Face to Face
Gu Erin was not done with 'Sect,' the silver robed figure of the second floor. Instead, he spoke up about the last step of this process. This was truly lengthy as Gu Erin went on to give roles and positions within the leadership of the sect. This of course could be done within the sect itself. However, Gu Erin didn't wish to waste time and decided to set up this hierarchy within the Temple of the Heavens.
At the end of it all Gu Erin felt a small stream enter his mind, a second token appeared within Gu Erin's sea of consciousness. This token was blood red and shone with a brilliant multicolored light. This was the jade token of the sect master, not to be confused with his personal jade token, this jade token represented the sect in its entirety.
One of the ways sects were turned into subordinate sects were by claiming the jade token from an opposing sect master. Gu Erin had no plans on forcing other sects into subordination, unless Gu Erin found that they had a high number of talents, or they had control over an area he deemed worth while enough to start a feud over.
Satisfied, Gu Erin finally left the counter, his group taking notice of this, finally let loose on blocking the way of the interlopers. With a loud thump a group of nearly ten people fell over after they found that all of the opposing counter force had disappeared.
Gu Erin didn't pay them any mind as they started to voice their displeasure with all of them. Gu Erin truthfully didn't put any of the cultivators within this town in his eyes. With his current cultivation and combat strength he was even a bit confident of subduing a small group of guards.
They left the second floor, some like Lee Shio Ming and Kei Jiahao not even having realized they had received a second jade token. Although some knew how to use it, they were still highly unfamiliar with it. Soon, it would be commonplace to use your jade token to communicate with others.
The tokens they received were elder tokens, Gu Erin placed Kei Jiahao and his Blood Jackets all within the Disciplinary Hall. While Lee Shio Ming would be the elder of the Martial Hall. This was all that he had placed for now, as he knew both of them had the support necessary to keep that position. Kei Jiahao, although an unknown would have Kei Sung as his backer soon enough.
Gu Erin then moved to the front of the long line, before the green clad figure, responsible for selling cultivation and martial techniques. More commonly known as 'Swindler' in his past life. Gu Erin internally grimaced, the very image of 'Swindler' reminding him that he would have to find a way to raise five thousand low grade spirit stones for the next chapter of his cultivation technique.
The line behind Gu Erin was equally if not even more displeased than Gu Erin was at this moment. They had finally lined up and a slight balance had been found. Only for a group of thirty to come in and destroy that fragile balance. Gu Erin didn't bother with them. He placed the Heavenly Martial Token before 'Swindler.'
Gu Erin had spent some time thinking about which martial technique to receive, and in the end he decided on a movement technique. Soon Gu Erin would be traveling all over the Flood Dragon Kingdom. Swooping up all the opportunities he remembered in his past life.
Thanks to him writing it all out as soon as he regressed, he was able to recall far more than he should have.
"This is a valid Heavenly Martial Token. Would you like me to list out all available techniques?" Swindler asked, its voice still a complete monotone.
Gu Erin shook his head. "No focus on Movement Techniques, preferably a lightning-based qi Movement Technique."
The figure froze and then started to list out all of the techniques that fell into that category.. "The available techniques are: Thunder Step, Lightning Mind and Body, Roc Light Steps…."
The list continued on, going for nearly a minute till the figure stopped speaking. Gu Erin this whole time had been making a mental list and picking out which ones warranted further investigation. After some time, Gu Erin picked out a Movement Technique that seemed to match his cultivation technique, along with his physique. Illusory Defiant Lightning Steps.
Gu Erin made his way out of the line, handing his people in line a Martial Token. Giving those who he deemed of worth one of the few Earth Grade Martial Tokens. Although Earth Grade techniques would only be useful for so long, he was confident it would stay with them for at least a year within Heaven's Mercy.
Past that year however, if one did not have at least three or four Heaven Grade Techniques, you were lagging behind. Gu Erin then started to hand out the Mortal Grade Martial Tokens. Although some seemed dissatisfied they didn't voice their objections.
Gu Erin left the tower, and instantly his walk back to camp was interrupted by another group that seemed to be waiting for them. Thirty or so men equal to his own stood against them. Their formation was grouped up well, it made passing by possible, however, for a larger group like his it would be an annoyance, and would force a conversation.
Gu Erin internally smiled when he felt an aura sweep over, it seems like he met another leader in this small town. However, looking over his men Gu Erin wanted to snort. All of them were merely Entry or First Stage Blood Transformation Realm warriors. The little bit of aura projected by the young man in the lead was swept away by the unconscious cultivation pressure exuded by Gu Erin's elites.
Gu Erin wasn't sure if this aura was aimed at him purposely or not, however, he would not miss this chance to slap the face of another leader. Putting on a fake smile Gu Erin took a step forward.
"Do we have a problem here, if so please share, you can call me Gu Erin." He spoke out, his voice calm and emotionless.
At the same time Gu Erin released his own aura, focusing it on only the young man, subduing his own aura so completely that Gu Erin felt like even he had gone too far. Gu Erin felt his aura press right up against the young man, he felt that with a bit more force he could stop him from even breathing.
***
Ty Langshan tried to swallow the lump that instantly formed in his throat. However, he would not allow himself to show an ounce of hesitation or apprehension.
He matched the smile of the young man in front of him, although he had to give a poor score for the other youth's smile, it was far too forced. However, the pressure that followed it made Ty Langshan on guard. He was not all knowing in this world, and this situation made him feel all too vulnerable.
"I am Ty Langshan, a pleasure, if you don't mind I would like to ask you a few questions." This was Ty Langshan's aim, he knew now that most of his strength was gone. After that beast tide was announced by whatever being controls this world occurred, he knew he had suffered a loss.
He didn't even want to attempt to go back to the two camps under his control, they'd most likely be bloodbaths, and whatever survivors he would find would most likely be useless.
"Hmmm, and what questions do you want to ask me?" The young man named Gu Erin asked in return.
Ty Langshan's smile did not falter, honestly this other youth intimidated him. Although he had been a good looking rich second generation, he was not used to communicating with someone who viewed themselves as his equal. This in turn, made him slightly annoyed.
He pushed those emotions to the back of his mind for now, and voiced his first and most important question. "Could my men and I join your camp perchance? I'm afraid our own was wiped out."
This was his true motive; he and his men had borne witness to Gu Erin's camp bringing in their haul of monsters. The guards did not contest ownership like they did with the other corpses. Ty Langshan had immediately ordered his men to figure out as much as possible about the group. For quite some time, they had received very little. It wasn't until he had bribed one of them that they managed to gain the slightest bit of information.
Their leader's name was Gu Erin, there were about three hundred people within the camp, and they had fought through the beast tide. The final bit of information was the most promising, it was not said but observed. The absolute reverence when talking about their leader.
This in turn was both a concern and a weak point, if he could make the hearts of his members waver, he might be able to get into a leadership position with the numbers under his control. From there it would only be a matter of time before he started to subvert the power balance within Gu Erin's group and take control.
However, Gu Erin's next words, made Ty Langshan's brain short circuit for a moment.
"We're not interested in trash, so no thank you."
Gu Erin went to moved around him, but Ty Langshan quickly broke out of the small stupor and stopped him.
Although that plan may have gone sideways, he still had his own means of getting something valuable out of this person. Not only that, but he now had to vent the anger in his heart.