The Nine Cauldrons can be said to be synonymous with Atraria, as well as a symbol of supreme royal authority and the prosperity of the unified country.
In later generations, emperors attached great importance to the symbolic power and significance of The Nine Cauldrons, and had made numerous attempts to retrieve them, all without success.
Thus, The Nine Cauldrons disappeared into the river of history.
“Fire Rose, did you find the legendary The Nine Cauldrons?”
Fire Rose nodded and said, “It can be said so. WONDER received information that one of The Nine Cauldrons, Cauldron Yu, has appeared, but it was stolen and taken abroad.”
“Taken abroad?” Leo frowned, instantly understanding why Fire Rose had come to see him today. “Are you asking me to retrieve Cauldron Yu?”
“Yes!”
“Why does it have to be me when WONDER has so many talented individuals?” Leo honestly didn’t want to go abroad; he had only just returned not long ago.
“Because the person who stole Cauldron Yu is very powerful, and only you can take it back from them,” Fire Rose said confidently.
“Are you trying to butter me up?” Leo smiled.
“Of course not. I’m just conveying Abel’s words to you,” Fire Rose continued, then added, “If you really don’t want to go, it’s fine. Abel said you have the right to refuse the mission.”
“Alright, I’ll go. An important national treasure should not be left abroad, and I also want to see what The Nine Cauldrons look like. When do we leave?”
“We can’t delay, let’s go now,” Fire Rose stood up from her seat.
“Not now, I haven’t had lunch,” Leo shook his head.
Fire Rose chuckled, “I haven’t settled my lunch either. Do you mind if I join you for a meal?”
“Of course not, plenty of food here. Let’s go; I’ll let you taste Chasel and Sakura’s cooking.”
After lunch, Leo got into Fire Rose’s car.
“Where to now?” Leo asked from the passenger seat.
“Directly to the airport for a flight to Taplesh. Information on the location, contacts, and what WONDER currently knows will be communicated to you through a watch,” Fire Rose replied.
“Your task is to intercept Cauldron Yu before it leaves Taplesh. WONDER will assist you covertly.”
Upon arrival at the airport, Fire Rose gave Leo a bank card for expenses in Taplesh, a stack of money, and a small yellow bean-sized object.
The small object was a simultaneous translation earpiece developed by WONDER. By wearing it, Leo could understand Taplesh language.
Under WONDER’s special privilege, Leo boarded the plane headed to Taplesh.
Nearly three hours later, Leo arrived at Bangkora’s Sunana Prime Aerodrome.
As he exited the airport, Leo’s wristwatch vibrated, and then he heard Fire Rose’s voice through the earpiece: “Cauldron Yu is still in Taplesh and is connected to the local gang. You can use this as a breakthrough.”
Leo asked, “Wouldn’t it be simpler to gather information from the local gang? Are you suggesting I infiltrate the gang?”
“No need. WONDER has a contact within Taplesh’s gang. I’ll send you the specific details and address of the informant. You can go find him, and then you’ll handle the rest yourself,” Fire Rose explained.
After Fire Rose finished speaking, a scrolling message appeared on Leo’s watch screen, followed by a photo of a man, looking somewhat shady.
After memorizing the information, Leo walked out of the airport.
He hailed a taxi directly to find the informant.
The Taplesh driver couldn’t understand Mheffada, so Leo had to use his phone translation app to communicate.
When the driver saw the words “go to Spiritshade District” displayed on the phone screen, he gave Leo a strange look but didn’t say anything, allowing him to get into the car.
Leo noticed the change in the driver’s expression but didn’t understand what was special about Spiritshade District.
Having doubts and unable to communicate verbally, the best option was to search online for answers.
Indeed, Bangkora’s Spiritshade District had a significant background, known as the Silent Quarter.
It was said to have an eerie building there, not haunted but rather a heaven for outlaws and a hell for good people, with the highest crime rate in Bangkora.
The driver’s strange look was due to suspecting Leo might be a madman or a rogue for wanting to visit that area.
However, Leo’s appearance didn’t fit the stereotype, leaving the driver puzzled because ordinary people rarely went there.
The haunted building originated from the Eastland financial crisis, where 500 high-rise construction projects collapsed, leaving it as an abandoned ruin.
With no comfortable garden mansions on the steel-and-cement-lined streets, only the silent, terrifying skyscrapers and numerous slums remained.
Upon reaching his destination, Leo paid and got out of the car.
Looking around, the place wasn’t as desolate as initially imagined; instead, it seemed quite lively.
In reality, the driver had only taken him to the slum area, not directly to Spiritshade District, as he dared not venture inside.
Leo walked further into the area, feeling out of place amidst the ragged women and children around him.
The women and children squatting in corners watched him as though he were an alien.
Dressed exceptionally well, Leo stood out in stark contrast, as wealthy individuals rarely frequented such areas unless they were crazy.
Leo continued walking, seemingly unfazed by the surroundings. The residents at the bottom of society lost interest in him after a while.
The evening in the slum streets had a peculiar splendor, with streetlights still shining, music playing nightly, and indulgence prevailing.
A young thug darted towards Leo in a hurry, as if about to collide with him. If Leo didn’t react, he would have collided with him and attempted to pick his pocket.
However, Leo swiftly dodged the thug, infuriating him. But before the thug could react and stumbled to the ground, several other ruffians emerged from the alley, surrounding Leo menacingly with weapons in hand.
A young man with a large silver earring in his left ear glared at Leo, cursing in Taplesh with foul language while tapping a steel rod in hand. Through the earpiece, Leo clearly understood the insults.
Leo was instantly provoked, his Spiritual Power surged like raging waves.