Xander, standing next to the elder, had a frown as well. "It's very likely that a spy has indeed infiltrated them. Otherwise, they wouldn't have gotten our route so easily and set up an ambush on the way. They must've been aiming for that thing…"Elder Simon was furious, slamming his hand on the table. It caused the tea on the table to fall."I'll root out those spies for sure this time! Martin hadn't been smart enough to use the last of his strength to send away these three men, they would've died, and no one would've known about what had happened."Xander nodded before he suddenly thought of something. He said in a low voice, "That Scarlet Blood Crystal—"The moment he said that, Elder Simon immediately turned his head to shoot Xander an expression to stop. Xander gulped, coughing as he swallowed back those words.The question was obviously not meant for the three of them to hear. The Scarlet Blood Crystal was in Fane's hands at that moment; both Rudy and Grayson knew.However,
Elder Simon laughed coldly as he turned to look at Rudy. "If you're so cowardly, how will you ever achieve anything great? Regardless of whatever you're thinking, you're going to Phoenix Valley!"What happened before is an alliance secret, and it must never be leaked. If the two of you really want to leave, your memories will have to be removed."Rudy and Grayson looked like they had just been viciously slapped, unable to formulate any plea nor resistance. Removing memories sounded simple, but it involved direct damage to the soul.The two of them were not that powerful, to begin with. If their memories were forcefully cleared, they might be reduced to mere brainless fools!That was when Rudy and Grayson truly understood that they could not worm their way out of this situation anymore. Elder Simon would not let the two of them leave to protect the secret.With that in mind, they had no reason to struggle anymore, and hopelessness haunted them dauntingly.Elder Simon let out a col
"Phoenix Valley is right ahead. With your status, you'll be temporarily restricted to being in the outer valley. Wait for a moment once we get there. I'll go get your identity badges and set up your living spaces before bringing you in."All three men nodded obediently at Xander's words. After the small vessel arrived at its destination, it started to descend from the air. Phoenix Valley might be called a valley, but it was, in fact, not located within the mountains.It was in a wide flat plain, surrounded by countless maple trees. Red was the primary color in Phoenix Valley.They arrived at the main entrance, and Xander casually showed his identity badge to the guards before bringing the three of them into Phoenix Valley.It was not too luxurious inside, but it looked more impressive than a palace. Xander brought the three of them behind a grand hall. After they arranged everything, he helped the three of them to get their identity badges.Next, he brought them to the back of Pho
"You know everything I know, and there's nothing much to figure out with so little information. Even if the sky falls, you have a roof above you to hold it back. There's no need to be so worried."Contrary to his own words, however, Fane was in more internal conflict than Rudy was. There were some things that he needed some peace and quiet to think about before understanding the inner mechanisms.Fane waved at Lou. "Come. Tell us the most basic rules of Phoenix Valley, as well as things we should never do."After being called by Fane, Lou immediately walked over from the corner. He respectfully arrived next to Fane, and Fane called him into the pavilion. As he drank some tea, he listened to Lou talk about the rules in Phoenix Valley.Lou was incredibly quick with his words, and in just a short moment, he had finished telling Fane everything. Fane memorized the various rules within Phoenix Valley and could not help but lament after that.Phoenix Valley truly was the center of the M
Rudy frowned, saying unhappily, "How could you not even know this?"Fane looked at Rudy wordlessly.Lou fell into an awkward situation, not knowing what to say. Rudy did not mind how nasty he sounded at all.He frowned and continued, "Are all of the 'Way of the Pill' manuals in Phoenix Valley open to everyone? Can you study any of them whenever you want to?"Lou nodded.Rudy straightened himself. "Phoenix Valley is too dangerous. A Way of the Pill is the basis to establish a clan. It's not something clans would normally allow anyone to see."I can't believe they let just anyone who wants to look at them. It looks like I'm not here for nothing. At the very least, I'll be able to learn an even better Way of the Pill."Fane had not wanted to pour cold water on Rudy's thoughts, but he could not help but say, "Don't get ahead of yourself. Even though there are no restrictions, everyone can learn a Way of the Pill. Don't forget that it's not something so easy to learn."The difficult
Fane nodded before and walked into the hall. Rudy, with furrowed brows, followed Fane."I don't know why you're in such a rush. Condensing pill runes is something that requires a long time to improve on, and there's no reason to be in such a hurry."The Hall of Wishes was a place built to allow the alchemists to condense pill runes. Filled with pill aura, the hall was split into many small, isolated rooms. After entering a room, an alchemist could use the dense pill aura to form pill runes.It served a similar function to the pill aura room that Fane had used before. Anyone could enter the place without any need for permission or spirit crystals. It was a place that was free for all alchemists to use.Fane was not in a rush to start completing tasks and earning spirit crystals. He was more anxious to know what his limits were.Even though he absorbed the memories of that senior, he still did not know how much his body had caught up with the memories. He wanted to know how many pil
"I thought you'd gone back. Why are you waiting for me?" asked Fane, genuinely puzzled.After all, he and Rudy did not have the best of comradeship, and every conflict they had before never truly left their minds.All that, and Rudy acted like nothing had happened between them and waited for Fane outside.Rudy let out a slight cough as he said with an obstinate tone, "We just moved in here, you know. We'll be bullied if we walk on our own, don't you think?"Fane let out a light grunt. He could not help but feel the urge to roll his eyes, but he stopped himself in the end. He had already grasped Rudy's temperament a while ago, so it was nothing too surprising. He would just be wasting his time if he continued to be calculative with him.Fane thus nodded and decided to just play along. He could do whatever he wanted to."I'm going to the task hall, are you coming?"Rudy's eyes widened in exasperation when he heard that. "Fane, you've just arrived in Phoenix Valley for a few hours.
Fane glanced at Rudy. "Why are you talking so much? Have you only found out now that I can make my decisions? You don't have to keep rephrasing these things so often."Rudy coughed slightly as he scratched his nose, saying awkwardly, "To be honest, I just wanted to know why someone as talented in combat as you would choose to be an alchemist. Even though alchemists are regarded very highly, strength is still the most important thing."If you decide to put all your focus on martial arts, you'll no doubt have many great accomplishments. All that, and you decided to put so much time on alchemy. Aren't you afraid you'll regret it in the future?"Fane cleared his throat in his bewilderment. He knew that Rudy would not have had anything good to say in the first place. He turned around on the steps and looked down at Rudy."When did I tell you that I gave up on martial arts to pursue alchemy?"Rudy shook his head somewhat stiffly.Fane coldly snorted and said, "I've never said it before
There was a heavy rumbling as the door slowly opened. A boundless sense of energy seemed to come from it.A few of them looked inside. Other than the green light, they could see nothing. The light completely obscured their sight. If they wanted to look inside, they would have to step in themselves.On the way there, Fane had already talked to Lourain about it. Lourain wanted to see what the legendary Valley of Enlightenment was like. That was why Fane asked for two spots.The three of them exchanged looks with each other, and they did not hesitate to step forward together, entering the door.The power of distorting space suddenly pulled the three of them in. The space around them started to spin rapidly. They did not know how much time passed, but it felt like a whole century before the space slowed down in front of them. Then, the sense of weightlessness disappeared as their feet landed on solid ground.The three of them had not been sent to different locations and arrived at the
Zayne scoffed, "Alright then, how do you want to work together?"He wanted to see what Fane was trying to do.Fane did not waste any time, "Both of us have all three keys, and we can open the door. Ten people can enter the door anyway. I just need two of those spots.Zayne looked at Fane meaningfully, "You sure know quite a bit."Fane even knew that only ten people would be allowed through. He seemed to have done his homework.Zayne took out his purple key from his storage ring. At that moment, all three keys were there. As long as all the keys were placed together, the gateway to the Valley of Enlightenment would open."If you only need two spots, then I don't mind working with you," Zayne looked at Fane meaningfully, but he quickly added, "However, make sure you don't cause any trouble during the important moments."Fane smiled before he said, "I've always been someone who keeps to my word. I'm more worried that you'll cause me trouble instead. There are many geniuses in the V
The two of them knew what that meant. Their eyes met, and worry was evident in their eyes."Is it Fane again?" Zayne said with a frown. At that moment, the first name that popped up in his head was Fane.Only Fane would truly be a big problem for them. Seymour's expression turned sour. He suddenly felt like Fane seemed to be his Achilles heel. Fane could pop out at any time and put him in a difficult spot."That's right! It's me!" At that moment, a voice was heard from afar. The two of them looked in the direction of the voice and saw five figures appearing in the air.This time, Fane did not have a disguise on. He was facing everyone with his real face."It really is you!" Zayne's face completely soured at that moment. Even if they were meeting for the first time, he was already incredibly sensitive to Fane's name.Nothing good ever happened when Fane was mentioned and Fane had actually appeared in front of him."How dare you!" Seymour shouted angrily!He walked forward to sta
When Shin and the others saw that, they were speechless. That person who had looked down on them was completely bound and on the ground at that moment. He looked pathetic.Fane quickly walked toward Warren, reaching out to pull off the mask to reveal his face.Fane controlled his energy, reducing the destructive power in Warren's soul. After the pain diminished, Warren slowly woke up.He looked up and saw the one person he never wanted to see in his life. He lost his voice as he said, "Fane?! It's you!" He almost bit his tongue as he spoke.Fane smiled and nodded slightly, "Yes. It’s me.""No wonder, so it's you! Where's Presti then?" Warren looked up and said.Fane raised an eyebrow and shot an incredulous look at Warren. Warren immediately understood what happened, and his whole face turned pale, "He's dead!"Fane nodded. There was nothing much to hide. Warren gulped, suddenly feeling like his thoughts from earlier were an absolute joke at that moment. He had even been think
After seeing that, there was a surprised look on Warren's face. However, he quickly pushed back that surprise. Even if that man was skilled, he would just be an above-average warrior. Above-average warriors were like paper to him!"Brat, it looks like you have some skill. However, that means nothing in front of me. I'll show you right now what a warrior at the peak is!"Right after he said that, he circulated his true energy around his feet. Red energy started to frantically blow away the dust on the ground. He lunged into the air incredibly fast.Fane raised an eyebrow before he started to form seals with his hands. Countless seals danced around in the air, and a chain appeared.That chain looked like a black dragon as it danced in the air.Warren scoffed in disdain. It was just a petty trick from an above-average warrior in his eyes. That chain would shatter in just one blow.He did not even bother thinking about it as he raised the sword in his hand. A silver ray of light quic
He leaped forward and landed in front of those four. Fane had already noticed Warren a while ago, but Fane relaxed when he saw Warren was alone. If it was just one person, then there was nothing to worry about!"Presti really is a piece of trash. He couldn't even get you!" Warren said with a sneer.Shin clutched his chest and turned to look at Cavill next to him. Cavill nodded slightly and did not say anything. The two of them shut their mouths at the same time as they looked in Fane's direction.Warren immediately felt something was wrong. He turned to look at Fane and saw that Fane was still completely calm as if nothing had happened."Brat, it looks like you're no ordinary person!" Warren said with a sneer.Fane turned to look at him before saying calmly, "Are you here to kill us?"Warren laughed out loud, and his eyes were full of mockery, "What do you think I'm doing here? Do I look like I'm here to chat?"Fane laughed. He could not believe another one turned up so soon aft
When Warren heard that, he felt incredibly exasperated. He mumbled, "It's just Shin, how could there be any trouble? Even if he has some fellow disciples with him, Presti is more than enough. They're all trash anyway."Zayne frowned, and he unleashed an incredibly strong aura that forced Warren to take a step back, "Shut up! Do you think we can afford to be careless right now? We're at the cusp of accomplishing everything right now. We have to be extremely careful. What kind of attitude is this?"Warren immediately shut up and did not dare to say anything. Zayne coldly looked at Warren, and deeply felt like Warren was not someone who could accomplish much. If it was not for the fact that he was useful, Zayne would not even bother bringing Warren through the door with him.Seymour turned to look into the distance. Gray mist filled up the skies, and no one could see the end of the horizon.There was nothing in the skies, and Seymour suddenly started to feel some worry. He was not clo
In front of an ancient stone door, two men were standing there, while another was sitting down and resting.The men who were standing had very stiff expressions on their faces. The two of them looked at each other with animosity in their eyes. It was obvious they were not friendly with each other. The man who was sitting down had his eyes shut and completely ignored the other two."Seymour! You're just the same as Desmond. You can't even get something so simple done. Desmond lost his life. I think you're about to follow suit!" Warren sneered as he mocked.Seymour's expression was dark, and he shot right back, "Warren, stop with those disgusting words of yours! Don't think I don't know what you're trying to do. You're just trying to push me down and take all the credit for yourself!"Stop joking around! You aren't smart enough to steal my credit! Even though Desmond is already dead, he still did the best he could. He was just tricked by Fane. If it was you, you wouldn't even have
Fane frowned. After he reached out to grab Presti's neck, Presti's life ended with a crack.Shin's eyes widened as he looked at Fane with fear. His savior could very well kill him!Cavill started to panic as well. He looked at Fane with alarm. Even though he was thankful that Fane saved the two of them just now, he had no way to tell what Fane would do after this. Fane slowly walked in front of them, and he did not show much emotion on his face.Cavill said in a dry voice, "Fane, you…?"Fane shook his head, "Don't panic. I won't kill you. Let's work together. It's not like only one person will be able to enter after the door opens."Shin looked at Fane with an incredibly inquisitive look. He thought about it before he said, "I… I don't want to work together. I'll give you the key as thanks for saving me. That Valley of Enlightenment doesn't sound like a good place at all. If I enter, I don't even know if I'll be able to survive."As he spoke, Shin had a bitter look on his face.