“You’re saying that the severe drought in Dream Prefecture is actually caused by a treasure, what kind of treasure is so exaggerated?”
Wang Sheng found it hard to believe.
What kind of treasure could cause such extensive drought throughout a prefecture, even drying up lakes.
Of course, with his current power, if he exerted himself fully and allowed his Qi-Blood to envelop a prefecture’s range, he could also achieve this extent, but it wouldn’t be an overnight task.
Now a treasure could do this, setting aside how long it would take, just being able to do so already proved the so-called treasure’s might.
“Is this information reliable?”
The Shopkeeper also knew this matter was shocking, but without evidence, how could he recklessly spread rumors.
“Sir, this information is true, I only know about it because those above told me to go to Yu State Dream Prefecture along with other Grandmaster Level Shopkeepers from two or three nearby states, in search of that treasure.
The most critical point is, this order came directly from the Store Manager; there can be no mistake.”
Although Zhu Xiao had only met him once, Wang Sheng also knew of her general character and that she wouldn’t make unsupported claims.
Hearing that Zhu Xiao had passed down the message, he knew there must be some accurate information, yet this Shopkeeper didn’t know the details, only that a treasure existed.
“I understand, thank you for the information.”
…
In the end, Wang Sheng stayed there for a day, allowing Liu Jian’an and others to rest, and then, following his usual routine, became a gentleman of the night before continuing on his journey the next day.
This time, Yuelai Inn garnered even more secret manuals than the first.
However, the Shopkeeper admitted that obtaining more would be difficult; it would take longer, and the items acquired might not necessarily be better than before.
Especially Martial Arts Secret Manuals, even if Yuelai Inn took action, unless they used pressure, large and middle-sized forces might not hand over their manuals.
After all, many of these manuals were practiced within their own forces, and leaking them could cause trouble if countermeasures were discovered.
So after the first sweep, the number of Martial Arts Secret Manuals obtained would only decrease.
However, trivial talks could still be maintained for a while.
Hearing this, Wang Sheng felt assured.
Compared to Martial Arts Secret Manuals, he was more interested in those providing ideas.
“Still not bad!”
Wang Sheng left with the assorted informal records, planning to head for Yu State Dream Prefecture.
Now that he had figured out the issue, he naturally wanted to see what could cause such destruction.
If it were truly a treasure, then it must be beyond imagination.
During his journey, besides examining secret manuals and miscellaneous texts, he had also scrutinized many descriptions of powerful beings and exchanged knowledge with Qiao Nian and Zhu Xiao. The top Great Grandmasters, if fully unleashed, could obliterate a city or even a territory easily.
But to cause a drought of this magnitude was beyond them.
Perhaps only a Master of Destiny could do so.
If such a being did appear, and some Great Grandmaster acquired it, and could use it, the balance of power might be upset, giving most cause for concern.
“Perhaps this is a good thing?”
The current chaos stemmed mainly from the lack of a truly strong force able to resolve all others, which might otherwise stabilize the situation.
If there were such a dominant force—
“But pondering this is pointless!”
It wasn’t arrogance on Wang Sheng’s part, but since meeting Qiao Nian, White Lotus Demon King, and Zhu Xiao, he could affirm that unless someone like “Heavenly Father” emerged, he’d easily defeat or even kill them.
Other Overlord Level forces’ Great Grandmasters were comparable to Zhu Xiao, and he could resolve them just as easily.
But what then?
The Great Zhou was vast and not something one person could govern.
He simply lacked the manpower, and a struggle for power was no longer just an issue for Qingshan Village.
And as for the officials remaining in Great Zhou… not all were like the Yongfeng County Magistrate, who was an outlier.
Considering this, it seemed best to focus on his own little corner.
But—
“Heaven gives but not taking leads to misfortune!”
…
Time slowly passed, and Wang Sheng led his people onwards, constantly making for Yu State Dream Prefecture.
A month quietly slipped by, with Wang Sheng having left Quanzhou and traversed most of Chi State, soon to reach Yu State.
Along the way, he visited every major city’s Yuelai Inn, not only to acquire secret manuals but also to gather news about the “treasure” and the Rebellion Army.
His ultimate destination was Imperial City, and if the Rebellion Army made a move, he would haste there at the soonest.
However, ever since the Rebellion Army lost the support of those major forces, they’d been stuck in a stalemate with even the risk of splintering, thus unable to breach the Imperial City and somehow maintaining stability.
Once they entered the Imperial City, it was likely they would go their separate ways or even turn blades on each other.
Wang Sheng didn’t need to worry too much once the Rebellion Army’s strength accumulated to a certain extent.
The matter of the treasure, however, had taken a new turn.
Zhu Xiao met with him again, and this time the conversation was mainly about the treasure.
“Manager Zhu, you asked me to stay for the treasure, do you need my help to fight for it?”
Zhu Xiao nodded and then shook her head, saying, “We can form an alliance, to fight for it together, and afterward, we both vie for it based on the outcome of a duel!”
Zhu Xiao never thought she could enlist a strong being not weaker than herself for assistance.
Thus she proposed an alliance.
Wang Sheng didn’t agree immediately but asked, “Are you all so certain that the treasure really exists and not afraid it’s a mistake?”
“We can be sure,” said Zhu Xiao with conviction, “We’ve confirmed its existence, it’s just that the treasure has not yet matured, and so the struggle for it hasn’t started. Probably in half a month, it will be ready!”
“You’ve already found it?”
“Yes, it was easier to find than expected and is certainly extraordinary, most likely appearing for the first time.”
“What is it exactly?”
“A bead, one that seems to be made of flame, possessing great destructive power. Although we’re unsure whether we can control it, nobody would give up!”
Wang Sheng hadn’t expected Zhu Xiao to have investigated the treasure to such an extent.
It was just short of the final struggle!
“So, do you agree?”
There was still a hint of expectancy in Zhu Xiao’s gaze.
“You’re sure it’s just as we agreed before?”
“Yes!”
“Alright, I agree!”
“Good, I’ll come to find you when it’s time!”
Zhu Xiao eventually left, while Wang Sheng sighed.
“Aren’t you just delivering the thing into my hands?”
He didn’t know where the bead was and needed information, yet unexpectedly, the information came straight to him…