Chapter 202: Chapter 97: [Jade Realm] Defector
Inside the dim, quiet, third-floor study.
Within the unfurled Spiritual Realm.
Zansi, the Golem Witch, was reporting the findings of her investigation to Zorn.
"Master, after a period of searching and exploration by my subordinates,"
"we have gradually located the three Life Churches you mentioned."
"However, the situation is different from the active state you described."
"Those Life Churches are quite dilapidated. Very few Believers still worship the great Lord of Life."
"Only a few old men are still stationed there."
"But with a thorough search, I did manage to find a trace of the mysterious old man you were looking for."
"This mysterious person has been funding the Life Churches’ operations, but he himself doesn’t appear to be very wealthy."
"He just works in plant cultivation."
Zorn nodded slightly after hearing the Golem Witch Zansi’s report.
’As a Mafia Boss, her competence is quite reliable. She saves me a lot of time.’
"So, where is this mysterious man’s exact location?"
"Master, I have already recorded it on this parchment."
As she spoke, the Golem Witch Zansi offered up the parchment.
After memorizing the address, a blood-red flame flared in Zorn’s hand, incinerating the parchment.
The exchange in the Spiritual Realm concluded.
Zorn got up and changed into an ordinary hooded robe.
"To the Crack District. Lower South Street."
"Yes!"
Alvin, who had already learned to drive the steam car, responded respectfully at once.
Soon, the steam car departed from the manor, heading toward Lower South Street in the Crack District.
Inside the steam car.
Level: Level Six (87%)
His gaze swept over his Level and Sequence Experience.
’Another week or so and I should be able to advance to Level 7.’
’After stabilizing for a bit, I can complete my advancement during this conflict of the steam tide.’
’If I used a Sacred Mark to break through on my own, it would consume quite a few of them.’
’But advancing through a national ritual is much more comfortable.’
As he mused, Zorn’s thoughts turned to the target he was seeking today.
The Ancient Porcelain Holy City was home to many special and hidden existences.
For instance, the mysterious old man Zorn was looking for, named Rekano, was one of them.
The Jade Realm, a power hidden deep within the Spirit Realm Wilderness beyond the World, had a very strict screening system.
In particular, the "Garrisons" in certain key positions were replaced periodically.
And the fate of those who were replaced was always Death.
Only Death could ensure that the information about these key positions would not be leaked.
Only Death could preserve those secret pieces of knowledge and prevent them from spreading.
After all, if too many people knew certain pieces of "secret knowledge," that knowledge might break free from the Jade Realm’s control.
"Use and eliminate" was an old tradition of the Jade Realm.
And this Rekano was originally a Garrison designated for elimination.
But he managed to escape by a stroke of luck and was now settled in the Ancient Porcelain Holy City.
This Rekano was extremely skilled at covert intelligence gathering and possessed very powerful information-gathering Abilities.
Furthermore, he possessed an incredibly strange and powerful Ability to record and investigate information.
Within the Ancient Porcelain Holy City, he could find the corresponding location for almost any description or account.
A brief conversation between two passersby next to a streetlamp.
Even months later, he could still hear it beneath that same streetlamp.
All information flows through this World.
As long as one possessed the eyes to see and the ears to listen, one could uncover a sufficient amount of information.
He had disguised his identity using the Life Sect, so he wasn’t very hard to find.
When Zorn got out of the steam car and arrived at the target location—a shop selling potted plants—
the path through the middle of the small, vibrantly green shop seemed to be a Jade Road shrouded in foliage, with no end in sight.
Zorn thought for a moment before instructing Alvin, who was standing to the side.
"Just wait for me here."
"Yes, Master!"
Crossing the wide concrete road, Zorn walked straight into the strange Jade Road.
He hadn’t walked for long before a small courtyard with falling flowers appeared before him.
An old man wearing a wide-brimmed sun hat and holding a pair of pruning shears stood with his back to Zorn, meticulously tending to the potted plants.
"Senator Zorn, I wonder what you want with a useless old man like myself?"
The old man didn’t turn around, his voice rough as he spoke.
Hearing this, Zorn rubbed his brow.
’Someone like this, who came from the Jade Realm and even evaded its pursuit...’
’Their methods and power are far beyond what an ordinary Transcendent could contend with.’
’Not to mention a top-tier master who is already Level 9 and about to reach Level 10.’
’He must have noticed the moment I had people start investigating him, this escapee from the Jade Realm.’
’And today, I had no choice but to walk into this jade cage he set up specifically for me.’
’After all, I came here today seeking both help and cooperation.’
"I can offer you help,"
Zorn stated succinctly.
"Help?"
Rekano let out a hoarse laugh.
"Senator Zorn, your origins are mysterious, and both your methods and your power are far from ordinary."
"But I do not believe that you can offer me any help."
"Lord Zorn, you... should just leave."
