Floating Island - Triple S Talent

Lein shook his head slightly. "I don't need any at the moment," he answered briefly. He then glanced at Efan, who also responded similarly with a small nod.

The female shopkeeper skillfully packed the five sets of jewelry Laras had chosen into an elegant small chest with golden patterns. After ensuring everything was neatly arranged, she smiled warmly. "The total is twelve gold coins, madam," she said, clearly pleased to have secured a large transaction today.

Without hesitation, Laras raised her wrist, revealing her Dominion Entry Pass bracelet, and aligned it with the shopkeeper's own bracelet. In a fraction of a second, the automatic transaction system activated, and her gold coin balance was deducted accordingly.

"Thank you, madam. Please visit again," the shopkeeper said with a friendly smile, her gaze following Lein and his group as they left, satisfied with the large sale.

Laras clutched the small chest containing her chosen jewelry. Her eyes shone with anticipation. "I hope Nita, Hana, and the others will like them," she murmured, her voice nearly drowned out by the bustling market.

"They'll definitely like them. I'm sure," Lein said, nodding in agreement.

They continued their journey, letting the lively market sounds once again envelop their footsteps.

***

While Lein and the others were busy exploring the market, elsewhere, in a small cottage by a tranquil lakeside, a young man sat with a relaxed yet respectful posture. Zenithus gazed at the old man before him, who was dressed in a pristine white robe, smooth and without a single stain. A calm yet authoritative aura surrounded the man, but his piercing gaze seemed to penetrate straight into the depths of his conversation partner's heart.

"Are you certain they are outsiders?" he asked in a deep voice, nearly devoid of intonation, yet carrying an immense weight.

Zenithus straightened his posture, displaying his respect. "I am certain, sir. That senior possesses a strong desire for the Seed of Law. In fact, he mentioned that he would be willing to assist if the sect had a Seed of Law to offer him," he answered firmly.

The old man narrowed his eyes, his expression remaining unreadable. "He doesn't wish to join the sect, yet he is interested in the Seed of Law," he murmured softly, as if speaking to himself. He turned his gaze toward the lake's still surface, as though searching for answers in the clear, deep waters. "The Seed of Law is the core foundation of every sect. Even those below the rank of king are forbidden from knowing about it," he continued with a contemplative tone.

However, that tranquility was shattered in an instant.

The air near the cottage trembled slightly, and a figure appeared out of nowhere, as if stepping through another dimension. A middle-aged man, his face filled with panic, hurried toward the sect leader, completely ignoring Zenithus, who was still seated.

"Emergency report! A Seed of Law has been discovered! It is estimated to have appeared approximately twenty-five minutes ago. The Maledictus, Tenebrae, and Votum sects are already aware of it!" the man said, his voice slightly breathless, his rapid breathing reflecting the urgency evident on his face.

The old man furrowed his brow, his previously emotionless expression now showing tension. His visit to this place had been calculated, but the emergence of a Seed of Law always brought inevitable chaos.

After a few moments of thought, he shifted his gaze toward Zenithus, his eyes sharper than before. "Inform that man," he commanded in a firm tone, "if he is willing to assist us in securing the Seed of Law and facing the Maledictus Sect, he will receive a thirty percent share."

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Zenithus nodded without hesitation. There was no time to waste in a situation like this. "Understood, Sect Leader," he responded resolutely.

Without further delay, his body became enveloped in a thin layer of energy, and in an instant, he vanished from the old man's sight, leaving only a faint ripple in the air where he had stood.

The old man turned his attention to the middle-aged man still standing before him, his eyes now radiating an unyielding determination rarely seen before. "You, prepare the troops immediately. We must act first and secure the Seed of Law before they do," he ordered, his voice absolute.

The middle-aged man swallowed hard. He had served under his leader for a long time, but this was the first time he had witnessed such unwavering resolve in his expression. Wasting no time, he bowed deeply. "Understood, sir!"

A moment later, his figure vanished, leaving the old man alone by the lake, which remained as quiet as before.

But that silence was soon disrupted once more.

The old man raised his hand, and in an instant, a massive mirror appeared in midair. Its curved frame was intricately designed—elegant, yet adorned with mysterious engravings that exuded an ancient and enigmatic aura.

He channeled pure white energy from within his body into the mirror. Its surface trembled, reflecting flashes of light that spread across the entire land. The mirror then began to levitate, spinning at an increasingly rapid speed.

Slowly, an image started to form within it. Blurry, yet clear enough to reveal a vague scene—a sword piercing through someone.

However, before he could see further, the image suddenly fractured like shattered glass. The fragments of the vision crumbled apart, until the mirror once again became clouded.

The old man's brows knitted together. His expression hardened. "Damn it… is this a sign of misfortune?" he muttered, his voice filled with tension.

He stared intently at the mirror, as if trying to pierce through its depths with his gaze. His desire to see more was overwhelming, but he knew his limits. If he forced it, he could damage his own cultivation foundation. And in such a critical situation, losing stability before a battle was no different from courting death.

Clenching his fists, his resolve solidified once more. "I must act quickly," he declared with unwavering certainty.

Without hesitation, he vanished from the spot, leaving the lakeside behind, returning to its eerie stillness—as if nothing had ever happened.