"What? You want to establish a faction!? Ricky... That's... that's a very dangerous and bold idea!" Edgar blurted out, his eyes opening wide. He was shocked at Ricky's plan.
Establishing a faction was by no means an easy task. Managing, organizing, and strengthening it was also extremely vital. The Refinement Faction and the Casting Faction were backed by demi-immortals, and the Amber Faction also had the support from a mysterious figure. All of them had powerful backers. That was also why these factions were able to grow so strong and thrive! No one dared bully their disciples. All Ricky had was Grace's support. But now he was thinking of establishing a faction! He was really something else!
"Yes, you are right, Edgar... I know I don't have much support from powerful figures. That's why I came to see Autelan. He is strong. I need him." Ricky nodded and acknowledged with a determined look.
"Hey, buddy! Count me in!" Edgar unexpectedly proposed as a determined light flashed through his eyes.
"I appreciate your support, Edgar. Really, I do. But I suggest you think this over carefully. Once you are in, you will become the enemy of the Casting Faction and the Refinement Faction. They will dislike you just because you joined me and things will get hard." Ricky was surprised when Edgar volunteered to join him. He was a bit touched by his support, but knew he had to make things clear so Edgar would know better about the difficulties he might face if he chose to join him.
"I know what you mean, and I appreciate that you are considerate enough to make it clear. But I've made my decision. I want to help my master, and to become good friends with you," Edgar said straightforwardly without any hesitation. Of course, he knew the dangers of taking Ricky's side. But he also truly believed that Ricky would be a true, loyal friend.
"Ha-ha! Okay then, Edgar!! Let's go and find Autelan. Remember, please help me persuade him! That's our main priority now. Otherwise, we might not be able to establish our faction. And even if we manage to found one, it would be a weak one without any powerful backup. The other factions would bully us," Ricky said, his heart warming at their conversation. Having one more friend would always be entertaining and inspiring, especially when they were planning to do great things together.
"Yes, I understand. But probably it's going to be a little bit difficult to convince Autelan. He has shown to be apathetic about fame and glory. I've never seen him compete in any competition," Edgar said in a worried tone.
"It doesn't matter. We must try first. We'll never know his take on things until we get started!" Ricky replied with confidence.
"Hmm You have a point. Alright then, let's go and talk to him when he finishes cultivating," agreed Edgar.
Autelan did not finish his cultivation in seclusion until five whole days later. Ricky and Edgar patiently waited, eager to talk to the renowned warrior.
When Autelan was told that they would like to come and talk to him, he welcomed them into his room.
Ricky and Edgar were flattered to be invited into his room. As they entered, Ricky greeted Autelan, asking him whether he had succeeded in the breakthrough. He remembered that Autelan went out for training last time, in order to find a way to break through to Bone Reinforcement.
Autelan was transparent about his situation. He told them that he had already found the way to do it. He had returned to the Snow Sect this time in order to concentrate on the breakthrough process. Bone Reinforcement deserved his most intensive attention, after all. He had to make sure everything around him was well arranged.
He cultivated in seclusion these days to reinforce the completeness of the phase of Blood Purification, so as to lay a solid foundation for his upcoming breakthrough.
Autelen then asked him what he had come for. Rick straightforwardly told him of his plans and expressed his hope that Autelan would join them.
"Ricky, thank you for your invitation. You are a good man, and I like you. But this is different. I have no interest in this kind of stuff!" Autelan immediately refused. He did not want himself get involved in those complex affairs. He was more interested in his individual progress and cultivation.
"Hey, Autelan. I am inviting you to join our new faction not because I want you to become completely involved with us... I'm just asking for you to show up the day when we announce the establishment of our faction. That's all," Ricky said persuasively, trying to change Autelan's mind.
"I'm afraid it's not as simple as you think. Once I show up on that day, I will be labeled to be a member of the faction. I will have the responsibility of dealing with things in the faction. But you know me. I am not the type to like this management stuff. So I think I'd better not join you," Autelan insisted, kindly rejecting him.
...
For the next few hours, Ricky and Edgar took turns trying to convince Autelan. However, despite their unreserved efforts, Autelan did not change his mind. Finally, both of them thanked him for his time and bade him goodbye, dejected and disappointed.
There was nothing else they could do now. They stepped out of his room and looked at each other, frustrated.
They now began to brainstorm about a plan B.
"Hey, Ricky. Won't you be able to establish the faction if Autelan doesn't join in?" Edgar asked sadly.
"No, that's not that case. I can still establish it. But it's going to be a weak one without Autelan. Like I said earlier, the Casting Faction and the Refinement Faction would bully our new faction," Ricky replied as he shook his head, having no idea what he could do next.
"Then, what can we do? You've seen his attitude. It seems that he will never accept our invitation no matter what we say," Edgar said, shrugging his shoulders.
He understood what Ricky meant. Without a warrior with top internal strength, their new faction would be a lowly one, vulnerable to intimidation and harassment from other factions.
"Let's work harder and come up with another idea to make him say yes!" Ricky said decisively, clenching his fists. He was determined to make Autelan a member of his future faction, no matter what it took.
"Ricky, Edgar. Come to my room!" Zenith suddenly summoned them. They exchanged looks at each other, curious as to why Chief Zenith wanted to see them.
They immediately proceeded to Zenith's room. Then they nodded to each other as they knocked, pushed the door open, and went inside.
"Chief Zenith," they greeted Zenith whose eyes were closed as he sat, meditating.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Born Almighty Warrior