Eternal Emerald Dragon

Chapter 969 - 968 - Triple Maester

Midas Throne was an organization that spanned several kingdoms and sects that ruled areas like a kingdom. No one knew who founded it any longer but its main function was to keep the various auctions, businesses, and powerful experts in relative cooperation.

It prevented many wars that way but it also became a power without a home. The various branches worked in concert to keep the markets balanced to reap the most profits. It was a strange system compared to the lower realms but powerful cultivators found it very advantageous.

Grade 7 items and materials were hard to come by and could cause wars. In fact, many powers had been crushed by just being nearby as Immortals tore up the countryside to get them.

Hence, Midas Throne and similar powers rose up to try and rein in the chaos. The supreme powers saw the appeal and supported them so other powers could only bend over backward as time passed.

There were conditions, however, that all agreed to including such organizations. The regulating powers were just that, regulators. If they ever tried to funnel Qi stones and other resources to themselves to increase power, Crystal Tier Immortal would be sent out to wipe out the individuals.

Conversely, any leader or enforcer of those regulatory powers could not be crushed by Immortals if they lost out on a chance for their materials or profit.

The Oaths were enforced on everyone to that effect if they wanted to have a chance at such opportunities.

It was a complicated but far preferable system to the time when a mid to high power could vanish if a grade 7 treasure was born.

Kun City had an office for Midas Throne located at the very heart of it. It allowed them to be apprised quickly of any issues with auctions or to easily disseminate information for upcoming sales or discoveries.

It was for that reason that not even a scant moment after Lind entered Kun City that a young man with a shaved head was sprinting through corridors as he deftly dodged any servant or messengers moving through the Midas Throne offices.

He had pale yellow robes on with a bright red mark on his chest to show he was a mid-level employee but one that was tied to expert production masters. He would not be running without a very good reason so no one dared stop him.

He moved through the simple halls of wood and stone that were efficiently built and easy to maintain. There were no ostentatious decorations nor trophies to draw eyes. Everything was about efficiency and minimizing distractions.

Anyone from corporate work would feel similar vibes to the soulless jobs they were used to. If not for cultivation, it would be an office job like any other!

The young man was sweating as he finally saw the double doors of the office head! He slowed a bit to catch his breath as he was only at the Diamond Tier, but he did not wait long.

He had to tell his boss the critical news!

He came up to the door and knocked 3 times in a precise pattern. It was a non-verbal way to convey information to those within. Communication jades would work but could be intercepted.

Telepathy had not worked properly since the Corruption swept all the lands.

He waited and soon a loud click was heard as the door opened. A small group of men and women left the office and nodded at him but he honestly focused on what was in front of him.

"Come in, Allen. It better be good." An old man's irritated voice came through and he practically jumped into the room. It was a larger room than normal with 2 round tables below a larger desk raised up above them.

It was used for various functions but mostly logistical meetings regarding the flow of goods or planning major auctions in the city.

Allen bowed low to the desk as he only glimpsed the golden robes of the leader of their branch. He was balding and had wisps of white on the sides of his head but he had a well manicured beard to show he was still vital.

It was rumored the current leader was only part human but he was a Shard Tier Immortal which deserved deep respect!

"Speak." The single word allowed Allen to raise his head and he saw the old man was reviewing reports in jade slips and scrolls at the same time!

Only Immortals could do so many tasks at once!

"I have confirmed the arrival of A Triple Maester of the derivative professions." For all the running and urgency, his voice was rather calm but the reaction was as he expected.

The old man instantly ceased all his work and stared hard at Allen. The rumors of his mixed heritage rose up as the eyes were not human! They were cobalt blue!

Such a vibrant color was unique to the demon race but some could argue it was an effect of his physique if he had one too. Allen did not know and had no interest. The senior was an effective and terrifying man.

"Who's tired of living?" The pressure of an Immortal aura nearly made Allen swoon but he quickly summoned a jade slip as he spoke.

"He is unaffiliated. Indeed, his description does not match anyone currently registered in our rosters. Further, I have not found anyone with such distinctive features from known masters nor ones presumed dead." An approving nod came from the old man as winds whisked the slip over to him.

Silence followed before shock flashed over the old man's face.

"I want an agent at the Golden Vermillion Inn to report immediately. There is no way such a powerful being just appeared out of thin air! Some power raised him and I want to know who!" Allen did not move as he began to sweat again.

It was why he ran to the office.

"Maester Bernard, I already checked all our contacts. This man did not exist before showing up today but one of his badges set off a flag. It was issued by an Immortal Will of the being known as 'Younger Twin.'" Bernard froze once more. He swiftly looked through the slip and saw the 3 badgers registered on arrival.

One was issued by an unknown weaver, but the other 2 had flags attached to them. The Immortal Will was there and confirmed! Yet, it was the other that made Bernard narrow his eyes as he looked up at his junior man.

"Seal this knowledge and send the agent. We may have a bomb sitting in our city." Allen bowed low and ran off that time.

Bernard sank back and looked at the 2 tags.

{Elixir Master Badge issued by Immortal Will of Younger Twin Divine}

{Forging Badge issued by Princess Delenn ser Fionan - Crystal Tier}

"Just what kind of monster has come to my city?" Bernard was just about to resume his work when a vibration came from his ring on his left hand. He sighed as it seemed they were not fast enough.

He quickly sealed the doors and put up the isolation ward. He could not allow eavesdropping.

He used his aura to summon the jade communication stone and inserted it into a slot on his desk. Formations activated and a clear image of a woman came up.

Her features were hidden by a hood but her robes revealed a lithe figure seated at a desk similar to his own.

[Old fool, you were going to try and hide the gem in your city?] A vein pulsed on his forehead as Little Allen had tried to head this off but it seemed the vixen already knew everything. Still, he was an old hand at the game.

"You will need to narrow that down. I have some exquisite pieces up for auction next month. Did one of them have a problematic history?" It was not impossible for another branch head to have such information but he could almost feel the amused smile on her face, even if he did not see it.

[You are so much fun compared to the other old fogies! They would be indignant or try to blatantly lie to me, but you try to deflect with a real issue. You already know the high grade 7 halberd is a sect's treasure Relic. Not bad.] Bernard almost cursed out loud. How did that infuriating woman know what had just been reported to him not just once, but twice in 1 day?!

The previous meeting was about that very halberd she alluded to and now she made it clear she knew of another matter. How did she do that?!

He had found spies in the past but the speed was just unreal, especially in the current state of the world.

"I am too old to waste time, brat. What do you want?" Her hood shook a bit as if in disappointment but both of them knew their schedules would not allow for lengthy verbal discussions without a point to them.

[You just had to ruin our fun! Very well, I want the Triple Maester. Mostly, I want a weaver of his caliber. They are rare enough but one that can use both natural and demonic elements is very rare indeed.] Now she was just showing off!

Even Bernard had not known about that!

"I have no leverage on him. Further, he is a Crystal Tier. Since his badges are legitimate, I have no power to tell him to cross the street let alone go to your city. So why are you bothering me?" He was not wrong but knew better. He did have leverage if he wanted to use it.

[Acting ignorant, eh? Very well, tell him to come to my city or I will release his location to the Eternal Flame Sect.] A cold feeling swept Bernard. Anyone that underestimated the ruthlessness of that woman would be 7 days dead before they realized what happened.

"The weaving badge is not confirmed. It displays an expertise I want to confirm. If he is a charlatan, or less experienced than listed, will you still want him?" Bernard almost felt bad for the expert. A venomous spider was coming for him.

[Hmmm, that is a good question. Please get the verification. If a fake, out him and let the laws of the land handle it. If as advertised, give him a week to get here. I will cover the gate costs.] That sentence spiked Bernard's curiosity but he had a healthy survival instinct warning him not to look into it.

"I will deliver the message but it is up to him after that." As soon as he agreed the projection vanished rather rudely. Bernard pined for the old days where he argued with narcissistic Immortals and just made a tidy sum to advance his own cultivation.

He missed that cutthroat business but compared to that woman, he was a saint!