Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 967 - 966 - Shandor Syndicate

The Corruption changed many things about the realm but the one thing many hoped for backfired. The black market actually rose in power rather than getting eliminated.

Illegal organizations could actually come out of hiding as it became extremely difficult to raid them. Law Bindings did not require righteous powers to fuel them after all.

Still, the shadowy organizations still kept an eye to the future of how the Corruption could be overcome or disappear on its own. They secured areas in ravines or other hard to reach areas in the future.

One of the branches of the Shandor Syndicate specialized in the slave trade in the current times. They were the central hub for it in the north eastern lands.

They placed themselves into a valley but there was a natural effect that befuddled those not prepared for it. They had enhanced the effect to keep out intruders even better than before.

The trees seemed to blend into a single wall if a cultivator could resist the formation. Still, they could become lost very easily even if they were a Sliver Tier Immortal!

Behind the illusions were very sturdy walls and buildings with harsh lines and dark stone material used to make them. They were purely functional but the formations around them were of peak high grade 7!

The materials for the formations was far greater than the buildings but with those formations, even a Crystal Tier Immortal would have trouble breaching their defenses.

Along the main path were more of the carriages Lind had encountered with a few larger than others. The animals varied from horses to large lizards that could cross much rougher terrain without issue.

The beasts could endure the exposure to the open air better than humans so they still fulfilled their function. The Celestial Fields produced far more robust beasts as well. There was no such thing as a simple horse or oxen anymore.

The most common beasts used by the syndicate were Thunderhooves and the powerful Whowie that had 6 powerful legs and a toad's head.

It could kill on command with its tongue and include its elements as well in the attack. The scales could adapt to dry and wet conditions but the greater use was its ability to move across wild paths with a carriage on its back.

The path continued until a large citadel was revealed. It was the main structure of the branch where the goods could be stored and the members reside while running their business.

Men and women in dark cloaks with dark gray robes moved through the open paths and halls. At the top of the central tower that had a blue flame burning over it, a small group were meeting in frustration.

"You are certain the shipment was not simply taken by those bandits?" Even with the current situation, all the organizations suffered from a lack of manpower. The struggle to produce powerful cultivators left many in seclusion for centuries if not millennia.

Thus for errands and tasks, the Shandor Syndicate employed local ruffians or bandit groups. The profits from the assignments were split to let those little groups keep their freedom and it was a decent arrangement.

However, they were not foolish enough to not put backup plans when using outsiders for deliveries. The result was those that tried to cheat their group died horrific deaths very publicly.

The syndicate and their clients were strong enough to not worry too much about betrayal but something unexpected had come up.

The soul resonance used to seal the weavings in their shackles had been overcome somehow!

"They were all found tied up and alive at a resting area on the road to Ogros. There are only measly World Realms there at best so whoever did that was powerful but also had a grade 7 weaver unlike anyone we have heard of." A female voice answered her elder.

None of their faces were revealed but the aura of Immortals flared in anger.

"Who dares?!" Another man spoke up and slammed his fist onto the table between them. The stone cracked but the final member waved their gloved hands to bring silence.

"Anger and denial will not help us. Our client is understandably upset but that is easily resolved." A woman's voice came from the final member but none dared speak as she stood up from her seat and turned her back to them before she sighed.

"Skin the bandits alive while they are imprisoned. Make sure the King of Ogros loses his cultivation and kill his descendants down to the 3rd generation. Spare no one." The calm words contradicted the horrific orders but the other 3 only nodded at them.

"Branch Leader, what about the product?" The elder man spoke up but only silence answered until it became a bit uncomfortable before frustration came back to them.

"Whoever freed them has cut off all contact with the artifacts. Either they were destroyed in some way or the method used to free them cut the original imprint. Put out feelers for the product but do not recapture them. I want who freed them." The 3 bowed but as they left, more orders came.

"As for our client, give them the husks left behind once our work is done and tell them we will double the order next time." A shiver went through them all at the unspoken orders.

If the client still put up an issue, they would not live long either. A branch client was not really a big fish in the grand scheme of things.

Once the 3 were gone, the woman pulled her hood back to reveal a stunning beauty but her right eye was a bright blue with the left being amber. Her dark gold hair framed her pale face as she knelt on the ground when a hooded figure appeared.

[I approve of your actions. Yet, you will let our product go free?] A distorted voice was all that came through as the image flickered badly. Communication jades no longer worked over long distances but some tricks could eke out their use in limited capacity.

"The client was a noble so they will not be alive much longer one way or the other. The true target that the freed children will lead us to is of far more importance." The figure nodded at her words.

[I will work on our end as well as this is a threat to our business. I will add one thing, however. If the target is a Crystal Tier Immortal, do not attack them openly. The agreements between the Council and us have some steps to be fulfilled to keep them out of our business.] She bowed low at his words.

"If they are not associated with the Council?" She knew the answer but it might vary from her expectations. Indeed, the silence was unexpected.

[A new Crystal Tier has not been found in the last million years. If one has shown up, we want them alive and as intact as possible. Find out everything about them before capturing them.] Shock flashed across her eyes but she nodded as the figure vanished.

"Why would they think it is a new Crystal Tier and not a new Sliver Tier?" She wondered at that assumption but filed it away. Something was known to the main branch that they were withholding.

"Run, little prey. Make it fun for me." A strange smile crossed her face that if even Fiends were in the room, they would break out in a cold sweat. She swept from the meeting room and headed for her quarters.

She looked forward to when news reached their spies to find all traces of her target!

⬧⬧⬧⬧

"They sound like a headache waiting to happen." Lind was holding the reins but the horses would never stray from the road so long as he gave an order.

It had been a week since they left the bandits behind and the demonic children were laughing as Sorcha told them a story and Belia napped away with drool falling down her face, also amusing the younger ones.

Delenn smiled at them as she nodded.

"They have been a dark force since before I was born. Everyone knows of them as they are one of the few ubiquitous powers in the black markets and auctions. They also sadly have claws in most places. They will be looking for these children." He nodded but already assumed that.

He could not hide them away forever but he hoped to at least let them be free.

[Can we send them below?] He sent the message but saw her shake her head instantly.

"Even with your improved body, you should know the danger of doing that. Even if successful, we would open the doorway to war far worse than anyone could imagine." He sighed but agreed with that as well.

Their ascension was hardly smooth but any sane person likely tried to flee when the Corruption started and became food for the Realm Refiner.

"I guess I will need to work on helping them but first I think I will help you, Master." Her head whipped to him but he smiled and held up a small emerald flame. "I have been studying what happened to my body and have some ideas. I think I know part of what is happening up here. It is very bad if true."

She arched an eyebrow at him but did not ask as they looked ahead. The road was rather boring with cleared grass around them until trees or rivers flowed by but the road itself was monotonous.

They had passed several farmers with carts and groups of cultivators but no one bothered them once they sensed the power of the pair driving the wagon.

A bit ahead, a massive city sprawled in front of them and they hoped to get a better grasp of the current world. Lind also hoped to find a place to let him study elixirs, weaving, and Forging.

The group rolled along the paved road and all hoped answers could be found ahead.