The King Of Warriors novel (Jared Chance) novel Chapter 6501

*****

Deepvault Cloister, the icebound hall.

Venerable Glacier sat upon the ice-crystal throne, a cup of Deepvault icewine in his hand, tilting it in a slow, gentle swirl.

Deepvault icewine was a specialty of Deepvault Cloister, brewed from Everwinter Springwater. It went down with a clean chill, then left a sweet finish behind.

"That clean cold suited him.

It kept his mind sharp at every moment, untouched by the noise and clutter pressing in from outside."

"A black-clad adept knelt in the hall with his head lowered, his voice held in careful respect.

""Cloister Master, word has come from Pole Star Hall. They say they will march in one month."""

"Venerable Glacier set down his cup, and the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.

""One month? Venerable Starwick is in quite a hurry. It seems that relic tempts him even more than I expected."""

"Cloister Master, are we truly going to help Pole Star Hall attack Beastmoor Ridge?"

"The black-clad adept raised his head, questions plain in his lifted gaze.

""Beastmoor Ridge has no grudge against us. Why should we wade into this mess? The beast race has always kept outsiders at a distance, but Morgana has never provoked Deepvault Cloister."""

"Venerable Glacier gave him one look and let out a thin, cold laugh.

""What would you know? Venerable Starwick promised us 30 percent of the spoils. That is an elder-age relic, a thing beyond the Golden Immortal estate."

"If I can obtain that relic, my cultivation can break through to Golden Immortal Level Four. When that time comes, who would still dare look down on our Frost Deity Branch?

"As for those celestial branches that once suppressed us, I will settle accounts with them one by one."

He rose from the throne and walked to the window of the icebound hall, looking out over the frozen world beyond.

The cold wind howled outside. Ice crystals caught the sunlight and split it into seven-colored radiance, beautiful as the Immortal Realm, yet cold enough to bite into bone.

"Besides, do you really believe I intend to help Venerable Starwick?"

"The black-clad adept went still.

""Cloister Master, you mean..."""

"I know Venerable Starwick far too well. He has never been the kind of man who takes a loss."

"Venerable Glacier's voice carried the same chill as the wind beyond the window.

""Right now, he has promised us 30 percent only because it serves him for the moment. Once Beastmoor Ridge is destroyed, he will turn on us."

"When that time comes, forget 30 percent. We may not even get 10 percent. He might even turn his butcher's blade toward us."

"Then why are we still sending troops?"

"Because this is an opportunity."

"A cold gleam flashed through Venerable Glacier's eyes.

""After Beastmoor Ridge falls, Pole Star Hall will also be badly weakened. When that moment comes, I will take the opening and wipe out Pole Star Hall."

"Every resource Pole Star Hall owns, including that relic, will belong to us. That is the real opportunity—two birds with one stone."

"The black-clad adept's face changed.

""Cloister Master, you mean to make an enemy of Pole Star Hall?"""

"Make an enemy of Pole Star Hall?"

"Venerable Glacier let out a cold laugh.

""Pole Star Hall was never our friend. Back when the celestials pressed down on our Frost Deity Branch, did Pole Star Hall ever speak even one word for us?"""

Had those high-and-mighty celestial branches ever once looked us in the eye? Now that they want to use us, I will play along with their scheme and make them swallow the consequences themselves."

"He turned back and fixed the black-clad adept with a stare sharp enough to cut.

""Pass the order down. Have all disciples make ready. One month from now, they march with me. Remember this—once we reach Beastmoor Ridge, do not throw your lives away. Preserve our strength. When Pole Star Hall and Beastmoor Ridge have broken each other down, then we move. What I want is the final victory."""

"Yes!"

*****

Saintspire Court, Saintlight Hall.

Venerable Clarendon sat cross-legged on the prayer mat. Before him, a golden orb hung suspended in the air—the Eye of Saintlight.

"He turned back toward the adept, a shrewd light passing through his eyes.

""Pass the order down. Have the disciples make ready, but do not tell them they are going to war. Just say... they are going out for training. Have every one of them bring their best arcane implement, but keep it quiet. I want to catch Venerable Starwick off guard."""

"Yes!"

"The three great celestial powers had not even set out yet, but their intentions had already split in different directions.

They were nothing like Beastmoor Ridge's two thousand cultivators, who stood as one against the same enemy."

*****

Great Hall of Pole Star Hall.

"Venerable Starwick sat on the black throne, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest.

One tap. Then another."

The four Golden Immortal elders stood before him, each face drawn tight beneath the weight of the moment.

"Hall Master, everything is ready," Elder Rowe said, cupping his fist. "Two thousand elite men-at-arms have finished assembling and can depart at any time. Cuirasses, arms, healing elixirs, and talismans have all been issued. Every cultivator has reached peak condition."

"What about Deepvault Cloister?" Venerable Starwick asked.

“Venerable Glacier has already sent his reply. Five hundred cultivators have finished mustering, and in half a month, they’ll link up with us. They cultivate ice-type arcane arts and specialize in control, so on the battlefield, they can serve as support.”

“And Saintspire Court?”

“Venerable Clarendon agreed to send eight hundred soldiers, but he insists the division of spoils wait until after the war. His disciples cultivate holy radiance arts. They’re skilled in long-range attacks and healing, so on the battlefield, they can provide fire support.”

Venerable Starwick gave a cold laugh. “Venerable Clarendon really is an old fox. Waiting until after the war to divide the spoils—he wants to see who wins and who loses first. If we win, he takes fifty percent;

if we lose, he loses nothing. Fine little calculation he’s made. But I never planned on letting him take a share for free.”

“Hall Master, then what do we do?” Elder Pennyworth asked.

“What do we do?” Venerable Starwick rose from the throne. “We fight. No matter what they’re thinking, our target is Beastmoor Ridge. As long as we take Beastmoor Ridge and get that relic, nothing else matters. When the time comes, whoever has the harder fist gets the larger share.”

He walked to the sand table and pointed at Beastmoor Ridge’s position. “In half a month, the entire army moves out. I will lead them myself and flatten Beastmoor Ridge. Remember, our target is that violet soul. Whoever takes that soul will be heavily rewarded.”

“Yes!” the four elders answered in one voice.