Chapter 3692 – 3693 Pathfinder Sect
“Mr. Stark, are you referring to Pathfinder Sect?” Nolan asked.
“Yes. I’m certain that Pathfinder Sect knows where Lunarius Palace is. Even if it were a mere mouse in the southern region, Pathfinder Sect would know about it, let alone a palace.” Stanlee gave a nod of agreement.
“Mr. Stark, what exactly is Pathfinder Sect?” John asked in surprise.
Stanlee explained, “Mr. White, Pathfinder Sect is the largest transport organization in the entire southern region. As long as you’re willing to pay, there’s nothing you can’t find out. Moreover, Pathfinder Sect possesses its own airship, making it easy for anyone to traverse Demonia Mountain and span the entire southern region. It’s precisely because Pathfinder Sect travels extensively throughout the southern region that they know more than others. We simply need to inquire at Pathfinder Sect, and perhaps we would then know the exact location of Lunarius Palace.”
“Understood…” John nodded. Pathfinder Sect, from what it sounds like, seems to operate in the same industry as Polar’s family business. They both deal in airship commerce, focusing on transportation. However, Polar’s family does not engage in the business of selling information, and their scale is not as grand as Pathfinder Sect. If they can establish such a vast transportation network in the southern region and also deal in information trading, they must certainly be no ordinary individuals! The sect leader of Pathfinder Sect is clearly exceptional!
“Mr. White, I can take you to Pathfinder Sect to try our luck. However, you’d need to alter your appearance first. I’m afraid a lot of people are currently searching for you,” Stanlee said.
“All right!” John gave a nod, and in the blink of an eye, his demeanor shifted. Suddenly, John appeared to be a middleaged man!
Nolan pulled out a bag of purple spirit coins and said, “Mr. White, even though we, at Demonia Sect, no longer have Demonia Stone you require, I’m certain you’ll need a substantial amount of spirit coins for your trip to Pathfinder Sect. I happen to have some purple spirit coins here. A single one of these can be exchanged for a million regular spirit coins. I do hope you’ll accept this, Mr. White.”
John didn’t refuse. He directly accepted the purple spirit coins. After all, with Polar not around, it would be quite inconvenient for John if he needed to spend money. After bidding farewell to Nolan, John and his group embarked on their journey toward Pathfinder Sect.
The journey was smooth, yet the sight of Tessa and Fitz being so affectionate with each other only served to fuel Trent’s growing resentment. Throughout the journey, Trent remained silent, his face ashen.
John noticed every detail of Trent’s behavior.
After a relentless journey of a day and a night, John and his company finally arrived at Pathfinder Sect. After laying eyes on the massive city before him, John found himself somewhat dazed. Upon looking, Pathfinder Sect’s identity was seen inscribed atop the city walls.
“I-Is this really Pathfinder Sect?” John asked in a somewhat surprised tone. Is Pathfinder Sect such a large city? He had assumed that Pathfinder Sect was merely a sect, not particularly large in scale. However, what then appeared before his eyes was an enormous city. Moreover, this city was significantly larger than even Imperial Beast City.
Stanlee explained, “Mr. White, this is Pathfinder Sect. The entire cityscape you see belongs to Pathfinder Sect. In the entire southern region, Pathfinder Sect is considered the wealthiest sect. Nowadays, besides transportation and information trading, Pathfinder Sect also engages in auctions, offering a variety of novelties collected from various places.”
“With all the wealth in Pathfinder Sect, aren’t they afraid of attracting unwanted attention?” John asked in surprise. After all, in Ethereal Realm, there was hardly any order to speak of. If one didn’t possess great strength, one wouldn’t be able to hold on to such wealth.
Stanlee continued to explain, “Mr. White, things are fine in the southern region, especially around Demonia Mountain area. No one would dare to cause trouble. Moreover, it’s said that the sect leader of Pathfinder Sect is incredibly formidable. He never reveals himself, and no one has actually seen the sect leader of Pathfinder Sect. Furthermore, Pathfinder Sect has collaborations with numerous sects, and they have branch sects everywhere. Hence, no one dares to provoke Pathfinder Sect!”
John nodded, and then they all proceeded to enter Pathfinder Sect. After stepping into Pathfinder Sect, John found himself on a bustling street. There were numerous cultivators around, and countless shops peddling their wares. The atmosphere was lively and vibrant, making it the most bustling city John had ever seen in Ethereal Realm.
Within the vast halls of Pathfinder Sect, not only human cultivators roamed the streets but also members of the beast race, and a few Demonic Cultivators leisurely strolled around. That was indeed a rare sight. In other regions of Ethereal Realm, there was widespread resistance against Demonic Cultivators. They were only treated with such friendliness in the area of Demonia Mountain.
Stanlee led John and the others into a loft that didn’t seem particularly remarkable at first glance. Stanlee quietly said to John, “Mr. White, this is the place where Pathfinder Sect sells its information. Don’t underestimate this unassuming spot. The information disseminated from here is always incredibly shocking. People would come here in search of their adversaries’ whereabouts, or to peddle the locations of magical items. Some even come to gather information about their partners.”
John wasn’t interested in any gossip or hearsay. All he wanted to know was the exact location of Lunarius Palace. Inside the attic, there were various rooms of different sizes. Each room’s door was adorned with a small sign.
“Mr. White, could you please wait a moment? I need to check on something. We usually require an appointment first,” Stanlee said to John. John nodded.
“Go ahead…” He then saw Stanlee entering a small room. After lingering inside for a good ten minutes or so, Stanlee emerged once again.
“Mr. White, the appointment is set for the afternoon. We need to wait a bit longer…” Stanlee said.
“Let’s just wait, then!” John was in no rush, and Old-Geezer wasn’t particularly desperate for Demonia Stone either. All that mattered was that he could find Demonia Stone for Old-Geezer.
“Mr. White, since we have to wait, why don’t we take a stroll around Pathfinder Sect…” Tessa suggested. In truth, Tessa wanted to stroll around with Fitz casually, but she feared that Stanlee wouldn’t approve. That was why she decided to suggest to John.
“Sure. It’s a good chance to see if there’s anything worthwhile.” John nodded with a smile. Since John had already mentioned going out for a stroll, it wouldn’t be appropriate for Stanlee to say anything else. Afterward, they casually strolled down the street.
Tessa, holding Fitz’s hand, was curiously looking around. After all, Soul Demon Sect was nowhere near as prosperous as that place.
Suddenly, a slightly overweight middle-aged man came over, wearing a smile. He turned his attention to Stanlee and asked, “Mr. Stark? May I ask if you are Mr. Stark of Soul Demon Sect?”
The man’s complexion was rather off. His eyes glinted with a red hue. It was as if he was on the verge of a mental breakdown. Stanlee gazed at the man before him, and his brows slightly furrowed in confusion.
“Yes, that’s me. May I ask who you are?”
“Mr. Stark, it really is you. What a coincidence! I was just about to send someone to Soul Demon Sect to invite you over. I am August Wickman, an elder of Pathfinder Sect.” The middle-aged man quickly introduced himself.
Upon hearing that he was an elder from Pathfinder Sect, Stanlee instantly became more courteous. After all, an elder from Pathfinder Sect, regardless of their status or position, was in no way inferior to him, the sect leader of Soul Demon Sect. Moreover, they had gone to Pathfinder Sect with a request. If August Wickman could lend a hand, it would make things much easier.
“Mr. Wickman, my apologies for any disrespect. May I ask what brings you to me?” Stanlee asked in confusion.
“Mr. Stark, it’s a long story. If you have the time, I hope you could visit my humble abode!” August extended an invitation to Stanlee.
Stanlee glanced at John, then nodded, saying, “That works. I don’t have much going on right now.”
Upon hearing that Stanlee had agreed, August brightened up, his mood visibly lifting and his complexion improving significantly.
“Master, I want to just wander around with Fitz, so I won’t follow along…” Tessa wanted to spend more time exploring with Fitz, so she decided against visiting August’ home
“Stay safe!” Stanlee gave his consent. Throughout the journey, he observed the actions of Tessa and Fitz, realizing that they were both fond of each other. It was clear that they were rapidly moving toward becoming a couple.
Stanlee wasn’t a narrow-minded person. If his disciples could find their other half, their soulmate, to perform dual cultivation, he was supportive of it. Even Demonic Cultivators were human, possessing the same range of emotions and desires, and they also needed to express their feelings.
“Master, I also want to look around a bit…”
Upon seeing that Tessa and Fitz were planning to continue their stroll, Trent decided not to proceed to August’ house.
Stanlee glanced at Trent, then nodded, saying, “You better behave yourself. Don’t stir up any trouble for me!”
After giving saying that to Trent, Stanlee, accompanied by John, departed with August. Before long, under the guidance of August, they arrived at a mansion. The lavish mansion of a single elder was evidence of the immense wealth of Pathfinder Sect. It was clear they were rolling in riches.
“Mr. Stark, please come inside…” August invited his guests in. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Stanlee paused slightly. Then, he looked around and asked, “August, has your mansion been set with some kind of arcane array? I feel a certain force suppressing the divine soul within me.”
John had felt it, too. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, he sensed a force seemingly restraining his divine soul. Even his spiritual sense found it difficult to expand into that place.
“This is Ten Thousand Spirits Array. How could such a vicious arcane array exist here?” Vermilion Demon Lord asked within John’s consciousness field.
“Ten Thousand Spirits Array? What kind of arcane array is this?” John asked curiously. Even though John had sensed the presence of the arcane array, he was clueless about its specifics and purpose.
Vermilion Demon Lord explained, “Ten Thousand Spirits Array is an arcane array designed to nourish the divine soul. However, few are aware that every full moon night, Ten Thousand Spirits Array would draw in spirits, leaving individuals feeling incomplete and fragmented. The captured spirits would then be refined by the one who cast the spell. The maliciousness of this arcane array lay in its deceptive nature. On the surface, it seems to be a beneficial array, but in reality, it causes significant harm.”
A tremor involuntarily coursed through John’s heart after he heard the explanation from Vermilion Demon Lord. He couldn’t comprehend who would have the audacity to set up such a malicious arcane array in the mansion of an elder of Pathfinder Sect.
“You’re right, Mr. Stark. My mansion has indeed been fortified with an arcane array, and it was done by an array master whom I hired at a hefty price. It’s because my daughter’s divine soul was fragile. From time to time, she would be disoriented. Even the slightest scare could send her divine soul spiraling out of control, making it difficult for her to regain her composure. In order to restrain her emotional outbursts and nurture her spirit, a special arcane array was set up by someone. Unexpectedly, you saw right through it, Mr. Stark. True to your reputation as someone from Soul Demon Sect. Your understanding of the soul is indeed profound!” August was unabashedly flattering Stanlee.
Upon hearing that, Stanlee immediately understood why August had sought him out.
Stanlee turned to August and questioned, “Mr. Wickman, even after setting up this arcane array, is Ms. Wickman’s divine soul still weak, often seeming disoriented?”
“Yes. I’m truly at my wit’s end. I have no choice but to seek your help, Mr. Stark. I’m aware that Soul Demon Sect has the most exceptional knowledge in the study of souls. And doesn’t Soul Demon Sect have things like Soulbinding Beads and Soul Nourishment Stones?” August asked.
“Mr. Wickman, I kindly request to examine Ms. Wickman’s condition before making a diagnosis,” Stanlee said.
“Sure! Please come in…” August nodded repeatedly, leading Stanlee into a quaint courtyard. The courtyard was filled to the brim with a variety of flowers and plants.
Upon opening the room door, August ushered in Stanlee. However, when John also attempted to enter, he was promptly stopped by August.
“My daughter’s divine soul is weak. She’s truly unsuited to meet strangers, for fear of being startled.” August blocked John from entering
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