411 The Legend of the Dark Sec (1/2)
”The Dark Sect?” Jin Duoming froze. This was the first time he had heard of this bloodline. He knew that Zhao Pinfang probably wasn't referring to any bloodlines found on Earth. The Dark Sect clearly had something to do with the Divine Armament Catacombs. Based on his deductions, it should belong to an extraterrestrial civilization!
All kinds of thoughts surfaced in Jin Duoming's head. He didn't notice how Wang Baole's eyes had narrowed slightly when the latter had heard the words ”Dark Sect”. Emotions surged inside Wang Baole. He hadn't expected Zhao Pinfang to know of the Dark Sect!
Wang Baole was still quite the adept at controlling himself. He simply appeared to look confused, opened his mouth, and asked a question.
”The Dark Sect?”
Zhao Pinfang hadn't been paying attention to Wang Baole and Jin Duoming. His words might have seemed like a question, but he had actually been speaking to himself. He didn't believe Wang Baole or Jin Duoming would know anything about the Dark Sect. This was a mysterious bloodline of the past, after all. Even he, who had spent years researching it, had only managed to come across a few clues after the discovery of the Divine Armament Catacombs and after studying the ancient greenish-bronze sword's history accumulated in countless fragments.
”The Dark Sect… at the height of its glory, it controlled the universal cycle of rebirth, guarding the souls across the galaxies… one might even call the Dark Sect the master of death in the universe!
”In fact, I feel that there's another name that suits them better… Heavenly Dao!
”Perhaps, they are the Heavenly Dao, perhaps, they are the Heavenly Dao given form, or perhaps, they are the ambassadors of the Heavenly Dao, tasked to protect and carry out the laws of the entire universe!”
”Based on the records found in some fragments, some initially believed the Dark Sect to be a fabrication, something that didn't exist. However, as more and more ruins were discovered, and with the discovery of Dark Artifacts, there was conclusive evidence that the Dark Sect really did exist. Not only that… during the period when it existed, the height of its glory likely surpassed the imagination of those who came after it!” Zhao Pinfang had a look of dazed adoration in his eyes. His voice grew more agitated. It was heavy with anticipation, yearning, and reverence.
”Can you imagine that? Those of the Dark Sect wandering across the entire universe. Where there is death, there is someone from the Dark Sect guiding them… this wall painting depicts one of the Dark Sect, guiding countless souls of the dead beyond this dying, soon-to-be-dead star…
”Unfortunately… I'm unable to discern more from the few documents I've found… a long, long time ago, this person of the Dark Sect… disappeared. Perhaps he died, or perhaps he left. Regardless, he no longer exists.”
”But even if the Dark Sect no longer exists… what they left behind still remains. The Martian Divine Armament isn't an ordinary Divine Armament. Based on my analysis and assessment, there's a high chance of it being a Dark Artifact that was left behind after the Dark Sect period!” Zhao Pinfang inhaled a deep breath. He muttered softly to himself, then lifted his right hand and waved. Suddenly, the starry skies around them vanished and transformed back into the side of a cave. The black-robed man and the boat on the wall paintings had all disappeared as well. Everything had returned to normal.
Be it Jin Duoming or Wang Baole, their breathing quickened, and their heartbeats raced. To Jin Duoming, the Dark Sect seemed like a story from a long time ago. But this story had a direct relation to the Divine Armament Catacombs beneath the new city. It was as if the ancient past and the present had come together and layered themselves over each other. His eyes shone with a strange, brilliant light. Awe and yearning for the distant time which belonged to the Dark Sect, when the Dark Sect had wandered the universe, rose in his heart.
He also wanted to be so powerful that he could control death and reincarnation.
Wang Baole seemed as surprised as Jin Duoming was. However, the shock he was feeling inside his heart vastly exceeded what he was showing on his face. That was because he knew of the Dark Sect, and was practicing the Dark Art himself. Sometimes, he even felt that he himself might be somehow related to someone from the Dark Sect.
The impact and shock to Wang Baole was greater as he listened to the Dark Sect's history with his current status. After all, Little Missy hadn't revealed such details. She had only spoken briefly about it.
Zhao Pinfang's words seemed to have opened a door for Wang Baole, towards a greater understanding of the Dark Sect. He had a greater knowledge of the Dark Sect. His yearning was different from Jin Duoming's. He somehow sensed that if he continued to practice the Dark Art and reached the pinnacle of the mystic art, he might perhaps… be able to wander the universe as well?
The thought sent Wang Baole's heart racing. His panting grew heavier. He and Jin Duoming stared at each other. Then, they turned and looked at Zhao Pinfang.
Zhao Pinfang had calmed down. He turned, his eyes falling on Wang Baole and Jin Duoming. He seemed to want to speak more about the Dark Sect, but his voice transmission ring vibrated then. He checked it and frowned. He ended the conversation and chose to leave.
Before he left, he summoned the illusory girl and got her to bring the two to visit three other labs. He also approved the construction of a research facility in the new city.
”I can approve the new research facility, but you must remember, the Divine Armament Catacombs concerns the Dark Sect. You have to be on your guard constantly. Once the wall disappears, perhaps we'll be able to uncover part of the veil… the mysterious veil that has been concealing the Dark Sect for such a long time!” Having said that, Zhao Pinfang turned and was about to leave. There was anxiety in his eyes. The transmission had clearly contained news that was important to him. But as he reached the entrance to the third lab, Zhao Pinfang stopped in his tracks. He turned and looked at Wang Baole, suddenly saying.
”Wang Baole, cut down on your snacks and do more exercise. You're a Primary Rank Three Noble and a city lord. You shouldn't be snacking all the time. That's hardly proper. You should work harder on your cultivation as well, and reach the Core Formation realm as soon as possible!” He glared at Wang Baole, then left.
Wang Baole was slightly dazed. He thought there was something wrong with the final few words that Zhao Pinfang just said.