Flaxseed leaned in, whistled at the figure on the page, then sucked a sharp breath. “Ten thousand high-grade celestial gems at that! What kind of lunatic throws around that stack of stones?”
“Someone hoping to set 100 thousand demon souls loose across level six,” Jared answered, shutting the folder with a soft clap. “Celestial Palace’s Sixth Hall wants those demonic souls to bleed strength from Roaring Storm Church and Celestia so they can seize new turf…”
“Inside Celestia, a traitor aims to plunge the capital into chaos, maybe even dethrone the current monarch. The princess’ escape already proved the court is split. As for Malevolent Path Hall, they crave strong souls for their Soul Fiend Pills. A cache of 100 thousand souls is raw gold to them.”
The veiled woman nodded. “Your analysis is sound, Mr. Chance. One more thread, last night, Celestia’s Celestial Guards sealed the west gate of Celestia City. Officially, they were hunting a thief who stole a national sacred relic… Our spies say they are truly searching for a cultivator who commands a demonic aura, someone tied to Malevolent Path Hall.”
Jared and Flaxseed exchanged a glance, the same thought flashed in both sets of eyes.
If the Celestial Guards had slammed the gates of Celestia City shut, the missing relic had to be Roaring Storm Bell, and the cultivator with a demonic aura must be the courier assigned by Malevolent Path Hall.
Once they stepped out of Whispers Tower’s shadowed arches, Jared said to Flaxseed, “Mr. Flaxseed, I’m heading to Celestia. With three factions wrapped around that bell, something feels wrong… Deeply wrong…”
“Those celestials are proud as peacocks. They never cultivate black magic… Well, most of them… Drystan of Celestial Palace, though? Spineless. Plenty of celestials within Celestial Palace will embrace any power that fattens their seat. I need to see Celestia with my own eyes. If Celestia, Celestial Palace, and Malevolent Path Hall have truly joined hands, reclaiming Roaring Storm Bell won’t be easy.”
“Marching in alone is suicide, Jared. Celestia swarms with celestial cultivators, each one puffed up on birthright. You’d be exposed the moment you crossed the border, and that’s assuming they even let you through the outer gates in the first place,” Flaxseed responded.
“Relax. They’re hunting their runaway princess, aren’t they? I’ll do them a favor, bring back. With that bargaining chip, I’ll walk straight into the capital.”
Flaxseed’s brows knotted. “You plan to kidnap their princess’? Even if hidden guards don’t skewer you, how will you smuggle a furious royal past walls thick with security in Celestia City? Besides, we’ve no idea where vanished to.”
“Whispers Tower will know,” Jared said, eyes already reflecting new fire. “And when they tell me, the hunt begins.”
Jared let his final word hang in the air. He rolled the smooth token Alice had slipped between thumb and forefinger. A silver prickle shot through his consciousness field, painting the princess’ exact coordinates inside Celestia.
“Whispers Tower just chimed in. The princess is holed up in Twilight Valley, south of Breeze Town. No Celestial Guards, no attendants, just her, a lonely candle in all that dusk. Once she’s in my hands, Celestia won’t dare strike. They need a pristine bride for their marriage alliance, they’ll wrap us both in silk before they risk a single scratch on her,” Jared said.
“Take these…” Flaxseed dug up a stack of Invisibility Charms from his item pouch. “Twilight Valley has a natural shield made of spiritual energy. These charms will blur your aura. If things sour, don’t play the hero, we’ll find another angle.”
“I need you anchored in Breeze Town,” Jared said, sealing one charm to his jacket as his figure faded into the shifting light. “Keep an eye on Whispers Tower. The moment Roaring Storm Bell surfaces, send word. Ten days, no more, I’ll smuggle news out of Celestia myself.”
Without another word, stepped onto the wind. A rush of pale clouds gathered beneath his boots, carrying like a phantom arrow toward the smoldering horizon where Twilight Valley slept.
