Chapter 16 #2
Still, it did leave Alex more than a bit curious, enough so that his attention quickly went back to their host, unusually gregarious for a cultivator, explaining the history of their sect, named after one of the four seasons, which Alex found quite interesting in the desert.
It seemed that the Spring sect had only just recently taken custody of the grand edifice whose marbled hallways were lined with frescoes, silken tapestries, and strikingly beautiful paintings of both desert sunsets and lush ancient forests lining the hallways they walked through.
Apparently, they were still figuring out how they wished to organize delving privileges and procedures, which no doubt explained why there were any delays at all, when the number of delves that cultivators of even this city could safely endure in a season was quite limited.
Of course, with the Red Prince breathing down all their throats, no doubt they were all feeling the simultaneous desire to forge a legend in their names and do whatever it took to not end up a city of subjugate slaves to a psychopathic tyrant, forced to sell their children and their souls for precious water.
“And so, under Spring’s custodianship, our academy seeks to do everything possible to facilitate as exceptional a delving experience as you and all your Ruidian counterparts could desire,” their guide continued.
“And that includes access to our exclusive dining hall, hot and cold baths, cool underground sleeping quarters, and training facilities tailored to your people’s preferences.
Why, we even have a private garden you may tend to, should you wish to expel your Waste Qi right here, bringing fecund life to our fields and earning top coin for your produce, just as we offer credits and the specialized services you know and trust from us for any quality cores you bring us! ”
Rachel’s eyes widened in visible delight, and she squeezed Alex’s hand in excitement. “Wait, you have your own private garden?” Her eyes took on an excited gleam. “Could we even have access to the fertile fields within the caldera proper?”
Lini looked ready to jump in, in case they offended their host. But the bald and moderately portly cultivator radiating so much Earth affinity that Alex thought he must be wujen merely chuckled good-naturedly.
“Of course. Of course! Ruidians are always welcome here. Not simply to delve, but to farm as well.”
He gave Rachel a conspiratorial wink. “For those Ruidians not afraid to make our city their own, we offer prime farming rights that you can purchase for a song! In point of fact, we actually have a growing Ruidian community composed of over a dozen families who have decided to make Wanshi their permanent home, and I don’t mind telling you that they have earned nothing but praise from both our mortal farmers and the cultivators whose affinity with Water and Wood has made them absolutely indispensable for helping to feed and nurture our fair city. ”
Their leisurely walk through halls befitting a noble’s grand manor ground to a halt, a stunned Rachel just gazing at the beaming cultivator as if he had grown a second head. A head made of gold that he was now offering to her with no strings.
“Wait, are you serious? We can buy prime caldera basin real estate and set up our own farming commune and we’ll be welcomed? The land’s not all tied up in ancient family lineages? And our neighbors, our fellow farmers and cultivators, would actually welcome us?”
“With open arms!” their guide assured with a chuckle, brown eyes twinkling warmly.
Knowingly. “Our prince has put several edicts into effect during these trying times, and we are happy—no, thrilled—to say that it has paid dividends none of us lesser men expected. Thanks in part to our growing Ruidian farming commune, which property you purchase would adjoin, our food production has actually increased by over twenty percent, this past year alone! And it’s all thanks to our newest citizens, who have not been at all shy in sharing their secrets for maximum-yield low-water harvests, earning the love of the city and the warm regard of the prince himself!
So yes, child. Should you or your clan find the trials of living in the center of an extremely hostile desert trying, you are all more than welcome to make Wanshi your new home. ”
He said the last with a chuckle. “But of course, you are here to make your fortunes as delvers, no? I’m sure you all must be hungry from your long journey, so let’s head to the dining hall where our chefs are preparing some of the tenderest cuts of spirit beast meat to ever melt upon your tongue!
With all the freshly baked bread, hummus, congee, and wine that you can always expect to flow freely upon our table, thanks to the desert grapes your people cultivate so well.
Of course, in the morning, we can go over the specifics of what you can expect within our delve, where we’ll do our best to put together parties that emphasize your strengths! ”
With those words, he led them to a dining hall filled with polished hardwood tables covered in spreads of roasted spirit boar and multiple soups and stews, tureens filled with spicy congee, and bowls of hummus alongside loafs of bread dipped in olive oil.
The fragrant aroma of all the fresh fruit Alex could desire filled the air.
He couldn’t help but whistle softly, sensing the spiritual auras of over a score of Deep Bronze and over half a dozen Silver-tier cultivators of various degrees of potency, all of them dressed in their finest cheongsams, tunics, and robes, and in many cases, makeup and jewelry as well.
And what did those normally arrogant titans of power and privilege do when they gazed the way of three clueless guests?
Alex was more shaken than he wanted to admit that he received not one derisive sneer or cold sniff.
No. What they got were a few polite nods before most people returned to their conversations and meals, yet a good third gazed their way with what Alex felt was an almost desperate intensity. Utterly free of any hostility… yet there was definitely a hunger for something besides food.
Alex suppressed the chill he felt, though Rachel seemed completely oblivious, all but squealing with delight as she slipped the first morsel of perfectly roasted spirit boar into her mouth as an obsequious pair of servants began filling their plates with whatever they desired.
As if they were the elite privileged inner disciples of a powerful sect.
Not fresh visitors who had yet to prove themselves in any way or pay for a single thing so far.
Yet all their host did was flash a pleased smile. “Is the food to your liking, honored guests?”
“Oh, it absolutely is!” Rachel gushed. “This spirit boar is positively scrumptious!”
Their host gave a content bow. “Wonderful. Then I’ll return in an hour and take you to your quarters, and we shall speak more on delving opportunities on the morrow.”
Yet before their surprisingly gracious host could get up to leave, Alex politely cleared his throat, flashing an apologetic smile.
Because the weight of so many intent measuring gazes made it clear that their meal would be far from undisturbed, and the memory of certain faces might stick out far more than either of the girls by his side would prefer.
“Forgiveness, honored host… Senior Wei Lin, yes?”
“Please, ignore the title. It’s Brother Wei to all my Ruidian friends.”
Alex chuckled warmly, forcing a rueful expression despite the grumbles in his belly. “It has been an exhausting day, Brother Wei. And as much as the food before us looks absolutely scrumptious, what this one needs most is a good night’s sleep, if I’m to be ready for tomorrow’s adventures.”
Their host gazed at Alex speculatively for a few seconds, Alex pointedly ignoring Rachel’s and Lini’s sighs as he passed up on a truly magnificent-looking spread, before giving an understanding nod.
“I understand. Your people perform exceptionally well when well rested. And we certainly wouldn’t want to do anything to hinder you in performing at your best! Very well. Let me take you to your quarters, and fear not, we will honor your free meal on the morrow.”