Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 1823: Chapter 1822 - Unexpected Benefits

There was an old theory in politics that Lind actually understood. A lot of government actions and its intricacies had been beyond him until he lived them. He had a lot of help and much more experienced people to turn to thankfully, so he had not fallen flat on his face.

People had prospered and if he was generous, he had done better than most. He still felt others could do better. Still, his direct actions had not always been wise.

He had forced his empire and sects to act within the confines of his moral code. That sounds great in theory yet the reality of organizations could find such a restrictive method more dangerous than compromise.

Many died under his banner in the name of his moral perspective and it had sickened him. No one had been forced and no one had been brainwashed. They had all sincerely believed because they had seen the benefits of being under him.

Explosive growth, access to cultivation resources that were very hard to find normally, and mistakes were not resulting in crippling or death, but a chance to learn and get better. Only crime was punished.

Such conditions were favorable. Who would not want to die to protect it and maybe get their family in as a benefit?

Lind had modified much as he advanced. His wives were far more wise in that regard.

When he literally saved the worlds across all realms, he had not imposed his will. Many would have, even knowing it could not last. Instead, he fostered cooperation and showed the benefits that could come from it.

It was an old trick even he understood. People were unlikely to attack the source of steady profits and making an interconnected network would extend the peace.

Still, mortal or cultivator, eventually greed or a change of generations would bring war once more. It was not something that could be stopped, but Lind just changed the rule!

Cultivators respected strength and while Master Tiers generally kept out of the affairs of the lower realms, that changed with the creation of a place they could improve!

Mortals could not pull off such a move but there were a litany of unexpected benefits. No Master Tier would let others hog the Heart of Origins. It was too precious and risking even cracking it was anathema to their dreams.

They had already seen the ease of working together and thus the first benefit was a standing order to never ever endanger the Blessed Crimson Range. Normally, that would only be enforced until the current generation faded but the use was not limited to Master Tiers!

Apprentice Tiers could experience explosive growth consolidating their own Mysteries with ease! They need not fear trying to carve out a place for themselves to safely cultivate if they could access the artifact.

The real kicker was the Journeyman Tier. They still had to experience the real world but once they had felt close to breakthrough, the Heart of Origins gave them something unheard of! They could safely find places rich in Heaven, Earth, and Qi Mystery energy to quickly consolidate their facets!

The Heart of Origins also ensured others breaking through would not disturb them! Such power was impossible anywhere else in the Divine Lands!

These facts culminated in every Divine Realm cultivator aligned with Lind to work to ensure no one interfered with them! Any plans to infiltrate or steal their secrets were wiped out overnight!

Just as everyone was accepting that, those that could not afford to leave their powers undefended had a visit from True Lord Sun. Shock was not strong enough to describe what he brought!

The grand elders, protectors, and ancestors of 20 powers could get a taste of the Heart of Origins at home! They were warned that it was limited but the effects were profound!

Further, they could keep them! Lind had made Sun spread word that he was in the process of making more but they palm sized discs could be kept!

While 20 sounded small, Divine Realm cultivators were not that numerous compared to Immortals and below. With the majority at the Heart of Origins, that covered more than half remaining in the Divine Lands.

While it might seem like they were painting targets on themselves, the nature of the discs made stealing impossible.

The instant an uninitiated touched the disc, they would either fall into enlightenment or be destroyed by the sheer power of the Divine Will.

Even Lind could only contain that power and someone that went through the Heart of Origins could safely handle them. As a final security feature, the Divine Will would imprint on the uninitiated owner and they would have sole authority to allow future access.

Since a Divine Will was involved, even bandits could only shout into the air in frustration. Rogue Apprentice Tiers that were not on any wanted lists were not left in the cold either! Lind extended an invitation to them!

The moves all pointed to a clear preference.

{I will not bar access but you have to at least conform to a peaceful coexistence within the Divine Lands.}

After a full century, many Divine Realm cultivators returned to the world and the changes were stark!

Normally, a century was nothing to a Divine Realm. There may be epiphanies or a big step forward but their aura would not shift much. Some special or secret realms would help select powers but only a handful could use them and only at massive intervals.

The Heart of Origins was like an unending font of power! All returning Divine Realm cultivators felt far more powerful than when they entered!

Lind gave another 10 discs out and explained them to that group but promised more would be made for the next 900 years.

If there had been any dissent forming in the hearts of Divine Realm cultivators against him, it died that day.

The Blessed Crimson Range became a place untouchable by righteous or wicked powers. The former simply would not risk such a miraculous place and the latter were severely outnumbered.

Lind knew it would only extend the peace, not cement it. The Blessed Crimson Range might remain peaceful but the rest of the Divine Lands would return to war in due time.

Still, compared to all else, he now had given his descendents a level of soft power that would be the envy of all for a very long time.

As such, he had Lysanna, Shoti, and Karu begin to have very harsh training for the future administration of the Heart of Origins. He would be the only single person at the moment with the power, but in the future, it could not be risked to such a fate.

Karu’s bloodline was taken as one of the keys given the chance of another being born with her Talent to rewind time.

The rarity was a given and would indicate a dire circumstance but they took it into account. The rest was going to take time to work out but Lind had given himself a deadline before he began to focus on his next Mystery.

In that vein, 900 years passed in an eyeblink. While Lind had released close to 200 discs, he held back the rest. It was fine for now as the majority had been through the Heart of Origins so the discs were of no use for the Divine Lands.

Just the fact it seemed like he could make more was enough to appease those prying at his secrets.

The tower previously used for Project Ares was repurposed and divided up inside for projects for his prominent craftsmen.

Those that worked on Project Ares mostly stayed but some struck out and set up their own guilds. They kept close ties but were free to grow. Even if others discovered what they knew, no one could replicate what he had done.

Lind was now in a large garden in his family complex. There were 2 lakes and a good amount of shade trees to make a pleasant place to have a picnic or host an event. It was full of ministers and other people holding meetings in a pleasant atmosphere.

He was seated at a pavilion at the largest lake. Fish swam happily in clear view and he could feel they too were enjoying the light and clean water.

The sway of plants with the gentle wind was soothing as he sipped at his tea. The simple jade set seemed too beneath his status to some but he was given it by his mother long ago.

Haro was also next to him and relaxing.

"Master, you have delayed enough." Lind smiled as Haro, ever focused on duty, spoke his mind. He was not wrong either.

He had been able to give out the discs long ago. He could have made it 500 years but he had doubled his goal to spend the likely last peaceful time with his family.

Ryl was now an Immortal. Pelia was not far behind him either. His children and family had experienced similar explosive growth with his help or simply a touch of guidance.

"Can you blame me?" Haro was silent so he did not press the issue. "Will you be able to follow me?"

He had not touched on the subject but Haro paused before slowly shaking his head.

"Guardians are only for this world, Master. While I am rare, I will be taken from you if you succeed. I cannot go to that place. I am of this one." Lind felt sad. He had suspected but he had grown used to Haro always being with him.

"What will happen to you?" Haro seemed to consider it for a long time before sighing. His dark skin and bald head glowed with power as the black ring on his right hand shimmered.

"A ring that has come this far cannot go back to a True Lord. I will return to my origin and await when I am needed, if ever, again." Lind glared at the man.

It was unacceptable but Haro chuckled.

"It is not as bad as you imagine. We are free to project and roam the land. Still, I cannot imagine my life being as interesting once you are gone, Master." That felt better but Lind still disliked it.

No matter how powerful his skills had become, he still could not affect his ring. It told him volumes of what he was dealing with.

An Eternal Refiner or Forger.

A thought took hold and Lind smiled internally. It might be possible. Becoming a peak Master Tier would not remove the ring. Maybe his next Mystery would unlock the answers.