147 Uniting the west Rough Draf (1/2)

The shrill screech of the wind whirred by, rattling the drooping ice formed around the panes of glass in the window.

Streaks of light fell from the partially hidden moon, peeking through the frosted windows of the manor and into the second floor lounge.

Two men sat in the spacious chamber, its interior quiet and tranquil. Illuminated by a mixture of the buoyant flame in the fireplace and the soft radiance of the moonlight.

Kang raised a glass to his head and sipped his drink. The torchlight mounted on the wall gave his exposed skin a yellow hue. He was sat on a padded chair across from Hartley.

Kang's Watery eyes reflected the fire light as he spoke, his voice heavy with emotion.

”Welcome to the Saint's world Hartley, tonight we drink as proud comrades in the same realm.” His reddened face was a mask of seriousness.

Hartley had never seen Kang drink anything but milk, tonight his father-figure made an exception, sipping fragrant wine from a robust mug.

Hartley lifted his own mug and followed suit without objecting.

Shadows stretched and wobbled across the furniture, moving as if performing a dance throughout the room, casting dark lines that flowed and stuttered with the angle of the fluttering orange flame.

Kang thumped his mug onto the wooden table after quickly gulping down its contents, closing his eyes as he Inhaled deeply with drops of red wine clinging to his white beard.

The ensuing conversation revolved around Kang's curiosity towards the pocket dimension and the survivors within.

Kang asked of Hartley's experience and Hartley gave him a detailed account holding nothing back, finishing with his encounter and battle against the person he suspected to have originated from a higher plain.

Kang took in every detail, processing the information with a serious face, the crackling flames of the fireplace, plus the howling wind outside the window served as the ambient sound in the quiet room.

The vibe was abnormally serious, a typical conversation with Kang was usually filled with mirth, immaturity and laughter.

This time Kang stared unblinkingly at Hartley.

”The first thing to know about the saint realm is its limitation.” Kang finally broke his silence.

”The mortal plane is like a prison that bounds its occupants from ever threatening the heavens, designed to keep this plane separate from the planes of power.”

”But!” He held up a single finger as if to accentuate his point.

”The heavens are fair if nothing else.

This plane also protects it's occupants from beings originating in the higher planes, limiting their powers and enforcing a time limit on their stay whenever they descend.

Even so, those demi gods still hold tremendous power when relegated to the mortal plane, but that's a topic for another time.”

Kang sighed.

Weaker saints are safe from the black energy but vulnerable to stronger saints, the stronger saints however, live in constant fear of being engulfed and erased by a random attack of black energy.

Once one is deemed overpowered, the black energy constantly seeks to maintain the balance of the plane by erasing the threat.”

”That's why those at the peak of the saint realm have no choice but to attempt ascension to a higher plane” Hartley blurted out.

”Hmmn,” Kang nodded with a serious look, ”but ascending is a task easier said than done.”

Kang took another swill of wine and continued with long shadows flickering across his face.

”You'll find that the saint realm is very different from the xiantian realm.

Not dependent on elemental control or physical power amplification. The brute force approach that you like so much will quickly get you devoured by black energy, this risk prevents many saints from wanting to get anywhere near the peak of the saint realm.

Progression through the layers of the saint realm is not as important as developing a strong domain.

So instead of cultivating through the layers of the saint realm quickly, most concentrate on developing a strong domain as a foundation.

A mature domain can exert tremendous power without the saint personally violating the tolerance of power for the mortal plane, pay attention.”

Kang produced two coins of the same size and rested them on the table.

He held up one with the index and thumb of his left hand, then from two meters away, he swept the index finger of his right hand towards the coin.

There was a whoosh and a bang when the finger made contact with the coin, it was instantly obliterated, sending silver flakes flying all over the table.

A flash of black energy immediately rumbled into existence, taking the place of the destroyed coin, roiling and snapping violently for a few seconds before it disappeared.

Reflexively Hartley drew his head backwards to avoid the metal filings flying in the air.

Kang gave a sly grin, without a word he then lifted the second coin, Hartley felt an instant change in the air, the room suddenly felt different, as if all the oxygen was sucked away.

Kang let go of the coin and it floated in mid air, the air around the coin wobbled then the coin jerked and exploded into a shower of dazzling silver flakes, glinting in the firelight and raining down around the two men, scattering everywhere with tiny flecks of the metal floating in the mugs of wine on the table.

Silver flakes were spread in Kang's white hair and across his shoulders like glitter, making him look comical, he smiled and asked, ”did you notice?”

Hartley nodded, ”you used a domain the second time.”