“The name of this city is Silent Ruins City!” The Scholar responded.
“Many years ago, this was the center of Silent Ruins and the most prosperous place in the entire region.”
“Oh?” Judge was slightly surprised. “Then how did it become like this?”
“A great catastrophe occurred here many years ago, and slowly it turned into what you see now,” The Scholar replied.
“Sir, when you say many years ago, do you mean a thousand years ago?” Ivy asked.
“Much longer than a thousand years!” The Scholar said.
That should have been called countless years ago!
“Sir, the person you’re looking for isn’t inside this palace, is he?” White Tiger asked.
“Yes!” The Scholar nodded. “I’ll take you to find him!”
After speaking, he led the group forward through the air.
About two-quarters of an hour later, they landed on an open space. Not far ahead of them stood a relatively well-preserved palace.
The palace covered a large area, at least nearly ten thousand square meters. Although many parts of the outer walls had begun to peel, and the surroundings were desolate, its former glory was still evident.
“Sir, is your friend inside this palace?” Night Orchid asked.
“Yes!” The Scholar nodded again and added, “My friend has a bit of a temper. Don’t be too surprised.”
After saying that, he looked towards the palace and shouted, “Old man, open the door! It’s The Scholar, and I have friends from afar…”
Before he finished speaking, a powerful aura surged out from the palace. The two large doors instantly turned to dust, creating a formidable scene.
Although no one was visible, the sheer force indicated that the person inside was at least in the late stage of the Holy Ancestry Realm.
“Retreat quickly!” The Scholar shouted.
Without waiting for his reminder, everyone, including Billy, retreated four or five hundred meters simultaneously.
Even so, they were still thrown back by the shockwave. Fortunately, the distance had weakened the force considerably.
Although blood trickled from the corners of their mouths, their injuries were not too severe.
“Sir, are you sure that person inside is your friend?” Stout asked as he wiped the blood from his mouth.
“I’m sure!” The Scholar nodded. “He’s a good person, just has a bit of a strange personality and isn’t very sociable.”
Why did that sound so unconvincing?
Earlier, when they reached the palace gates, the person inside must have known someone was coming.
The Scholar hadn’t spoken yet, and there was no reaction. But as soon as he announced himself, the person inside attacked without holding back.
Is this really a friend?!
“Sir, what should we do next?” Judge asked The Scholar.
“You all wait here. I’ll go talk to him,” The Scholar responded after a brief thought.
“Sir, maybe you should shout from here. I’m worried you won’t get a chance to talk if you go over,” Frostblade suggested with a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth.
“No problem!” The Scholar said and then walked towards the palace through the air.
As expected, just as he got within two or three hundred meters of the palace gate, another shockwave surged out, sending The Scholar flying back again.
However, The Scholar didn’t give up and walked over once more.
“Old man, aren’t you tired? We haven’t seen each other for so long and you’re still so angry!” The Scholar shouted as he walked. “Can’t you let me finish my words…”
“Get lost!” A hoarse voice came from inside the palace.
As the voice sounded, another shockwave surged out, sending The Scholar flying again.
“Old man, if you keep this up, I’ll really leave!” The Scholar shouted after taking a deep breath instead of walking over again.
“If you don’t want to see Skystone, I’ll go find Enchantress. She should be very interested…”
Before he finished speaking, a figure suddenly appeared not far in front of them as if by magic.
It was hard to tell his actual age. He had a head full of silver hair, unkempt and dirty. His eyes were extremely sharp as if they could see through anyone with a glance.
“You finally came out…” The Scholar continued.
“What did you just say? You found Skystone?” The old man interrupted in a deep voice.
“Of course!” The Scholar replied.
“You think I’ll believe that?” The old man said coldly. “Skystone disappeared with Madam a thousand years ago and hasn’t been in the six-tier star domain since…”
“If you don’t believe it, why did you come out?” Annalise retorted.
“Shut up!” The old man interrupted her. “I wasn’t talking to you!”
“You…” Annalise was furious and drew her sword directly.
“Junior Sister!” The Scholar quickly intervened and then looked at the old man. “How about we make a bet?”
“Spit it out!” The old man responded.
“If I can produce Skystone, you help me forge a batch of swords!” The Scholar proposed. “If I can’t produce Skystone, I’ll serve as your blade spirit for ten years. How about that?”
“Hmm?” The old man’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Knowing The Scholar for over a thousand years, he knew that if The Scholar was willing to wager ten years of his time, it was likely true.
“You really have Skystone?” The old man asked after a brief pause.
“Just say whether you’re willing to bet or not!” The Scholar insisted.
“Deal!” The old man agreed.
“What if you go back on your word?” The Scholar asked again.
“You better not make me angry!” The old man glared at him. “We’ve known each other for over a thousand years. Have I ever gone back on my word?”
“Hehe, just kidding!” The Scholar grinned and then turned to Billy. “Mr. Billy, show him the Skystone!”
“Alright!” Billy smiled faintly and took out the Skystone from his storage ring before tossing it over.
“You just gave it to him like that? Aren’t you worried he’ll run off with it?” Annalise asked Billy.
“I trust The Scholar!” Billy smiled again.
His words were not mere flattery!
Having interacted with The Scholar for some time now, Billy had come to understand what kind of person he was. Since it was The Scholar’s word, he didn’t hesitate.
Moreover, he had an inkling that when The Scholar mentioned forging a batch of swords, he might be referring to their weapons.
Additionally, from the moment the old man appeared, Billy had been observing him.
From his appearance and eyes, it was clear that although he had a bad temper, he was not deceitful.
“This really is Skystone?” In the next moment, the old man exclaimed in surprise with an extremely astonished expression on his face.
“Do you believe it now?” The Scholar smiled.
“How did Skystone end up with you? Who are you?” The old man ignored The Scholar and looked at Billy instead.
“My name is Billy,” Billy replied with a smile.
“I come from a lower-tier star domain. Skystone was given to me by Lady of Heaven!”
He then briefly explained the situation to the old man.
“So Madam really has fallen…” After listening to Billy’s words, a trace of sadness flashed in the old man’s eyes.