"As for the location of the secret realm, we'll know when we leave from here. Until then, I ask you all to relax or help our family clear the toxic remains of the Vacuous Beasts. I promise to allocate extra spots for the power that could remove this poisonous miasma from our backyard."
"Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus, you speak as though there isn't a true limit set on the secret realm. Just how many can enter?" The Blazing Thunderlight Sect's Patriarch asked in an inquisitive tone.
"You think you can make us dance to your tone just because you're the only man who knows the location of the secret realm?" Patriarch Asta Rubyshroud laughed.
Laughter also echoed in the background as everyone seemed to be amused.
Indeed, the Zyrus Family, which didn't even have an existence at the Late Immortal Emperor Stage anymore, was demanding things from them like a child demanding a group of adults. This was completely hilarious to them.
"It just happens so that my Aurora Cloud Gate wants to negotiate more spots to enter this secret realm. I hope you can give us the opportunity to clear the toxic remnants plaguing the outskirts of our city."
"Deal!"
Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus instantly pointed at Elder Aradiel Furiose, "As long as the miasma is cleared, you are entitled to ten more spots. If it just the adding an additional seal, then I can allot no more than five more spots."
"We'll clear the miasma."
Elder Aradiel Furiose stretched, "A good day's work will never go unrewarded."
He sighed as though appearing to warm up before a soul body walked out from his figure, which then flew towards the distance.
"…"
"As expected of the power that Saintess Lunaria once belonged to. They don't resort to plundering things but work for their meals even if the ones they are dealing with are far beneath them."
Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus's expression was full of admiration, as though he was full of approval for them, while the other powers looked at him with intense anger. They wanted to reject his allotment, but the location of the secret realm wasn't revealed.
Even if they couldn't reject, they were full of anger and regretted that they didn't pounce on this opportunity, but after mocking Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus, if they were to ask for the opportunity to increase their spots, then what face would they have left?
Davis couldn't help but inwardly laugh.
He liked this scene where almost every major power looked livid.
"And, if you're allowing many people into the secret realm, what are we supposed to pay up?" He smilingly asked, causing Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus's gaze to light up.
"Glad you asked."
Everyone narrowed their brows as a word popped into their minds.
Tax.
It was common for powers to impose a tax on the powers they allowed into their secret realm, whether it belonged to them or they found it. However, would the Zyrus Family dare to tax them?
It was already magnanimous of them not to squash them beneath their foot right now for having something they couldn't possibly defend. These were unspoken rules of the cultivation world. They found it hard to believe that a wicked path power's leader like Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus would not be aware of it.
Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus could see the glares he received from all directions. Regardless, he still had a smile on his face.
"Naturally, I won't put a tax on the resources found as I don't know what awaits us in the secret realm. Therefore, I will take taxes before we enter the secret realm in the form of High-Level Immortal Crystal Vein Cores. An individual will pay one, a prefecture power will pay two, a domain power will pay five, and an alliance will pay ten or more depending on the number of powers or spots they want."
"…!"
Many people became stunned as they heard the requirement the Zyrus Family Patriarch imposed on their powers to enter the secret realm.
They were to hand over High-Level Immortal Crystal Vein Cores, the pinnacle of natural energy condensation source and the lifeline of any power, especially major powers, to the Zyrus Family in order to have entry?
"Ten High-Level Immortal Crystal Vein Cores? Are you sure that you're not plundering us instead!?"
Patriarch Asta Rubyshroud shouted in disbelief. As the leader of the Crimson Sangreal Alliance, he had to bring ten- no, more High-Level Immortal Crystal Vein Cores to be allowed to enter. What was he supposed to say to the other powers in the alliance in order to convince them?
"This is ridiculous!"
"No Peak Immortal King Grade Secret Realm requires this sort of payment."
"You're even worse than bandits!"
The other powers were also thinking the same thing.
High-Level Immortal Crystal Vein Cores were important for a power's stability. Losing even one of them would lead to instability that they would have to cut costs in some areas or everywhere in an overall fashion in order to maintain their expenditure. If not, they need to go elsewhere to plunder to support their needs, which would nullify the covenant accepted by almost every power in the First Haven World.
After all, war was the only way to plunder High-Level Immortal Crystal Vein Cores at this point.
"What? This payment is rather low."
Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus appeared clueless, "This is a secret realm that appeared at the end and beginning of two eras. Anything could happen. Any treasure that could change an entire power's destiny could be found. However, I'm only asking for High-Level Immortal Crystal Vein Cores that allow a power to remain stable, not grow profoundly strong."
"Then what if we find nothing!? Can you take responsibility for it then?"
"Absolutely."
"…!?"
Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus spread his hands, causing the others to be stunned again. What was this man saying?
"I will pay back half the High-Level Immortal Crystal Vein Cores the participating powers paid to me if no treasures worth Mid-Level Immortal Emperor Grade are found. Individuals will not be compensated, so beware of the consequences."
He smirked but suddenly flinched as he turned to look at Davis.
"Ah! Naturally, the Emperor of Death and the Central Primesky Alliance don't need to pay, as my Zyrus Family owes them. The Dragon, Phoenix, and Kirin Alliance also don't need to pay since they have given their word to me that they would discipline anyone or any power seeking to disrupt this gathering."
"…?"
Many eyeballs stretched out of sockets as they heard Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus's words.
The Dragon, Phoenix, and Kirin Alliances didn't need to pay?
It was no wonder they were silent!
But this also essentially left them unable to change the payment required, leaving their powers bleeding from the sky to the land!
*Clap~* *Clap~* *Clap~*
Suddenly, the sound of hands clapping echoed, causing everyone to look at a beautiful crimson-purple-robed fairy.
"Wonderful~" The Blazing Thunderlight Sect's Founder spoke through her purple veil as she stopped clapping.
"I don't recognize you at all, Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus. If you were the man you were now a few weeks ago, perhaps, you could have triumphed and become the leader of the Central Primesky Alliance back then."
"Aha~" Patriarch Yinakin Zyrus laughed before he cupped his hands, "That's not possible as I realize my mistakes, but many thanks, Fairy Thunderblaze."
"Oh, someone even remembers my old title? I'm honored."
"Are you also entering?"
"Naturally. I wasn't playing when I said I'm not entering the Candidacy, after all."
Fairy Thunderblaze laughed melodiously, causing the hearts of numerous men to thump. Even the Celestial Fairies felt threatened by her also accompanying them into the secret realm. They felt it was somewhat unfair.
After all, the other party was an inheritor while they were not, not to mention that no other inheritors were participating because they could not possibly miss out on entering the Candidacy!
However, they didn't mock Fairy Thunderblaze.
After all, secret realms were filled with unknown dangers, and the one they were entering wasn't even explored and seemed to be filled with aboriginals, so they wouldn't even know if they could return alive.
They thought Fairy Thunderblaze was a coward for not participating in the Candidacy, but with this, they felt like they had to change their minds.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel