Chapter 117: Tracking (1200 Added)

After the transaction information was announced, the session proceeded to the information exchange segment as usual.

The various traders exchanged all sorts of messy news with one another.

Some of it was even contradictory, potentially hiding some kind of trap.

But at the same time, perhaps some opportunity was hidden within it as well.

Aaron listened leisurely, feeling that he could at least obtain a batch of Spirit Material from 'Beast' later.

'Wait... those contaminated Spirit Materials, couldn't they have come from the outskirts of that Sotos Lingmu?'

'The stone I acquired last time had the blood of some Mysterious creature on it... It undoubtedly belongs to the path of the 'Sun', and might satisfy my material requirements for advancing to 'Light Shepherd'... But would 'Beast' sell the information to me?'

'Cleric' nodded and said nothing more.

Furthermore, he felt sympathy for other Wild Beyonder, and even if he didn't view them as his own kind, he had no intention of reporting them to the authorities.

'The more religious a person is, the more they know the emptiness of the Holy Spirit Church, and being unable to pursue true Mysterious, they can only head down the path of corruption and decay?'

'Is this to prevent any Cleric from falling and, by utilizing the existing religion, developing a terrifyingly large Cult?'

He took out his wallet, which had become significantly thicker thanks to Clark, counted out ten 10-pound notes, and handed them to 'Beast'.

'Cleric' shook his head in pain.

"It'll cost extra this time, 100 pounds!"

"So what... the Green Forest Cathedral is having trouble, what does that have to do with us?"

At this moment, Aaron saw 'Cleric' stand up, appearing somewhat hesitant, but still saying in a gentle voice: "There is a problem at the Green Forest Cathedral; a priest has become corrupted..."

'Beast' was lying crudely on the sofa, with pieces of Spirit Material laid out in front of him.

"Rose Room!"

Aaron nodded inwardly.

He sniffed and suddenly let out a laugh full of triumph.

"A mere newcomer... kid... tell me the secret of how you get benefits from contaminated materials, and I can spare you once..."

Hmm, perhaps by then he would go door-to-door to collect religious taxes himself.

'Is this because he's afraid I'll return the goods?'

Aaron sneered inwardly and, not waiting for any other notes, couldn't help but sigh in his heart:

'The quality of this Mysterious gathering is truly not high... having only reached the Second Primordial Substance, it lacks sufficient materials...'

They included some broken badges, stone bricks described as having Sun Flower patterns, and a statue that was only a head.

He did not take off his mask and began to walk along the riverbank.

Several Extraordinary nearby couldn't help but laugh: "Priests of the Holy Spirit Church falling is not news; them becoming noble and moral would be the news!"

The night suddenly became deeper, as if thick darkness was eroding the surroundings.

Aaron chuckled: "My advice is... pretend you don't know. If you are interested, you can investigate quietly."

Aaron sneered: "Still hoping I wouldn't notice? Your patience is too poor; I thought you would wait until after the third transaction to make a move..."

Another lady echoed with a chuckle.

"Too expensive..."

He stood up and walked into the Rose Room.

Aaron thought for a moment and asked: "Cleric, can you lock onto the target of your suspicion?"

"Indeed, not bad..."

'Beast' stared at Aaron, seemingly wanting to see something on his face.

"How did you know?"

'I was just worrying about how to find the location of the ruins; after all, 'Beast' wouldn't just talk randomly, and I wouldn't kill to perform spirit channeling. I didn't expect a divination clue to be delivered to my door so soon...'

He waited a while longer, his gaze sweeping over Miss 'White Dove', causing her to shift her sitting posture guiltily.

He sat very relaxed, listening quietly.

He was genuinely regretful; once 'Beast' died here, a cannon fodder for exploring ruins and a laborer for collecting Spirit Material would be gone.

"That's right... let the Investigation Bureau have a headache over it."

However, his expression remained very calm: "They are all mixed with mental contamination... what is your price?"

When the free trading segment began, Aaron received a note from 'Beast' as expected.

'Cleric's' breathing grew heavy, and he immediately emphasized: "It is not corruption in the ordinary sense!"

There was a hint of triumph in 'Beast's' voice.

But after the door closed, his eyes suddenly became dark:

"100 pounds is already a huge markup; that kid really does have a secret!"

Aaron stroked the stone head statue, guessing that they might have been excavated from the Lingmu ruins, and his heart was filled with joy.

"Take a look, these are all good things..."

"Pfft!"

'Beast' seemed somewhat surprised but said nothing, watching Aaron collect the Spirit Material and leave the room.

"You tampered with those Spirit Materials..."

After the gathering ended, Aaron did not leave with Clark and Bruce; he emerged from the secret passage alone and saw the silently flowing Mother River.

Aaron frowned: "However... if you can tell me the whereabouts of the Mysterious creature that left blood on those stones last time, I will agree."

'Beast's' voice sank: "I don't know, and besides, you don't have the power to bargain!"

"Then even if you report it to the Investigation Bureau, it's unlikely to have any effect, and you would only expose yourself instead..."

"That is not possible..."

Aaron looked at him deeply, the corners of his mouth curling into a smile bit by bit: "Alright then... deal!"

"So that belongs to the field of Occultism?"

The 'Cleric' shook his head and said in a low voice: "The Investigation Bureau is not that reliable either, and some Secret arts and Magical Items can completely mask shallow-level investigations... I only have guesses in this regard for now; what do you think should be done?"

Twenty minutes later, Aaron scanned his surroundings, suddenly put down his suitcase, and gave a light scoff: "You have finally come... 'Beast'!"

A hoarse voice rang out from all around, shifting between real and illusory, making it impossible to pinpoint its location.

Clearly, none of them had any good feelings toward the Invis Investigation Bureau, and they were more than willing to see the official Extraordinaries suffer a setback.

'Beast' laughed heartily.

"Not long ago, wasn't that Archbishop Roberts deeply mired in a corruption scandal?"

Clark Das tapped the tabletop: "This is indeed a problem... Invis uses the Holy Spirit Church to protect the faith of the people, and there is an unspoken rule that does not allow priests and other religious figures to become Extraordinaries! The Investigation Bureau regularly conducts checks on members of the Holy Spirit Church..."

"I will."

A figure slowly walked out from the darkness; it was none other than 'Beast'!

However, at this moment, his physique had become much taller, his muscles were bulging, and his entire being was filled with a certain wild aura, as if he were a 'Predator' about to hunt!

Aaron's expression did not change; he held his cane in his right hand and tossed a Pound high into the air with his left.

Swish!

Just as the Pound coin flew up, 'Beast' opposite him had already begun to move.

He pushed off the ground with his freakishly strong hind legs, the immense kinetic energy turning him into almost a blur as he lunged toward Aaron!

(End of chapter)