Chapter 319: Repayment Task (1/2)
Thanks to the Dark Energy Gathering Formation, the six hours of daily Absorption netted me around 4% in my Pathways' progress. And through my continuous use of Energy to reconnect with my Companions and the Avatar, Adaptability also gained a bit of progress. From 75%, it now sat 77%. The day to reach the Level 3 Adaptability drew nearer.
Before that though, I have to tread carefully in this world. If Worldy and Illiana stood by their words not to divulge their connection with me in fear that I might get noticed by 'them', I will not make it hard for them. I'm still weak that even an experienced Rank 2 Transcendent can defeat me. What more in here where Exalted like Alwyn seemed to be the baseline for an expert. Anyone below that was just not good enough.
I've already learned a lot from Alwyn anyway and with the days that I will spend here, I'm bound to learn more.
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When I woke up after a night's rest, I found Alwyn sitting near the low table while munching on some kind of fruit that was native to this world. In front of her sat a whole basket of it, placed on top of the table.
After telling me to eat the fruits as my breakfast, Alwyn didn't overdue her stay and left after leaving a reminder for me. ”Do not do anything flashy or excessive. I will be monitoring you throughout the Task and will save you if something happens.”
The Task, huh? What will they have us do? Illiana used the Decree to hide its actual purpose to free me and mix me with the other prisoners. That decision was abrupt but it certainly served its purpose. All I need to do now is to finish the Task that will clear us of this graciousness from Illiana.
All those who came here were given the choice. Maybe some had some other designs they kept to themselves, some had nowhere to go to for a while like Irja or some were just bored and have no idea what to do with their newfound freedom like Klement.
Either way, they're all here temporarily unless the tribe itself recruited them after the Task.
As I went back to the square where we were supposed to gather again after a day, I took my time to observe more of my surroundings. Apart from the Pagodas which could be seen anywhere one will turn their head to, there were also some structures next to it wherein my Adaptability could sense a great concentration of Dark Energy. As weak as I am at the moment, there's no point prying onto it or I might doom my stay here.
”New guy, you're here. Have you gotten a great sleep?”
When I arrived at the square, Irja, still in her purple witch-like garb, raised her hand and called out to me. There's a certain smile on her face as if she's looking at someone interesting.
I've only spoken minimal information about myself yesterday but because of her suspicion about my identity, she's most likely trying to befriend me as a gamble. If I turned out to be nothing, it's easy to cut ties with a Rank 1 Transcendent and if I turned out to be something, then she'll benefit a lot.
”Yes. I did. A Prime Tribe is really different. Even a small room has an Energy Gathering Formation.”
”I know, right? I feel like it's been an eternity since I've gotten a proper Absorbing Session. It's certainly refreshing to have my Energy circulate inside my body once more.”
Irja winked as she threw me a rare smile. She always had a frown after all, especially when she's dealing with Klement.
After a while, Yatapa and Klement who looked like he had a bad sleep arrived at the wide square.
The group of Exalted and the Monarch of the Dafirae Tribe were already waiting at the same pavilion, covering themselves from the dim sunlight.
My eyes naturally darted around to observe everyone. I couldn't do a proper observation yesterday after all. With all of them unconsciously or consciously leaking out the aura of their bodies to flaunt their strength or it's just a habit, it's easy to see that not everyone at the same stage had the same Energy Intensity. There were calm, vigorous, cold and vicious.
Among the four of us, I'm probably the one who had the calm Energy Intensity due to my Energy Control. But it's easy for me to manipulate it to change its nature.
Irja belonged to those with vigorous Energy Intensity which radiates certain brilliance. The 20 years she spent in that prison cell truly took some of her precious time. Although it's not easy to estimate the age of Transcendents, she might've been an Exalted if she wasn't thrown in there.