“This Holy Heaven City is probably no less grand than Canyon View City, right?” Bob remarked as everyone gazed towards the city.
Not only him, but Billy and the others also had expressions of amazement on their faces. From the scale of the city gates and walls alone, it was clear that Holy Heaven City was no ordinary place.
“Elder Lance, where is the Holy Heaven Sect located?” Azure Fang asked Lance Wooler.
“The headquarters of Holy Heaven Sect is very secretive. Like Canyon View Institute, it has a Protecting Sect Array outside, making it hard for outsiders to find,” Lance Wooler replied.
“From what I understand, there is a Teleportation Array in the City Lord’s Mansion that leads to the Holy Heaven Sect’s main courtyard. To reach the Holy Heaven Sect, we must first take control of the City Lord’s Mansion.”
“Elder Lance, most of the people in the City Lord’s Mansion should be from Holy Heaven Sect, right?” Amber asked.
“Yes!” Lance Wooler nodded. “Holy Heaven Sect has two deputy leaders. One was lost in Sky City last time. The remaining one is Garrett Aguirre, who also serves as the city lord of Holy Heaven City.”
“Do you know his cultivation level?” Casey asked.
“According to our information, he should be at the second-rank Entering Dao Realm,” Lance Wooler responded. After a brief pause, he added, “In addition to him, there is also a Deputy City Lord with a half-step Entering Dao Realm cultivation.”
“Besides them, there are four elders in the mid-to-late stages of Otherworldly Realm, with the strongest being at ninth-rank Otherworldly Realm. Other than these individuals, the rest are not worth worrying about as they are below Otherworldly Realm strength.”
“Elder Lance, do you know how much high-end combat power remains at Holy Heaven Sect headquarters?” Casey asked.
“I’m not very clear on that,” Lance Wooler shook his head.
“Do you know if Holy Heaven Sect has any other trump cards besides their leader?” Casey pressed further.
Some time ago in Sky City, an ancestor from Quicksand Sect left behind a soul imprint with considerable destructive power. He was evidently worried that Holy Heaven Sect might have a similar trump card.
“It is said that besides their current leader, Holy Heaven Sect indeed has another sect-protecting trump card,” Lance Wooler replied.
“Is it also a soul imprint left by their previous leader?” Azure Dragon asked.
“Exactly!” Lance Wooler nodded. “It is said that it was left by the first leader of Holy Heaven Sect and has enough power to kill late-stage Entering Dao Realm or even Perceiving Dao Realm experts.”
“So powerful?” Casey and the others were taken aback.
“Yes!” Lance Wooler nodded again.
“And now?” Azure Dragon asked further.
“It’s no longer there,” Lance Wooler continued. “A hundred years ago, an ancestor from the Ravenwood family came directly to Holy Heaven City. The then-leader of Holy Heaven Sect summoned that soul imprint in desperation but was still no match for that ancestor and was obliterated with one strike.”
Billy and his companions couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise. A Perceiving Dao Realm expert was defeated in one strike? What level of existence was that ancestor?!
“Elder Lance, thank you!” Billy nodded slightly.
“Mr. Billy, you’re welcome!” Lance Wooler responded and then asked, “Mr. Billy, would you like to come to our chamber of commerce first? I can call some people to help…”
“Thank you, Elder Lance, but let’s not involve your chamber of commerce in this matter,” Billy smiled.
“So we are heading directly to the City Lord’s Mansion?” Lance Wooler didn’t insist further. He knew very well that the current situation within the chamber of commerce was delicate and getting involved would make things more difficult for Miss Wooler.
“In this city, besides Holy Heaven Sect, which force ranks second in strength?” Billy asked.
“It’s a sect called Phoenix Feather Sect,” Lance Wooler replied.
“Phoenix Feather Sect?” Billy continued to ask, “Do you know much about this sect?”
“I know a bit,” Lance Wooler responded again. “It is said that Holy Heaven City’s name was changed a thousand years ago; it used to be called Phoenix Feather City!”
“Oh?” Billy was slightly surprised. “You mean Holy Heaven City was taken from Phoenix Feather Sect by Holy Heaven Sect a thousand years ago?”
“Exactly!” Lance Wooler nodded.
“Elder Lance, what is the current relationship between Phoenix Feather Sect and Holy Heaven Sect?” Harleen asked.
“As far as I know, it’s neither good nor bad,” Lance Wooler paused before adding. “Although there is an old feud between Phoenix Feather Sect and Holy Heaven Sect, over the years as Holy Heaven Sect grew stronger, Phoenix Feather Sect gradually lost hope for revenge.”
“Nowadays, except for some direct descendants with pure bloodlines, few people mention those past events.”
“I see,” Harleen nodded slightly before continuing to ask, “What is Phoenix Feather Sect’s reputation like?”
“I’m not very sure about specifics but it’s probably much better than Holy Heaven Sect,” Lance Wooler replied. “Holy Heaven Sect members are extremely domineering in Holy Heaven City; those who obey prosper while those who resist perish. Many disciples bully others under their influence and many city residents suffer because of them.”
“Elder Lance, where is Phoenix Feather Sect located?” Billy asked after nodding slightly.
“In the northern part of the city,” Lance Wooler paused before asking back, “Mr. Billy means…?”
He had evidently guessed what Billy had in mind.
“Elder Lance, you go wait for us at Akabuchi Chamber of Commerce; we’ll find you after we’re done,” Billy smiled.
“Mr. Billy! Although City Lord’s Mansion isn’t much of a threat compared to Holy Heaven Sect headquarters which must be complicated inside-I should go with you…” Lance Wooler hesitated slightly.
“Thank you for your kindness!” Billy interrupted him again: “This time around please don’t get involved; we can’t afford to implicate both you and Miss Wooler anymore.”
“Mr. Billy! You’re being too polite!” Lance Wooler insisted: “Besides I’m participating personally this time-it has nothing to do with our chamber.”
“But…” Billy started again only for him to be cut off once more by an insistent smile from Elder Lancer: “Mr. Billy let’s go-I’ll take you all over Phoenix Feathers.”
“Alright then,” finally conceding without further protestations from either side-the group paid necessary spirit stones entering into city premises shortly thereafter led northwards under guidance provided by Elder Lancer until reaching foothills whereupon pointing towards large estate several kilometers away he declared: “That’s where Phoenix Feathers resides…”
However before finishing sentence furrowing brows exclaimed: “Hmm?!”
“What’s wrong Elder Lancer?” Ian Blade queried concernedly beside him while Harleen interjected answering instead: “There seems battle involving Otherworldly Realms within estate grounds.”
“Shall we check it out?” looking towards Billy who nodded affirmatively leading group skywards towards embattled estate wherein amidst ruins scattered bodies numbering hundreds lay dead or dying amidst ongoing fierce combat between white-haired matron Phoebe Reid facing off against black-robed elder addressing her coldly stating: “Phoebe Reid-is resistance truly worth futile struggle?”
“Wise men adapt recognizing opportunities presented-even now despite weakened state your sect faces annihilation effortlessly at hands our forces-accept terms offered thus seizing chance presented rather than persisting stubbornly…”