Chapter 80: Chapter 80 - Stirring The Valley (1/2)
CHAPTER 80
STIRRING THE VALLEY
Not even two days had pa.s.sed since Lino and Ava signed a contract before the blazing news spread throughout the Valley of Sects - formerly known as Dreamcast Valley - one which shook its very foundations. The mysterious Major of the Grens Town by the valley's border had announced the Manor is opening up an exclusive shop, and to celebrate it, an auction would be held in two weeks.
However, that news alone wouldn't have shaken the valley as much as it did: it was the additional news which stated that the auction's ultimate item would be of [Epic Grade] and no other would be below [Rare Grade]. Ava wasn't alone in the dismaying thoughts over inadequate items; not only loose cultivators and those of lower-tiered sects, even some Inner Court Elders of First-tier Sects lacked proper weapons and armors that suited their rank and cultivation.
To even further drill in the fact that it was an exclusive shop, neither the auction nor the shop itself would take any of the common currency, such as gold and Qi Stones, and would instead trade for uncommon and rare resources, such as ores, metals, herbs etc.
”The Major is really going all out this time around,” some commented. ”If all of it is true, the Grens City would soon rise in prominence at least threefold.”
”Indeed. But I don't think he would lie,” another added. ”After all, this news will attract those big shots from the Sects in the valley's heart. No matter how mysterious or strong the Major is, I don't think he has enough guts to lie to them.”
”That's true.”
Similar discussions spiraled around the entire valley, soon reaching the ears of those living in the valley's heart - the First-tiered Sects. There were in total four, each controlling a single side of the valley - east, west, north and south. East was controlled by Burning Blade Sect, whose disciples all specialized in Fire Qi and Blade Arts; west was controlled by Children of Heaven, whose main cultivation method was named [Heaven's Path] and it is said to be almost of Divine Grade, though a few suspected it was merely a lie.
The north was controlled by Crimson Devils, who, despite their name, didn't really cultivate Devil Qi, but much milder version called Half-Demon Qi, which was much weaker than Devil Qi, but wouldn't bring about the ma.s.sive side effects, such as going insane. Lastly, south was controlled by what many considered to be the strongest Tier One sect in the valley - Skysword Sect. Like its name suggested, every person there used a sword - regardless of make - and cultivated Sword Arts.
The Skysword Sect occupied a huge ma.s.s of land, though its main headquarters were smaller than an ordinary town. It was where the core of the Sect lived and cultivated, and it was also here where two men, one older and one younger, were currently sitting, drinking tea.
The younger one appeared to be around twenty years old, with a rather handsome, clean-shaven face, a pair of piercing, blue eyes full of intellect, and sword-like eyebrows. His hair was neatly tied up so it hadn't fallen over his face, a short sword strapped to his waist. The man opposite of him looked no different than any other old man; he seemed to be in his sixties, with a face full of wrinkles and completely ordinary features, which when coupled with his neat, but gray hair, made him seem all too ordinary.
However, a deep sharpness hid inside the old man's eyes, one which very few would be able to perceive.
”What do you think, Master?” the younger man suddenly asked.
”... hmm, Major Ava is a trustworthy woman,” the older man replied, stroking his beardless chin. ”She wouldn't recklessly squander her reputation. It's very likely she's telling the truth.”
”You met her?”
”Indeed I have, once. But, don't ask too much about her,” the old man shook his head. ”Even the Great Patriarchs would think twice before offending her.”
”...” the youth didn't say anything; he knew very well that some thresholds should never be crossed.
”Either way, it would do you good to travel some. You've been coped up in here for too long, and I imagine many youths will flock to the Grens City in the coming two weeks. You ought to experience the world rather than staying here. And, if there happens to be a sword that's appropriate for you, even better.”
”Many thanks, Master.”
”Hm.” the old man nodded lightly, smiling.