Chapter 18

The ancient shrine of Moonfall Hill remained bathed in the ethereal glow of residual spiritual energy, the seven pillars still humming softly from the massive core restructuring that had just taken place. Lysander stood in the center of the platform, marveling at the Low Supreme cultivation that now flowed through his completely restored meridian channels.

"The power is incredible," Lysander said, his voice filled with genuine awe. "I can feel capabilities I never possessed even before my core was damaged. The spiritual pathways feel... evolved, somehow more sophisticated than normal cultivation should allow."

Ethan nodded, already moving to the next phase of his plan. "The restoration unlocked potential that normal cultivation never develops. Your trauma forced your spiritual energy to create backup channels and redundant pathways. When properly healed, those adaptations become permanent advantages."

"Is this why you were so confident about the process?" Lysander asked, flexing his spiritual energy and watching it flow in patterns that defied conventional understanding.

"Partly," Ethan replied. "But now we need to ensure your identity remains completely hidden. What I'm about to do will make you unrecognizable even to those who knew you most intimately."

From his robes, Ethan withdrew what appeared to be a simple white mask, though its surface shimmered with subtle spiritual formations that seemed to shift and flow like liquid light. "This will alter your facial structure and vocal patterns. The changes will be so comprehensive that even Marcus won't recognize you, despite having known you since birth."

As Lysander placed the mask against his face, it dissolved seamlessly into his skin, becoming completely invisible while reshaping his features with surgical precision. The changes were subtle but comprehensive—his jawline shifted slightly, his cheekbones altered their prominence, his nose refined its bridge, and even his eye color deepened from brown to a striking amber that caught light differently.

"Remarkable," Lysander said, his voice now carrying different tonal qualities that sounded natural but distinctly altered. "I can't feel it at all. It's as if this is how I've always looked."

"The formation integrates with your spiritual signature," Ethan explained. "It doesn't just create illusion—it temporarily restructures your physical essence at the cellular level. The mask becomes part of you until deliberately removed."

Lysander touched his face experimentally, feeling features that were simultaneously familiar and foreign. "This level of transformation... it's beyond anything I've heard of. Where did you acquire such techniques?"

"Knowledge comes from many sources," Ethan said, deflecting the question with practiced ease. "But that's only the first layer of concealment. Your Low Supreme cultivation would immediately draw unwanted attention and suspicion. I'm going to suppress your apparent cultivation level to Peak Ascendant rank."

Ethan's Nine Heaven Spirit Core began to resonate with power, the energy patterns invisible to normal perception but creating harmonic vibrations that Lysander could feel in his bones. His Spirit God Body awakened its deeper capabilities, channels of power flowing through his enhanced physiology with perfect control.

Streams of spiritual energy flowed from Ethan to Lysander, wrapping around the newly restored Low Supreme cultivation like invisible chains forged from pure will. The suppression wasn't painful—rather, it felt like wearing heavy clothing that concealed but didn't restrict movement.

"This is... extraordinary," Lysander observed, testing the concealment with small spiritual manipulations. "I can still access my full power when needed, but the external pressure signature..."

"Appears to be Peak Ascendant with damaged spiritual pathways," Ethan confirmed. "Respectable but not threatening to family hierarchy. Anyone scanning your cultivation will see exactly what they expect from your cover story—someone who's managed to stabilize severe core trauma through unknown techniques."

"The suppression feels natural," Lysander mused. "Not forced or unstable like most concealment methods. How long will it last?"

"Indefinitely, until I choose to remove it," Ethan replied. "The technique draws from your own spiritual energy to maintain itself, so it becomes stronger over time rather than weaker."

"And if I need full power?"

"The suppression will yield instantly to your will while maintaining the external appearance. To observers, you'll still seem Peak Ascendant even while wielding Low Supreme capabilities."

The most complex part of the plan required precise manipulation of spiritual signatures. Using his advanced understanding of cultivation mechanics, Ethan began altering the residual aura patterns around Lysander's suppressed cultivation. But instead of completely erasing his past identity, he did something unexpected—he allowed specific traces of his original damaged core signature to remain visible.

The process required delicate touch, like a master artist adding subtle details to a painting that would only be noticed by those who knew what to look for. Ethan wove the familiar trauma patterns into Lysander's concealed aura, making them detectable but not obvious.

"Wait," Lysander said, his enhanced spiritual awareness noticing the familiar resonance patterns. "If you wanted me to have a completely new identity, why are you allowing my old core damage signature to show through? Marcus knew that pattern intimately—he created it personally. He'll recognize it immediately."

Ethan's smile was cold and calculating, carrying depths of strategic thinking that made Lysander reassess his benefactor's true nature. "Because that signature is bait."

"Bait?" Lysander's voice carried a mixture of confusion and growing admiration for the complexity of the plan.

"Marcus will be suspicious but unable to prove anything definitively," Ethan explained, his voice carrying the weight of long-term planning. "He'll recognize elements of the signature but dismiss it as impossible—after all, he believes you're dead. The spiritual patterns will seem familiar but altered, like an echo of something he remembers."

Lysander's eyes widened with understanding as the full scope of the manipulation became clear. "You want him to recognize just enough to make him curious."

"Exactly. The doubt will eat at him until he can't resist investigating personally. He'll volunteer to lead the diplomatic mission to the Starfall estate, bringing himself directly into our reach." Ethan's expression grew more serious. "When that happens, I have plans in place to handle him permanently."

"Can you guarantee success?" Lysander asked, his voice carrying both hope and wariness. Marcus was a Middle Supreme Elder—eliminating him would require overwhelming force or perfect strategy.

"With your true Low Supreme capabilities and my own preparations, eliminating Marcus won't be a problem at all," Ethan said with casual certainty that spoke of resources beyond conventional understanding. "My methods for dealing with him are... specialized. Resources and capabilities that even you aren't aware of yet."

Lysander noted the confidence in his master's voice, the casual certainty with which he spoke of killing a Middle Supreme Elder. Whatever resources this mysterious benefactor possessed, they went far beyond the core healing he'd already demonstrated.

"The corruption network Marcus built will crumble once he's eliminated," Ethan continued. "Your brother Aurelius loses his primary backer, the second succession faction weakens considerably, and the family's internal politics shift dramatically in ways we can exploit."

"And after that?"

"After that, we begin expanding our influence beyond the Drake family entirely. But first things first—Marcus needs to take the bait." Ethan paused, studying his newly transformed subordinate. "The timing must be perfect. Too early, and he might not commit fully to personal investigation. Too late, and other factors might complicate our plans."

As the shrine's glow began to fade back to normal levels, Lysander found himself genuinely impressed by the complexity of the plan. Every element served multiple purposes, every deception layered to create maximum effect while maintaining plausible alternatives.

"You've thought several moves ahead," Lysander observed. "This level of strategic planning... it suggests experience far beyond your apparent years."

"I've had time to think," Ethan replied simply, deflecting the implied question about his background. "Now, before we proceed further, I need comprehensive information about the current power structure. Tell me everything about the Drake family hierarchy."

Lysander settled into a meditation posture, organizing his thoughts and appreciating the opportunity to demonstrate his value through intelligence. "The family structure is more complex than most outsiders realize. At the very top is the Old Patriarch, who's achieved High Ascended cultivation—he rarely involves himself in daily affairs but remains the ultimate authority on matters of family survival."

"How active is his involvement?"

"Minimal unless the family faces existential threats. He spends most of his time in deep cultivation, attempting to breakthrough to the next level. Some say he's been stuck at High Ascended for decades, growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of progress."

Ethan nodded, filing away the information about potential psychological pressure points. "Below him?"

"Current Patriarch Aldwin, at Low Ascended cultivation. He handles active leadership and major family decisions, but always with awareness that the Old Patriarch could override him at any moment. The dynamic creates interesting political pressures."

"And the Supreme Elders?"

"The six Supreme Elders form the real power structure of day-to-day family operations," Lysander explained, his voice carrying the weight of intimate knowledge. "Elder Voss holds High Supreme rank—he's the eldest and most conservative, favoring traditional approaches to cultivation and politics. He commands enormous respect but resists innovation."

Ethan listened intently as Lysander detailed the Supreme Council composition. "Three elders including Marcus maintain Middle Supreme cultivation. Marcus being particularly influential in succession politics due to his connections with my brother Aurelius. Elder Cassius and Elder Thane round out that tier—both ambitious but more cautious than Marcus about overt political maneuvering."

"The remaining Supreme Elders?"

"Elder Lyanna and Elder Darius hold Low Supreme rank. They're newer additions to the Supreme Council, having breakthrough within the last two decades. They tend to support whoever seems to be winning in family politics rather than maintaining independent positions."

"What about below the Supreme level?"

"Regular elders range from Low Ascendant down to High Guardianship cultivation. Those at Peak Guardianship with sufficient talent are given special treatment—no missions or tasks, just resources and time to attempt breakthrough to Supreme rank. The family invests heavily in potential Supreme cultivators."

"Success rates?"

"Low," Lysander admitted. "Perhaps one in ten Peak Guardianship elders successfully advance. The others eventually accept regular elder positions or retire to advisory roles."

"And the branch families?"

"All branch family heads are at half-step Ascendant cultivation. It's an unofficial ceiling—anyone who advances beyond that level gets absorbed into the main family structure or becomes a regular elder. The system prevents branch families from accumulating too much independent power."

Ethan nodded, processing the implications for his family's position. "What about the broader power structure? The other major families?"

"The Drake family is one of nine great families ruling different regions of the human continent," Lysander explained, his voice carrying the weight of continental-level politics. "Each controls vast territories and resources, maintaining complex relationships of alliance, competition, and outright hostility."

"Regional specializations?"

"Each family has developed different strengths over the centuries. Some focus on military cultivation, others on merchant networks or scholarly pursuits. The Drake family has traditionally emphasized balanced development—we produce competent leaders rather than brilliant specialists."

"And the center of the continent?"

"Houses the Celestial Harmony Academy, which serves as neutral ground for all major families. It's where children of noble blood receive advanced cultivation training, along with talented commoners who show exceptional promise."

"Tell me about this academy in detail."

"The Principal is the only Pre-Celestial rank cultivator on the human continent—essentially the strongest person alive in our region. His power is so overwhelming that even the combined might of all nine major families would hesitate to challenge him directly."

"Political influence?"

"Absolute when he chooses to exercise it, but he rarely interferes in family politics unless they threaten continental stability. The Vice Principal maintains Peak Supreme cultivation and handles most administrative matters."

"Student body composition?"

"Roughly sixty percent noble-born, forty percent talented commoners. The academy actively recruits exceptional individuals regardless of background, which creates interesting social dynamics. Many political alliances and rivalries begin during academy years."

"Age ranges?"

"Students typically enter between ages fifteen and eighteen, staying for four to six years depending on their advancement rate. The curriculum covers everything from advanced cultivation techniques to political theory and military strategy."

Ethan absorbed this information, his mind already calculating how these power structures would affect his long-term plans. The academy represented both opportunity and potential threat—a place where his eventual reveals would have maximum impact, but also where the strongest forces of the continent could unite against him if necessary.

"Admission requirements?" Ethan asked, though his tone suggested the question held particular importance.

"Demonstrated cultivation talent and political sponsorship from a major family or academy recommendation. However, exceptional individuals can sometimes gain entry through special testing, particularly if they show unique abilities."

"This gives me everything I need to plan the next phases," Ethan said finally, his expression showing satisfaction with the intelligence gathered. "Your role will be to maintain your position with the starfall family while gathering intelligence on the family movements and decisions. When Marcus makes his move, we'll be ready."

"Intelligence gathering methods?"

"Careful observation and strategic conversation. Your position as an allied Peak Ascendant cultivator will give you access to information that would normally be restricted. Family members will speak more freely around someone they consider politically useful but not threatening."

"And when the time comes for action against Marcus?"

"You'll receive specific instructions through channels I'll establish. For now, focus on building your cover identity and maintaining the family's trust in your alliance."

Lysander bowed formally, the gesture carrying genuine respect despite the Absolute Collar's influence. The loyalty binding felt natural now, as if his dedication to his benefactor's cause had always been his primary motivation.

"I understand my role completely. The deception will be maintained, the intelligence will be gathered, and Marcus will be led exactly where you want him."

As they prepared to leave the shrine, both men understood that they had just set in motion events that would reshape the Drake family's power structure permanently. The careful deceptions, the strategic baiting, the long-term planning—all of it pointed toward a future where the current family hierarchy would be fundamentally altered.

The ancient shrine's pillars had witnessed the birth of a conspiracy that would echo through the halls of power for years to come.