Chapter 92: The key

Chapter 92: The key

"Man, I'm glad we are finally coming back to the sect, this week was so boring."Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

"Ah shut up brother, why are you raising death flags like that? Our journey has only been smooth sailing until now."

"You two, stop joking around. Even if our mission has ended, we still need to portray the dignity of the Iron Palm Sect when we are outside! Look, there are merchants passing by, this is a busy road!"

5 disciples in grey robes were walking on the side of a well-maintained path, surrounded by a dense forest. Carriages were coming and going without stop and from time to time, a cultivator would even speed pass in the air, following the road from above. Those 5 disciples were clearly strolling down the road leisurely, in sharp contrast with the pressing activity all around.

The shortest one shrugged. "Ugh, this escort mission was so long and tedious, thankfully they paid us heaps!"

The rat faced one snapped. "Don't speak like this of our clients. What if other merchants heard us? This would be a crime against the Iron Palm Sect. Be careful."

The others seemed to simply ignore the rat faced disciple as they continued their discussion.

"It was a bit boring, but the air of the ocean was quite refreshing. Frankly, I wouldn't mind escorting more merchant caravans on the western coastal road. Plus, we don't really lose any cultivation time by taking turns to keep an eye out."

"I'm still stunned by the increased traffic our county is witnessing. Have you seen how much the Xan market has expanded over the year? It's incredible! I can't recognize the city that I knew when I was young."

"Heh, that's all thanks to the pearls! They are driving all the cultivators in the Union crazy."

"Yes, it's quite a surprise. I heard even officials from the Sword Union had to step in to maintain order."

"Pff, it's only because they want a part in the pearl trade."

The rat faced one butted in again. "Don't ever say that again. There could be terrible consequences if you angered an esteemed elder!"

"I wish I could get my hands on some of these golden spirit oysters from the Anaconda River."

"Keep dreaming Xiao, all of these are tightly controlled by now. I'm not even sure that our sect has kept its rights on the exploitation with all the big players around."

This rush led to a comical situation where a couple cultivators came crashing head first into an invisible wall that made a circular perimeter around the large tower. Before more could try anything, a booming voice echoed throughout the land.

"The area 10 kilometer around the structure is now off limits. For safety reasons, only Sword Union personnel will be accredited to approach the structure until it is figured out what is it purpose and if it would present a risk for the union."

A handful of cultivators were clearly not listening to the imposing voice as they attempt various methods to break through the invisible barrier.

"THIS IS A LAST WARNING. STEP AWAY."

The 5 disciples on foot that happened to be on the path started to run away even if they were not at the barrier just in case. They understood that the events happening in front of their eyes were at a level far above their own.

After another 5 breaths, 3 cultivators still hadn't abandoned, desperately trying to enter. All three were already getting on their years and they dreamt of an extraordinary opportunity to continue advancing on the cultivation path. How could they abandon when it was right in front of their eyes? But a moment later, the three cultivators exploded and blood was projected in every direction.

The Elder from the Sword Union that had been at the nearby Pearl Market dozens of kilometers away had taken action. More reinforcement was already on its way from the Sword Union headquarters.

It didn't take long for the perimeter to be locked under the strictest security with even a couple Nascent Soul cultivators watching over it. The couple of merchants and disciples in the vicinity had been escorted away and the forest was being shaved for miles to clear the region around the structure.

Soon, large array formations were installed. Particular attention was used to scan the ground for intruders. The top brass of the Sword Union knew very well the significance of the tower's appearance. This could become a strategic advantage against the neighboring powers.

The forbidden perimeter was even further extended, which individual could possibly oppose the full force of the Sword Union anyway? It just stopped before the pearl market that wasn't closed due to the wealth it represented.

Now came the time to figure out all the details of the mysterious giant structure and try to explore it. This could take weeks, months or even years. One thing was certain for the Elders that had started analyzing the architectural style and the array restrictions in place around it.

"It dates from before the creation of the Union 515 years ago." A white-haired old woman concluded.

"Any ideas on the era?"

"It could be from the great families one thousand years ago but I wouldn't exclude older origins. The great families reused the style and designs from the Ming period after all. A first guess would be the tomb of a powerful ancient cultivator."

"If that is true, it might be the key to dominate the continent once and for all."