This battle was a good opportunity for Aksai to test the capabilities of his Sentient puppets.
As such, he didn’t give any specific instructions to puppet Aram. He let his puppet make his own decisions.
The battle between the puppet and Joran went on while Aksai was busy thinking of a number of things.
Back in the battleground.
Joran reacted instantly to the puppet’s threat, summoning a barrier of water that hissed and steamed as it absorbed the flames.
He retaliated with a combination of Water Whip and Earth Spike spells, the whip lashing out while spikes erupted from the ground beneath the puppet.
Joran was knocked off balance, but he quickly regained his footing and pressed the attack. He channeled his Spirit energy into his blades, launching himself into a frenzied assault.
Each strike was met with the puppet’s deft parries, the clash of metal ringing out across the field. The puppet, sensing Joran’s growing desperation, shifted its stance and launched a flurry of rapid strikes, its sword moving like a blur.
In the midst of their battle, Joran saw an opening. He feigned a high attack, then dropped low and attempted to sweep the puppet’s legs with a spinning kick.
The puppet anticipated the move, leaping gracefully over Joran and landing behind him. Before Joran could react, the puppet cast a Root Bind spell, causing roots to spring from the ground and entangle Joran’s legs.
With a grunt of effort, Joran slashed at the roots, freeing himself just in time to deflect another of the puppet’s sword strikes. He was panting heavily now, his Spirit energy waning. The puppet, relentless and tireless, continued its assault, pushing Joran to his limits.
Finally, Joran realized he could not outlast the puppet. He gathered the last of his strength and Spirit energy, channeling it into one final, desperate attack. His blade glowed with a brilliant blue light as he charged at the puppet, aiming for its core. The puppet met his charge, their swords colliding in a blinding flash of light.
When the light faded, Joran was on his knees, gasping for breath. The puppet stood over him, its sword poised but not striking. Aksai, who had been watching silently, stepped forward.
“That was impressive, Joran,” Aksai said, his tone neutral but respectful. “You fought well and demonstrated great skill. However, you were not able to last the full two minutes.”
Joran was the same man who had informed Aksai about the internal dispute in the clan. Unfortunately for him, Aksai didn’t show any favoritism.
The puppet, meanwhile, stepped back and lowered its sword, ready for the next challenger.
***
Finally, a beautiful yet stern-looking woman in her mid-20s stepped forward. Her late-stage Spirit Refining cultivation radiated confidence and power.
She faced the puppet with determination, her eyes never leaving her opponent.
The duel was intense. The woman matched the puppet blow for blow, her movements fluid and precise. She utilized a combination of martial techniques and Spirit spells, her strategy clear and effective.
‘Hmm. She looks like she can handle this mess of a clan just fine.’
Aksai watched with growing interest, noting her exceptional skill and tenacity.
As the battle approached the two-minute mark, the woman’s exhaustion became evident. Her movements slowed, and her breathing grew labored.
The puppet, sensing her weakness, prepared to deliver a final blow that would knock her unconscious and end her challenge.
‘Alright. That’s enough. She’s the one.’
Aksai, however, had seen enough. He silently commanded the puppet to stop its attack and collapse on the spot.
The puppet obeyed, pretending to succumb to exhaustion. The woman, surprised but relieved, stood victorious.
The crowd watched in awe as Aksai stepped forward, his expression approving. “You have shown great skill and determination,” he said to the woman. “Your performance today has proven your worth. You will be considered for the leadership of the Talak clan.”
The woman bowed deeply, gratitude and pride evident in her eyes. The other clan members, though disappointed, respected Aksai’s decision.
Everyone, except Joran. However, he didn’t let that show up on his face.
Aksai enjoyed the hospitality of the Talak clan for a while before bidding them goodbye.
He then mounted his Flying Lian sword and soared into the sky, heading towards his next destination with a sense of satisfaction.
The future of the Talak clan seemed secure, and Aksai had played his part in ensuring it.
***
Aksai settled some more affairs on the way. As dawn broke over the Talak estate, Aksai decided it was time to move on.
Dia Naya’s estate.
Dia Naya’s domain was situated on the northeastern side of Emerald Cove, nestled among lush gardens and tranquil ponds.
Her courtyard was a serene space, filled with the gentle sounds of water and the rustling of leaves. As Aksai descended and touched down, he admired the beauty of the place.
The well-maintained garden paths and blooming flowers created a peaceful ambiance.
Dia Naya was already waiting for him in the courtyard.
She was a graceful woman with a calm demeanor, known for her prowess as an archer and her extensive knowledge of the Eternal Beast Dynasty.
Dia Naya had also explored the 3rd order cultivation. However, she was one of the unlucky ones. She didn’t find any chance to improve her cultivation. Worse, she got injured and her cultivation base was harmed.
The injury sealed her fate. She knew she wouldn’t be able to enter the 2nd cultivation realm ever. As such, she returned to the island and started pursuing other hobbies.
Dia greeted Aksai with a warm smile and gestured for him to join her at a small table set with tea.
“Good morning, lord Aksai,” Dia Naya said, pouring tea into delicate porcelain cups. “It’s always a pleasure to see you. Please, have a seat.”
Even though Dia Naya was a co-owner of the island like Aksai, her actual status was lower than him because of her cultivation base.
“Good morning, Dia,” Aksai replied, taking a seat across from her. “Thank you for the tea. Your garden is as beautiful as ever.”
They sat together, sipping tea and discussing various matters of the island. Dia shared stories of her past hunts and the latest developments among the island’s inhabitants.
Aksai listened attentively, appreciating the calm and insightful conversation after the tumultuous events at the Talak estate.
After a while, Aksai broached the subject he had come to discuss. “Dia, I was hoping you could help me with something. I need a rough map of the Eternal Beast Dynasty.”
Dia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “The Eternal Beast Dynasty? May I ask why you need it?”
Aksai nodded. “I’m planning an expedition there. I’ve heard about a rare demon beast that I’m interested in tracking down. Your knowledge of the periphery of the forest would be invaluable to me.”
Dia smiled, setting her tea cup down gently. “You’ve come to the right person then, lord Aksai. I spent many years hunting in those forests. I can certainly provide you with a map. But I must warn you, the deeper parts of the Eternal Beast Dynasty are dangerous, even for someone of your abilities.”
“I appreciate the warning,” Aksai replied. “I’m prepared for the risks.”
Dia stood up and walked over to a small cabinet in the corner of the courtyard. She retrieved a rolled-up parchment and brought it back to the table.
Unfurling it, she revealed a detailed map of the Eternal Beast Dynasty, marked with various notations and landmarks.
“This should help you navigate the periphery,” Dia explained, pointing to different sections of the map. “Here are the areas where I’ve encountered the most demon beasts. This part is particularly dense and dangerous, so be cautious if you venture there.”
Aksai studied the map intently, committing the details to memory. “Thank you, Dia. This is exactly what I needed.”
Dia smiled. “I’m glad I could help. But tell me, what do you have to offer in return? Surely you didn’t come empty-handed.”
Dia wouldn’t have behaved so casually with any other Foundation Building Expert. However, Aksai was a close friend of hers. They had fought together at the time of island inquisition. As such, she knew she could take some liberties.
Aksai smiles and reached into his storage ring and produced a set of scrolls. “I thought you might appreciate these. They’re recipes for 1st order talismans. I know you’ve been interested in talisman-making for a while.”
Dia’s eyes lit up as she took the scrolls from him. “These are wonderful, lord Aksai. Thank you. I’ve been looking for new recipes to expand my collection.”
They spent a few more moments discussing the finer points of talisman-making, sharing insights and tips.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Aksai stood up, ready to continue his journey. “I should get going, Dia. Thank you again for the map and the tea.”
“Be careful, lord Aksai,” Dia said, standing as well.
With a final nod of gratitude, Aksai mounted his Flying Lian sword once more and took to the skies, the map of the Eternal Beast Dynasty safely tucked away.