The news of the approaching Jade Empire forces brought a new, chilling tension to Oakhaven, a fear far deeper than the petty tyranny of Baron Von Hess. These were not mere local guards; this was the might of a vast, established power. Yet, amidst the villagers' renewed apprehension, Rylan remained an unshakeable pillar of confidence.
During the two preparation days, Rylan practiced the limited redirection he had begun with the hanging bucket. He called the spiritual version Dispersion: guide a narrow incoming current along his forearm and shed it into an earthen post. It worked against a measured pulse, failed against a sustained one, and left him breathless after three attempts. Lyra made him stop before he could mistake that for a defense against anything.
He directed Lyra to establish an advanced warning system using her herbal concoctions and trained scouts. Lena continued to manage the village's resources and health, ensuring everyone was as prepared as possible. Elara, with her natural agility, became Rylan's primary messenger and shadow, constantly moving between his vantage points and the hidden villagers.
They prepared two flash-pots together, one carrying a carefully measured pulse of his Qi. Lyra wrapped them in different cords so she could identify them by touch. He tested the ordinary powder from behind a screen of cloth; the afterimage stayed in his eyes long enough to make the warning useful.
It was two days after the scout's initial report when the Jade Empire's vanguard finally appeared.
Rylan stood atop a strategic hill overlooking the old trade road, the same road the Baron's Keep lay upon. From this vantage point, he watched their disciplined approach. It was a force of perhaps fifty, far more organized and better equipped than anything the Baron could muster. Their armor gleamed, etched with the distinctive jade-green emblem of the Jade Empire. And at their head, riding a majestic, scaled beast that radiated a faint spiritual aura, were three figures in flowing jade-green robes. These were the Jade Empire's cultivators.
Rylan's spiritual sense, now incredibly keen, immediately assessed them. Two were clearly Qi Condensation (Peak Stage), matching his own current realm. Their spiritual energy felt cold, precise, and imbued with an aura of imperial authority. The third, however, was different. His spiritual presence was vast, deeper, and radiated an oppressive weight that made the very air around him feel heavy. He was unmistakably a cultivator in the realm beyond Qi Condensation—a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
[Ding! Major Threat Detected!]
[Enemy Cultivators: Two Qi Condensation (Peak Stage), One Foundation Establishment (Early Stage).]
[Challenge Rating: Extreme!]
[Potential Reward (Combat, Extreme Challenge): Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment (Early Stage), Jade Empire Cultivation Manual (High Grade), Rare Spiritual Ore Vein Location.]
Rylan felt a jolt of both caution and exhilarating anticipation. A Foundation Establishment cultivator. This was a true challenge, a test of his limits. But the potential rewards were equally immense: a breakthrough to the next major realm, a high-grade cultivation manual, and a spiritual ore vein!
He watched as the Jade vanguard halted at the base of the hill, their formation impeccable. The three cultivators dismounted, their expressions haughty and cold. The Foundation Establishment cultivator, an imposing man with sharp features and a long, flowing jade beard, stepped forward.
"Silence!" his voice boomed, imbued with spiritual energy, carrying effortlessly to Rylan's position. "We are the Vanguard of the Jade Empire! We come seeking a rogue cultivator, 'Rylan Sterling,' who has defied Imperial decree and destabilized these lands. Surrender now, and your crimes may be judged with mercy."
Rylan let his aura rise far enough to show his rank. If the officer had come to arrest a weak village opportunist, he wanted that first estimate corrected before anyone reached the houses. He did not know whether the correction would persuade the man to bargain.
"Your Imperial decree means nothing here," Rylan retorted, his voice calm, yet resonating with an unshakeable power that matched the bearded cultivator's. "These lands are mine. And I am Rylan Sterling. Come and take me."
The jade-bearded cultivator's eyes narrowed, a flicker of genuine surprise in their depths. He hadn't expected such audacity from a mere local. "So, you admit your defiance, rogue? You will regret this day." He raised a hand, and the two Qi Condensation (Peak Stage) cultivators beside him drew their weapons—a shimmering spiritual blade and a pair of arcane gauntlets.
"We will show you the true power of the Jade Empire!" the bearded cultivator declared, his spiritual energy flaring, the oppressive weight of his Foundation Establishment realm pressing down.