novelraw Chapter 968 - 967 - Badges of Experts
Chapter 968 - 967 - Badges of Experts
It was a very long line to get into the city. Several roads met up not far from the gate and the road leading to the gate was widened considerably.
Lind observed the Law Bindings and felt the quality of the Qi improve to about 85%. Sorcha and Belia did not know the name of the city for certain but some merchants had called it the Midas Throne.
He had smirked at that reference.
He listened to the crowd and learned the Midas Throne referred to an organization that basically regulated the trade in the city and its neighbors. It was almost like a regulator back on Earth.
He wondered what they did for cultivators but wherever power could be grasped for resources, he knew cultivators would follow.
"We may have a problem." Delenn suddenly seemed nervous and he followed her line of sight to see guards in armor using a projection artifact to compare to people entering.
Lind thought it was for criminals at first but then he saw Delenn's face flicker through the cycle and the 2 girls with them.
"I will be right back." He slipped back into the wagon before he used his ring. He only broke line of sight but it would be more than enough in the chaos of the line. The demonic children were sleeping but Belia was looking at him as he gave her a peak mid grade 7 robe.
"Where this and do not take it off." Sorcha was passed out but he covered her with a similar robe. They were dark crimson with a black disc and an emerald dragon at the heart of it. Anyone from the 1st layer would recognize his clan symbol but up here it would be enough to be similar.
He then swapped his own robes for crimson, gold, and black but not as a Clan Head. He hung the 3 badges of his professions which he smirked to see they had changed once more.
Unlike before where the colors were shifting through each kind of Qi, he noticed Laws were prevalent in his elixir and Forging badges. His weaving was actually farther along but after a quick study, he understood how to incorporate the Laws in it.
They sparkled with the Qi he could use but it was too fast for anyone to notice the oddity of all 18 in his weaving badge. The other 2 stuck to natural and demonic Qi.
He found that interesting but pushed aside questions for later.
He then focused on his eyes and for the first time in nearly 9,000 years, they shifted from his vertically slit draconic way to bright emerald orbs of a human! It took some concentration but he was able to hold it perfectly after some time.
It would revert if he got distracted, but it would do for now. He then produced one more robe but that one was pure black. He then returned to the wagon and handed it to Delenn.
She looked up and froze before a smile spread on her face.
"You asked all those questions to understand how you would be treated, didn't you?" While she had run the village, Lind had been having a lot of conversations with the locals. It had seemed mundane and to put them at ease but it showed he had picked up some information she should have remembered.
She hopped back into the wagon and quickly changed but stayed in the back as she saw glowing storage treasures now hung up above each demonic child! She smirked as she shook her head and quickly clasped the bracelets or necklaces on each one carefully.
Anyone that looked would not think it odd at all but she suspected each one would have materials each child could use without needing Qi to use them!
They used a weaving to imprint their souls to make sure no one could take them easily.
Lind calmed the horses as they got near the gate. The guards were not exactly in a good mood as they had been having a very long month!
Someone powerful wanted some people found but they were not criminals. Their orders were only to capture but as pristinely as possible. The guards were all at the peak of the Sky Realm in cultivation but a few Star Tiers were nearby which made even more stress for them.
A wagon with a man in crimson robes pulled up and they noticed the Thunderhooves were very well trained. They did not neigh nor discharge their lightning as they were known to do if agitated.
The beasts' aura was also well sealed so they could not determine their strength. The silver gray hides seemed like liquid light at times which drew eyes but the driver intimidated all that got too near to them.
"I need all your people to come out for an inspection. Do not give us–" The guard was already holding up the sphere artifact with a projection when the man leaned back to reveal 3 badges on his left breast.
Silence descended on the guards as sweat broke out.
"Law Maester, is there an issue?" A woman's voice came as a black hooded figure popped out! An Immortal assistant?!
The title was also one anyone in a merchant power would know instantly! The guard's dark eyes went wide as he quickly summoned a square artifact that lit up with 3 slots!
The badges were real! Further he could see which professions from his artifact.
{Elixir Master - Peak mid grade 7/ Law Grade 7 - Peak Mid}
{Forger - Peak mid grade 7/ Law Grade 7 - Peak Mid}
{Weaver - Peak high grade 7/ Law Grade 7 - Mid to High}
The first 2 were already highly desired but the last one made the man's legs shake. Why was an Immortal entering through the gate! Why was he a production artisan of such a high caliber?!
"They seem to be looking for someone. Prepare to have the younglings–" The instant that word passed Lind's lips the guard looked like he was about to have a heart attack!
"Law Maester! There is no need for that! I apologize for daring to hold you up–" All the guards and not a few of the people in line hit a knee but LInd quickly held up a hand.
"I am coming by an unorthodox way but I am not affiliated with the Midas Throne nor any power in the city. Further, my move was not exactly planned. Even we have to make do when times demand it. Here." Lind tossed out a bag. It had World and Sky Stones for the tax to enter the city for each person on his wagon.
The guard did not even glance at the bag but breathed a sigh of relief.
"We welcome you to Kun City. We are one of the 3 trade centers under the Midas Throne Conglomerate." Lind nodded but only slightly. It matched his station and made the guard relax even more.
The people and guards parted like a sea to let the wagon advance but Lind did not move yet.
"I need to report to the highest authority, or is that different from my empire?" The guard quickly shook his head.
"A great master such as yourself will no doubt be approached. The Golden Vermillion Inn is the best place for yourself to rest and if you want to produce some items!" The guard quickly volunteered some information that made Lind have a genuine smile.
"Very good." Another bag suddenly appeared in front of the guard as the wagon finally advanced. No one moved until it was long gone but the guard did not dare to touch it.
One of the Star Tiers appeared next to him and nodded in approval.
"You did well. Continue to look for our targets and we will take care of our special guest." The slim guard finally felt like a massive mountain was removed from his shoulders.
Both bags had vanished but he made no comment. The upper echelons of the Conglomerate were unhealthy to be involved in. Immortals moving along the roads rarely went well for the lower realms.
The gate swiftly went back to progressing but the people lined up did not give anywhere near the trouble they had before. The guards also no longer felt the need to be as harsh.
A new expert had come and they were an expert in the precious derivative professions! Hopefully a good impression would improve their fortunes!
Lind never reacted as he guided the wagon but he felt the 3 Star Tiers were following them easily on the roofs of the looming buildings around them. He also warned Delenn telepathically about them being followed.
[That is normal. You are an extremely important being. They are taking no chances with that.] He nodded at her words as he looked at the various signs but it seemed his arrival was now expected as he saw an odd sight approach them.
There were black rails above the height of the tallest wagon or carriage he could imagine being useful, but now he saw a young woman in gold and red robes riding a platform that slid along the rail.
He noticed a few others here or there but she went unobstructed as she came to be above his wagon and then stayed at the same pace.
He saw she was looking him over but ignored her. She was only a Moon Tier but he did notice she too had a badge. A formation master!
It was peak grade 6 but he saw traces of Immortal grade 6 faintly.
As he followed the main road he finally decided she had seen enough.
[It is rude to spy, young lady.] He saw her yelp before she paled.
She touched some control and he actually perked up as the square shrank to lower her!
She was able to keep moving forward but the smaller shape quickly became little more than a stiff rope she held onto with a space to hold her feet! Ingenious!
"My deepest apologies, Law Maester. My orders were to confirm your badges but they are a bit beyond me, I am afraid." He narrowed his eyes at her words but then Delenn contributed to it.
[She is not lying. I can only speak for mine, but I built in protections to prevent anyone from prying into your exact skills and elements. Pointless on the latter part usually but up here it is a lifesaver. Do not show off!] He smirked at her words and brought his badges out to more easily be seen.
It was not just the young woman, but the entire road seemed to freeze in place. He found that odd but then noticed similar square artifacts throughout the crowd.
A city of experts it seemed. It was not a bad idea to have a quick way to confirm the authenticity of not only new arrivals but to see what level the expert was.
"Please, follow me!" The young woman pulled his attention back and he nodded as she touched a part of the rope and it returned to a platform on the rail above. The people parted once more and they quickly advanced up the main road.
He wondered what was instore up ahead but his instincts suddenly reacted to something he had been looking for since they arrived in the new layer.
A Fiend was in the city!