Chapter 1099
When they next met up in person, Anton took a good look at Varghese. “When I first reached Assimilation I came back… crispy. You learned from my mistakes and were able to keep yourself whole, but who would have thought you would return in Enrichment while still aflame?”
Varghese looked down at his arm, flickering like a flame- the structure itself dissipating and reforming. “I suppose you could call this that. Fire wasn’t really one of my focuses… but I suppose now I am tied to it.”
“How does it feel?” Anton asked.
“Well… it’s not painful or anything. But it’s certainly odd. I don’t think I would choose this if I was informed.” Varghese grit his teeth, appearing fully solid for a few moments. “I think it will take me a while to stabilize. Speaking of which, thank you for keeping our mutual stars steady. I couldn’t have handled them all on my own.”
Anton nodded. “Even if it wasn’t necessary for my own benefit, I wouldn’t let my apprentice perish when I could do something. Though I suppose with you being in the same stage now, perhaps we’re equals.”
“Hah! As if I would believe that now. I was vaguely aware of how far Enrichment could stretch before reaching it, but you’re quite far ahead of where I am now. You might even be close to the next advancement, if it exists.”
“Well,” Anton stroked his chin. “I haven’t seen an end to the path of cultivation yet. But whether or not I can make it is uncertain. Then again, what need have I for more power? At best, I’d like to be able to consistently defeat our strongest enemies.”
“Expecting more Domination cultivators?” Varghese asked.
“Not if they know what’s good for them,” Anton retorted. “Though perhaps there is a stage beyond even that. The mysteries are not well known to us, so we have no personal attestations in that regard. Once the Scarlet Alliance gets a Domination cultivator or two, they can let us know what they see ahead. Personally, I see the potential. But just because something is theoretically possible doesn’t mean anyone currently alive will succeed- or anyone at any point in the future.”