I Can Create Clones

Three days after Marcus's disappearance, the formal investigation protocols of the Drake family had transformed the main compound into a hub of spiritual detection and intelligence gathering. Elder Voss stood in the central command chamber, his High Supreme cultivation focused on analyzing the crystalline formations that mapped spiritual signatures across their territorial holdings.

"The trail ends at the mountain passes beyond Silverbrook territory," he reported to the assembled investigation team. "Marcus's spiritual signature simply... ceases. No signs of struggle, no residual energy from combat, no traces of spiritual techniques that might indicate what happened."

Elder Cassius paced the chamber with barely controlled frustration, his Middle Supreme aura fluctuating as he studied reports from dozens of search teams. "A Supreme Elder doesn't simply vanish. Either he's being held by forces capable of complete spiritual suppression, or..."

"Or he's dead, and his elimination was performed by someone with capabilities we haven't encountered before," Elder Thane finished grimly.

The implications hung heavy in the air. In their centuries of family leadership, no Supreme Elder had ever disappeared so completely. Even deaths in combat left traces—spiritual residue, damaged environments, some indication of what forces had been involved. Marcus's complete absence suggested intervention by powers that operated beyond their understanding.

"The timing cannot be coincidental," Elder Lyanna observed, her Low Supreme cultivation making her the most junior investigator but her analytical skills sharp enough to identify patterns others missed. "Marcus disappears immediately after beginning investigation of the Starfall branch situation. Whatever happened to him is connected to that mysterious Lysander."

Elder Darius nodded slowly, his own Low Supreme rank making him cautious about offering definitive conclusions. "But our initial assessments suggested Peak Ascendant cultivation with damaged spiritual pathways. How could someone at that level eliminate a Middle Supreme Elder without leaving any traces?"

"Perhaps," Elder Voss said carefully, "our initial assessments were incomplete."

...

In the Starfall estate, the morning proceeded with deceptive normalcy. Ethan sat at the breakfast table with his parents, carefully maintaining the innocent demeanor of a twelve-year-old boy whose greatest concerns should involve his studies and approaching adolescence. But beneath the surface, his enhanced senses monitored multiple spiritual signatures approaching their territory—investigation teams, scouts, and observers all converging on their modest compound.

"The main family's attention has increased significantly," Anthony observed, reviewing the morning correspondence with obvious concern. "Multiple requests for meetings, formal inquiries about our recent activities, and what appears to be surveillance of our property boundaries."

Aurora set down her tea cup with hands that trembled slightly. "Do you think something has happened? The sudden interest seems... intense."

"Master Lysander mentioned that family politics can be unpredictable," Ethan said carefully, his young voice carrying just the right note of uncertainty. "Perhaps our recent good fortune has created questions about how such changes occurred."

It was a masterful deflection that acknowledged the family's concerns while providing no actual information. Ethan's words suggested the innocent confusion of someone who didn't understand adult politics, while simultaneously reminding his parents that their mysterious benefactor had warned them about potential complications.

"We should be careful not to appear suspicious," Anthony decided. "Cooperate fully with any official inquiries while maintaining appropriate dignity for our family's position."

As his parents discussed their response strategies, Ethan's true attention focused on the spiritual communication he was receiving from Lysander through their established channels. The reports were comprehensive and deeply concerning from the perspective of anyone who hadn't orchestrated Marcus's elimination personally.

Investigation teams approaching from three directions, came the carefully concealed message. Elder Voss leading the primary effort with Supreme-level detection capabilities. They're treating this as potential threat assessment rather than simple missing person investigation.

Ethan's response was equally discrete, disguised as youthful fidgeting while his parents continued their conversation. Maintain established cover. Any evidence of our involvement?

None detectable through conventional methods. The elimination was sufficiently clean that even Supreme-level spiritual senses find no traces of artificial intervention. Marcus's death appears consistent with cultivation accident or monster encounter.

Excellent. Continue intelligence gathering on their investigation methods. We need to understand their capabilities for future operations.

The exchange lasted mere seconds and would have been invisible to anyone not specifically monitoring for such communications. To external observation, Ethan simply appeared to be a restless child listening to his parents discuss boring adult concerns.

...

Later that morning, the first formal investigator arrived at the Starfall estate. Elder Chen, the same Low Ascendant representative who had conducted diplomatic contact just days earlier, approached with a full retinue of spiritual detection specialists and interview coordinators.

Lysander met them at the estate's gates with the measured courtesy appropriate for someone of his apparent rank receiving official family business. His transformed features showed appropriate concern for the serious nature of their visit, while his suppressed cultivation signature continued to register as Peak Ascendant with damaged pathways.

"Elder Chen," Lysander greeted with formal respect. "How may I assist the family's official business?"

"Master Lysander," Chen replied, his spiritual senses clearly analyzing every aspect of Lysander's power signature. "We're investigating the disappearance of Supreme Elder Marcus. Our records indicate he was conducting inquiries related to recent developments in this area."

"A Supreme Elder has disappeared?" Lysander's expression shifted to show appropriate shock and concern. "That's... deeply troubling news. How can such a thing happen to someone of such power and status?"

Chen studied Lysander's reaction carefully, his Low Ascendant cultivation allowing him to detect most forms of deception. But he found nothing suspicious—just genuine surprise and worry from someone who clearly understood the implications of a Supreme Elder's disappearance.

"We're hoping you might have information about any unusual spiritual activities in this region," Chen continued. "Elder Marcus was known to be investigating... irregularities... in local cultivation signatures."

"I would certainly report anything suspicious," Lysander replied smoothly. "But I must point out that my own cultivation is... compromised. My spiritual senses are limited compared to what they once were. I might not detect phenomena that would be obvious to someone with intact spiritual pathways."

It was perfect misdirection that acknowledged his limitations while explaining why he might not have noticed "suspicious activities" that had actually occurred within miles of his location. Chen's expression showed understanding—damaged cultivation would indeed limit spiritual awareness significantly.

The interview continued for nearly an hour, with Chen's team conducting systematic analysis of the estate's spiritual energy patterns, recent disturbances, and any traces of outside spiritual intervention. But their investigation found exactly what Ethan and Lysander had ensured they would discover—nothing.

No traces of Supreme-level combat. No residual energy from advanced spiritual techniques. No indication that anything more dangerous than normal estate activities had occurred within their territory.

As the investigation team prepared to depart, Chen made one final observation that demonstrated the sophistication of the main family's concerns.

"Master Lysander, your presence here represents a significant change in the local power dynamics. Some family members are... curious... about the timing of your alliance with the Starfall branch, particularly given recent events."

Lysander's response was measured and diplomatic. "I understand their concerns, Elder Chen. Significant changes often create questions, especially when they occur during uncertain times. I hope my conduct and the benefits our alliance brings to the family will demonstrate that our association represents positive development rather than cause for suspicion."

"Indeed," Chen replied, though his tone suggested the investigation was far from concluded. "We may need to conduct follow-up inquiries as our understanding of recent events develops."

As the investigation team departed, both Ethan and Lysander understood that they had passed the first formal scrutiny of their cover stories. But more importantly, they had gained valuable intelligence about the main family's investigation capabilities and methods.

The cleanup operations were proceeding exactly as planned, with no evidence linking them to Marcus's elimination while providing comprehensive information about how future operations should be conducted to avoid detection.

From his bedroom window, Ethan watched the investigators depart with the satisfied knowledge that even Supreme Elder-level scrutiny had found nothing suspicious about their carefully constructed deception.

The immediate aftermath was being managed successfully, and preparations for phase two could begin in earnest.

The Drake family's political landscape continued to shift in ways its official leadership couldn't understand or predict, while the true architects of change remained perfectly hidden in plain sight.