novelraw Chapter 1292 - 1291 - Knives in the Dark
Chapter 1292 - 1291 - Knives in the Dark
The events that resulted in the declaration of the Illusion Goddess made many powers re-examine their long term plans.
Edicts from the 4th layer had heavy weight in the 3rd layer but not so much in the ones below. The designation of a God, however, spread throughout the Celestial Fields.
Such a thing could only be done with the approval of Heaven and Earth or it would possibly invite the Wrath to some kind of punishment depending on the route taken to claim it.
Since nothing like that happened, many powerful figures had to step back and re-evaluate their plans.
Many had been about to ally but they had wanted to be in the superior position in regards to the Frey Clan. Having a Goddess in their ranks drastically changed the landscape. Not every power knew of the falling out she had with Lind Frey, but she clearly stayed tied to the Clan.
That fact changed things drastically in their favor! The Frey Clan now had an unprecedented position of strength they did not have before! A True Lord was impressive but they arose in every beast race to the point several could exist at once.
Thus, the position of True Lord was powerful but not almighty. It was not to be taken advantage of, but ultimately, the other races did not have to bow their heads to a single True Lord.
A God, however, was a vastly different matter! Heaven and Earth did not allow that title lightly and if it did, that figure was unique. Their power in whatever area they excelled in could not be overcome so long as that person was alive!
It was that big of a deal! Any power allied with such a person would be treated carefully!
While those relatively benign reactions were common, so too were the opposite kind.
The 1st layer had become less sparse as time passed. Powers that had not suffered under the Fiend War in the Heaven Realm lands had quickly supplied material support to expand their spheres of influence while they could.
Many battles had resulted from that until the Fiends reminded everyone how terrifying they could be. While some powers took pragmatic approaches to ally for survival, others enjoyed fishing in troubled waters.
At the very heart of the 1st layer was a massive city with concentric walled divisions. Each area that housed the government buildings flew the crimson flag with the emerald dragon on it. The Frey Clan had become a supreme powerhouse without question but its shadow drew many greedy eyes.
Such shadows could come from any place.
An alleyway was littered with refuse and a few injured people in rags were doing the best they could. If Lind was still in charge, he would have never allowed any residents to suffer like that but he was long gone.
His gracious will no longer existed in the current echelons of power in the Clan on the 1st layer. It was a simple fact that a founder's original intent would be lucky to survive a few generations, but due to how talented the first few generations were, they had all ascended to the 2nd layer long ago.
The ones that came after took a more common route of hoarding resources for the main branch and close side branches where some talented members grew up.
The alley had several bins to hold waste made by mortals as they lived in greater numbers in the 1st layer in the present.
Cultivators produced far less by product due to having less need for consumable resources compared to mortals.
A recessed door was hidden from obvious sight but was a normal design to leave the alleyway less obstructed. A few figures limping along suddenly stopped and looked backwards and forwards before hobbling down the half step to the door.
A series of knocks were then made before a bolt was thrown within and the door swung inwards. The ragged man used his crutch to move inside but when the door closed he quickly set down his perfectly good leg.
"Tch, annoying to come all this way for a meeting. I know they monitor jade stone communications but surely we could have held this meeting elsewhere." His voice was raspy but he coughed and it went away.
The guard at the door said nothing as he was only a mortal. The cultivator was far above him. The man quickly made his way down a set of stairs until he paused at an expanse of stone no different from the rest.
Only the token on his wrist shimmering told him it was the right spot.
"Honestly, the lengths they go to hide under these upstart's noses." The man disdained the security but simply placed his wrist against the wall. A silver outline appeared before the section sank inward and slid to the side.
He scoffed and moved down a new passage that was made of entirely different materials. The stone before was common stone fused with simple formations to increase its strength but now the corridor he walked down was made from shadow stone.
A demonic material heavily regulated but used by many organizations to hide from observation and detection formations. Even he could appreciate the craftsmanship needed to pull off what he saw.
He finally came to a room with 3 other figures in cloaks. Unlike his disguise, they were wearing fine robes.
"Finally, you are late!" He shook his head as one of the men spoke. They were fools, all of them.
"I took care not to be followed as you well know I can be traced far more easily than the rest of you. I had 2 tails at least I had to kill before I finally lost them." The 3 figures seemed bothered but a jade crystal at the center of the table lit up.
The 4 focused as a powerful aura filled the room.
[You have gathered? Good. The Sovereign Tiers have affirmed non-interference so we can move a bit more freely. The Illusion Goddess is an issue so do not draw her ire. We will send some names and they are to be left absolutely alone going forward.] The 4 nodded at that.
It was only common sense not to tempt Heaven and Earth.
"What about our plans to infiltrate their secrets and take what we want from their coffers?" The man had been keen to get his hands on whatever it was that made the Frey Clan advance so easily.
Despite sharing their elemental theories and other modifications to ancient techniques, other powers could not seem to keep up for some reason after adapting them.
The Frey Clan had more secrets!
[Avoid the names given and proceed. The other layers will also continue their efforts but the 1st layer is the most vulnerable due to the lack of the original family being present. The Frey Clan branch in the 2nd layer presents problems on several fronts but plans will proceed better with the information you 4 gather.] The voice placated him but then information entered their minds.
It was extensive but he also noticed a few names he recognized! Sally Frey was on top of the list of untouchables but she was in the 3rd layer currently.
She went between the 1st and 2nd layer sometimes but it was centuries apart. She had been one of his targets!
One of the few remaining founding families direct ties with the most openings! She was unmarried, and showed little interest in the martial side of things. An academic was a far easier target to ply than others!
He was frustrated but it left other avenues to pursue. The daughter of the Illusions Goddess was obviously off limits now.
"Sigh, my plans are now wasted. I have to start over." A woman spoke but her lament was shared by the others. It was as if Heaven had cut off the easiest path for their plans in one fell swoop!
It was irritating but it left them no choice.
[One final thing. All attempts to cripple the Frey Clan must be delayed. Any plans in motion to harm them for any purpose will be paused. We will test the waters again but other forms of pain may proceed. Deprive them and weaken them in reputation only.] The man frowned but could only nod with the others.
The goal of stealing their secrets was to benefit them but there was no point if the Frey Clan remained on top! It would always be ahead otherwise!
"What about the 2nd layer? I had plans in motion there for their allies, is that paused as well?" The final man spoke and all felt a shiver in their spines. He was the strongest by far but that was not what scared them.
It was like he saw through them all without any need of a skill or technique.
[The Fionan Empire is a risk we dislike but some of its alliances could be weakened. The true danger is the Rubyfire Empire. Its Empress is not as naive as we hoped. Further, the beast clans have only strengthened their ties despite our efforts to disrupt them. Your plans have merit but need to take care. The Illusion Goddess has strong ties to both.] The man nodded and the meeting ended there.
The jade crystal went dark and the 4 were silent before the man in rags went to leave.
"Oh, not going to berate our incompetence this time?" The woman put a hand to her cheek as if amused but he huffed and left. He had no time.
Unlike those 3, his plans were still in motion and had to be stopped as soon as possible.
The knives in the dark had to be redirected or things could unravel far too quickly! He also was much closer to his goals before the current setback. He lost his most valuable avenue but he had backup plans.
He sneered as he looked up.
The Frey Clan's arrogance would be their downfall. He would take their secrets and watch as their city burned one day soon. He made that promise to himself!