"Calm yourself; anger won't help your injuries," Alia urged, noticing the elderly man's ragged breathing. She helped him sit up, her brow furrowed with concern. "Your energy channels are damaged. You won't be able to seek revenge in this state."
Jason had faced many trials since becoming the leader of the Azure Cloud Pavilion. He hadn't coughed up blood when Blackwood trapped him within his own sect. He hadn't felt this level of fury even after reconciling with Blackwood and uncovering the Oracle Chamber and Michael's sches.
He hadn't been this badly injured even after defying the odds and surviving the Five-Nine Heavenly Tribulation to face the Druids invading Cloudview County.
But now, as he wiped the blood from his lips, an inferno of rage burned within him. His normally youthful face, frad by white hair, was flushed crimson, his eyes bloodshot. Tears welled up uncontrollably as he gritted out each word.
"Every single person in Cloudview County fights to protect this land! Every sect, every faction stands as the first line of defense against the Druids for Sunshine Mansion! They couldn't take what was ours, not even the Druids! I've been wounded battling them, but I've always held my head high!"
"And yet, it's those from Sunshine Mansion who co to steal our treasures, our heritage! Is Sunshine Mansion not wealthy enough?! Years ago, I yearned for Sunshine Mansion, the Dragon's Favored Land! A place teeming with ancient traditions, where everyone lived by the virtues of loyalty, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness!"
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"Hahaha, what a laugh! The Dragon's Favored Land!"
Jason's resentnt seed to perate the entire room.
As his voice faded, both he and Alia froze. A cold, clear female voice echoed in their ears. "Did your elders never tell you the truth about Cloudview County?"
Alia recognized her master's voice, but Jason could only whip his head around in astonishnt. Who could possess such profound skill to transmit their voice directly into their minds, undetectable even to a Competent Force expert like himself?
Jason quickly sat up and bowed towards the door. "I apologize for my ignorance. Would you enlighten us, esteed senior?"
"The human domain is but a speck in the grand sche of things. The ancient god is protected by the heavens, and his presence naturally blesses the land with abundant energy. The deeper the fortune, the more frequent the opportunities for advancent.
The further one travels from the heart of human civilization, the less one benefits from this fortune, making it difficult to cultivate to higher realms."
"Of course, that doesn't an Azure Cloud can't produce Basic Mastery cultivators. What a pity."
Diana chuckled dryly. "Long ago, Azure Cloud enjoyed the blessings of heaven. This very land witnessed battles between beings whose power you can't even fathom. Legacies were plentiful, ruins overflowing with ancient wisdom. But ti marches on. The Erald Emperor established his empire, uniting the human race under his banner, and Cloudview County...
well, it beca the borderland."
"Forced to defend against the Druids on one side, while the various factions of Sunshine Mansion pressure you for resources on the other. Your ancestors, each generation, they hid their treasures, kept their true strength hidden, all to avoid attracting the greedy eyes of Sunshine Mansion!"
"Now, Azure Cloud erges victorious against the Druids, your true strength revealed, your treasures on display. Did you really think they wouldn't try to claim their share? Each generation toils and bleeds, only to beco soone else's treasure chest."
Understanding dawned on Jason, but it wasn't a comforting revelation. The truth ignited a fresh wave of fury within him, making his body tremble.
"130,000 years... 130,000 years!"
Jason saw it now. Cloudview County, a cage disguised as a holand. Mocked as barbarians by Sunshine Mansion, they were nothing but caged beasts. When the Druids attacked, they were the first line of defense, expendable pawns in a larger ga. And when the Druids weren't a threat, Sunshine Mansion waited to reap the rewards of their sacrifices.
Ethan, listening to the exchange, felt a chill run down his spine. If not for the Druid invasion, this cycle of exploitation would have continued for generations to co.
...
In a luxurious manor within Glory City's bustling outer district, a warm August breeze wafted through the open courtyard. A servant served tea as Nathan sat across from a lavishly dressed elder nad Danny. The eighth elder of the Kylin Mountain Roberts, Danny possessed a cultivation base at the mid-Competent Force level and spoke with an air of casual authority.
Despite being from Sunshine Mansion, he addressed Nathan, a man who had fought a Druid Apostle to a standstill, with surprising candor. "Nathan, you're still young. Blackwood's rise has been teoric, but with youth cos impulsiveness."
"Wise words, Elder Danny." Nathan smiled politely, choosing his battles. There was no need to expend energy arguing, especially when it wouldn't cost him a single Energy Stone.
Danny frowned, carefully placing his teacup back on the table. "I've offered to help Blackwood on nurous occasions, yet you've refused ti and ti again. You wouldn't relinquish a re tree demon, nor would you share your knowledge of Dark Magic. Have you ever wondered why the empire hasn't offered its assistance?"
Nathan shook his head, a serene smile on his face.
Danny's frustration grew with each passing mont. "It's because your heart isn't true. You're arrogant, blinded by pride. You need to temper your spirit, young man. It's only out of compassion for Blackwood's role in fighting the Druids that my Kylin Mountain Roberts has extended a hand, hoping to help Azure Cloud, to help you weather this storm."
"Do you truly believe that Cloudview County, having repelled the Druids once, can do so again? You underestimate them. They are gathering their strength, and their next assault will be far more devastating. General Owen and Master Bill are honorable n, but without the support of Sunshine Mansion, how can a single county withstand the full might of the Druids?"
Nathan let out a hearty laugh. "You speak in riddles, Elder Danny. I'm but a simple man. Please, speak plainly."
Danny sighed dramatically. "My Roberts family holds a position of influence in Sunshine Mansion, and we have connections within the empire itself. One of our own serves directly under the High Councilor. And it has co to my attention that a senior mber of the High Councilor's family is nearing the end of their lifespan. A grand funeral is being prepared."
"Nathan, the High Councilor has dedicated his life to the empire. It is our duty to ease his burdens in this ti of need. Do you understand?"
Nathan tapped his fingers lightly on the table. Those who knew him well recognized this as a sign of his true displeasure.
Leave it to soone from Sunshine Mansion to be so infuriatingly indirect. A senior mber of the High Councilor's family was dying, a grand funeral was in order, and it was their duty to ease his burdens. He wanted his Artifact of the Fallen!
Unaware of the storm brewing within Nathan, Danny misinterpreted his silence. He pressed his advantage, sensing an opportunity.
"Mr. Nathan, a single word of support from the High Councilor could alleviate Blackwood's troubles. He might even take notice of Blackwood, elevating your family to unimaginable heights..."
Before he could finish, Nathan's voice, laced with amusent, cut him off.
"Danny, we have no quarrel. Why do you treat like a fool?"
The elder's carefully constructed facade crumbled. He stared at Nathan, his face frozen in a rictus of disbelief.
"What... what are you saying?"
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