Star Gate

Chapter 426: South Below and North Above (IV)

“If we enter the other side of Rift Canyon from this direction, we will be afforded maximal concealment.” Li Hao gave it some thought. “If we head down the mountain from here, we might run into others and give rise to unforeseen developments...”

It wasn’t that they must remain on their path, but that it was easier to hide when they did. That would avoid some trouble, and if Hou Xiaochen and the others weren’t there when the Demon Hunters finally reached the ruins, that also meant there would be no large-scale battle taking place.

But now that the three great organizations had lost a batch of powerhouses, they might not have the strength to stand against Silver Moon. It was Li Hao’s estimation that the ruins stood a ninety-nine percent chance of opening this month. Given Hou Xiaochen’s personality and the fact that all sides had sent representatives, he would want nothing more than for the ruins to open so these guys could be cannon fodder.

Thus, given these considerations, Li Hao decided to try to make it back in time for the ruins’ opening.

“Let’s exit the mountain from here then. We’ll conceal our tracks and hide where we can. If we continue on our original path, we might not make it in time.” He decided to make the ruins their priority. As for why Half Mountain and the others didn’t emerge when the Demon Hunters did... Well, what did that have to do with him?

The young man put everything out of his mind after assessing the situation. The Demon Hunters quickly threaded through the mountain forests to leave. Their escort, the giant hawk, followed them until they passed through the forests and exited the mountain range.

When day broke, the Demon Hunters entered a modestly sized city. It was one of the sixteen in Silver Moon’s northern territory. Here, Li Hao commanded his people to take off their armor and place it in a large car. This turned the Demon Hunters into a team of martial bodyguards that ran missions throughout the province’s northern territory.

Transport became a complex issue upon the rise of the supernatural. These days, martial masters and some weaker supernaturals might choose to become bodyguards and safeguard the wares of large corporations. Thus, this became the Demon Hunter’s disguise. They were escorting a car of valuable cargo toward Rift Canyon.

......

At the same time, inside Rift Canyon.

Hong Yitang and He Yong left without a backward glance when they saw the hawk return. The four major monster spirits watched them leave. The two humans had said that they would stay for just one day, but they lingered for multiple! It made the monster spirits too apprehensive to split up, lest they be eliminated one by one.

“They’re gone!” A ripple traveled from the golden eagle when the two humans were out of sight.

“The demon’s heir is gone too.”

“It looks like these Silver Moon martial masters are all connected to each other.”

“......” The major monster spirits conversed for a while. That the two stronger humans had waited until Li Hao was gone made them realize that Silver Moon martial masters were sometimes very united.

Of course, it also had to do with Li Hao helping them suppress the catastrophic changes in their body.

“Silver Moon... is a place we should tread lightly!” came the tiger’s ripples. “The situation is very complicated there and there may be even more powerful existences present than those guys!”

“There certainly is,” responded the golden eagle. “There might also be monster spirit experts too! I once flew beyond Ash Mountain and entered Silver Moon territory. There was a stifling presence there not long after I entered the province! It was everywhere, so I suspect that there are many preeminent powerhouses present in Silver Moon. There are also noble monster spirits present. I seem to see a giant turtle somewhere...”

A solemn air fell over the four monster spirits. Silver Moon was too close to Ash Mountain. No wonder some of the powerful presences within the mountain refused to explore the land to the south. They would rather expand to Great Li in the north.

“It will take the Golden Lotus another five years to mature again. Do we stand guard here? Or do we travel to the north and take a look at Great Li?” This question came from the tiger as it didn’t want to remain here the entire time. There hadn’t been much pressure with their circumstances before, but now there was quite a great deal.

“The north is not safe and might be even more dangerous,” answered the eagle. “There are many experts in Great Li... I happened to see one of their heavyweights rip apart a Jademoon Rhino that was the same strength as me.”

“What are you afraid of!” A violent ripple came from the giant ape. “There are many powerhouses in Great Li, but they’re all very straightforward. They’re called savages, which means they’re more direct. You can tell with a quick look if they’re strong or weak. It’s a better option than Silver Moon, in any case! Silver Moon people all look weak, but they’re actually incredibly domineering...”

It might as well say that Silver Moon denizens were treacherous humans! That was basically what the ape meant.

“Then let’s head to the north.” The eagle inclined its ponderous head after some thought. “We need more resources and treasures, as well as to observe more experts. I can already sense that Silver Moon hides many secrets. Some of them are stirring into wakefulness. We can come back when we fully take the next step!”

Three of them resided in a state of metamorphosis. Snakey was a little behind them, but almost at the stage as well. If they could all break through, then they would count as Novas according to the Silver Moon hierarchy. Four Novas wouldn’t be so easily beaten in the province, would they now?

The four major monster spirits were decisive creatures once they came to a decision. They set some Solar level guards on the sheared off mountain. It would be another five years until the Golden Lotus matured again.

The four immediately set off north. Along the way, the great snake finally couldn’t contain itself and said, “I’ll just take one lotus petal. You guys split up the seeds!”

Due to its initiative, it quickly received the lotus petal of its dreams. There was naturally no share of the seeds for it. It caused the snake to despair. This would only widen the gap between it and the rest of them!

Mirth twinkled in the eyes of the other three monster spirits. It was good that Snakey recognized the situation it was in. Division of the loot would be difficult otherwise.

As Li Hao headed south, the four monster spirits headed north. They entered the land of Great Li that no one mentioned in Skystar Dynasty these days.

......

Rift Canyon.

As the moment approached for the next opening of the ruins, some buildings appeared in the canyon. Some of the supernaturals no longer wished to camp in the wild and built themselves residences. Not only that, but a group of merchants selling mysterious power and mysterious power stones appeared!

In addition, There were sellers hawking ancient weapons that were hard to verify. Antiques, ancient books, and secret martial dao methods could also be found.

A bizarre marketplace sprang up in Rift Canyon, thanks to the ruins. It was bizarre because only powerhouses had the right to display their wares here, or those with the patronage of other factions. Otherwise, one wouldn’t live to spend their earnings if they tried selling goods.

The three great organizations also set up base camps in the canyon. Everyone waited to visit Battle Heaven. A figure abruptly shot into the sky, raising the attention of all supernaturals inside Rift Canyon.

“Everyone, I am Hao Lianchuan, deputy director of the Silver Moon Night Watchers! According to a multilateral agreement between the official authorities and the three evil supernatural organizations, the ruins of Battle Heaven will open on the 28th. The entrance will be open for half an hour.

“Slayers and Starlight who wish to enter must pay ten cubes of mysterious power. Sunderers and Darkmoons must pay thirty cubes. Dominators and Sunflares must pay one hundred cubes. Solars must pay one mysterious power stone and Novas ten stones. The three great evil organizations are exempt from this requirement. The funds will be used to maintain the operations of the ruin entrance!”

His words caused a general uproar. The price was fine for the weaklings—even one hundred cubes wasn’t that expensive. But mysterious power stones?? Solars had to pay a stone to enter, that was too expensive!

A Solar within the canyon asked, “Director Hao, isn’t it too much to require a mysterious power stone from Solars? According to what I know, Battle Heaven is divided into an inner and outer city. There are almost no treasures in the outer city, just the inner. The inner city is dangerous beyond belief and we put our lives on the line when we explore...”

“Then don’t go inside!” Hao Lianchuan looked down his nose at the man. “Why enter if it’s that dangerous?”

The speaker glowered, but kept a firm grip on his temper because this was the other’s territory. “Then does this mean entrance is free for three great organizations and Silver Moon authorities?”

“Of course! The three evil organizations will be paying another price. You need not worry about that!”

“Then what about the Night Watchers or government agencies of other provinces...”

“Pay up!” Hao Lianchuan yelled gruffly. “You can avoid paying if you join the Silver Moon Night Watchers. The situation is unclear in the other provinces. To prevent the admission of malevolent forces, you can join my Night Watchers first and submit to a background check. Once you pass that, your entrance is naturally free!”

No shit! The crowd looked at him wordlessly. What background check? The real trouble began after one joined the Night Watchers. Would they dare not listen to a superior then? They would be turned into cannon fodder without a choice!

“Then what if we don’t have mysterious power stones?” yelled a dejected Solar.

“One thousand cubes will do too!”

That was also expensive, it was almost the value of a mysterious power stone. And if one didn’t have the mysterious power... then the answer would be to not enter the ruins. What else could they say?

The loud hubbub of anticipation immediately quieted down.

“Is there a limit on the number of people allowed in?” asked a smiling young man.

“No limit!” called out Hao Lianchuan. “Additionally, the entrance will not be open until three days later!”

It used to be that the entrance was open once a day at midnight. That had been key for many people’s survival before. The announcement caused another furor of discussion. Some supernaturals frowned with dissatisfaction.

“We only want to explore for a day or two. Doesn’t that mean we have to wait until the final moments to exit?”

If they happened to lay hands on some treasure in the first couple of days, it would be much safer to exit first. If they all waited until the final moments, what good would there be for wandering supernaturals who’d obtained some treasure? They would be squeezed in with all the powerhouses at the exit and not even know how they’d died!

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