Gleam Karma Cultivator Isekai

Chapter 70: Brokeridge

Ah, Chance said intelligently. He cleared his throat and glanced around the ruined camp. Right. Good. Thats good.

Are all of you from the Redhands? Bella asked.

We are, Brent said with a nod. The Windwalkers were on tight twine anyway. They werent gonna make it much longer. The Boss would have ripped em all to pieces when he found out what happened, but I speak for all of us when I say we appreciate getting freed early.

What was your boss out doing? Chance asked. He must be really strong if he could have fought all of the Windwalkers.

Hes one of you lot, Brent replied. He occasionally wanders off to look for inspiration for his path or find sparring partners. The Windwalkers were probably planning to try to ransom us.

One of the other freed bandits snorted. Idiots. Like hed be willing to waste time playing around with them now, of all times. Theyre lucky you two showed up, or none of them would have left here alive.

Chance tilted his head to the side. He was tempted to just pretend he hadnt heard them and make an excuse to leave before they ended up running into even more bandits, but the seed of curiosity had already been planted.

Now? Is something special happening?

The bandits exchanged glances. After a moment, Brent nodded.

Yeah. Its why so many different bandit groups are gathering in the area.

You need a reason to do that?

Brent chuckled. What, do you think all of us have nothing better to do than sit around in the boonies and prey on poor farmers? Theres no wealth or power to be found in that.

I to be honest, no. I didnt really think about that at all. So whats making everyone come here?

The Dancing Cloud sect is recruiting, Brent said.

Dancing Cloud? Are they a hip hop group?

He saw the blank stare on Chances face and raised an eyebrow.

Dont tell me you dont know who they are.

Okay, I wont.

A moment of silence passed.

You dont know who they are, do you?

Nope.

We arent from the area, Bella explained. I know of sects, though. Theyre just big groups of cultivators and people working for them that provide a little more protection than living independently.

Exactly, Brent said. And the Dancing Cloud sect is strong enough that theyre actually worth joining up with if you can though theyre far from the strongest in the region, theyre one of the safest.

How so? Chance asked.

Their entire city floats. Thats where the whole cloud part comes from, another bandit said, looking up to the sky as if the city would be floating right above them. In a bunch of fluffy white clouds. I want to touch them.

Ignore Nate, Brent said. He got hit on the head a bit too hard. Hes right, though. The sect is right safe, and you get to see a lot of the world with them. It would be nice to join up. Thats what the Boss was planning, at least.

With all due respect, Chance said slowly. But why would they be recruiting bandits? Unless theyre bandits themselves, I suppose.

They probably arent, but power is power. Bella answered before Brent could speak. He nodded in confirmation of her words.

Exactly. And weve got more training than most, so we have a good shot of getting in. If you lot want, youre more than welcome to join us. We could use the extra strength, and it would help you get in.

We appreciate the offer, but we prefer to travel alone right now, Bella said with a diplomatic smile. But the event does sound interesting. Do you know where and when its happening?

Just down the road, near Brokespire. Theyve got a guy waiting to pick people up and they do a round of tests every few days. Were waiting for the Boss to give it a run, but you can show up whenever to give it a try.

Thank you, Chance. Perhaps well see you there. We should probably get on our way, though. Youll be safe until your Boss finds you, right?

Brent burst into laughter. I reckon well make it, lad. Its a strange feeling to be checked on by someone half your age, you know. You two sure you dont want to stick around until the Boss gets back?

Its okay. We appreciate the offer, but well be fine, Bella said.

They bid the bandits farewell and headed out of the camp at a brisk pace, not slowing until they had put several hills between them and the newly freed men. The two slowed to a stop and exchanged a glance out of the corners of their eyes.

I did not expect that, Chance said, breaking the silence.

Neither did I, Bella admitted. Cant say I had that on a list of things Id ever do. They seemed like decent enough people, though.

Yeah, but they were bandits. Doesnt that mean that theyre just going to hurt other people?

Maybe not if they get into that sect, Bella replied. I dont know anything about Dancing Cloud, but its a good alternative to preying on the weak for a living. They didnt seem much like the bloodthirsty bandits that were described, though.

Chance nodded. Yeah. Maybe they just got a bad rap or framed for something? Either way, it looks like they want to be more peaceful. Hopefully they get into the Dancing Cloud sect. Do you think a sect would be a good strategy for us as well? Getting into a floating city seems like a good way to throw the Shikari off.

It certainly might be, Bella said with a slow nod. We would need to make sure the sect isnt evil, though. There are a lot of really bad ones around that just use their people as fodder.

Like the Shikari?

Bella grunted. Yeah, but worse. Either way, it could be worth finding the person that Brent mentioned and learning more about Dancing Cloud. Even if we dont join, we might be able to travel with them for a while until we get closer to one of the other Scholar-Cities.

Oh, theyll let us do that?

Dunno. They might. Depends on what type of sect they are and how they function. Its in the direction we were headed either way.

Works for me. I wonder what else there is on Centurion that Ive never heard of.

Bella raised an eyebrow. Youd probably find it easier to count what you have seen than what you havent. Its only been a few months. Do you really think youre going to see everything the world has to offer when youre sheltered in Gleam?

Good point. If you think about it, this is kind of an opportunity. Maybe I should be thankful that the Shikari are trying to kill us.

Bella stared down the bridge of her nose at Chance. Your optimism is going to get you killed one of these days.

I prefer to think of it as my optimism helps carry me through dangerous situations.

Bella shook her head and muttered something under her breath that Chance couldnt catch, and the two of them set back off along the road toward Brokeridge.

The rest of their trip was blissfully uneventful and, a few hours later, the wooden walls of Brokeridge peeked over the top of a hill in the near distance. It looked remarkably similar to the last town theyd been to.

So why does this town get a name when the other one didnt? Chance asked. I couldnt tell you the difference between them if I wanted to.

Probably because Brokeridge has been around for more than ten years, Bella replied. Its a bit of a tradition to avoid naming a town before its ten because monsters always end up ransacking it if you do. When it hits ten, people feel safer getting attached.

Thats depressing. Do towns not get destroyed if theyre around for ten years, then?

Nah, it still happens pretty frequently. I didnt say it actually worked. People are just superstitious.

Cant imagine why, Chance said. He squinted up at the sky as they approached, scanning it for any sign of a floating city. There were a few thick white clouds hanging in the air and drifting slowly in the faint breeze, but no signs of anything larger than a bird. So where are the Dancing Cloud people?

No idea. I see a few people at the gates, though. We can ask them.

To be specific, there were three. They came into more detail as they approached Brokeridge. Two of them wore light armor and carried swords at their hips, while the third looked to be unarmed.

He had a large book nestled under an arm and wore long white robes. When they grew closer, Chance realized that the mans robes were fluttering above the ground instead of touching it.

The two armored men turned in their direction as they approached, breaking off their conversation with the third.

Hello, Chance said, raising a hand in greeting. Are you with the Dancing Cloud sect?

I am, the white robed man responded. Not a very difficult guess, is it?

One of the guards sighed and passed the other a coin. He spotted Bellas curious glance and shrugged.

Most of the people passing through these past weeks have been coming to see the sect. You two looked a little young for it, so we made a bet.

My name is Ishta, the sect member said, not disguising his gaze as he let it trail over both of them. We are currently accepting all applicants that wish to try to join the sect, but I will warn you that our trials are not easy or safe. Only those who are qualified will be permitted entrance to the sect.

Does the sect allow non-members to enter the city? Bella asked.

At the same time, Chance asked, Wheres the city?

Ishta chuckled. We are recruiting from several different locations. Those who take our trials will be sent to the city with Essence. If you fail, you will be returned to the location at which you left from. Simple enough. As for entering the city no. Only members can enter.

How strict are rules once you join the sect? Chance asked. Can we leave if we join?

Of course. Were just trying to remain strong enough to protect ourselves and what is ours. You may leave the sect at any time, though if you manage to make it in and then choose to leave, it might be some time before we are looking to recruit once more.

Bella chewed her lower lip, then shrugged to herself. Can you say what the trials are?

No. Everyone must go in equally unprepared. They will involve combat abilities, though. If you cannot fight, you should not attempt it.

Bella and Chance exchanged a glance.

It doesnt seem like a bad idea, Chance allowed. And Im sure we can handle anything that Brent could. He seemed nice, but

Yeah. Not exactly the strongest, Bella said with a nod. How long until the next trial is run?

There is one every two days until we find enough members that fit our requirements, Ishta said, stretching his arms out behind his head and letting out a yawn. The closest trial is today, or you could come back day after tomorrow.

I dont think theres anything we actually need from the town, so I guess we might as well go now. What do you think?

Thats fine with me, so long as we can take a look at the tool that will be sending us to the city to verify that it works the way youre saying it does, Bella said, holding a hand out. Ishtas eyebrow quirked slightly.

Youre familiar with Essence? he asked, reaching into a large pocket and pulling out a palm sized stone disk engraved with runic symbols. He showed it to Bella, but didnt put it into her hand.

She examined it for a few moments, then motioned for Ishta to turn it over. He obliged, and Bella gave him a small nod shortly afterward.

Looks fine to me.

You didnt answer the question, Ishta observed.

If we dont get to know about what the trials entail, I think its only fair that we can keep our own abilities secret as well, Bella said with a shrug. Id be more than happy to do a trade if you want to.

Ishta laughed. Good try. Not happening, though. Will the two of you be applying as a team or separately?

Team, Bella and Chance said at the same time.

Cute. Ishta pressed his thumb into the center of the disk and it lit with a faint light. He set it down on the ground and took a step back as a faint pillar of white light glimmered to life above it. Step into the light, please. Maintain contact with each other so you arent mistakenly split apart.

Bella and Chance linked hands. They stepped into the pillar and, with a subtle pop, they vanished.