Fane irritatedly raised an eyebrow at Rudy's questions, the same ones that had floated in his mind for a long time. He concluded that he would not be able to get a clear answer to Grayson's situation, so he threw the thought to the back of his mind for the moment.There was no evidence, and they had no way of getting any evidence. There was no way to figure out the truth, so anything they tried to figure things out would only be speculation.Since there was no way to gain anything, it was better to not let it disrupt his mood. With that thought in mind, Fane decided to stop thinking about it.True to his word, Rudy remained internally frantic, a great contrast to Fane. Grayson's disappearance had loomed over him like a ghost, and the more he tried to figure out what had happened to him, the less he understood. He did everything he could to find the answers, but what greeted him were more and more riddles.Fane stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Rudy seriously. "You won't b
Rudy finally had a better impression of Phoenix Valley because of that."I've already made some marks the last time I went to Holy Cloud Mountain, and I won't go anywhere else this time. I'll first find my mark and pick up some Wind Spirit Grass.""Why didn't you pick it up last time? Why did you have to wait for this time? It hasn't been that long, do you think it would really get better in just a few months?""Do you have a brain? I made a mark and didn't pick it last time because those guys were around. I noticed it at that time, but they didn't. Don't you think they would've snatched it from me had I taken it at that time?""That's true… With how they are, the moment they find something good, they'll try to take it for themselves. The Wind Spirit Grass is a seventh-grade medicine, and an upper-rank one at that. If they noticed it, they'd take it, whatever it may cost."The flurry of discussions had caught Fane's attention. He turned to look around to notice a few familiar face
Rudy started to get frustrated as his face reddened. "What do you think the higher-ups are thinking? I refuse to believe they don't know anything about these thieves operating right under them. We're being bullied here! Can't they stand up and say a thing or two or even take care of matters for us?"Fane looked at Rudy helplessly. Not wanting to have his ears filled with his complaints, he answered, "Can you just think about it? You're asking why they aren't caring about anything, but don't you realize that the more they allow the in-fighting to continue, the more people would try to fight for themselves?"Phoenix Valley gives every alchemist their own chances, but the reason they do that is to find more talented and stronger alchemists."They let the alchemists do what they want because they want to stir up the competitive spirits of regular alchemists. They want the alchemists to be frustrated so they'll put all their focus into alchemy. They want the alchemists to constantly want
"Those two guys have been looking at you the whole time, and I felt something was off from the start. When we first came over, he was only stealing glances at you, but now he's staring at you really obviously."Surprised by this, Fane turned to look at Rudy, who lightly coughed as he tilted his head to the side. Fane thus averted his gaze and saw two familiar faces staring at him.Harold and Johnson were staring at Fane with widened eyes. Various emotions could be seen on their faces as they looked over at Fane and Rudy. When Fane looked over, the two of them averted their gazes at the same time, turning around as if nothing was happening.Fane frowned. He had been busy with other things as of late, while Harold and Johnson had both kept quiet and not caused him any trouble, so he had almost forgotten about what had happened between the two of them.However, it seemed like he had thought too kindly of these two; Harold and Johnson probably did not have the right opportunity to caus
Harold's eyebrow twitched as he looked at Johnson unhappily, and said, "Who do you think that guy is? Don't you know how strong an inner disciple is?"We're just dealing with Fane. Using a chosen disciple would be going way overboard. If we really did that, it would just be us regarding him too highly!"Johnson's lips twitched helplessly as he nodded at Harold's words. However, Johnson was a hundred percent certain with everything.He took a deep breath as he explained, "I know what you're thinking. Getting an inner disciple would normally be more than enough to deal with Fane."After all, Fane's just an alchemist, so there's no way he'll be stronger than an inner disciple. However, no matter what, we're taking a great risk this time. If this matter leaked out, we both know how heavily we would be punished."We would be doomed if that happened. We should be more careful just in case anything happens. Even if we have to spend a bit more money to get a chosen disciple, it would assu
After he said that, Johnson sighed helplessly. He had an incredibly worried expression on his face. Harold frowned as he looked at Johnson's expression. He got even angrier as he turned around and stared at Johnson coldly."Seriously, is there something wrong with your brain? What kind of amazing enemy do you think Fane is? Do you think an inner disciple wouldn't be able to handle him?"Johnson hurriedly shook his head as he said, "I don't mean it that way! It's just that the two of us are done for if this is exposed."That's why I wanted to look for someone who can take care of Fane properly. I want him to die before he can even react!"Harold rolled his eyes and replied, "Michael is in the top fifty of the inner disciples. An innate stage alchemist couldn't possibly cause him any trouble."Don't worry, there won't be any problems, and he won't betray us. After all, if this matter is exposed, he would meet the same end like us."Johnson took a deep breath and replied, “I hope th
"Let me say this again. Don't try to attempt any petty schemes. If I find out, you won't be let off so easily."Fane could hear what Elder Eliot meant by those words. It seemed like he was worried that some people would act wantonly in the absence of supervision.His next words proved Fane's thoughts as he continued, "If anyone dies, the identification badge will notify me. I'll be able to immediately determine where everyone is."Anyone who appears close to the dead person will be immediately investigated by me. No one will be able to escape! All of you are no stranger to my temper. I'd rather kill the wrong person than let that person go, so don't you dare do anything of the sort!"Even though alchemists were not as intense as martial artists since everyone had their focus on refining pills, their relationships with one another were not so harmonious. Everyone had their own little thoughts. Some grudges between them were already at irreconcilable levels. Holy Cloud Mountain was
Once everyone had arrived at the Holy Cloud Mountain, Elder Eliot announced that they were free to do anything they wanted for the next three days. They would not be disturbed by anyone during that period.After three days, they would all have to gather there. Everyone would be sent back to Phoenix Valley. Elder Eliot seemed to be worried that any accidents would happen, so he repeated it a few times.After everyone promised that they would not do anything they should not, he let everyone leave.Fane did not delay things for a single moment before heading in a direction that not many have taken. Rudy followed closely behind him like an unshakeable tail.The two of them walked deeper into Holy Cloud Mountain as they talked. Rudy was still hung up on Harold and Johnson, and whether or not they would try to pull any tricks."I'm still a bit worried. I feel like the two of them were looking at both of us really strangely earlier. It was as if they were about to get what they wanted. I
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.