Chapter 103: Midnight Agreement
Meanwhile, a remote cliff overlooking the ocean became the scene of an unusual spectacle. Every now and then, a cultivator flying without the help of a spirit treasure would appear from the horizon and would disappear in a fold of the vertical rocky escarpment.
Inside the well arranged and furnished cave, rows of torches illuminated the excited eyes of a small dozen of cultivators making small talk. Most of them were old men, each with his own unique beard.
Their robes came in all sorts of types and colors, but all had an identical embroidered blazon on the right chest area. It depicted two parallel vertical golden swords on a bright green shield. The two swords would never be crossing; this was the symbol of the Sword Union.
Minutes slowly passed in wait. The air was moist due to the western winds coming from the ocean, especially at this late hour. This night, the waves crashing on the cliff were unusually heavy. A storm was brewing.
Three figures suddenly appeared at the entrance. Unlike the others, they had come on flying eagles. If one looked closer, they would have realized that these eagles were not alive. They were just puppet creations.
Fellow Daoists of the Puppet Sect, it is a pleasure to meet again.
No need for pleasantries, lets begin.
The youngest looking man from the Sword Union stepped forward with a genuine smile and invited everyone around a large table. Fellow Daoists, I will be representing the Sword Union for this meeting.
I understand that everyone has heard the news. It is still best to reiterate to make sure we are all on the same page. The structure that has been unearthed 6 months ago turned out to be a necropolis that predates the Dark Centuries. More specifically, the investigation from our Sword Union and Puppet Sect researchers show that it had been discovered and used by the Ming Dynasty, so 1000 to 3000 years before our era. They had built an additional layer of construction with their greatest formations to hide and defend the place.
It is perhaps why the complex wasnt impacted by the destruction caused by the fall of the Ming Dynasty and remained hidden till now. After around a thousand years, most of the Ming Constructions and Arrays have stopped functioning. The rest have been dissembled with little work from our experts.
The problem is that the structure is far more complex than what we initially thought. We estimate the inner structure to be at least 10 thousand years old.
It appears that the Ming Dynasty hadnt been able to brute force their way into the main tomb. From the records we have obtained in the necropolis, they did everything they could to keep the necropolis secret from the Black Rainbow Sect. And it seems that they had succeeded.
A secret order was established to guard the necropolis, which they followed like a divine mission. Only two types of people had the opportunity to enter the order. Ming Dynasty Nascent Soul elites reaching the end of their lifespan and rejects of the royal line. In any case, when one entered the necropolis and the order, one had to live the end of his life inside.
The rejects were used to find ancient inheritances by completing trials. Most would be killed in the trials or after completing their missions, with only the inheritances being passed on to the Ming Dynasty.
All of this is based on the assumption that the master of the tomb was once a Black Rainbow Sect Cultivator. Who would claim for certain knowing all the powerful figures from thousands of years ago? The Black Rainbow Sect was most certainly not the only ones to have cultivators above the Nascent Soul Realm. This tomb might have no link at all to the Black Rainbow Sect.
The fat man erupted. SILENCE all of you! It doesnt matter anyway where that master came from!
And yet it does. The Sword Union representative interrupted him. This issue touches on the two of the three crucial questions we are here to answer. First, the position of the Black Rainbow Sect and the reason why they have yet to claim the necropolis. Second, are we planning on sending disciples on the trials? The degree of deadliness cannot be dismissed.
Of course, we send disciples en masse. But, I will personally be banning disciples from going on the death path, these idiots dont understand the word death. And whats this third question?
He. What measures to take against the SCA?
The three cultivators from the Puppet Sect had remained silent until now. Suddenly, one opened his voice for the first time. Our actions cannot escape the eyes of the SCA for long. Its best to capitalize on the inheritances as fast as possible. It will be impossible for the SCA to sit still. War isnt out of the question either.
The cushy man snorted. Kang Chang are you becoming senile? These old farts from the SCA would never dare risk their lives. They are oh so happy to maintain the peace that lasted for more than 500 years.
The Puppet Sect cultivators shot the man disdainful glances. What do you know, the equilibrium of the Edera continents forces was only forcefully maintained by the Edera protector. Rumor has it, he will soon get called back to the Black Rainbow Sect. The forces of the continent might very well see a change. And the SCA has long fixed their sight on the continent. Just by naming their secular state an Empire its enough to show their intentions regarding the Edera continent. It was like this 500 years ago, and it still is today.
The representative from the Sword Union showed a bright smile. Everyone, what Elder Kang said is right. The alliance between our two organizations, the Sword Union and the Puppet Sect, is more than ever crucial to keep our place.
We can first agree on sending our elite disciples to the necropolis. Only special or desperate cases will be allowed into the main inheritance. Without an incredible genius rarely seen in thousands of years, one has no chances of coming out from the main path. So lets not focus too much on it. With this, our forces will inexorably rise in power, and it would be our turn to sight on the SCA.
The cushy man laughed lightly. Hehe, you are going a bit too fast, little Ren. Lets not forget internal matters before pointing at external threats. How are we going to distribute the resources and inheritances obtained from the tombs? Even if the SCA is an important, it would take years for such a power to prepare for war. And for events of this scale, such huge movement wont be able to hide from our notice. I also think you overestimate the SCA far too much, they are not as united as they once were. By the time they would have sorted out their internal struggles, we will have devoured the inheritances clean. So, mister Sword Union representative, please stop avoiding the subject and explain to us lowly Sword Union members how the resources will be distributed. Precisely.
This Elder Rens face darkened. In the end, he answered coldly. The resources obtained by a disciple belong to him. Once he exits the necropolis, the sect he is from is the only one capable to claim it. Except for the main inheritance. The Sword Union will advise if its content is ever revealed. For now, the priority is secrecy. Only top young disciples from our top factions will enter. Lets set the number of places to the quotas of this years Western Summit. Once the SCA catches wind of our operation, we will dispatch all our disciples.
The cushy man smiled faintly. The other old men exchanged murmurs and whispers. Many were agreeing and soon the rules were refined. The three Puppet Sect cultivators didnt add another word.
In this little cave of this unknown cliff, were thus discussed events implicating the whole Edera Continent.