A Farmer's Journey To Immortality

Was a sense of freedom an illusion in any societal system?

The answer to that question depended on whether one looked at it through an optimistic or pessimistic lens.

Even though the sects placed restrictions on cultivators through various means, these restrictions were often accepted willingly by the cultivators in order to gain something in return.

In other words, it was a form of trade. There were two distinct sides, and one’s loyalty acted as a wager.

It was no different from mortals working under an organization to earn a monthly income. Even though most organizations exploited their workers in one way or another, mortals could at least quit and choose a different place to work, willingly stepping into another sub-system that gave them a sense of freedom.

Although this freedom of choice was limited for most mortals, there were always exceptions and rule-breakers, and that was what made the idea of choice so tempting.

But the royals wanted to go a step further than the sect system in controlling their subordinates and territories. They wanted to manage everything themselves, using the royal hierarchy as a replacement for the sect system.

To Aksai, it felt like the royals wanted to establish something similar to a unified empire that controlled everything under one rule.

Aksai’s gaze turned slightly colder.

‘If they succeed… there will be no place for independent forces.’

Wandering cultivators. Small sects. Even growing powers like his own guild. All of them would eventually be forced to choose if the royal faction grew too strong in the future.

Submit… or disappear.

The idea of removing the difference between mortals and cultivators sounded good on the surface. But Aksai could see the truth behind it. It was not just about unity. It was about gaining absolute control and a monopoly over resources.

If everyone belonged to the same kingdom and answered to the same authority, then there would be no other power left to challenge the royal faction.

Of course, no faction was free from cracks within. It would only be a matter of time before the royal faction started to break from the inside after conquering the subcontinent.

Still, even in such cases, only another royal power from a rival kingdom could pose a real threat. And no matter which royal faction won, the common people would be the ones to suffer. As long as the royals stayed in power, the royal system would not collapse. It also meant that the multi-sect system would eventually disappear.

The effects of such a one-sided rule would be even more dangerous when one considered the destructive power of Spirit cultivators. The stronger the royal faction became, both in numbers and in quality, the more controlling and harsh it would become toward its people.

No sects. No independent Lords. No hidden forces. Only one rule.

Crush all competition through control.

Aksai let out a very soft breath. His thoughts settled.

‘So this is the real game. No wonder even the Purple River Lord looked tense. He could not have imagined that the kingdoms were behind those attacks on him and his sect members.’

The assassinations were not random or isolated events. They were only the first move. The royal faction had already begun weakening the sect system by recruiting wandering Spirit cultivators on a large scale.

At the same time, they had started raising a new generation of cultivators by controlling the mortal population. Instead of joining sects or forming their own groups, these new cultivators had only one path forward.

For example, the Kaan Kingdom had stopped sending talented youths with strong Spirit Roots to the Eastern Limiya Gate, even though it had been a long-standing rule. Instead, they only sent those with average or weak aptitude.

In the early years, the Eastern Limiya Gate did not notice anything unusual. It was not rare to have a poor batch once in a while. But by the time they realized something was wrong, their Lord had already been badly injured by an assassin. The sect had no choice but to withdraw and focus on recovery.

Recruiting wandering cultivators. Building strength in secret. Preparing for the moment to strike openly. Even using failed assassination attempts to push their plans forward.

This was the royal faction in simple terms.

Aksai looked at Arven again.

This time, he truly saw him for what he was. Not just a prince, but an important piece in a much larger plan.

Even Raaden, who stood beside him, seemed shaken. His eyes had changed slightly, as if he too had started to understand the weight of what was being said.

The hall felt quiet. The rich food on the table. The soft lights. The calm air. All of it felt like a thin cover over something much bigger and far more dangerous.

Aksai stayed silent for a few more seconds. Then, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

“Prince Arven,” Aksai said calmly, his voice steady, “you are offering something very big.”

He paused for a moment.

“Anyone would need time to think about it.”

Prince Arven listened to Aksai’s words and then nodded slowly. A soft laugh escaped his lips as he leaned back in his seat.

“That is fair,” he said. “A decision like this should not be rushed.”

He lifted his cup and took a small sip before placing it back down. His eyes moved between Aksai and Raaden.

“But before you decide,” he added, his tone turning a bit more serious, “there is something both of you should keep in mind.”

Prince Arven leaned forward a little before speaking further.

“The royal faction will not only offer you more resources than the Big Five from the righteous faction or the Major Three from the demonic faction,” he said slowly, “we will also help you become Lords… at any cost.”

“Hmm? At any cost?” Aksai repeated. “What do you mean?”

Even as he asked, a faint guess had already started to form in his mind.

Prince Arven smiled.

“I mean exactly what I said,” he replied. “Even if your natural potential falls short in the future for some unforeseen reason, we will still make sure that you reach the Core Formation realm.”