Elder Cultivator

By a coincidence of timing, troubles in the upper realms began within a very similar time frame to those in the lower realms. Within a month from when the first attack in Waiche and on the borders of the Lower Realms Alliance occurred, the Heartbound Palace unleashed sleeper agents on planets throughout the Scarlet Alliance.

At the same time, Project Apocalypse was unleashed. The prototype versions of the virus had been obtained and counters built, while at the same time the Scarlet Alliance infected the growing computer networks of the Exalted Quadrant. Neither side had expected a third party to unleash a more sophisticated attack at the same time. The Exalted Quadrant lost all of the computer systems they had just begun to start relying on for day-to-day activities, while the Scarlet Alliance had over half of their systems disabled, or at least in a chaotic state maintained only by tech cultivators actively bypassing serious issues.

The Heartbound Palace had gone beyond their previous covert operations, instead openly declaring their involvement in the attacks. Furthermore, it seemed they had persuaded various groups from the Trigold Cluster to launch attacks on the Scarlet Alliance, for various reasons. Old grudges or new, or simply because they could, it didn't matter. Some were bitter after the Swirling Swarm was unleashed, others simply couldn't stand their neighbors being prosperous. Fleets were approaching, pressing in on the Scarlet Alliance and those portions of the Trigold Cluster that were willing to align with them- nothing in the way of large sects, but many smaller ones and semi-independent systems. Mostly, those along their borders.

As for the virus that wormed its way into the computer systems at that time, the source was blindly obvious. Because Everheart prominently plastered his name all over it. The chances that it was some sort of imposter were negligible, as there was very little for anyone to gain and much to lose. Besides, the fact that it was at least somewhat successful indicated his hand in things.

The Scarlet Alliance wasn't completely blindsided by the events in the upper realms. After all, they had their own intelligence operations, some of which were quite successful. They simply hadn't been prepared for something more effective than 'Project Apocalypse'. The movements of fleets from both of the great powers had caught their eye, indicating that something might be underway, but they hadn't expected that to also come with their systems going down. That slowed their response, especially since they had to watch their northern border in case Everheart also launched a direct assault. Assuming he hadn't already snuck through their formations, of course.

-----

Anton considered a passing fleet. They were close enough that he could take them out… and dangerous enough that he couldn't simply let them go. It was possible that they might send a message about the attack, but if he didn't let anyone escape the full extent of his abilities wouldn't be revealed. Technically it wouldn't anyway, as they were only ten lightyears away. After a quick consultation with others, he decided to act.

Taking down a fleet with just a single angel at the head wasn't exactly a thrilling engagement. Anton took no pleasure in slaughtering weaker cultivators, but he didn't trust his ability to perfectly disable all of them such that they could be captured. Besides, they had come as part of the recent spike in open assaults. There was some ambiguity when it wasn't truly wartime, but he didn't have the leeway to spare everyone. Maybe if he were stronger, but that was a bit unreasonable to ask for.

-----

Attacks occurred mainly on the southwestern portions of the Lower Realms Alliance's territory. Nobody was terribly concerned about how efficient their surveillance beacons were being. Nor did anybody notice when a few scouting groups mysteriously disappeared. Though to be fair, how could they? Reneden didn't bother notifying anyone if it was going to take them out.

Reneden wasn't strong enough to fight angels, but saints or regular Life Transformation cultivators were on the table. At least, by making use of the distributed energy network it possessed from having multiple bodies. Either Bear Hug worked quite differently, or they had not realized how truly terrifying they might be. Then again, they were on the extreme ends of the organic and inorganic divide, so except for now having instantaneous communication between parts they couldn't be more different.

No. Reneden considered that, and Bear Hug didn't instantly communicate. Bear Hug just was. Reneden sent information to different parts of itself. Pretty much every bit it took in now, but it didn't have to be like that. Quite different in practice, then.

Surveillance beacons had simple weapons, some of which were meant to defend from space debris. Tiny lasers and impulse cannons could be augmented to a much higher level with some determination. Humans had used melee weapons to cut planets in half, so destroying a ship with a more advanced weapon was quite reasonable in Reneden's estimation. There wasn't anyone to ask, though. This wasn't a good time to reveal its presence.

-----

"Tell me when one of those 'divinities' is coming," the Great Queen said. "I will remain on standby until then."

Anton shook his head. "They've shown surprising restraint," Anton commented. "Considering they sent one after our first skirmish. Perhaps that indicates they are concerned about losing them. Or they intend to use them for defense. Our ability to counterattack is more limited than they might think."

"You mean counterattack in an acceptable manner," the Great Queen commented. "Because we could do it."

Anton shrugged. "You're right on that."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

"We should send my people," the Great Queen said. "The infiltrators, of course. Small and not much good for pitched battles. Perhaps we can take down some of their stronger individuals. Striking their heartland would do us some good."

The option had already been discussed by the Alliance. Ultimately, they hadn't been willing to commit to the option before they determined if there would be a full war. At the current rate the Holy Stars either had endless angels or they were hard committing to the war lasting a year. A few at most. It was difficult for the Alliance to anticipate all of their forces, but they didn't need Devon or Anton to be everywhere. Unity cultivators weren't required for their victory. They were meant to deal with the biggest problems. The Great Queen wasn't a Unity cultivator, but she could probably kill one.

"It's probably time," Anton agreed. "We can't accidentally reveal void ants when they already know. It is possible their home worlds have some sort of counter from some ancient time, but they shouldn't be expecting void ant sized ships as well."

-----

Akrys was one of the furthest parts of the Lower Realms Alliance from the Holy Stars, so Three Squeaks wasn't expecting trouble. Not from the upper realms either. But when trouble came, Three Squeaks and the people of Akrys responded.

When Holy Stars cultivators appeared, seemingly having circled all the way around the perimeter of the Alliance and even slightly dipped their toe into the space between the realms, the response was swift and powerful, like a coursing river.

For example, the entire 'river' that Contented Grunt shot into the sky, carrying a great number of aquatic cultivators along with the hippo. But Three Squeaks got the first blow. Rather than targeting one of the leading angels, Three Squeaks picked out one of the strongest looking subordinates to test them. Without having ever fought them, Three Squeaks could absolutely say that this current batch was far less good at covering their people than the Purified Wardens.

Sure, he took a shot before they even truly entered the system, but they should have expected that. If Three Squeaks had a bit more warning, he could have hit them a good lightyear away. Maybe more, but that was about the extent of Three Squeak's practical power. Good for starting a fight before the enemy even had a chance to respond. The same was true here, just not as many times.

They did try to block for the woman Three Squeaks targeted. They just weren't fast enough, as Three Squeak's arrow came around unexpectedly from the side- not directly in front of them. Picking on the weak wasn't any fun, but these were humans and Three Squeaks was a meerkat. Ultimately, cultivators chose to fight so these invaders couldn't have any complaints.

They did, though.

"How dare…" bla bla bla, "... Sublime Branch! Vengeance…" bla bla bla.

It was about what Three Squeaks expected. He let Contented Grunt give a coherent response.

"Get stomped, invaders!" Contented Grunt led the charge directly into their front ranks. She was struck on the head with a stick by the angel of the Sublime Branch that had been speaking. The ripples of the energy collision spread throughout the entire system. Contented Grunt probably had a cracked skull. She also had one of the woman's arms completely in her jaws. She tugged. Her physical prowess was far less important than it had once been, but it had influenced her style quite significantly. Her head went one way, the river went another. She managed to push apart her quarry and the woman. Then she spit out the arm- which happened to be carrying another somewhat smaller stick that had been tickling the roof of her palate.

Oh, Sublime Branch. They cared about the sticks, then. She made sure to break it as it spun off into space.

Another Sublime Branch member was surrounded by fuzz. Some sort of fungal spore that propagated rapidly with Meep's energy. The old meerkat was still going strong. His lung disease was probably his own fault and might not kill him. Hundreds and thousands of others clashed, but the enemy had many 'angels'. Some of them broke through the front lines, targeting the planets below.

That was no good at all. They still had further defenses, more than the incoming fleets and their aquatic and flying cultivators. But an assault of this magnitude was somewhat unexpected. If it was just the Sublime Branch, though, Three Squeaks was confident that they would emerge victorious- astoundingly so, even.

But half of their foes were lagging behind. Another group with a different aura that had not yet displayed their strength… yet they were building up their energy. Three Squeaks didn't like that at all, and began to take shots at them, bypassing the Sublime Branch. Unless they were willing to go half a system out of their way to block, the foes in the back would have to block for themselves.

A sturdy looking human woman did just that, stepping away from the battle formation she was supporting to punch Three Squeak's arrows out of the air. He tried to maneuver them around her, but she moved suddenly and with great force. And yet, not as suddenly as the rest of them.

The group formation suddenly exploded forward, scattering some of the front ranks of the Akrysians. They didn't stop, either, but continued on as if they were the projectiles. The woman leading them grinned, before suddenly doing the same- throwing herself towards the battlefield. Three Squeak's remaining arrows were left to target a few groups that hadn't yet launched themselves, or the back ranks of the Sublime Branch.

The woman came for Three Squeaks. "Fear the wrath of the Divine Meteor Sect!"

If her punch hit Three Squeaks, he would die. Calling it a punch might not be correct, because it was really just her flying head on with her fist out, but the name didn't matter so much as the power behind it. Three Squeaks stepped aside.

Star Steps wasn't made for meerkats, but Three Squeaks thought he performed the technique rather well regardless. Instantaneous acceleration, much like the Divine Meteor Sect. Less extreme, but it also didn't require building up as much power beforehand.

Three Squeaks winced as the first of the Divine Meteor Sect crashed through planetary barriers and began to descend. At least they didn't have the power or momentum to destroy the planets after all that. Three Squeaks did feel a stirring of power that made him hopeful- and it wasn't Anton. One more archer wouldn't make a difference here, even if Anton was the best one.