Invite Players to a Cultivation World

"...so we used the Flying Chariot to return." Lily Calla recounts the events again.

Previously was just an informal report though. Now she is standing before the three sect leaders of the Blossom Alliance.

The elderly sect leader of the Leaf Sect, Gidgee Leaf, is the first to speak. "I'd say this is a very fortunate turn of events. At the very least it's better than having to face a monster, or should I be calling it a blight now?"

"The name hardly matters. May as well call them blights." The leader of the Stem Sect, Arnica Stem, raises her voice. "What matters is whether or not we can trust this Rean Stone to not cause problems."

"It's not as if we could do anything even if he does." Gidgee argues. "The kind of power he's shown is truly overwhelming."

"That's never an excuse for not taking precautions." Arnica says. "The problem is that we know truly nothing about him, and we have no way of learning more. He could unilaterally decide that something about the world... about our world, should change, and we would not be prepared for the consequences."

"So you're worrying about the worst case we might be able to do something about." The sect leader of Petal Sect chuckles. If Gidgee is elderly, then this man, Kauri Petal, is truly old. "I can at least verify that the claims he's made line up with our ancient records, even filling in the blanks on parts that did not survive over the millennia."

"That still doesn't change the issue." Arnica says.

"And we can attempt to solve those issues by first looking at what our options are." Kauri says. "For instance, the trade he has offered my sect."

"I assume you are willing to let him have the tainted forest." Gidgee says. "Not like you could stop him anyway."

"We will let him have the forest, but that does not mean we will change anything." Kauri announces. "The restriction on entering will not be lifted unless it is safe to do so, and that is a decision that does not belong to my sect alone."

Arnica nods in agreement.

"Then what about the reward he gave you?" Gidgee asks. "A technique like that... if the claims are true then it could revolutionise not just cultivation, but alchemy, formations, practically everything."

"I've already given it to the Stem Sect researchers to investigate." Kauri says. "Any word on it Arnica?"

"To the best of our abilities, we have found it to be exactly what Rean Stone claims." Arnica admits. "There are no hidden risk, and it was clearly made for the purpose of being studied rather than used. With your permission, we would like to commence incorporating aspects of the technique into our own techniques."

"You understand I can't allow that for free." Kauri says. "This was payment given to my sect specifically. Since the tainted forest was always considered ours, it stands to reason that some kind of compensation is in order. We have spend plenty of resources guarding that forest after all, and this is our due reward."

Arnica glares at him. "What are you suggesting?"

"Ownership of the flying chariot is currently undecided." Kauri reminds them. "If Rean Stone asks for it back then we must obviously give it to him, but until then it needs to stay somewhere. Why not the Petal Sect?"

"But how do you intend to use it?" Gidgee asks.

"Oh it's not like that. The flying chariot will be considered part of our alliance's shared property, with all that entails. But I would just like to have it nearby when it's not in use." Kauri grins.

A flash of realisation appears in Arnica's eyes and she smiles. "I think that would be perfectly acceptable."

"Same here." Gidgee agrees.

"Then in return, the technique provided by Rean Stone will be considered property of the alliance, and not hoarded by my sect." Kauri announces.

"Hold it!" Lily speaks up for the first time since her report. "Why are we still hoarding it among our alliance? If it were a combat technique I would understand, but it exists to help people protect themselves from impurities. I... I propose we release it publicly, allowing any cultivator to learn from it!"

The sect leaders stare silently for a moment, until Arnica smiles at Kauri. "I'm happy to see the Petal Sect will remain in good hands after you are gone."

"It's been a long time since I've felt so proud." Kauri chuckles. "It's also the right choice strategically speaking. With how much we'll be trading research between ourselves, it'd only be a matter of time until the more shameless sects get their hands on a copy somehow. By releasing it openly though, we'll be ensuring the honourable sects will continue to have the advantage."

"Then we are all in agreement." Gidgee says. "Lily Calla's proposition shall be accepted."

"Wh... what." Lily doesn't understand what just happened.

"I think that's enough for today." Arnica says. "We can discuss further details some other time. For now it seems we all know what needs to be done."

With that, Arnica and Gidgee both leave so as to return to their respective sects, but Kauri stays to talk with Lily.

"You seem confused. Tell me what you don't understand." Kauri says.

"Then Master, why are you so happy about my proposition if you weren't going to suggest it yourself?" Lily asks. "And why make us storing the flying chariot part of a deal? Normally you could request it without having to offer anything in return."

Kauri nods. "If you had stayed silent, I actually would have suggested publicly releasing the technique myself, but I gave you time to make the suggestion yourself as it will greatly benefit your reputation."

"But you could have gained that reputation yourself and it would have achieved the same thing." Lily argues. "You are the sect master after all."

"I already have a good reputation, but I am growing old." Kauri sighs. "It will not be long before I die, and there is no chance I will break through to the seventh stage of Nascent Soul before then. Once I die you will inherit the position of sect master, and to be the master of the Petal Sect requires having that reputation. To make other cultivators look at you and know that it is the righteous, kind, and honourable who achieve greatness."

"But the sect masters of Stem and Leaf don't have such a reputation." Lily says. "I'm not speaking badly of them, but their reputation is instead based on their knowledge and production ability."

"That is because inspiring others is not their role." Kauri explains. "The Leaf Sect produces the finest resources, which they share with the rest of the alliance. The Stem Sect has a vast information network, which they use to ensure righteous sects don't fall down the wrong path, including our own.

But our role is to be strong, to be an inspiration, to fight against the evils of the world. But most importantly, as the public face of the Blossom Alliance, we are the target fallen sects will try to overthrow. Our position as a target is the reason the Leaf and Stem are willing to give us so much support."

"That's..." Lily wants to disagree, but it is undeniable that the Petal Sect receives much more support than would normally be reasonable. It would even be said that the Leaf and Stem are the main reason the Petal Sect is so successful.

"This is also why I wanted the Flying Chariot to stay in our sect." Kauri explains. "Do you truly think such a thing will benefit us?"

"Why wouldn't it?" Lily asks. "More immediate access to it should benefit us greatly in times of emergency."

"True, but you forget that it might also bring Rean's attention to us." Kauri says. "We have already discovered there is a tracking sigil engraved in its formation, which is completely understandable. But it means if he ever does leave the tainted forest, it will likely be us he will come to."

"And that would be a bad thing?" Lily asks.

"I don't believe so." Kauri admits. "But the risk is certainly there. Our main concern should be that he might try to use us to spread his influence, only to then use that influence to funnel all the worlds resources into himself, leaving very little for others."

"If that happens then we would stand against him." Lily says. "No matter how much he outclasses us, we cannot let the world be ruled by a tyrant."

"In this hypothetical scenario, it would be the Petal Sect enforcing his tyranny, in exchange for receiving some benefits for ourselves." Kauri explains. "Never believe we are immune to corruption, as that is how it grows. But if the Stem Sect believes that to be the direction our sect is going, they and the Leaf Sect will pull away their support and instead give it to another sect to oppose us."

"I have many friends in the Stem Sect though. I find it hard to believe they would go to war with us." Lily says. "And even if this did happen, it wouldn't mean anything before the might of a Dao Emperor."

"Both those reasons is why they will do anything they can to find a peaceful solution first." Kauri explains. "And that is our duty too. If Rean Stone does come to our sect, we must do everything we can to find a way to peacefully coexist with him. Even if he doesn't come to us, we can try going to him, as he did give us permission to do so."

He takes out a copy of the technique Rean had given her before. "So, I want you to do everything you can to learn how to protect your soul from impurities. I will ensure your duties are covered, this is more important right now. It's not for your benefit, but so you can enter the tainted forest safely, see what he's planning there, and begin the proper negotiations."