Translator: Silavin
“However, this batch of goods was actually all Withered Frost Grass. Who knows what Brilliant Sky Sacred Land is playing at. They seem to have been collecting this stuff recently.” One black-robed person obliterated a wooden crate left at the side with a palm strike. Looking at the Withered Frost Grass inside, a trace of confusion showed in his eyes.
Clearly, this wasn’t their first time attacking merchant caravans from the Brilliant Sky Sacred Land.
Only, they had gained nothing whatsoever.
Withered Frost Grass?
What bloody use was that?
“Just what is this thing for…”
The other black-robed person picked up a stalk, examining it briefly. Finding nothing special, he then discarded the Withered Frost Grass on the ground.
He had thought Brilliant Sky Sacred Land concealed items within these crates filled with Withered Frost Grass. However, after searching, he still found nothing.
“*Hmph!* Whatever use it has, in a while, it’ll be the annual competition for rights to the Saints City Transport Array’s profits. If their Brilliant Sky Sacred Land loses again to Formless Gate or Sky Cliff Pavilion, let’s see how they can still command respect!”
They exchanged glances, both revealing mocking expressions.
Formless Gate and Sky Cliff Pavilion were Super Forces within the territory of the Sacred Lands. They were second only to the Twelve Sacred Lands. Truth be told, their actual strength was not vastly different from the Sacred Lands.
However, the Sacred Lands possessed Open Saint Hearts left behind by successive generations of Saints.
Open Saint Hearts were sacred Artifacts condensed from a Saint’s essence, energy, and Soul.
When no one in the Sacred Lands could advance to the Saint Realm, refining an Open Saint Hearts could forcibly elevate someone to the Saint Realm.
However, thereafter, they would also stop at this point, unable to progress further.
And those who refined an Open Saint Heart to forcibly ascend to the Saint Realm, even after death, could not condense an Open Saint Heart.
In other words, Open Saint Hearts were the Sacred Lands’ ultimate guarantee, but they were non-renewable. Use one and they would forever lose one.
Of course, a Saint was still a Saint!
Even a Saint who ascended through relying on an Open Saint Heart was still far beyond what others could match.
And this was the foundation upon which Brilliant Sky Sacred Land stood upon.
Those Super Forces, though not inferior to Brilliant Sky Sacred Land in other aspects, found the Sacred Lands’ top combat power function like an insurmountable wall blocking their path, making it difficult to overcome.
“Don’t know if you’ve heard, but Sky Cliff Pavilion apparently has someone who obtained a great fortune, acquiring a Saint’s inheritance. Supposedly, that person also obtained an Open Saint Heart at the inheritance site…”
One black-robed person brought it up, and immediately several people began discussing it.
“Heard about it. That fellow seems to still be at Martial Emperor Realm, but supposedly quite a few Martial Ancestor Realm experts have died by his hand.”
“His might below the Saints is unrivalled. Even placing him in our Sacred Land, he’d be akin to a Sacred Master…”
“If the rumours about that Open Saint Heart is true, Brilliant Sky Sacred Land’s position would truly become precarious. Hehe…”
As they conversed, their tones carried a hint of mockery.
“If Sky Cliff Pavilion weren’t willing to offer more resources, how could we possibly need to do this sort of thing here? Still, Brilliant Sky should have been eliminated from the ranks of Sacred Lands long ago. Having Brilliant Sky around simply drags down our Sacred Lands’ standards!”
The leading black-robed person snorted lightly, then his foot moved and he disappeared from the spot.
…
Saints City.
In the area near this enormous city’s central region stood a massive and dignified mansion.
Countless passersby all cast gazes carrying a trace of reverence, for this was Brilliant Sky Sacred Land’s consulate stationed in Saints City.
However, at this moment, within this mansion’s great hall, heads crowded together, yet the atmosphere appeared abnormally oppressive.
“This is already the seventh time!”
“Just which Force dares to attack our Brilliant Sky Sacred Land’s merchants!”
“We must request the enforcement squad to eliminate these jumping clowns!”
“…”
Voices carrying indignation constantly rang out within the great hall.
No wonder their emotions were so agitated. As Brilliant Sky Sacred Land merchants, in less than a month’s time, they had been robbed seven times. Moreover, all merchants who suffered attacks had not a single survivor!
Not long ago, they had again received a distress message. Yet another merchant caravan had been attacked!
For such events to occur right under their noses was, for a Sacred Land, it was nothing short of utter humiliation!
Such behaviour that challenged the Sacred Land’s dignity, even though they deliberately suppressed it, had still been noticed by quite a few perceptive individuals. At this moment, throughout the entire Sacred Lands territory, rumours and gossip were already circulating.
Those rumours were largely unfavourable to Brilliant Sky Sacred Land. Some even speculated whether this Sacred Land, which had endured for countless ages, was about to be replaced by another Force!
At the very centre of the great hall’s head position sat two people. One was unmistakably Dong Yu, while seated opposite him was a middle-aged man whose entire being was undulated with a terrifying aura. He was precisely the Manager Brilliant Sky Sacred Land had stationed in Saints City, Mu Rundong.
Currently, both Dong Yu and Mu Rundong’s expressions were rather grim. Listening to the clamorous voices, their brows seemed to furrow even tighter.
Mu Rundong simply dared not conceal these events, reporting everything to the Sacred Land. However, the news transmitted from within the Sacred Land was merely for them to be careful. There was absolutely no sign of any large-scale purge.
As the Manager stationed in Saints City, he also knew this matter was not as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Even the Sacred Land seemed somewhat resigned to accepting the loss. He vaguely sensed that within this matter, there were probably intricate connections with those other two Sacred Lands.
Without their backing, even those Forces second only to the Sacred Lands would absolutely not dare commit such acts!
“All merchants, for the time being, are not to leave the city lightly!” Finally, Mu Rundong exchanged a glance with Dong Yu. Sighing inwardly, he spoke slowly.
Hearing these words, the entire great hall, originally clamorous with people, suddenly became quiet. Faces all carried expressions of disbelief as they looked towards Mu Rundong, as if unable to believe such words had come from his mouth, from someone who represented Brilliant Sky Sacred Land.
Originally, within Saints City, news of Brilliant Sky Sacred Land merchants being ambushed had already spread far and wide. If the Sacred Land showed no large-scale reaction to establish authority, it would likely attract many peculiar gazes.
And now, Mu Rundong had even spoken words representing compromise. Once this got out, it would definitely impact the Sacred Land’s dignity!
Moreover, there were quite a few merchants under Brilliant Sky Sacred Land. If they could not leave the city for a month, this would be an enormous loss!
Faced with questioning gazes from all directions, radiance gradually flickered in Mu Rundong’s eyes.