I Can Create Clones

The great council chamber of the main Drake family compound had not seen such urgency in decades. Ancient stone pillars carved with dragon motifs stretched toward a vaulted ceiling painted with scenes of mythical battles, while crystalline formations embedded in the walls pulsed with spiritual energy that amplified the voices of those gathered within.

At the head of the crescent-shaped table sat Patriarch Aldwin Drake, his Low Ascended cultivation making the very air around him shimmer with barely contained power. His weathered face bore the weight of ruling one of the nine great families, but today, new lines of concern etched deeper around his eyes.

The six Supreme Elders had answered his urgent summons within the hour—a speed that spoke volumes about the gravity of the situation. Their combined spiritual pressure created an atmosphere so dense that even the chamber's reinforced walls groaned under the strain.

Elder Voss, the lone High Supreme cultivator among them, spoke first, his voice carrying the authority of someone who had witnessed centuries of family politics. "A Peak Ascendant rank cultivator has appeared from nowhere and allied himself with the Starfall branch. While not immediately threatening, the timing is... suspicious."

"The timing is too convenient," agreed Elder Cassius, his Middle Supreme aura fluctuating with controlled irritation. "Yesterday, the boy fails his final spirit test. Today, a mysterious benefactor appears. Someone has been orchestrating this."

Elder Marcus, also at Middle Supreme rank, remained conspicuously silent in his ornately carved chair, his fingers drumming against the armrest in what appeared to be deep contemplation. Of all those present, he seemed the most disturbed by the morning's developments.

"The question," interjected Elder Lyanna, her Low Supreme cultivation marking her as one of the newer additions to the council, "is whether this represents an opportunity or a threat. A Peak Ascendant cultivator with damaged channels seeking alliance suggests he needs us more than we need him."

"Perhaps," countered Elder Thane, his own Middle Supreme rank giving weight to his words, "but someone maintaining Peak Ascendant power with extensively damaged spiritual pathways indicates knowledge our healers lack. That expertise could prove valuable."

Patriarch Aldwin raised his hand, and immediate silence fell across the chamber. "The reports from our observers paint an interesting picture. This Lysander bears himself like nobility, commands significant resources, and demonstrates cultivation techniques that stabilize damaged cores—something our masters consider extremely difficult."

"He's definitely hiding something," Elder Darius—the final Low Supreme among their number—said thoughtfully. "The spiritual signature shows clear trauma patterns, yet his power output remains remarkably stable for someone with that level of core damage."

The patriarch nodded slowly. "Which brings us to the central question: what does he truly want? Branch family alliance provides political legitimacy, but someone with apparent wealth and knowledge could approach us directly. Why choose the weakest Drake lineage?"

"Perhaps," Elder Voss suggested, "he sees opportunity in their desperation. A grateful family makes loyal allies. The Starfall branch would never question his motives if he solves their immediate problems."

Elder Cassius leaned back in his chair, his expression calculating. "We shouldn't dismiss this too quickly. A Peak Ascendant cultivator with unique healing knowledge could be valuable, regardless of his motives. Better to have him allied with our family than courted by rivals."

"You suggest engagement?" the patriarch asked.

"I suggest we learn more before making judgments," Cassius replied. "His power level poses no immediate threat to our core interests, but his knowledge might prove beneficial to our younger generation."

Elder Lyanna nodded in agreement. "The Starfall branch has been declining for generations. If someone wanted to establish a beneficial relationship within our family structure, they represent a perfect entry point—desperate enough to be grateful, legitimate enough to provide proper introduction to family politics."

"Then we investigate," Patriarch Aldwin decided. "I want comprehensive information on this Lysander—his background, his resources, his true capabilities. Send our intelligence operatives, but approach this as information gathering rather than threat assessment."

"And direct negotiation?" Elder Thane asked. "Do we attempt formal contact?"

"Yes, but carefully," the patriarch replied. "We approach this as family elders seeking to understand a new alliance. If he proves beneficial to overall family interests, we welcome him properly. If his presence creates complications..." He left the implication clear without making explicit threats.

Elder Voss nodded approvingly. "I'll dispatch Negotiator Chen with a diplomatic retinue. Someone showing Peak Ascendant power deserves respectful recognition, regardless of his damaged condition."

"What of the Starfall branch itself?" Elder Darius inquired. "Do we adjust their treatment based on this development?"

"Cautiously," Patriarch Aldwin said after a moment's consideration. "Their position has improved, but we'll observe the stability of this alliance before making formal adjustments to their family ranking."

As the meeting continued, Elder Marcus remained unusually quiet, his eyes distant as if wrestling with some internal conflict. The others attributed his silence to careful consideration of the complex situation—none suspecting the true cause of his distraction.

When the formal session concluded and the other elders departed to their respective duties, Marcus lingered in the empty chamber. Alone with his thoughts, he allowed his carefully maintained composure to crack slightly.

The spiritual signature he'd sensed from across the city had triggered memories he'd thought buried five years ago. Even with what appeared to be deliberately suppressed cultivation, the underlying pattern of damaged pathways, the specific resonance of trauma-induced spiritual scarring—it matched too closely to be coincidence.

But Lysander was dead. Marcus had ensured that personally during the "training accident" that had ended his nephew's threat to Aurelius's succession. He'd felt the boy's core structure collapse, witnessed the spiritual foundation crumble beyond any hope of recovery.

Yet the signature he'd detected today carried undeniable similarities to that broken cultivation he'd left dying in the practice chambers years ago. More disturbing, if this truly was Lysander, why was he deliberately suppressing his true cultivation level? Peak Ascendant was respectable but not threatening to family hierarchy—unless he possessed capabilities far beyond what he was showing.

Impossible, Marcus told himself firmly. Core damage of that magnitude is irreversible. The boy couldn't have survived, let alone achieved any significant recovery.

Still, doubt gnawed at him like acid. If—by some miracle or intervention—Lysander had survived and somehow not only healed but advanced beyond his suppressed cultivation display, the implications were catastrophic. A Supreme-level cultivator with intimate knowledge of the family's corruption scheme, personal motivation for revenge, and political backing from whatever forces had restored him.

Marcus found himself facing a nightmare scenario where his past actions had created the very enemy now positioning himself within their family structure.

But without proof, without certainty, he could do nothing. Accusations based on spiritual signature similarities would be dismissed as paranoid speculation. Worse, they might draw attention to his own role in his nephew's original "accident."

He needed confirmation. Needed to see this mysterious Lysander face to face and determine whether his fears were justified or merely the product of guilty conscience. More importantly, he needed to discover what this cultivator's true power level might be if he was indeed suppressing his capabilities.

Rising from his chair, Marcus made a decision that would set events in motion far beyond his ability to control. He would volunteer to lead the diplomatic mission to the Starfall estate. Under the guise of family business, he would finally confront the ghost that might have returned to haunt him.

As he left the council chamber, Marcus Drake—Middle Supreme Elder and architect of his nephew's destruction—began planning an encounter that would either confirm his fears or put them to rest forever.

In the shadows of the empty chamber, ancient dragon carvings seemed to watch with knowing eyes as the wheels of fate began their inexorable turn.