Chapter 111: Baimei’s Last Will
Chapter 111: Baimei’s Last Will
The appearance of an intelligent Demon Race was confirmed. The group of Spirit Coalescence Elders who had previously refuted Honglian fell silent, their expressions becoming unusually grave and vigilant.
This was no small matter…
If intelligent Demon Race truly existed and had already escaped Two Realms Mountain, it could change the future landscape of Two Realms Mountain and even bring unknown threats and great impact to the entire Barbarian Continent.
“This matter is of great importance! But due to the lack of evidence and few supporters of this view, I had to leave Two Realms Mountain personally to search for proof.” A faint trace of helplessness and weariness showed in Honglian’s tone as she spoke. “In the past, when I followed Lord Baimei, he made all the decisions. I never had to worry about such things. But now… after taking up the position of Southern City Inspector of Two Realms Mountain, I finally understood the immense pressure Lord Baimei had been bearing all these years.”
“Elder Honglian…”
The Spirit Coalescence Elders all showed expressions of remembrance and deep understanding.
Lord Baimei had contributed greatly to Two Realms Mountain. Almost every Spirit Coalescence Elder present had received his kindness.
Lord Baimei had perished together with a Mystic Light Stage monster beast. Before they could even properly mourn him, they had to rush into even more intense battles. Now that Honglian mentioned it, many felt their eyes redden.
Lu Hangzhi glanced around at the others.
He did not know the others well, but Qin Huai, Mo Li, and even he himself had all received Lord Baimei’s blessings:
Qin Huai obtained a Codex and now possessed strength no less than the Late Spirit Concentration Stage.
Mo Li had also relied on the power of a Codex to hold off Jiuyou for a month, ensuring the Xuanxin Sect remained intact.
As for himself, there was no need to even mention it.
That mysterious fruit had directly elevated his cultivation by a whole major realm. Otherwise, he would not have broken through to the tenth grade of the Epiphany Stage so smoothly.
To everyone, Baimei was more like a wise mentor!
They all sank into deep remembrance.
After a while,
Honglian’s eyes brightened, and she declared firmly:
“My main purpose in coming to the Xuanxin Sect, as Hangzhi mentioned, was to confront this intelligent Demon Race. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance to meet it face to face. However, this time, we managed to remove its wings. It was not completely fruitless, as it is unlikely to reappear anytime soon.”
Everyone nodded slowly.
Since it was an intelligent Demon Race, it would definitely not recklessly expose itself. It would surely go to where the monster beasts dwelled to recruit followers and make new plans.
“My second purpose is to establish a Second Defense Line at the Xuanxin Sect, just in case.”
“Second Defense Line?”
Mo Li was taken aback.
Honglian nodded and explained, “Actually, a long time ago, Lord Baimei had an idea: if the Demon Race from the peak of Two Realms Mountain ever emerged, the defense line at Two Realms Mountain would not hold for long. At that time, we would need another line of defense to block the quick invasion of the monster beast army.”
“I understand what Elder Honglian means, but building a temporary defense line at the Xuanxin Sect would be useless.” Hangzhi rarely spoke up to disagree. “Once Two Realms Mountain falls, with the Xuanxin Sect’s resources and strength, there is no way to stop the monster beast army. Unless we gather a group of Spirit Coalescence Elders and Matrix Towers to guard the Xuanxin Sect…”
Honglian smiled, then announced decisively:
“In my capacity as the Southern City Inspector of the Human Race’s Reinforcement Department at Two Realms Mountain, I hereby order Spirit Coalescence Elders Qin Huai, Mo Li, and you, Lu Hangzhi, to remain at the Xuanxin Sect and carry out the mission to hunt down the intelligent Demon Race. Brother Lei, please hand over the Matrix Towers to these three.”
As soon as she finished speaking, under the astonished gazes of Lu Hangzhi, Qin Huai, and Mo Li, the Lei-named Elder stepped forward from behind Honglian and solemnly took out three Qiankun Pouches, handing one to each of them.
Lu Hangzhi’s breathing quickened slightly.
He scanned with his Spiritual Sense and indeed saw a pagoda-shaped Magical Artifact emitting a thick, precious light floating quietly inside the Qiankun Pouch.
Matrix Tower!
An artifact crafted by the Yuding Sect.
Two months ago, he had fantasized about when he could gather enough wealth to buy a Matrix Tower to secure his life. He never thought his dream would come true so soon, and it was even personally delivered to him by Elder Honglian.
Qin Huai and Mo Li were equally overwhelmed with excitement.
The former had just used a Matrix Tower!
Because Matrix Towers could not be moved, that one was effectively given to the Xuanxin Sect and no longer belonged to Qin Huai.
Receiving another Matrix Tower felt completely different!
As for Mo Li, he was already grinning from ear to ear.
Throughout the entire Barbarian Continent, apart from the Seven Great Sects, probably only the Xuanxin Sect now possessed a Matrix Tower…
And that was not all.
Elder Honglian decided to build a defense line at the Xuanxin Sect.
Putting aside the fall of Two Realms Mountain for now, at least for many years, the Xuanxin Sect would no longer have to worry about evil Cultivators like Jiuyou coveting the sect.
With this thought, Mo Li replied loudly:
“We will obey Elder Honglian’s command!”
“Elder Honglian, Hangzhi has a question to ask.”
Lu Hangzhi did not rush to express his agreement.
In his opinion, Elder Honglian bestowing three Matrix Towers at once was truly generous. Moreover, these three Matrix Towers would not be of much use at the Xuanxin Sect in the short term, which seemed somewhat wasteful…
Unexpectedly, Honglian seemed to have read his thoughts and interrupted via mental transmission, “Hangzhi, Revered Qin just told me that the Spirit Honey has always come from you. He was just a shield for you to the outside world…”
Uh.
Lu Hangzhi was taken aback, then understood.
Qin Huai had suddenly revealed the truth to Honglian, probably because he felt that Lu Hangzhi now had the ability to protect the Honeycomb Artifact and did not wish to continue his involvement.
This was evident from Elder Honglian entrusting him with a Matrix Tower.
They were already treating him as a Spirit Coalescence Elder.
Realizing this, Lu Hangzhi nodded apologetically and replied via mental transmission:
“Yes, I previously concealed the matter of the Spirit Honey. I hope you can forgive me, Elder.”
“Don’t worry. It is precisely because you are steady and cautious that you have come this far. That is also why I plan to entrust you with an even more important task.”
The latter part of Honglian’s sentence startled Lu Hangzhi.
“Please instruct me, Elder Honglian.”
At this point, the surrounding Spirit Coalescence Elders noticed that Honglian was communicating privately with Lu Hangzhi. Mo Li quickly gestured for everyone to head to the main hall, leaving space for the two.
No one minded.
Lu Hangzhi was now at the tenth grade of the Epiphany Stage, with the strength of a Spirit Coalescence Elder at sixteen, and proficient in high-grade spells. His power was no less than that of a Mid Soul-Concentrating Stage cultivator. His future achievements were limitless. Even if he joined Honglian’s advisory group, he would surely hold a high position.
Watching the group leave, Honglian sighed softly and said:
“Hangzhi, Lord Baimei’s sacrifice has affected me deeply this time. Two Realms Mountain is also facing its most dangerous moment! However, I am only temporarily acting as the Southern City Inspector. Once the situation at Two Realms Mountain stabilizes or the Seven Great Sects make a decision, they might appoint a new peak Spirit Coalescence cultivator to take over…”
Lu Hangzhi frowned slightly.
If Honglian stepped down from the Inspector Envoy position, the defense line set up at the Xuanxin Sect would surely be abandoned, or even face repercussions!
This was not good news.
“With Elder Honglian’s strength, connections, and understanding of Two Realms Mountain, I believe no one is more suitable than you to be the Southern City Inspector.”
“However, in hundreds of years, I am the first female Inspector Envoy at Two Realms Mountain.” Honglian said calmly, “This was only because of Lord Baimei’s dying wish. The Seven Great Sects did not want to cause complications.”
“…”
Lu Hangzhi was somewhat speechless:
Preference for males over females?
He never expected such ideas to exist in the cultivation world of the Barbarian Continent.
“Lord Baimei’s last will instructed me to take over as the Southern City Inspector. He did not want all Inspector Envoys to overlook the threat from the peak of Two Realms Mountain. I naturally cannot let him down.”
“…”
Lu Hangzhi nodded silently. Honglian had inherited Baimei’s forward-thinking vision. With her guarding Two Realms Mountain, it would surely have an extra layer of protection.
Honglian continued:
“For hundreds of years, the Seven Great Sects have replaced Inspector Envoys for two main reasons: one is battle losses, and the other is the number of Late Concentration Stage and Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage monster beasts taken down.”
“…”
Lu Hangzhi pricked up his ears to listen.
This was not information accessible to ordinary Cultivators.
“Battle losses refer to the casualty ratio in the War Zone under the responsibility of the Two Realms Mountain Inspector Envoy. As long as the Demon Race does not launch an attack like the Demon Beast Mist, I am confident I can control the casualty ratio lower than the other three War Zones. Of course, this is on the condition that you provide me with a stable supply of Spirit Honey.”
“No problem.”
Lu Hangzhi nodded in agreement:
“I can provide Spirit Honey to you, Elder, at one-tenth of the auction house’s highest price. As much as you need.”
Honglian was overjoyed upon hearing this:
One-tenth of the price meant ten Ninth-Grade Monster Cores for one bottle of Spirit Honey that could instantly restore a Early Spirit Concentration Stage Elder to full strength. All Southern City Spirit Coalescence Elders could easily equip themselves with several bottles, greatly enhancing their survival ability in adverse situations.
“With your word, I am relieved! Here are twelve Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage Demon Beast Inner Cores. Converted, they are equivalent to twelve thousand Ninth-Grade Monster Cores.”
Hiss!
Lu Hangzhi felt goosebumps all over.
He never expected Honglian to make such a grand gesture right away!
Moreover, Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage Demon Beast Inner Cores were one of the core consumable materials for Matrix Towers. By exchanging with Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage Demon Beast Inner Cores, Elder Honglian was also showing consideration.
“The Spirit Honey can be delivered to you, Elder, in one day!”
Honglian nodded, then stated the second possible reason for replacing an Inspector Envoy.
Late Concentration Stage and Concentrated Spirit Peak Stage monster beasts were the main materials for Matrix Towers. The latter could be directly consumed in a Matrix Tower. The former needed to be taken to the Myriad Beasts Sect and given to their specialized experts for cultivation and enhancement before use…
Hearing this, Lu Hangzhi quickly understood why the Yuding Sect had been able to produce so many Matrix Towers over the centuries!
The main source of materials was—the Demon Realm!
The more Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts the Demon Realm deployed, the richer the Yuding Sect’s reserves.
However…
Lu Hangzhi frowned slightly: “One Matrix Tower requires twelve Inner Cores from powerful Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts! So, it is destined that only by capturing more powerful Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts on the battlefield can the Yuding Sect provide more Matrix Towers for Two Realms Mountain. In other words, the attrition rate of Matrix Towers in the Two Realms Mountain War Zone absolutely must not exceed the rate at which powerful Soul-Concentrating Demon Beasts are killed.”
“Correct!”
Honglian’s tone grew emphatic as she said this: “Once the supply of Demon Beast Inner Cores cannot meet the demand, the Two Realms Mountain defense line will collapse without a fight. This is also one of the main criteria for judging whether I am fit for the Inspector Envoy position!”