Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1399: I Wonder

Sylasʼ expression didnʼt change from start to finish. Even when he heard about the potential highest reward, he didnʼt react much at all. It was like he wasnʼt tempted in the slightest.

And that was precisely because he wasnʼt.

”Originally, there should have been many years between now and then, time enough for many of you to increase your strengths by another Tier at the very least.

”Unfortunately, as things stand now, there is at most three years between now and when the time will come to leave.

”This meeting has been called with the Warlords and their most promising disciples because all of you will be our best representatives. The Core Sanctum has decided that all of you will receive the best nurturing possible over these coming years. We will do our best to nurture you to the greatest extent.

”However, the Sanctum isnʼt a place that forges greenhouse flowers. We are warriors, and because of that, the best way to temper you all—even if it means risking your life and death—is true battle.

”With the turmoil the Sector and its surrounding neighbors are in, there is no better time than now to do exactly this.”

There was a flash and flicker in the 713th Whale Warlordʼs eyes, the oppressive force of suction coming from her only becoming more domineering.

”There are 100 Sanctums under our Emperor Sanctum. Ours is ranked 73rd. This is why we are officially titled the Beast Warlord Sanctum 073. We are not quite middle of the pack, but our performance canʼt be said to be the worst either.

”I am sure that none of you are happy with this ranking, and I can only apologize on behalf of myself and the others of our generation that we did not perform up to the standards you hope for us.

”Even so, I must be very honest with you all. There is a significant gap in strength for even 10 rankings. Iʼm sure that the Bat Lineage, formerly of the 65th Sanctum, can attest to this.”

Several eyes narrowed.

Although Zolte was obviously not a member of the Bat Lineage, the strength of the likes of Urolius, Magnus, and even Bellarouse went without saying.

If that was the standard of the Bat Lineage of the 65th Sanctum, how much more powerful were their Whale, Serpent, Ape, and Lion Lineages?

And if there was such a significant gap in strength for just a mere 10 rankings, what about 20? 30? How strong were the top 10 rankings? The top five? The top one?

And how powerful was the Emperor Sanctum to stand above them all and force them to squabble for resources like scurrying rats?

”With this in mind, the Sanctum will be entering a new, but acute era. The Warlords have set up a Merit Leaderboard. Accumulate War Points and you will be able to exchange for rare resources not normally available in the markets.

”During this time, even we, as your masters, wonʼt be allowed to hand you resources for free. Anything you want, you must fight for.

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”As for how you will accumulate these War Points, it will be up to you. Some of you maybe choose to Dungeon Hunt. Others might choose to challenge the Alpha Beasts of our territory. We do not stand opposed to any method you use—including if you choose to join the efforts of an external third party. So long as you are not acting against the interests of the Sanctum.”

Several of the more immature Warlords couldnʼt help but look over toward Byahmad, whose expression had long become unreadable.

Clearly, this was a compromise of sorts. The Crown Warlord Sanctum was too important to individual Sanctums. Having the strength of a Lineage from the 65th might allow them to move into the top 70 or above, depending on a few factors.

But at the same time, it was drawing a line. They were saying that the Sanctum as a whole would no longer be supporting the Bat Lineage. If they wanted, they could at best use a few of their disciples.

That said… acting in the best interest of the Sanctum also meant that targeting their disciples for assassination would not be tolerated.

Not only would such actions not lead to War Points, they would be punished.

If the Kaelthar wanted to kill Sylas, they would have to find a way to do it on their own, and they wouldnʼt be able to use their Bat Lineage disciples to do it either, otherwise they would be losing out on the resources they sorely needed—especially after Sylas blocked their chances of getting them for free.

From feeling they would likely have the 73rd Sanctum in their back pocket, to instead being relegated to scraps… it could be said that the Bat Lineageʼs fall from grace was well documented at this point.

And it all seemed to be the fault of just a single young man.

This young man, though, wasnʼt thinking about them at all. Instead, he had slowly parted his lips to speak.

”I wonder if I can ask a question?” Sylas asked slowly.

Erethea looked toward Sylas, her expression somewhat curious. It was rare that an F-tier dared to interrupt a C-tier, but it seemed that nothing Sylas did was very logical or made much sense in the first place.

In the history of the Sectorʼs F-tiers, he was the undisputed number one. The system had made that very much clear to everyone, and Sylasʼ actions only seemed to prove that all the more so.

If they were going to try and measure him by normal standards, then they would just be doing far more harm to themselves than they would be doing to Sylas.

”Please,” Erethea said in a gentle voice. Honestly, the fact Sylas cared enough to ask if he could say something first was interesting enough to her. This boy was arrogant, but he was also hard to read. His mind worked in fascinating ways.

”You say that we can use War Points to trade for things we normally wouldnʼt be able to. I wonder if that includes the Legacies of Sanctums we arenʼt a part of.”

Eretheaʼs pupils constricted, and a silence fell.