“Many thanks to Sect Leader Sikong for coming to our aid so swiftly. A corner of Prosperity City’s wall has inexplicably gone missing, causing this disturbance. The exact reason remains unclear,” Sheng Qianyu replied, himself puzzled.
Sikong Jian’s brow furrowed, a look of confusion crossing his face. A corner of the Prosperity Wall had suddenly vanished, and no one had discovered the true cause?
The Prosperity Wall was too ancient. Even he could not discern what had happened.
His gaze turned to the missing corner, but he could not make sense of it either.
At that moment, Sheng Qianyu’s eyes swept over the numerous Martial Emperors present. He spoke. “This matter is of great importance. I ask all Martial Emperors to join me in the Sheng family hall to discuss it!”
The group of Martial Emperors nodded.
Then, Sheng Qianyu looked at the Sheng family elders and ordered. “Main elders of the Sheng family, join me in the council. The rest of you, one-third search for clues outside the city, one-third investigate within the city, and one-third patrol and guard the walls!”
“Yes!” the Sheng family members responded.
“I also hope that those present in the city can lend the Sheng family a hand!” Sheng Qianyu said, looking at the crowd.
Countless people nodded, eager to assist.
After all, Prosperity City was the foundation of the Southeast Domain.
“Rest assured, Sheng Emperor. Prosperity City is our foundation. We will give our all.”
“Indeed, we will do everything to find traces of who damaged the wall!”
“It is our honour to assist. We will stand guard with the Sheng family!”…
The crowd eagerly agreed. Not only was Prosperity City the foundation of the Southeast Domain, but helping the Sheng family could leave a good impression, something many were keen to do.
Moreover, if they could find any clues, they would surely gain the Sheng Emperor’s attention and rewards. That could lead to great prospects.
After all, they were not the geniuses attending the summit.
“My thanks to you all!” Sheng Qianyu clasped his hands. Then, gesturing to the other Martial Emperors, he said. “Everyone, please!”
The Martial Emperors nodded and followed Sheng Qianyu toward the Sheng residence.
“Lin Xiao, be careful. Return to Tianjiao Tavern quickly. Third Elder, if there’s danger, crush the transmission talisman immediately, and we will come at once!” Zi Huang warned Lin Xiao and the others before leaving with Ling Xiao.
The reason for bringing Zi Jinchen was not only to handle miscellaneous tasks but also to manage situations when they were absent.
Zi Jinchen, Lin Xiao, and the others nodded. Without Zi Huang and Ling Xiao’s protection, they were indeed less safe here.
“There’s an agreement among the factions. During the Southeast Domain Youth Summit, no Martial Emperor may attack the participating youths. If they do, they will face a joint attack from other Martial Emperors. I doubt any would dare break this openly,” Zi Jinchen said to Lin Xiao and the others. “Still, we can’t rule out a half-step Martial Emperor acting in secret or several Martial Lords joining forces. Let’s return to Tianjiao Tavern quickly. There, experts from Wanxiang Pavilion and I can protect you, making it safer.”
Lin Xiao nodded. At this Southeast Domain Youth Summit, he had made quite a few enemies.
Immediately, he and Zi Jinchen’s group hurried toward Tianjiao Tavern.
At that moment, large groups of people had surged out of Prosperity City to investigate. Some searched within the city, while others flew to the walls, joining the Sheng family in standing guard.
Of course, many were still pondering the missing corner of Prosperity City’s wall.
“This gap was clearly caused by someone refining it.”
Li Renchou stood in the void near the wall, staring at the gap, deep in thought. “Who could have the ability to refine Prosperity Stone? Could it be that a race even older than the ancient era has appeared?”
“That’s impossible. That race didn’t even appear during the ancient era of turmoil…” Li Renchou shook his head, utterly perplexed.
At the Sheng family residence, in a grand, resplendent hall, a group of Martial Emperors and key Sheng family elders took their seats.
Aside from the few Martial Emperors who had gone to investigate outside, about thirty were seated.
“My heartfelt thanks to all for coming to discuss this matter!” Sheng Emperor clasped his hands toward the group. “According to our family’s ancient records and speculations, Prosperity City has existed for at least ten thousand years. The Prosperity Wall bears many claw and sword marks, but neither ten thousand years ago nor in the past ten thousand years has the wall ever been breached. Tonight, a corner vanished without a sound. Does anyone have any insights?”
The group frowned. For the wall to be damaged so silently was indeed strange.
“Destroying it with force would be nearly impossible,” one Martial Emperor said. “Could someone have used a sharp weapon to cut that corner?”
“Even in ancient times, no weapon could easily cut through the Prosperity Wall. The likelihood is too small!” another Martial Emperor shook his head. “Besides, that gap doesn’t look like it was cut by a weapon.”
“What if it was intentional?” the first Martial Emperor suggested.
“That gap has three distinct curves and countless tiny serrations. The Prosperity Wall reacts the moment it’s damaged. To cut such a gap silently with a single sword, even Sect Leader Sikong with a peerless divine weapon couldn’t do it, could he?” Sheng Qianyu said.
“I couldn’t do it!” Sikong Jian shook his head.
Clearly, it was almost impossible.
“Could it be an ancient beast, like the Stone-Eating Rat? I’ve heard that species feeds on stone and could devour Prosperity Stone,” another Martial Emperor said.
“Stone-Eating Rat? That race is nearly extinct. Besides, while the gap has serrations, there are no tooth marks. A Stone-Eating Rat wouldn’t deliberately create such a gap, nor could it,” another Martial Emperor immediately shook his head.
Another nodded in agreement. “Exactly. It’s not a Stone-Eating Rat. The curves and serrations of that gap weren’t deliberate. To me, it looks more like someone refined the Prosperity Wall, naturally creating that gap.”
“Refine the Prosperity Wall? How could anyone refine it? Besides, Prosperity Stone isn’t spirit stone. What use would refining it have? It defies reason,” another Martial Emperor shook his head.
At that moment, a Sheng family elder spoke up, uncertain. “Patriarch, could it be that race?”
Sheng Qianyu’s brow furrowed. According to the Sheng family’s ancient records, there was indeed a race capable of refining Prosperity Stone, with a few mentions of it posing a threat to the Prosperity Wall.
But Sheng Qianyu immediately shook his head, firmly stating. “Impossible. That race is far older than the Stone-Eating Rat. There’s no way they could appear!”
“Sheng Emperor, what race is that?” a Martial Emperor asked curiously.
