“Elder Luca, do you know who the two groups are?” Night Orchid asked.
“It’s not convenient for me to reveal their identities, but I can tell you this: the strongest among them is an eighth-rank Entering Dao Realm cultivator,” Luca Adams replied.
“So powerful?” Everyone was astonished.
“If my estimation is correct, even if there isn’t a Perceiving Dao Realm expert in Black Rock Gorge, there is at least a half-step Perceiving Dao Realm cultivator,” Luca Adams added.
He scanned the group and continued, “If I’m not mistaken, among your group, aside from that flying beast which I can’t gauge, the strongest is only at the second-rank Entering Dao Realm.”
“With your current strength, if you go to Black Rock Gorge, I’m afraid…”
“Thank you for your concern, Elder Luca,” Billy said with a faint smile.
“I don’t think you’re a bad person. If you could heed my advice, it would be best not to…” Luca Adams continued.
“Thank you, Elder Luca,” Billy interrupted him. “I have reasons that compel me to go.”
“In that case, I won’t try to dissuade you. Take care,” Luca Adams responded.
“Elder Luca, you’ve been with the Chamber of Commerce for quite some time, haven’t you?” Billy asked.
“Almost forty years now,” Luca Adams nodded.
“I heard that the eldest son and daughter of the Akabuchi Chamber of Commerce are exceptionally talented?” Billy inquired.
“Mr Wooler and Miss Wooler are indeed extraordinarily gifted,” Luca Adams nodded again.
“Who do you favor more?” Azure Dragon asked.
“Mr Wooler and Miss Wooler are both outstanding. I am not in a position to judge,” Luca Adams smiled.
“Elder Luca, I heard that the eldest son and daughter are fiercely competing for the succession of the Chamber of Commerce. Is that true?” Judge asked directly.
“Such matters are for the higher-ups of the Chamber. I am not privy to them,” Luca Adams smiled again.
Seeing they couldn’t get more information, everyone dropped the topic.
…
In Akabuchi City, within a heavily guarded palace hall, a woman in a green dress sat sipping tea on a redwood chair. Soon, a woman in black entered; she was the one who had met Billy and his group a few days earlier.
“How did it go?” the woman in green asked.
“They’ve already left,” the woman in black replied, looking hesitant.
“What do you want to say?” the woman in green pressed.
“I’m worried that their journey might end badly and that the treasure he carries might fall into the hands of Black Rock Gorge…” the woman in black responded.
“Do you think he’s weak?” the woman in green smiled lightly.
“Even though he has that flying beast with him, from what I understand, its strength is only at ninth-rank Entering Dao Realm, while Black Rock Gorge…” the woman in black replied.
“Have you forgotten about the treasure within him?” the woman in green countered.
“That treasure isn’t something he can use at will!” the woman in black said. “Otherwise, the battle at Canyon View Institute wouldn’t have been so brutal!”
“That’s because his life wasn’t in danger then,” the woman in green took a sip of tea.
“What do you mean?” the woman in black was puzzled.
“The treasure chose him for a reason. It won’t just watch him die. When his life is threatened, it will act on its own,” the woman in green explained. “While Black Rock Gorge is strong, it pales in comparison to one of the Ten Sacred Objects.”
“But…” the woman in black hesitated.
“No buts!” the woman in green responded. “Take two people and follow them. Help them if necessary; offering help when it’s needed is better than adding to what they already have.”
“I understand,” the woman in black nodded.
“Have you found out who hired Black Rock Gorge? Is it related to that person?” the woman in green asked further.
“We haven’t discovered that yet,” the woman in black shook her head.
“Alright,” the woman in green nodded slightly and waved her hand. “Go!”
“Understood!” The woman in black bowed slightly and left.
After she left, the woman in green stared ahead and murmured, “It’s time to cause a stir in Akabuchi City, which has been peaceful for so long.”
…
Several hours later, Billy and his group landed their starship on a rocky clearing with howling mountain winds all around.
“Elder Luca, is this Black Rock Nebula?” Stout asked Luca Adams.
“Indeed,” Luca Adams nodded as he led them off the starship.
“Why is the spiritual energy here so thin?” Azure Dragon remarked as they reached the clearing.
Everyone felt it; compared to Akabuchi City, Canyon View City, or Sky City, the spiritual energy here was almost negligible.
The area was barren except for oddly shaped black rocks. There were hardly any plants or animals-a result of depleted spiritual energy making survival difficult.
“The entire Akabuchi star domain has many planets like Black Rock Nebula with depleted spiritual energy,” Luca Adams explained.
“If the spiritual energy is so thin here, how does Black Rock Gorge survive?” Soul Chaser asked.
“Black Rock Gorge has a large Gathering Spirit Array. Despite this planet’s lack of spiritual energy, it can still nurture life within its range,” Luca Adams replied.
“I see,” everyone nodded.
“Elder Luca, where exactly is Black Rock Gorge?” Casey asked Luca Adams.
“Head straight in this direction for about four or five hundred kilometers. You’ll see a large gorge,” Luca Adams pointed ahead. “Inside, it’s a different world-lush trees, birds singing-a stark contrast to this barren land.”
“Understood,” Casey nodded slightly.
“Billy, the Chamber has ordered that the starship can only stay here. I hope you understand,” Luca Adams said to Billy.
“No problem at all,” Billy smiled and cupped his hands. “Please wait for us here for a day. If we don’t return by then, you may leave.”
“Take care,” Elder Luca cupped his hands as well.
“Thank you!” Billy nodded and led his group into the air.
After they left, a crew member approached Luca Adams. “Elder Luca, should we head back? They won’t survive anyway.”
“No one leaves without my order!” Elder Luca glared at him and addressed all staff sternly.
About twenty minutes later, Billy’s group landed near the gorge. Despite being prepared mentally, they were still awestruck by what they saw.
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t just a gorge but a vast oasis with towering trees reaching the sky. The sounds of flying beasts and animals filled the air. There were lakes and meadows-a stark contrast to the desolate surroundings outside.
They also noticed ripples in the air outside the oasis-a clear sign of a barrier.
“Boss, what should we do?” Azure Dragon asked Billy.