Truthful Transmigration

Something about John's fusion of light and darkness was imperfect, and he really couldn't afford anything else. If he was taking a normal cultivation path, then adding one more totem wouldn't be a big deal- he would only require sufficient insights to properly stabilize himself with a nice balance of elements. A sixth fire totem wasn't much different than five as far as pure cultivators were concerned, so being able to withstand the pressure of the Sea of Spiritual Totems as well as generally being prepared for the Exalted Soul Phase should be sufficient.

There was a chance that the totem would solve all of John's problems. In theory, six elements would be perfectly balanced. In practice, John had nearly killed himself when completing the core cycle as he advanced to the Ascending Soul Phase which should have also been more balanced than the previous step. He wasn't really keen on gambling his existence. He needed sufficient control to get past some sort of turbulent period. It might last only a few moments, but that could be too much.

He intended to be as prepared as one possibly could. If he sensed that it was too risky- beyond the limits of his talent- then he would most likely give up. But that would depend on the threats of the current time. Some things were worth risking one's life for.

-----

Gaining ground in the Molten Sea was not an easy task, but the Empire of Elements was doing so rather steadily. Strangely, they didn't seem to be in a hurry. It appeared they were fine with years going by with little progress. However, once they captured a position they seemed quite unlikely to give it up. Then again, cultivators never liked to give up on their claims. People didn't.

The war continued, and soon enough the Searing Sarcophagus fell. That resulted in John's second journey deeper into the Molten Sea, though he didn't plan to go as far as the first time. Just as far as the Kelemen clan. Normally, petitioners would have come to him- to the core of the western continent. However, what could be done remotely had already been done- the Molten Sea was loath to send their strongest cultivators- their leadership- away.

They didn't have precisely the same complement as before. They were meeting groups in which they had at least some trust, so they didn't bring quite as much combat power, but it was also a matter of people being busy with various duties. Furthermore, those that John trusted the most were also the ones he most wanted in their own regions maintaining stability. He didn't expect the continental alliance to fall apart suddenly, but it was better to keep on top of everything.

Among the notable groups present this time were some parties very much interested in the potential threats from the Molten Sea- all of those places closest. This included the Encapsulated Flow, from which the Winding River Sect sent Sekar with whom John was long acquainted. The Frozen Heights sent a group from the Lone Spire John didn't know. The Breathless Plain sent Presha from Silver Breeze Gorge. Finally, the Gloom Desolation was the next most likely to be affected and sent Shukrat of the Midnight Bolts.

Seeing Tajana again, even if John didn't know her well he found himself sympathetic. In the current circumstances, they were potentially aligned- and any reasons they had to be opposed were quickly fading. That was because much of the Molten Sea was falling. In other circumstances, John might have celebrated.

"I see you survived," John commented. He didn't know what else to day.

Tajana turned her face down. "Rather embarrassing, is it not? For a sect head to survive the fall of her sect… after the previous sect head held the line."

John thought that was rather unfair. Clearly, the threat of the Empire of Elements was significant. "Sects can be reconstructed or moved. If all of their people die, they are truly dead. The clan in which I was born had to uproot to an entirely different elemental region, but we still grew strong over time," John commented. Did it help the Tenebach Clan that their departure from the Darklands came with Ciaritzal? Absolutely. But the point still remained true to some extent.

"I fear we shall not have an opportunity to resettle," Tajana shook her head. "How much have you heard?"

John shrugged. "The grip the True Sea has on their military information is sufficient for us to only get an approximation."

"The Crimson Temple will fall soon. Other great sects have already fallen. Before the year is out, the Empire of Elements will control half of the Molten Sea- and they will be able to narrow their focus as they continue on."

John wanted to say they would help push them back, but he actually couldn't promise that at this stage. Not on his own, and not with the circumstances. In some ways, they should be thanking the Empire of Elements. At the very least, they had to make some contact with them before committing to anything much. Ships sailing on the oceans hadn't returned, so there wasn't much chance of their response being anything but killing the messengers, but John could hope.

-----

Samuel was glaring at Tajana, two cultivators with shaved heads seemingly ready to come to blows at any moment. But both had to respect Tihomir Kelemen with his cultivation in the late Ascending Soul Phase- especially because the negotiations were taking place within the territory of the Kelemen clan. The continentals would also be incentivized to prevent an actual battle.

"The Bright Trinity have nearly overwhelmed the Crimson Temple," Tajana explained. Samuel looked as if he wished to celebrate that- but kept himself in check. "The Searing Sarcophagus being more closely positioned, they will be cut off from most forms of aid."

"So you want us to join them?" Samuel said.

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Tajana shook her head. "I don't have the authority to speak on their behalf. I merely speak for what I believe to be the best interests of all of us present, as well as the stated goals of the continent. Regaining the Searing Sarcophagus would be a sound tactical move."

John couldn't fault her for desiring that, and she laid out a decent case for it.

"The Crimson Temple will still fall," Tajana said. "But it would take longer. They would bleed the Empire of Elements. But if they hold the Searing Sarcophagus, they can attack not only the Blistering Crest but likely reach as far as the Kelemen clan."

Various questions were asked. Estimates on how long it might take people to reach the continent- the main answer being that if the local sects and clans didn't stop them, they could sail over in a very short time. But using the terrain of the Molten Sea to their advantage, the local groups could hold them off with sufficient aid.

Of course, the main draw was that they did not have to risk their own lands. Their cultivators would still be on the battlefield, but it was possible for them to retreat safely without truly caring about what they left behind.

It all made sense to John. Perhaps they should even have committed earlier.

"We have to support them." Zdislava spoke more on behalf of the continent than as a member of the Molten Sea. At least, that was what John believed, though officially the we referred to other Molten Sea Sects. She turned to grin at Sekar, "Your lands are far too cool for our tastes."

The Encapsulated Flow directly bordered the Molten Sea. They had the most risk. Sekar really didn't need much convincing- except that they would likely also be expected to send more cultivators.

But that was what the continental alliance was for, sharing the load. John could promise a certain amount of support without negotiating with the other groups, and he was confident in obtaining a certain amount.

"The Six Elements Crossroads will personally support efforts to retake the Searing Sarcophagus," he said finally. They could have been enemies. John didn't know if he could have brought himself to support others from the True Sea. "However, you would have to break your Alliance."

"What good did it do us?" Tajana shook her head. "We supported those ahead of us. We lost Tefik and… none bothered to come to our aid. The True Sea won't mean anything soon enough, so I fear no retribution."

They'd have to survive that long anyway.

Samuel wasn't happy, but Jolana had his ear. His wife said a few things that at least calmed him down enough. Possibly mentioning that they would still take the brunt of the damage and that they might get wiped out regardless. John didn't actually pry, but he could still guess.

-----

It took a month to return. An extremely long month packed full of diplomatic meetings when they weren't traveling. It was quite inconvenient that they didn't have good locations for people from the continent to gather outside of Astrein. People had grown too used to the central location that they were hesitant to journey elsewhere. At least they had been able to bypass some of the waiting with swift messages.

And now John was leading a moderately sized army into the Molten Sea. Though it had a similar number of Ascending Soul Phase cultivators, they had far more lower phase cultivators. That was necessary for proper battles.

The Burning Delta was only responsible for a small number of the ships in the fleet. The Kelemen clan were providing the rest. Each ship was about half filled with their cultivators and half with continentals. They certainly seemed to believe the threat was significant. John saw signs that they were also moving to support other sects and clans as the threat continued to move towards them.

From what John understood, the Searing Sarcophagus was occupied by the Bright Trinity- with a smattering of other cultivators from the Empire of Elements. Information indicated that it was the origin sect of Aldara, the Empress. They did not practice full cycle cultivation, but they were tri element cultivators. The allied cycle of light, specifically. Light, air, and fire. Not something John saw much on his continent, but perhaps they had precisely the right balance for that to rise to prominence.

They approached cautiously. From what he could see, at least the surface of the Searing Sarcophagus seemed to be in good condition. Then again, without the docks it really wouldn't be a functional location at all. Perhaps they could anchor ships on some of the lower sections of the sect, but that would be more than awkward. Especially for foreigners.

John expected them to remain mainly on their ships, but they were fire cultivators. Perhaps the Molten Sea wouldn't be so bad for them.

"Feel that?" John leaned towards Astrid.

She nodded. "Peak Ascending Soul Phase. The question is… why isn't that their leader?"

"Maybe Aldara is a figurehead," John suggested.

"Or… she's able to fight many ranks ahead. Like yourself. It's not unreasonable, for a cultivator nearing a full cycle."

John frowned. "We don't have much data for that. Barely one and a half instances. Perhaps less than half, for how thin our information is on this Empress."

"We should just ask him, then."

The man in question stood tall and prominent on the bow of a ship as it fearlessly began to approach their armies- alone. John thought that was a bit much. Confidence could bring a cultivator far, but John and Astrid alone could certainly handle the man. Then he wouldn't have much in the way of backup.

Except of course, he wasn't intending to fight. His voice boomed from afar. "I recognize some of you by energy. The Searing Sarcophagus returns to their home. Others, I know not. Might we be introduced? I am Roi, Elder of the Bright Trinity."

"John Miller, of the Six Elements Crossroads." He might also be interested in others, but there was only so much people could conveniently shout at a distance- even with spiritual energy helping transmit words.

"My keen intuition tells me you are not a native of the Molten Sea, but of the continent beyond." The mirth in Roi's voice indicated he was joking, of course. It was rather obvious that John didn't fit. As well as many of the rest. "We have no quarrel with you."

Not yet.

"So you say. But the continent is still quite interested in halting your conquest."

Soon, they would be close enough to engage in battle. Though if this elder was willing… John would at least try to speak more before they came to blows. It would likely depend on what happened within the next minute or two.