He ran towards the distant forest while panting heavily. Looking back, he saw no one chasing him and sighs in relief. But no matter, he keeps on running as his life depends on it both literally and figuratively. After all, in his hands he holds a jade slip that can and will change his destiny. Never in his wildest imagination would he have thought that an immortal-grade technique would fall into his hands. This is a technique any and all cultivators would kill to get their hands on, even those at the Void Refining realms (peak powerhouses of this realm). As there have been no Immortal Ascension cultivators in all of Eldorai, if he can reach Immortal Ascension then apart from gaining a chance at ascending to the higher realms, he can rule this world. But that's getting too far ahead in our thoughts.
Vahan ran as fast as possible so that no cultivator could spot him; otherwise, he would be in big trouble. He could see the forest getting closer, and as he ran he started plotting how to safely retreat and avoid any and all prying eyes. He also started thinking about how a month before he was just an ordinary orphan from a no-name village, and fearing an unfortunate encounter with some cultivator forced him to play cannon fodder for opening the ruins for them. He had vowed that he would not be that helpless. So he decided to cultivate till the Qi Refining phase and move to the Cindervale League, as returning to the village is impossible as they would be suspicious of how a Body Tempering cultivator survived whereas Qi cultivators died. So it would be better that he moved to the League so that he can cultivate and climb the social ranks there, as they are more meritocratic than any other polity on the continent.
As he entered the forest to cultivate his technique, he was determined to change his destiny.
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Capital of the Vargossian Empire, Oakenshall, Sunspire Citadel.
High Chancellor Trevor Calder walks down the corridors of the Citadel of the most powerful empire on the continent. As he walks by, courtiers and servants bow their heads in deference, and they are right to do so as he is the below one above thousands. But today he is not in the mood to acknowledge anyone's presence as he is going straight ahead to the Imperial Study to inform about the situation of the western borders and to solidify the plans to invade the western countries.
As he approached the study, two Imperial Guards stood alert. They acknowledged him and let him pass the door. Inside sits a man who has two distinct features: red hair and red eyes—distinct features of the imperial family. The man has broad shoulders, has a bright and vibrant smile along with a regal aura that is both comforting and demands respect. The man named Alistair Vargossian lifts his head and asks the High Chancellor,
"No need to greet or anything. Tell me, how are the plans going for the invasion of the western continent?"
High Chancellor Trevor Calder replies,
"Majesty, the plan has been going well for the most part, but our agents are being countered in all countries and are unable to spread discord as all of them have become very active regarding espionage and counter-espionage."
Seeing the Emperor silent, Trevor continues,
"But on the other hand, our tunnelling operations have been going rather smoothly, and apart from some goblin or kobold tribes the advancement is smooth, and by the estimates of our geomancers it would take 5 years at minimum to mine our way silently to the other side of the mountain."
The Emperor interrupted and said,
"So what you are saying is that espionage and sowing discord isn't working, but our plan for tunnelling is going swimmingly?"
Trevor nodded before adding,
"Your Majesty, we suggest laying low and beginning normalising our relationship with our neighbours and just keeping a low profile so as to lull them into a false sense of security. By doing this for a decade they will be softened somewhat before we advance our plan."
But the Emperor countered,
"But that would give them more time to prepare for any eventuality, and it would be harder for us to begin our conquest after a decade or so."
Trevor nodded and said,
"Majesty, we can slip in more spies with our merchant caravans and get a better knowledge of the political and social structure so that we can plan even more thoroughly for any variables."
The Emperor stayed silent for half an hour before giving approval,
"Very well. You have my approval. Thoroughly plan for the future and present me the complete data. Long live the Empire."
"Long live the Empire."
Then Emperor Alistair tore through the void and left.
Trevor's eyes glinted, as breaking the void can only be done by Void Refining experts. So all in all, officially the empire has 4 Void Refining cultivators, and he felt more confident in his plans. With these thoughts he left the study.