Chapter 1046
Once they had settled in somewhat, Velvet returned to the subject of the most immediate concern for her. “How long is the delay for more voidsteel?” A weapon that could cut through energy defenses could not be underestimated, especially since it could also disrupt techniques by severing the connection cultivators had to their energy. They were not perfect weapons, but complemented Velvet’s style.
“Right now?” Runa shook her head. “You’re looking at something like three decades to fulfill obligations to other sects. If you had sent word ahead we might have managed something but…”
“I wouldn’t really want to advertise my arrival,” Velvet shook her head. “Do you need more guards? Are the veins running low?”
“We have enough guards, and the mines aren’t close to depletion. But it’s extremely difficult to mine voidsteel ore, as you know. Since all uses of energy are disrupted, it requires manual extraction. There’s only so much each person can accomplish.”
Velvet sat in contemplation. A single decade was not a terribly long time to wait- considering the duration of the trip, it would be a waste to stay for less than a few years. But thirty years was rather far outside of her plans, as the situation back home could change swiftly. The ultimate goal was to actually reduce potential risk for the Scarlet Alliance, but whether or not they would properly accomplish that goal was unknown.
“That’s certainly a bit longer than I can afford,” Velvet shook her head. “I don’t suppose we could speed that up by helping take back a planet or something?”
“... Do you think your group could actually accomplish that?” Runa frowned. “I suppose there are some that would be greatly influenced by the arrival of an Augmentation cultivator.”
“Don’t forget Chidi. The chances of me defeating him in combat- even knowing his weaknesses- are not terribly high. And Durff…” Velvet shrugged. “He knocked the Citadel of Exalted Light off its home planet by hitting it. The planet, I mean. Too bad Zaur negated its momentum, though.”
“He was there?” Runa asked. “All of the information we have is spotty on that event. Unsurprisingly, the Exalted Quadrant doesn’t want word to get out.”