Emerald Cove. Dadangar.
Aksai stood at the edge of his domain, surveying everything with a satisfied nod.
After ensuring all was in order, he took to the skies, heading towards the adjacent part of Emerald Cove island.
The wind whipped around him as he flew, his destination clear in his mind: the simple yet elegant palace that belonged to Nimiya Jaram.
Landing gracefully outside the barrier-type array formation that protected her home, Aksai retrieved a communication talisman from his storage ring.
Holding the talisman in his hand, he closed his eyes and focused his energy, releasing it with a subtle gesture. The talisman glowed softly before it floated through the spectral barrier, making its way directly into the palace.
Aksai waited patiently, his eyes scanning the serene surroundings. Within moments, the palace doors opened, and Nimiya Jaram stepped out, a warm smile lighting up her face.
She was followed by an entourage of maids, and beside her walked her daughter, Niviya. The young girl had grown into a beautiful sixteenish-year-old, her features radiating a youthful charm.
“Uncle Aksai!” Niviya exclaimed as soon as she saw him, running towards him with an infectious enthusiasm. Aksai opened his arms, catching her in a warm hug.
“It’s been a while, Niviya,” Aksai said, ruffling her hair affectionately. “You’ve grown so much since I last saw you.”
Niviya giggled, stepping back to look up at him. “You used to lift me up and throw me in the air, remember?”
Aksai grinned, a teasing glint in his eyes. “Who says I can’t do that now? I bet I can still lift you and throw you up just like old times.”
Niviya’s face turned a shade of red as she playfully pinched Aksai’s arm. “Don’t you dare, Uncle Aksai!”
Laughing, Aksai pretended to consider it for a moment. “Alright, alright, I’ll spare you this time.”
Nimiya approached them, her smile widening as she watched the interaction. “Little brother Aksai, it’s good to see you. What brings you here today?”
Aksai bowed slightly in greeting. “It’s good to see you too, Nimiya. I have some news and plans I’d like to discuss. It’s been a while since we caught up.”
Nimiya nodded, her expression becoming more serious. “Of course. Let’s go inside and talk. I’m sure Niviya will be thrilled to hear about your plans as well.”
They walked into the palace together, the maids following discreetly behind. The palace, while simple in its design, radiated a sense of warmth and tranquility.
They settled in a cozy sitting area, and Niviya took a seat beside Aksai, her eyes wide with curiosity. “What do you have in mind, Uncle Aksai? You never come to just play with me. You… you are a bit selfish, do you know that?”
“It seems you are starting to realize things for what they are. Our little Nivi is growing up. Hahaha!”
Aksai chuckled, glancing at Nimiya before beginning to say what was on his mind. Nimiya had looked after Aksai’s estate many times in the past while he was busy exploring the Martial World Sharang. Aksai decided to ask for her aid before going off to visit the Eternal Beast Dynasty as well.
Nimiya was surprised to learn that Aksai was planning to leave the comfort and security of the island to explore the outside world. As far as she knew, Aksai liked to stay on the island, avoiding risks. He was always busy with his cultivation and farming, which was evident from the kind of progress he had displayed so far.
Of course, Aksai wasn’t foolish enough to reveal all his trump cards, no matter if they were friends or foes. Using the neural link fabric, he had suppressed his Spirit cultivation level to the start of the Foundation Building realm. He didn’t think he should let everyone know that he was progressing while staying inside his palace.
While talking with them, Aksai realized that the mother-daughter pair’s cultivation bases had improved a lot since the last time he saw them.
Thanks to her exploration in the Core Formation Lord’s cultivation cave, Nimiya had also progressed further in her cultivation journey. She had recently returned from Haan Di with the cultivation level of a Foundation Building Expert. She was the third Foundation Building Expert in Emerald Cove, including Aksai and Nuya.
Nimiya’s daughter, Niviya, had also benefited a lot from her mother’s exploration. It seemed that she had been provided with many beginner-level elixirs and pills, which had boosted her cultivation level to the 7th stage of the Spirit Refining realm.
This was the trade-off of exploring the cultivation caves in Dadangar. There were many risks in such adventures, and only a few were able to achieve success. However, those who did achieve success could make rapid progress in their cultivation journeys, allowing them to become stars among their peers overnight.
Of course, Nimiya didn’t get overconfident after becoming a Foundation Building Expert. She knew that it was now more dangerous than ever for her to step outside, as Kalingoot and the forces behind it would start treating her as a serious threat. This was why she had also adopted Aksai’s approach of staying safe on the island.
Nimiya listened to what Aksai had to say patiently.
The Spirit farmer was essentially asking her to regulate some Array Formations in his estate that could only be operated by a Foundation Building Expert.
Since she and Aksai were essentially neighbors, Aksai came to ask for her help instead of going to Nuya, who was already busy with a lot of the island’s overall affairs.
***
Aksai finalized a few things with Nimiya, ensuring she understood how to regulate the Array Formations on his estate. They shared a few laughs, and Aksai teased Niviya a bit more, enjoying the light-hearted moments.
Niviya, eager to prove herself, suddenly asked, “Uncle Aksai, do you think it’s okay for me to visit the ancient Core Formation Lord’s cultivation cave and try my luck? Maybe I can achieve the same kind of success as Mother.”
Aksai shook his head immediately. “Niviya, Nimiya had a reason for her exploration. She needed to secure your future with the kind of resources she could get from the cave. But you don’t have a strong reason guiding you. It’s stupid to even think about taking unnecessary risks. Cultivators take risks to obtain what you already have.”
Niviya’s face fell, a mixture of disappointment and anger flashing across her features. “That’s not fair, Uncle Aksai! I can handle myself,” she insisted, stomping her feet on the ground. She then pinched Aksai’s arm harder than before and stormed off.
Nimiya smiled mirthlessly and apologized for her daughter’s behavior. “I’m sorry about that, Aksai. She’s just young and eager.”
Aksai smiled warmly. “She’ll come around. It’s part of growing up.”
Aksai then enjoyed the hospitality offered by Nimiya. They shared some tea and discussed various cultivation techniques and island affairs. The comfortable atmosphere reminded Aksai of how fortunate he was to have trustworthy friends and allies like Nimiya.
After a pleasant visit, Aksai bid farewell to Nimiya and Niviya, who had sulked back into the room. He reassured Nimiya once more that Niviya would understand in time. With a final wave, he stepped outside and prepared for his next journey.
He summoned his Flying Lian sword, feeling its familiar hum of energy beneath his feet. With a swift motion, he soared into the sky, heading towards Aram Talak’s estate.
Aram Talak was the same person who had disappeared inside the cultivation cave in the eyes of the masses. After some time, people started considering the possibility that he might have died in the exploration.
What the islanders of Emerald Cove didn’t know was that he had come to possess Aksai’s body and was killed in return. He was the same possessed cultivator from whom Aksai had obtained the soul-related techniques.
Aksai didn’t bother to make his fight with Aram public. Doing so had no gains for him. Plus, he might be labeled as someone who conspired against a co-owner of the island just because he was a Foundation Building Expert.
Aksai kept quiet about the possessed Aram Talak’s secret visit to the island. Because of this, Aram’s estate had remained quiet for a very long time.
However, peace, like war, does not last forever. Aram Talak had descendants who started quarreling among each other over who would inherit Aram’s legacy. Many branches of his family began fighting to decide Aram’s successor and inherit his position as a co-owner of the island.
Aksai had been summoned by these relatives of Aram to act as a mediator. He decided to settle the conflict as his way to say thanks to the real Aram Talak who had once fought with him for the possession of the island.
After all, just like Nimiya, Aram used to be Aksai’s neighbour too. and it was because of him that he had received the soul-related techniques. As such, just like he received help from Nimiya he decided to help Aram one last time.
***
Aksai flew gracefully on his Flying Lian sword towards Aram Talak’s estate, the blade glinting in the evening sunlight.
As he neared the abandoned palace, he could already hear the raised voices and see the commotion from a distance.
A group of low-level Spirit cultivators were embroiled in a heated argument, their faces flushed with anger and frustration.
They shouted over one another, each trying to assert their claim over Aram Talak’s legacy.
“Enough!” a stern voice tried to cut through the noise.