novelraw Chapter 970 - 969 - The Vital Path
Chapter 970 - 969 - The Vital Path
Lind pulled his wagon up what was clearly a high class neighborhood. The street had always been clean but he noticed that grade 4 to 5 formations were replaced strictly with grade 6 at a certain point.
The materials shifted in a similar fashion but then he began to notice an increase in grade 7 materials!
He saw true fire silver used in decorations where it was a supremely precious material in the 1st layer. He, himself, used it to make weapons for those that favored fire Arts or even defensive Arts against fire.
True fire ores were extremely hard to refine but Forging was far easier. Thus Forgers had become very sought after for grade 7 materials like that but the precious metal that seemed to be so difficult to find previously was now used as simple decoration!
He could not find any formations or signs of weavings using the metal. It was pure decoration as the metal reacted to fire rather pleasantly by shifting between gold and crimson depending on how close the fire source was.
The fires in question were actually torches. These had formations to sustain and contain the flames while maximizing illumination.
As it was later in the day, the torches were brighter on top of each dark pole along the street and the true fire silver lit up like white gold but not too bright.
He saw gorgeous patterns of beasts and landscapes using the true fire silver.
The wide street was empty of the traffic from before but Lind felt more prying eyes because of his presence. Despite his badges and robes, the wagon was very basic. It worked but a true Immortal should be in grander company to their mind.
He found such thoughts amusing.
Any damned fool that thought the wagon was simple would find a nasty weaving waiting to close the jaws of a trap on them!
The platform above them slowed and the young woman seemed to be waiting as they pulled up in front of a small palace!
It was huge! A massive gate was closed in front of them but he felt his first mid grade 7 formation inscribed into each bar of the fence and gate as one. It was effective as the closed gate completed it and opening it triggered 2 other formations!
Beyond it, nothing could be seen on the ground level, a privacy screen from the street that even his newly restored senses could not pierce as the looming 10 story buildings beyond were gorgeous.
Pointed roofs with a mix of crimson and gold colors created either by formations or perhaps by lanterns as his Eyes could not see anything while the gate was closed!
[Master, what kind of formation can block Talents?] He asked Delenn but felt only surprise from her as she poked her head out to act like they were speaking.
[I have never heard of such a thing! Believe me, it has been researched as Soul Touch is a weakness to many defenses. If they Qi can't reach a formation, it cannot function after all.] He could understand but confirmed his Eyes could not penetrate the border of the inn.
As the pair went through the motions, he felt a shift in the surroundings. He snapped his hand up and caught an arrow!
He looked up and jumped at a roof as the young woman was struck as well!
[Protect the children.] His eyes reverted to their vertical slits and his nose caught the scent of the attacker. A complex weaving formed in an instant as emerald flames shot out like a plume at a fleeing man.
It was all a facade to hide his harmony but it did the job as he caught the falling young woman. She was still alive!
The flames ensnared his target but he quickly erected a barrier to administer an elixir to the woman.
As if it was all one thought of tactics, a sword appeared that deflected another arrow!
The enemy had a crossbow!
"I think that is enough from you!" Lind laid the girl down in Delenn's arms and then vanished! External Arts were still troublesome but enhancing his own body was child's play!
The attacker was suddenly suspended in midair but one of Lind's arms was struggling to breathe.
"SLEEP!" A weaving joined his voice and the assailant ceased moving instantly. The emerald flames encircling them vanished at his command as he did not want anyone analyzing them too closely.
He carried the person back to the wagon and noticed a few figures in the shadows frozen.
"I do not require assistance. Please summon the local authority, however, as I will need them to resolve the issue once I am done." Lind laid it on thick but meant it too. He had questions as attacking the girl was unnecessary to his mind.
The gate lit up as it swung open and an old man in a suit emerged looking pale.
"Felicia!" He ran to the prone girl but her color had improved and she was in no danger as Delenn handed her over.
"She is fine, senior. There was no poison and it missed her heart. The elixir did its work." The old man had mostly gray hair but he quickly collected himself and bowed low to Lind.
"Law Maester! I am extremely thankful for your aid in rescuing her." He waved it off but another young man was sprinting over as well. His features were similar to the young girl so it did not take a huge leap to know he was family.
"We should perhaps move inside out of the street?" Lind saw the older man agree as they moved the wagon inside. A splendid set of grounds were revealed. The main drive was a massive semi-circle that led back to the gate that could allow 2 carriages to pass easily.
Their group was safely inside as a small army of butlers and maids came forth from the palace entrance at the top of a set of steps of fine polished stone.
The wood was carved finely and polished to a fine sheen. He appreciated the workmanship as he looked up and could finally see the formations inscribed into each piece of it.
It was not just a palace, but a veritable fortress against the Corruption!
He felt it was near 92% decreased! He now understood why his Eyes could not pierce the gates. It was not a formation but a Law Binding.
"Honored guest, it is not how we would have liked, but welcome to the Golden Vermillion Inn." The old man dressed as the head butler bowed low as healers took the girl away with her sibling trailing behind.
"It is a small matter. Let us get some answers." Lind brought his prisoner, still firmly in his grip. He dispersed the suggestion on his target but the result was unexpected.
The moment the sleep suggestion was removed, the body withered and died!
It was unexpected but Lind narrowed his eyes at the body. There was no Fiend Qi but he recognized the form of death. A thrall cut off after possession.
The Fiend tried to kill him, why? It deepened the mystery but not more so than the method.
A crossbow could hurt him but killing him was very remote. So why?
"Damned assassins keep trying to kill the experts. They are pests." Lind narrowed his eyes as a voice reached his ears.
He looked up the steps to see a young man with a rather severe look but he turned away before he could examine him properly. He was a Crystal Tier!
All he got was a dark shade of red hair and brown eyes.
"Tsk, it is the way sir. Actually, you did well to not have them die right away." Lind nodded but realized he was not the specific target but a general one.
"Production masters are targeted?" He asked not only the butler but Delenn with his eyes. She looked as confused as he was. Why specifically target masters like that?
"They are the lifeblood of the current world. Without elixirs, pills, or other services, cultivation would have been cut off long ago." Lind felt shock flood his body.
He was so stupid!
The current world of the 2nd layer was horrible. The corruption of Fiend Qi meant advancing was a nightmare even more than before!
The higher density Qi was stripped away from them all and Immortals would one day die. In the end, the 2nd layer would not be much better than the Heaven Realm lands, even worse in fact.
Alchemists, elixir masters, and so forth became critical! The last hope of the world lay in their skill and protection.
If someone wanted to speed up the decay of the Celestial Fields, wiping out skilled experts anytime they were open was devastating. An Immortal expert had many secrets and if killed before passing them on, it would all be lost!
Lind especially knew his secrets were world changing!
"Honored Guest, please follow me. We will take care of you here until your affairs can be settled." The old butler started to calm down as the girl was clearly safe and the guest led to them was unharmed.
Lind bowed and motioned for Delenn to bring out the 2 girls and the demonic children.
"I will need a space to teach. Further, I would like to contact the various guilds. I have some transactions to work on with them." He began to plan as they were led inside the opulent inn.
He had a lot of questions but had to tread carefully not to reveal his ignorance. Delenn would help but her information was a million years out of date at least. The world was more dangerous as well but now that he had a lead, he would find the Fiend and get some answers!