Chapter 177: A Spicy Reunion
Jack couldnt believe his eyes. Here, hovering in the middle of a super horde in Trial Planets Space Ring, was the Sage.
What the hell?
You arent even going to say hello? the Sage said again, with a small smile. His telepathy was coming in handy.
Hello, Jack responded numbly.
The Sage looked almost exactly as Jack remembered him. Tattered clothes, dirty hair, and an equally dirty brown backpack on his shoulders.
However, there was something more this time. A feeling Jack couldnt put into words, like their two souls were faintly resonating. He had never sensed something like this before. It was highly peculiar.
Judging by the Sages slightly narrowed eyes and discreetly puzzled expression, he must have felt the same. He seemed equally perplexedor, perhaps, it was all in Jacks mind. He looked behind the Sage, to find Dorman Whistles.
The young man had changed a lot. He held two pitch-black daggers with bright blue streaks, like theyd been struck by lightning. His slanted eyes were focused and serious, piercing, inspecting Jack with mild surprise.
Jack scanned them both, starting from the Sage.
Human (Earth-387), Level 100
Faction: Barren High (C-Grade)
Title: Planetary Torchbearer (10)
Human (Earth-387), Level 107
Faction: Barren High (C-Grade)
Title: Planetary Torchbearer (10)
The third member of their team was a djinn. However, she wasnt a merchant, like ArTazul or ArKarvahul. She wielded a mallet whose business end was larger than her torso, and her dark hair were caught in twin ponytails that highlighted her blue skin and strong, brown eyes.
Djinn, Level 124
Faction: Barren High (C-Grade)
What are you doing here? Jack asked through the Sages telepathic connection. He didnt even know whether to feel joy or caution. These guys were part of Barren High now? What had they been up to since he left Earth? What was happening back on his home planet?
Exploring! the Sage replied, his smile bright. But perhaps our talk should wait until were in a safer place?
Jack remembered they were riding a rhino-shaped space monster at the head of a super horde. He looked around, finding Gan Salin stunned, but also amused. If the Sage and Dorman wondered why Jack and Gan Salin were traveling together, they didnt show it.
Maybe they knew already. The Sage was, well, a sage, whose prophecies had come true multiple times.
Come to think of it, didnt they jump intothe horde to find us?
Jack gave a thumbs-up to Salin and Nauja, informing them that these people were allies, then turned back to the Sage. Lead the way.
The Sages smile widened. Sharp as ever. Follow me.
He let the rope go. So did Jack and everyone else. The rhino under their feet immediately began to move away.
Then, the Sage dove down. Dorman, the djinn, and Jack followed without losing a beat. Salin and Nauja hesitated for a single moment before moving along. Brock was on Jacks back.
They were heading directly towards the arachnoid monster from before. Just before they arrived, a reindeer-looking monster rammed into the arachnoid from behind, sending them both careening forward. The Sage calmly slipped into the gap like hed expected this to happen.
For the next few minutes, he led them slowly but steadily out of the horde. To anyone else, this task would be near impossible. The Sage made it seem effortless.
At times, he would dive into certain death, only for whatever monster was in his way to randomly move aside. Other times, he would stand still like waiting for his bus. Then, when the timing was right, he would dash into the monsters, which miraculously formed a path for him to cross.
The rest of them followed quickly, afraid of being too far behind.
The seemingly impenetrable, stampeding horde of space monsters was nothing before the Sages predictive powers. Before long, they had escaped the dense head of the horde and were at the outskirts, where the space monsters were sparser and individually weaker. The Sage led them through convoluted paths in the void before approaching a bubble. It contained only a large disc of bare stone with a bit of moss on its underside, and it was far enough from the center of the horde that the monsters had time to go around it, not sweeping it along.
They all dove fluidly into the bubble, reaching safety, then watched the monsters gallop all around them.
It was a breathtaking spectacle. Hundreds of space monsters ran together, sweeping bubbles and cultivators alike without a care in the world. Not everyone had a Sage to help them. Any cultivators caught in the horde, even at its outskirts, had no choice but to go with the flow, rapidly retreating towards the outer wall of Space Ring, from where they would have to make their way back to the inner wallif they survived. It was a huge setback.
Even Lords had to give way to the horde. In a bubble far, far away, Longsword was huddled together with his team, letting the storm pass. Priya, the Exploding Sun Lady, was caught mid-space by the hordes outskirts. She took the head-on approach. Suns blossomed on her hands, detonating space monsters by the dozens. The fat man beside her used large, golden palms to split the monsters as a rock may split the waves, while the third person in their group, a captivating woman with long hair, simply held up a palm at the approaching monsters, and they wordlessly curved past.
In a distant place of Space Ring, the horde was stopped by a group of beasts, each summoned by the Hand of God Lady. A wall of darkness rose next to the beasts, swallowing any space monster stupid enough to enter.
Gradually, the horde turned from a raging river into a tame stream, then a trickle, before eventually abating. It was past them now. All they could see was the monsters receding backs as they dashed toward the outer wall of Space Ring. Upon reaching that wall, they would break like the tide on a beach. Only then would they realize there was no danger behind them and slowly return to their original spots, signaling the end of the super horde that had upsetted at least a third of Space Ring.
A breathtaking, unique phenomenon.
However, Jack had more to consider than the super horde. He turned his gaze away, meeting the Sages calm eyes. Everyone removed their helmets.
Im a good guy now, Salin said quickly. Please dont try to kill me again.
Dorman raised a brow. Be quiet, dog. Clearly, he still held a grudge.
Naujas hand reached for her bow. Careful how you speak to my friends, boy.
Instantly, the two groups of three were facing off, tension brewing.
Calm down, everyone, Jack said, raising his hands. Were all friends here. No need to argue.
Take it easy, Dorman, the Sage added, pointedly glancing at the young man. Dorman nodded, crossing his arms. Its a pleasure to see you again, Jack. Gan Salin.
Likewise. And thank you for helping us with the horde. What are you doing here?
Adventuring, of course! We are promising members of Barren High now. How could we miss the Garden Assault?
Jack, Nauja said, care to introduce us?
Of course. I was just so surprised I forgot about it. Nauja, these people are the Sage and Dorman, friends from my home planet. Guys, this is Nauja, an ally from the Barbarian Ring.
Its a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Nauja, the Sage said softly, beaming at her. We have great respect for the natives of Trial Planet. Meeting you here is an honor.
She seemed taken aback. Thanks, she replied simply.
And this is Poppy, the Sage introduced the last member of their team, the djinn. She is the star disciple of Barren High, focusing fully on battle.
Poppy, blue and barely four feet in height, nodded.
Introductions done, Jack said again, what have you guys been up to? Last time we met, the Animal Kingdom was trying to kill us all.
Nothing much. Certainly less than you, the Sage replied, laughing charmingly. We left Earth-387 shortly after you, recruited into Barren High on the recommendation of my master. We trained there for some days before taking the opportunity to join this Garden Assault. What about you?
I disguised myself, boarded a starship heading to the Belarian Outpost, then was assaulted midway by the Animal Kingdoms Hounds. Thanks to Gan Salin, I somehow escaped and made it to Trial Planet. One crazy adventure led to another, and here I am.
The Sage burst out laughing. Classic Jack. I knew wed find you here, of course, but I still feel great joy to see you safe and sound.
Jack smiled, though it didnt reach his ears. His relationship with the Sage was complicated. Not only did he owe the prophet several favors from their time on Earth, but the Sage had also revealed that he belonged to Black Hole Church, the galaxy-wide terrorist organization. They were laughing and greeting each other now, but there was an entire layer of communication that went unspoken.
Was Barren High, the highly prestigious prophetic faction that not even the Animal Kingdom dared to offend, involved with the Black Hole Church? Would the Sage try to cash in any of Jacks favors on behalf of the Church?
Finally, the question Jack chose to ask was this: Do you know whats happening on Earth?
The professor was there. So were Edgar, Vivi, Harambe, and everyone else. He had no way of knowing anything before he got a hundred million credits to buy the telepathy function for his faction, but he was always worried.
I dont know much, Im afraid, the Sage replied, shaking his head. The Bare Fist Brotherhood and Flame River are currently at war against Ice Peak. Everyone is working hard to clear the planets F-Grade dungeons and get ahead in power while sabotaging the enemy. The conflict isnt at the point of all-out battle yet, but true war could break out at any moment.
I see.
The Forest of the Strong would be safe, no matter what. Sparman was guarding it, and he had the power of the D-Grade. There was no way anyone on Earth could combat him.
Jack wanted to know more, but this was all he would get. Therefore, he refocused on the present. The Sage had sought him outfor a reason.
And what brings you here, Sage? Jack asked directly.
Ah, straight to the point. Is it alright with you if we speak privately?
Jack glanced behind him. Of course.
He followed the Sage to the other side of the stone disc that made up this bubble biome. Dorman also came along. So did Brock.
On the way, Jack still sensed that peculiar resonance with the Sage, something originating from deep inside his soul. It was faint enough to be just his impression, but also solid enough to be real.
How odd.
Allow me to be forward with you, Jack, the Sage said, turning around when they reached the other side. He kept his voice low so the ones left behindNauja, Salin, and Poppycouldnt hear. I want to invite you into the Black Hole Church.
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