingdom. It was unlikely to exert significant effort to bring him under its control.
Nevertheless, as a precaution, Aksai advised Shuan to exercise caution and discretion when leaving Purple River Gate.
Even if the kingdom couldn’t interfere once Shuan reached Emerald Cove, it might attempt to disrupt his journey upon learning that a Spirit cultivator with a high-grade Spirit root was escaping to the Dadangar Archipelago.
After all, that’s how Aksai and Nuya had gotten rid of Kaelen and his forces. The same feat could be repeated as long as one was determined enough.
Shuan listened attentively to Aksai’s instructions, even taking the initiative to jot down some key points on paper.
Even though he was still as naive in certain aspects as the word naive could entail, Shuan was not stupid. He grasped the seriousness of the situation and resolved to make a discreet retreat to Emerald Cove.
Aksai could have easily resolved Shuan’s predicament with the kingdom through intermediaries like Nuya. However, he chose not to intervene.
In the realm of Spirit immortals, the influence of kingdoms often paled in comparison.
This truth became increasingly evident as one ascended the ranks of cultivation.
Why should Aksai entangle himself in worldly affairs and risk any more headaches? It was far wiser to eliminate the problem at its root rather than address it incrementally.
The original family of Shuan had suffered greatly from the kingdom’s interference, enduring losses, and divisions within the Bluesky Clan. However, Aksai recognized that it was not his place to seek vengeance on someone else’s behalf.
By offering Shuan and his supporting faction a path to safety, Aksai fulfilled his obligations. With this offer, he absolved himself of any lingering debts to the late Jainam.
As for the fate of the faction and their decision to follow Shuan to Emerald Cove, Aksai left such matters for Shuan and his allies to determine amongst themselves.
Shuan and all involved parties were free to choose the path that best suited them. Aksai had no intention of coercing them into moving to his island for their own benefit.
By relocating Shuan to Emerald Cove, he had already taken steps to prevent the clan’s demise. What more could he do? Wage war against an entire kingdom? He’d rather plant trees and cultivate in peace than do things like those.
Taking careful note of Aksai’s instructions, Shuan bid farewell and pledged to relocate to Emerald Cove with his bride-to-be, family, and allies.
Beneath his outward composure, however, simmered a desire for vengeance against the Rokur kingdom. He vowed to silently cultivate on Emerald Cove until he possessed the strength to strike back.
“My grandpa used to call me dumb. Well… as dumb as I may be, Rokur kingdom, just you wait,” Shuan muttered to himself with determination as he departed from Jiren’s Spirit Garden.
***
“You could have offered him more help, you know,” Jiren remarked, finishing his tea and observing Shuan’s departure.
“And what good would that have done? It would only foster dependency, which would hinder his growth as a talented Spirit cultivator,” Aksai replied, shaking his head in response.
“Twelve years ago, I declined to mentor that boy for a reason, old man,” Aksai remarked as he finished his tea and placed the cup on the table before him.
“I lack the skill to nurture talents like him. How can I foster something I don’t understand?
Nevertheless, I have my ways of allowing this seed to grow on its own. Hehe. I’m just a Spirit farmer and have done what a Spirit farmer does best.
I’ve provided the necessary soil and water. Now it’s up to the seed to grow silently into a towering tree in the future,” Aksai explained, adopting the demeanor of a seasoned Spirit farmer.
“Anyway, Nuya wanted me to give you this,” Aksai added suddenly, retrieving a scroll from his storage ring that Nuya had given him before he departed from Emerald Cove.
Unaware of its contents, he was merely acting as the messenger as requested.
“Ah, you two have progressed to using singular names. That’s a step forward,” Jiren remarked, casting an impressed glance at Aksai. “Did you think about your kids’ names as well?”
Aksai offered no response to Jiren’s observation, maintaining a neutral expression.
“Well, you are no fun. I applaud Nuya for seeing something of value in a dead fish like you.”
Upon seeing Aksai’s silent reaction, Jiren sighed and proceeded to unseal the scroll. A furrow formed on his brow as he read its contents.
“What does it say?” Aksai inquired, curious about the scroll’s contents.
“It’s an invitation. That lass Nuya wants me to relocate to Emerald Cove,” Jiren revealed as he rolled up the scroll. “She’s offering quite a sum to entice me,” he added, contemplating the offer.
“And what’s your decision?” Aksai inquired casually.
Jiren pondered silently for a moment, considering various factors.
Then, with a chuckle, he turned to Aksai and continued.
“What’s to think about? You and Nuya will be there on Emerald Cove. I’d like to witness a love story come to fruition with my own eyes. Hahaha,” he said, patting Aksai’s back enthusiastically.
“You know what, lad? I’ll sell this Spirit Garden after harvesting everything I’ve planted. Then, I’ll move to Emerald Cove along with that lad Shuan.
It’ll be an adventure—starting anew at this stage of my life. Almost starting from scratch in a new place. This… this is the kind of excitement I’ve been looking for,” he declared.
“Alright, you’re unusually enthusiastic today, old man. Did you really drink tea with me, or was that some kind of tea-flavored rum?” Aksai teased Jiren as he rose from his seat.
Exiting the open hall, Aksai turned to Jiren with a smile. “See you on Emerald Cove, old man,” he bid farewell before disappearing almost instantaneously with Light Steps.
Once outside Purple River Gate, Aksai found a safe spot to teleport.
“Now that I’ve settled all my matters here, it’s time to return to Martial World Sharang,” he thought to himself before vanishing like a ghost.
