The standing of Bishop Dima indeed proved useful; before Ling Feng and her companions even reached the Clan City Chief Harding could be seen stepping out to greet them.
Reno, who had just been promoted to City Patrol Commander, saw the grand reception and dared not utter a single complaint, not even a whisper of dissent.
“Bishop Dima, what brings your esteemed presence for an unannounced visit to our humble corner of the world?” Harding said with a smile.
“I am accompanying the Divine Envoy!” Bishop Dima adopted a posture of high righteousness.
Harding’s expression shifted drastically upon hearing of the Divine Envoy’s arrival. He glanced at Ling Feng and Xiao Hu walking ahead, then quickly bowed deeply. The status of a Divine Envoy was transcendent, even His Majesty the God-Emperor showed utmost respect; how much more so a mere clan chief like himself!
Ling Feng had activated her Phoenix Bloodline, and a sacred aura naturally emanated around her body, making it impossible to gauge her true depth. Xiao Hu, however, was quite adept at posturing, possessing the potential of a seasoned charlatan.
Therefore, Harding immediately ordered the entire road to be carpeted in preparation for the Divine Envoy’s arrival.
Seeing the other party’s diligence, Xiao Hu’s eyes narrowed with delight as he paced with measured steps toward the interior.
The group arrived at the reception hall of the City Lord’s Mansion. Guests and hosts were seated, with Xiao Hu and Ling Feng naturally occupying the most honored seats.
“Now that the two Divine Envoys and the esteemed Lord have graced Dragon Yang City, how may I be of assistance?” Harding was not foolish. He had heard days ago that two Divine Envoys had arrived, and now Bishop Dima was accompanying them here; claiming they needed nothing would be a lie.
“We are currently tracking a legion known as the [Sky Sweeping Horizon]. We lost their trail when they reached your vicinity. We hope for your full cooperation in searching for them,” Bishop Dima stated immediately, assuming the stern demeanor of a bishop while speaking with bureaucratic formality.
“[Sky Sweeping Horizon] Legion?” Harding frowned, but instantly forced a smile: “That is simple enough. I shall dispatch men to investigate at once!”
He had indeed heard of this legion. Although the heretics had not yet moved against the Ten Great Clans, who knew if they would after unifying the continent? Thus, they kept well-informed about battles. The [Horizon Sweeping] Legion—the name was unclear where they originated from—possessed astonishing combat power. In their debut engagement, they utterly annihilated an assault battalion composed of twenty thousand (Ming Sheng, Nether Saint) experts, killing the Eighth Divine Envoy of the heretics. They later fought their way out of an encirclement, wiping out General Mayat and thirty thousand experts, including (Ming Zun, Nether Venerable) level powers!
These two victories were so glorious that every power was forced to take notice of this mysterious unit. After tallying the casualties on both sides, the Ten Great Clans and various hidden forces reached a reluctant consensus: under no circumstances should they engage this force; otherwise, they would be the ones to suffer the loss!
Consider these brilliant campaigns: they killed fifty thousand experts, yet their legion lost fewer than fifteen thousand men, and all of them were Golden Armored Soldiers. Such a battle ratio was simply staggering!
Furthermore, rumors suggested this force was recruiting as it marched, offering compensation to anyone who joined. The reward for a expert was an astonishing five Perfect Crystal Stones…
A force so wealthy and so powerful in combat—who would dare provoke them? If they couldn't be completely eliminated, with so much wealth, they could easily rise again!
Of course, some factions were envious of the Perfect Crystal Stones held by this group, but after witnessing the force systematically destroy seventeen or eighteen factions, no one dared challenge their authority again.
It was like everyone knew a bank held vast sums of money, but how many dared rob it? Their strength was self-evident; even if they were richer, you could only stare enviously!
Thus, even though Harding was reluctant when Bishop Dima and the Divine Envoys tasked him with investigating this matter, he agreed. It was only an investigation, not a direct engagement. If they expected him to be the sacrificial pawn, he would have to be completely insane to agree.
Besides, at worst, he could claim the investigation yielded no results. Why invite unnecessary trouble?
He summoned a subordinate, gave instructions, and then began arranging a feast to entertain the Divine Envoys and Bishop Dima.
Ling Feng and the others, having just finished eating, felt content now that the other party had agreed to help search for the [Horizon Sweeping] Legion. After all, the Ike family held the greatest influence in Dragon Yang City; securing their aid meant the task would naturally proceed smoothly.
Just then, a young servant approached and whispered something into Harding’s ear. A look of triumph immediately spread across his face.
Seeing his expression, Ling Feng asked, “Have you received news?”
Harding quickly shook his head: “Nothing, nothing! Just some family matters. Esteemed Divine Envoys, Esteemed Bishop, I have some trivial affairs to attend to; I hope you will pardon my absence.” With that, he bowed and prepared to leave.
Ling Feng and the others, seeing he had private business, did not press the issue and nodded in understanding.
Harding strode out of the hall, immediately instructing his son, Druke, to attend to the Divine Envoys and the Bishop. Harding himself mounted a carriage with a group of men and headed out of the city.
Yesterday, Rena had handed him five Perfect Crystal Stones taken from someone of very low cultivation. Therefore, he had taken note of the person’s appearance and sent men to search everywhere. Only now did he receive word: this individual was apparently at the [First Grade Hall]!
He had initially suspected the person belonged to the [Sky Sweeping Horizon] Legion and dared not act rashly. However, his subordinate reported that there was absolutely no connection between the two. Moreover, if this person truly belonged to the [Sky Sweeping Horizon] Legion and had their Perfect Crystal Stones stolen, wouldn't they try to retrieve them?
It was precisely because of this that he entertained an idea: if one person carried five Perfect Crystal Stones, might they possess even more? Regardless of whether they did, since there appeared to be no major faction backing them, capturing them first was the priority…
Logically, he should delegate such tasks to a few soldiers, but because Perfect Crystal Stones and the [Sky Sweeping Horizon] Legion were involved, he felt safest handling it himself.
Shortly after he left, Ling Feng told Druke, who had come to host them, that she felt somewhat fatigued and wished to rest.
Druke immediately arranged luxurious quarters for everyone—especially for Xiao Hu, Ling Feng, and Bishop Dima.
Ling Feng shut the door upon entering her room. She wasn't actually tired; she simply noticed Harding’s suspicious behavior and wanted to investigate.
She opened the rear window, engaged in an instantaneous teleportation, and soared into the air. Indeed, she saw Harding and his group heading toward a specific location within Dragon Yang City.
She flew very high, avoiding detection, and quietly followed them as they moved toward the direction of the [First Grade Hall].
…………………………………………………………
When K’am and White arrived at the [First Grade Hall], K’am asked a clerk to announce his name to Nortonlus and was invited in after a brief wait.
He and White followed the welcoming attendant toward a manor not far from the apothecary shop.
“To think this fellow managed to recover and become so wealthy after that war, living in such a luxurious place!” K’am commented, admiring the surroundings. “But it’s understandable; he has so many rare treasures, selling just one or two would be enough!”
White looked at the courtyard filled with all manner of medicinal herbs and also expressed his admiration: “K’am, is your main objective today these herbs as well?”
K’am chuckled: “Naturally. We have refined many pills using the herbs provided by the Chief, but those are far too precious. For common injuries and bleeding, using those pills would be pure extravagance. These herbs, though cheaper, can achieve similar effects!”
“Then why don’t we just buy them outside?”
“Of course we could,” K’am smiled like a fox, “but why bother worrying about sourcing them when someone has already prepared the exact ratios for us?”
“Haha, so you didn't know the formula! I was wondering why, after our team has been established for so long, you hadn’t prepared a few specialized medicinal compounds!” White laughed.
“Nonsense. If they sold the formula too, how could they secure major business like us?” K’am laughed in return.
Their joking voices drifted into the quiet courtyard, soon merging with the sweet fragrance of various herbs.
After walking for some time, they finally reached the outside of the reception room. Before K’am could step inside, he heard a voice from within: “Old Man Nortonlus, we’ve known each other for over ten years. I need that Earth Spirit Grass; it’s truly urgent, I need it to save someone!”
“You need to save someone, so you must have my spirit medicine? On what grounds? Old Man Yan, stop wasting time here. Even if you wait another day, I won't give you the herbs!” another voice retorted.
“I… I’ll trade you five Perfect Crystal Stones for it, is that acceptable? Or how about adding one [Heavenly Flower Grass] that can detoxify all poisons!” Old Man Yan sounded anxious.
“Heh heh. Ten Perfect Crystal Stones plus two [Heavenly Flower Grass] and I’ll consider it!”
Old Man Yan cursed inwardly. The value of [Heavenly Flower Grass] was certainly not lower than [Earth Spirit Grass]. Under normal circumstances, a direct, equal exchange would make him wince; the current asking price was clearly too harsh.
K’am, hearing what sounded like a negotiation, paid it no mind and strode in, calling out to a slightly plump old man sitting in the center: “Nortonlus!”
“Brother K’am, it really is you! I thought I misheard!” Nortonlus looked overjoyed and immediately walked down.
K’am gave him a hearty bear hug and said, “Looks like you’re doing better and better! I was afraid you’d forget this poor friend, but I see you still have friends!”
“Not at all… we have bonds forged in hardship,” Nortonlus replied with a smile, then looked at White and asked hesitantly, “And this must be… Lord White?”
White acknowledged him: “You remember me?”
“Of course I remember. I saw you once at the military camp!” Nortonlus replied with great enthusiasm. (To be continued. If you wish to know what happens next, please log on to www**m for more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!) First published