The Six Elements Crossroads immediately sent several squads of Soul Expansion Phase cultivators, led by groups of Consolidated Soul Phase cultivators. That was the best they had, aside from John himself appearing personally. The number of Ascending Soul Phase cultivators throughout the whole continent was limited, though it was increasing year over year. A few dozen, if John’s numbers were accurate, with several times that on the verge.
Unless the invasion from the northern Enor Sea was quickly settled, John was certain he would go himself. Once the timing was appropriate, of course. He had better work he could do in Astrein for the moment, helping to coordinate forces coming to the aid of the Shadowed Union. The rest of the Muted Crags weren’t their concern- if they reached out with a request for aid, they’d have to make a strong case why they deserved it. They hadn’t just personally rejected John’s presence, but any sort of connection to the rest of the continent.
The Phoenix Forest had begun to mobilize before John even received his missive. Soon after that, John was in contact with the Stone Conglomerate. Rather than relying on the forces of the Order of the Amber Heart and the Tenebach Clan, John sent requests to various groups asking them to organize small armies. He wasn’t asking for full mobilization of the continental forces- that was far too much- but just a reasonable contribution from certain groups. Those within a reasonable range of the troubles.
The northern Darklands might be close enough to contribute, but further than that was a bit much. However, the Shimmering Islands might be able to send some fleets, and they could bring forces from the western end of the continent like the Viridia Wildlands and the Shining Coast.
With the current information, John didn’t make any demands. Just requests. He hoped that his efforts throughout the past decades would bear fruit, similar to when the continent was tested by the Stormy Sea Sect. They should be able to defend their northern coast as well as the southern.
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Time seemed to pass swiftly. John was glad for the various improvements made to communication, but he still agonized over the lack of instant communication. Knowing that his information could be over a week old was excruciating. The worst was the information from within the Muted Crags, specifically the allies of the Black Peaks. They hadn’t built up the same sort of communication systems, so they were relying on the few travelers that went back and forth as well as some individuals fleeing a war zone.
Because that was what it was. Not a simple raid, bad as that would have been, but a sustained assault. Positions along the northern coast had been taken. The Shadowed Union- specifically the coastal Silver Haze Sect- had so far resisted any permanent footholds in their own territory, but as enemy forces moved further inland they had a larger flank to defend. Completely preventing intrusion required more forces than they had available, at least with the other concerns.
Some attacks were occurring against the Boiling Springs and Frozen Heights, though most of the effort was concentrated on the Muted Crags.
As for who the enemies were? Some alliance of sects from the northern Enor Sea with which they’d had little contact. In general, trade across the oceans was considered too dangerous, with dangerous beasts and storms. Obviously the people of the Shimmering Islands thrived in such an environment, but the high density of islands in the area had allowed them to develop a strong network of alliances. Survivors of monster attacks and storms were welcomed pretty much anywhere.
The continent didn’t have many seafaring cultivators on the northern coast, and those from outside the continent hadn’t been much interested in peaceful contact, so relationships had remained tenuous. There were sometimes conflicts, sometimes a few ships that wished to trade- but both had been infrequent.
Sects of different elements made up the greater alliance that appeared to go by the name of the Sovereign Primacy. That was what could be gleaned from the few peaceful interactions- usually before demanding capitulation which was inevitably followed by violence.
It wasn’t that strange for cultivators. The continent had been quite similar when John first arrived, though generally with sects being more isolated. It wouldn’t have been strange to have such alliances crop up for a short time, however. Like the attack from the Molten Sea. That was precisely what the continental alliance had been formed for.
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John wished they could instantly bring to bear all of the forces of the continent, but it simply wasn’t practical. Various groups were willing to contribute a certain amount of forces, but not all had negotiated for specific terms. Promising payment or spoils of war took time, though John didn’t have to be responsible for the majority of it. Several months into the war Viriato was able to take over that task, for which he was better suited.
John mainly dealt with more stubborn sects by paying a personal visit. He reminded them how they would wish for others to come to their aid, should they be attacked. That the alliance would only work if they contributed their fair share.
And that their disciples could get combat experience. Sometimes, you had to appeal to what people wanted- and most of the elders were from the generation where that was the most normal thing. Not everyone had adapted to John’s new cooperative cultivation idea, after all- though most had at least nominally agreed.
There were obviously some who easily responded. The only caveats he got from familiar clans and sects was that they wished they could send more, but they had to see to their own stability. It was perfectly reasonable, and John very much preferred some sort of immediate contribution to the war, even if it was slightly smaller, than months of waffling. And he expected his friends and children to actually mean what they said- some of their ‘small’ contributions were several times the size of the more ‘generous’ sects.
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Most pleasing were some newer sects that contributed proportionately larger squads. John didn’t overlook the Succulent League sending more than they had to- though it was to their benefit to defend the borders of the Rolling Dunes early, not everyone was so eager. The Summer Sun Sect contributed greatly, with Astrid herself joining the frontlines… after gently inquiring if John was going to as well. He would, soon enough.
Most surprising were the contributions of the Gloom Desolation. They were relatively new to the alliance, somewhat weaker, and the furthest removed from the Muted Crags. Even so, they did send some of their own forces without even being asked.
Melanthina must have done well with her diplomatic mission there. They were likely grateful for the aid against the Stormy Sea Sect as well, but it would have been entirely reasonable for them to sit out of the war.
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It was quickly apparent that the war was going to continue for some time. As Sovereign Primacy forces moved deeper into the Muted Crags, their position became more stable. The northern coast simply didn’t have the fleets to cut off their supply lines. The contributions from the Shimmering Islands and the local coastal areas were only enough to restrict their access further west. At least the intrusion into the Frozen Heights was extremely minimal. They couldn’t control more than a small patch of coast, though that small holding did limit how much the continent could pressure them from the east.
A group of disciples on a training mission could pass through the Frozen Heights. An army might do the same, but arriving on the frontlines shivering and exhausted was not optimal. The local cultivators were able to hold their own for the same reasons- they were well adapted to the environment.
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From the continental perspective, the most important frontlines were likely near the Silver Haze Sect. Securing the eastern border of the Shadowed Union was likewise important, but if they could make progress along the coast they could cut off some of the supplies and reinforcements that the Sovereign Primacy might deploy.
On the other hand, the Silver Haze Sect was equally at risk of being cut off and surrounded. If the terrain weren’t so favorable to them and they hadn’t received early reinforcements, that might have happened long before.
At the moment, the majority of the forces besides the Silver Haze Sect themself as well as the Six Element Crossroads, Order of the Amber Heart, the Succulent League, and the Summer Sun Sect. While it was somewhat valuable to have mixed elements to overcome weaknesses, keeping most of a sect’s forces together was best because of their training and coordination.
John stood on some of the highest peaks of the Silver Haze Sect, trying to pick out distant camps of cultivators. The angle wasn’t the issue- he could have flown high into the air but he would have actually seen less. That was because the Muted Crags themselves were the problem. Just because he had eyes attuned to darkness didn’t mean his vision was perfect. Especially not over tens of kilometers of distance.
With him stood the leaders of his allies. Arkaitz, the head of the Silver Haze Sect, was there. Renato as well. Ursel was somewhere down below, because she didn’t like to take leadership- but she wasn’t going to miss a war. Renato smirked at John as the remaining two individuals took the positions closest to John.
“I look forward to fighting alongside you on the battlefield,” Astrid commented. “Witnessing your full strength will certainly be enlightening.”
“Indeed,” Anna commented from the other side. “We will both be observing most carefully.”
John kept his expression neutral, but whenever he caught Renato’s eyes he glared at the smirk. Anna hadn’t particularly shown any interest previously, or perhaps she’d simply been subtle. But upon seeing Astrid’s more blatant overtures, she either became interested, changed her tactics… or chose to tease John. He wasn’t really sure which.
Some men might have been pleased to have two women competing for their attention. John wasn’t one of those. He’d prefer not to have a conflict of any type between the two- and while they had so far been perfectly polite in public, that didn’t mean things were as they seemed on the surface.
Aside from having two women battle it out- possibly metaphorically- the other option was even further from John’s desires. It wasn’t that rare for a cultivator to take multiple wives, or a wife and some concubines. It happening frequently didn’t make it a good idea, however. While John had at various points in his life entertained the idea, it had never been seriously.
On Earth, it hadn’t really been viable either legally or practically. Fortkran would have liked the idea, but the Tenebach clan limited the sect head for a reason. Multiple wives could be a cause of strife.
On the practical side, John didn’t actually think it would work. Just because his lifespan was extended didn’t mean he magically got more hours in the day. The most important part of a relationship was spending time together. Properly loving a single person was a serious commitment. It was possible to do so with less time- technically, John hadn’t spent nearly as much time with Matayal as they wanted.
But the intent had been there. They were both well aware of the commitment they had to each other. Circumstances had merely dictated they didn’t get as much time as they would have liked together. Intentionally spending less time with a wife sounded like an awful idea.
Besides, John wasn’t even certain he wanted to remarry. He was just open to the idea, instead of completely rejecting it.
He kind of hoped Anna was teasing him. If she wasn’t serious, that would be easier. At minimum, it would be one fewer rejection and less conflict.
John focused his spiritual energy on his eyes, but he didn’t learn anything new about the enemy forces. The terrain might actually be somewhat of a problem, but if he let that word spread Ursel might decide to bulldoze some of the crags. And even if they were retaking continental territory- or maybe especially because that was the point- John really didn’t want to reshape the local geography too much.
