The Innkeeper

Chapter 2081: Learning how to aura farm in silence

"Something like this... could not have been hidden so easily," said the Primal gravely. Due to his status as a Sage race member, not to mention his position in the bank, his insight into the matters across the universe came from a higher and deeper perspective.

The Primals effectively ran the universe, even if they did not claim ownership of it. They controlled all Inter-realm banks. They controlled the means of communications between large organisations. They controlled the information on several key features of the universe, with the Cosmic Ascendance Spectrum being just one of them. The scope of their understanding of the undercurrents of the universe could not be understated.

That was also one of the reasons that the Primals were some of the most untrusted and even somewhat hated races in the universe, for many believed that they were complicit in many shady dealings and various frauds. No one believed that the Primals lacked foreknowledge of the war.

But, due to how insanely powerful the Primals were, no one could really do anything to them. However, this was another matter altogether!

Even if the Primals tacitly consented to the war - which they most definitely claimed not to have done - they would never agree to something like this. The war, even if it affected much of the universe, could do nothing to the Primals. One could contest whether they were first or second on the Cosmic Ascendance Spectrum, but one could not deny their absolute strength.

Who could wage a war against them?

But an inescapable prison in Arch-Heaven was something else entirely. It was a known fact that Dao Lords, as a rule, avoided Arch-Heaven. The few that had been there usually did so before they became Dao Lords. Very few Dao Lords had been to Arch-Heaven as Dao Lords and had come back without regrets - if they came back at all.

Something like this could definitely threaten some of their forces - especially since Arch-Heaven was one of the only domains where the power and influence of Primals was weak. In fact, as a trend that the Primals had themselves created, most of the weaker races had greater influence in Arch-Heaven. That was, they could act on behalf of the Primals without them ever needing to enter it.

Although the Primal had said that statement to himself, Harriot treated it like a question.

"You are correct. If so many ministers in Arch-Heaven had worked together, it would be impossible to keep it a secret. According to our preliminary research into the matter, most of the ministers who acted to set this point as the spawn point for new entrants had no idea who they were working for. They were simply paid well, unaware that others had been recruited as well.

"As for the construction of this prison, we have not yet found any leads about it. Our best guess is that the very top leadership of the Path of Chaos has been planning this for a long time. They are one of the few who have the means of keeping their activities from detection."

That came as no surprise to anyone. Honestly, very few of them took the Path of Chaos too seriously most of the time. Although there was an ever present war going on between the two paths, it wasn’t like it spanned the whole universe.

In fact, keeping a constant war going in a contained area of the universe was quite beneficial to most of them. Not only could it allow them to acquire wealth, the battlefield was a place where many of them gained the insight and experience required to grow in their cultivation and deepen their insight into laws.

They never anticipated that it might grow into something so large because it was simply impossible for the Path of Chaos to take on the whole universe. Now, it seemed like they had given the Path of Chaos too much leeway.

Since the threat had now extended to Dao Lords, if these forces unveiled their true powers, then the collapse of the Path of Chaos was a foreseeable outcome. Yet which one of them could not see that this might be exactly the purpose of such bait.

"What is the official response of the Tower of Providence in this matter?" asked one of the Dao Lords. "The tower has prevented the Path of Chaos from gaining a lead for so many years. How could they falter now?"

Harriot nodded, as if appreciating the question.

"The Tower of Providence has declared that while the Path of Chaos is the acting agent, someone else is behind this. It is impossible for the Path of Chaos to make these arrangements without being detected by the tower."

Someone else was behind this?

Suddenly an air of distrust spread across the tavern as all the Dao Lords warily eyed each other. It seemed all their previous treaties and alliances suddenly became moot in the face of this new development. It was growing increasingly impossible to know who was the enemy, and who was an ally.

"Have the Primals made a statement?" asked the only Primal in attendance.

Everyone’s attention returned to Harriot.

"Of course. They have agreed to lead a rescue party under certain conditions. Since no Primals were abducted, they will only lead the party if a sufficient number of volunteer Dao Lords step up, as well as pay a certain remuneration for their services."

Despicable, but also quite in line with what one might expect from them.

"Just a second ago, Dragon King Adrios made a statement as well," Harriot spoke before anyone could ask any questions. "He has demanded that within ten thousand years, the Bone Meadow Crystal dome must be presented to him as a gift - regardless of who owns or controls it. If it is not, then he will invoke a Dragon-tide, and the dragon race will begin their conquest for ownership of the universe."

Silence. Dead silence filled the garden, as even Eclipse sat up straight upon hearing that news. If the dragon race were ever to unite under one banner or purpose, then the structure of the whole universe would change.

Lex, on the other hand, was taking mental notes. Ten thousand years was too distant a period of time for him to stress about when even tomorrow was not guaranteed. In that case, he may as well learn aura farming like that damn dragon who caused even a hundred Dao Lords to be stunned into silence.

He also could not help but wonder if, in ten thousand years this dragon tide was called, would he have to answer as well?