Pillar of Yita

”Ladies and gentlemen,” the Old Lizardman said with pale eyes scanning the others, ”with Isolin’s disappearance, the ancient prophecies of the sages have been declared invalid, and our tribe no longer believes in those old things. A new era has already dawned, and this time we, the People of the Night, shall determine our own destiny—Xinsas will return, but not in the way you imagine.”

”It,” it hissed dryly while spitting out its forked tongue, ”will reign supreme over all.”

”And you all shall submit to it.”

The Old Lizardman, pointing with fingers like dead branches, watched everyone present with a threatening gaze, ”Farewell.” Then, gripping its staff, it hobbled backward.

Behind it, the members of the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team stepped aside, creating a pathway. They glanced at the resplendent hall with a hint of envy but followed the Old Lizardman out.

Once they had left, a significant portion of the spacious palace was left empty.

Before the previous era, this palace, built atop the valley, had served as the sacred site for the Xinsas Serpentfolk to perform their rituals. They worshipped the Stars and Moon, for their sanctuaries often perched aloft, as if part of the celestial vault.

The dense columns and stairways, were like the gathering of sages and a river of stars.

Fang Hong and Tainaric were slowly ascending the steps in front of the palace, led by Sophie and Xi, one in front and one behind, when they bumped into the Night Lizard People coming from inside. Fang Hong saw the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team behind him and unconsciously halted.

The elder from the Night Lizard People, upon seeing Tainaric, also stopped, both sides squinting at each other.

But it was only a brief moment, as they passed by each other and left the other behind.

The Gunslinger beside Guzhou turned back curiously to glance at Fang Hong’s retreating figure. ”What’s wrong?” Guzhou noticed his unusual behavior and asked. By that time, the elderly knight Qiaoli was no longer with the group. After the battle at the Elf Ruins, he had retired half a month ago.

”Nothing,” the Gunslinger shook his head. He had clashed with Fang Hong once at the Elf Ruins, though at a considerable distance. Over this month, Fang Hong had changed a lot, and his mask made him unrecognizable: ”It’s just strange, I felt like I’ve seen that person before.”

”You mean that Little Princess from Silver Weslan?” Guzhou inquired.

”No, another one.”

”It’s the lizardman.”

”It’s the young man next to it.”

Guzhou recalled for a moment, confident in his memory, he hadn’t met the person before, so he didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he turned back and asked the Old Night Lizardman, ”Respected elder, who was that guy before?”

”A young man from Andasok, I’ve heard of him, slightly more promising than the one inside,” the voice of the Old Night Lizardman croaked.

Fang Hong wasn’t as speculative.

He had recognized the Gunslinger from the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team right away, but he already knew the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team had ties to this place and their relationship with the Blood Oath Alliance, so he wasn’t too surprised.

He and the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team had significant enmity, but that didn’t mean he would provoke them openly. At most, he’d secretly sabotage them from the shadows, just like before.

Of course, as his level and strength steadily grew, Fang Hong believed that he would eventually have the chance to strike them hard.

For now, it was best to pretend he didn’t recognize them, especially with an unresolved military issue, and in fact, he still had vulnerabilities in the hands of the Descendants of Flor. Fortunately, it seemed they hadn’t recognized him either.

Only Sophie had noticed the details before and with her black hair swaying slightly at the front, she asked, ”Do you know them?”

”Who?” Fang Hong asked, ”You mean the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team? I’ve dealt with them in Avenquin.”

The Female Knight gently nodded.

After a moment, she added, ”They are not good people, the Descendants of Flor have a poor reputation among the Chosen, it seemed like they noticed you. You’d better be careful around these people.”

Fang Hong was slightly surprised; he had assumed all Grand Guilds were of the same nature, at least outwardly appearing amicable. He hadn’t expected Sophie to point it out so sharply.

But on second thought, he was somewhat relieved. To him, the Jiefulite Red Cloak Team seemed colossal, but to Silver Weslan, it was presumably insignificant enough to be openly criticized. Indeed, behind them, BBK wasn’t even counted among the top-ten Guilds, being far outstripped by KUN’s Wind Talkers Club.

If it were a Guild like Elite, they probably would have been more cautious with their words.

Sophie turned around, guessed what he was thinking by his expression, but didn’t explain—those who knew her well were aware of her straightforward nature. She was direct about what she liked and disliked, seeing Fang Hong’s group as merely a small Adventure Group, she had kindly intended to give a warning.

”I have indeed heard such rumors in the Ancient Tower,” Hilveld suddenly spoke up: ”The Jiefulite Red Cloak Team indeed has a poor reputation there, especially among the Natives.”

”You are from the Ancient Tower?” Sophie turned back, curiously looking at the delicately beautiful noblewoman who looked almost like a doll.