69 To kill or not to kill. (1/2)

Space warped and Ed found himself in a large hall. Inside, he could see all the cultivators from all other great spills. Looking closer, he noticed that they were much less than when they had entered the astral roots. Most looked at those around them with caution. It was clear, a fight was going to break out. But just then, space warped again and they were standing in their respective great spills. Those from the south side city's great spill returned to where they had stood before entering the astral roots; around the underground pond. They looked at the elders before them in confusion.

”What's going on?” someone asked.

”I didn't even get the chance to find a treasure.” another said.

”Not just you, me too.”

”The experience in the astral roots was shorter than I expected.”

”My master once said that it would sometimes take up to a month out here before people start coming out. What is going on?”

”What day is it, now?”

”Elders, why are you saying nothing?” many were worried that as they have been removed from the spill ahead of time, they will not have the opportunity to enter again.

”The pond is dry!” someone had finally noticed the empty pond and exclaimed.

”What does this mean?”

”Elders!!” someone called them in anger. The first elder cleared her throat and looked at the crowd.

”The astral roots have dried.” she said. Silence hunted the grounds at that moment, before someone in the crowd sneered.

”That means my deal with you is off” he said and she sighed in response. They all somewhat understood what he meant. A lot of them had made deals with the elders so that they could keep their treasures.

”The great spill is no more. Then, you have no use.” another said and her eyes narrowed.

”You would not even try to offer me what you have found?” she sneered, ”No matter what, I am still a cultivator of the....”