A World Worth Protecting

1

“The Dark Sect?” Jin Duoming froze. This was the first time he had heard of this bloodline. He knew that Zhao Pinfang probably wasn’t referring to any bloodlines found on Earth. The Dark Sect clearly had something to do with the Divine Armament Catacombs. Based on his deductions, it should belong to an extraterrestrial civilization!

All kinds of thoughts surfaced in Jin Duoming’s head. He didn’t notice how Wang Baole’s eyes had narrowed slightly when the latter had heard the words “Dark Sect”. Emotions surged inside Wang Baole. He hadn’t expected Zhao Pinfang to know of the Dark Sect!

Wang Baole was still quite the adept at controlling himself. He simply appeared to look confused, opened his mouth, and asked a question.

“The Dark Sect?”

Zhao Pinfang hadn’t been paying attention to Wang Baole and Jin Duoming. His words might have seemed like a question, but he had actually been speaking to himself. He didn’t believe Wang Baole or Jin Duoming would know anything about the Dark Sect. This was a mysterious bloodline of the past, after all. Even he, who had spent years researching it, had only managed to come across a few clues after the discovery of the Divine Armament Catacombs and after studying the ancient greenish-bronze sword’s history accumulated in countless fragments.

“The Dark Sect… at the height of its glory, it controlled the universal cycle of rebirth, guarding the souls across the galaxies… one might even call the Dark Sect the master of death in the universe!

“In fact, I feel that there’s another name that suits them better… Heavenly Dao!

“Perhaps, they are the Heavenly Dao, perhaps, they are the Heavenly Dao given form, or perhaps, they are the ambassadors of the Heavenly Dao, tasked to protect and carry out the laws of the entire universe!”

“Based on the records found in some fragments, some initially believed the Dark Sect to be a fabrication, something that didn’t exist. However, as more and more ruins were discovered, and with the discovery of Dark Artifacts, there was conclusive evidence that the Dark Sect really did exist. Not only that… during the period when it existed, the height of its glory likely surpassed the imagination of those who came after it!” Zhao Pinfang had a look of dazed adoration in his eyes. His voice grew more agitated. It was heavy with anticipation, yearning, and reverence.

“Can you imagine that? Those of the Dark Sect wandering across the entire universe. Where there is death, there is someone from the Dark Sect guiding them… this wall painting depicts one of the Dark Sect, guiding countless souls of the dead beyond this dying, soon-to-be-dead star…

“Unfortunately… I’m unable to discern more from the few documents I’ve found… a long, long time ago, this person of the Dark Sect… disappeared. Perhaps he died, or perhaps he left. Regardless, he no longer exists.”

“But even if the Dark Sect no longer exists… what they left behind still remains. The Martian Divine Armament isn’t an ordinary Divine Armament. Based on my analysis and assessment, there’s a high chance of it being a Dark Artifact that was left behind after the Dark Sect period!” Zhao Pinfang inhaled a deep breath. He muttered softly to himself, then lifted his right hand and waved. Suddenly, the starry skies around them vanished and transformed back into the side of a cave. The black-robed man and the boat on the wall paintings had all disappeared as well. Everything had returned to normal.

Be it Jin Duoming or Wang Baole, their breathing quickened, and their heartbeats raced. To Jin Duoming, the Dark Sect seemed like a story from a long time ago. But this story had a direct relation to the Divine Armament Catacombs beneath the new city. It was as if the ancient past and the present had come together and layered themselves over each other. His eyes shone with a strange, brilliant light. Awe and yearning for the distant time which belonged to the Dark Sect, when the Dark Sect had wandered the universe, rose in his heart.

He also wanted to be so powerful that he could control death and reincarnation.

Wang Baole seemed as surprised as Jin Duoming was. However, the shock he was feeling inside his heart vastly exceeded what he was showing on his face. That was because he knew of the Dark Sect, and was practicing the Dark Art himself. Sometimes, he even felt that he himself might be somehow related to someone from the Dark Sect.

The impact and shock to Wang Baole was greater as he listened to the Dark Sect’s history with his current status. After all, Little Missy hadn’t revealed such details. She had only spoken briefly about it.

Zhao Pinfang’s words seemed to have opened a door for Wang Baole, towards a greater understanding of the Dark Sect. He had a greater knowledge of the Dark Sect. His yearning was different from Jin Duoming’s. He somehow sensed that if he continued to practice the Dark Art and reached the pinnacle of the mystic art, he might perhaps… be able to wander the universe as well?

The thought sent Wang Baole’s heart racing. His panting grew heavier. He and Jin Duoming stared at each other. Then, they turned and looked at Zhao Pinfang.

Zhao Pinfang had calmed down. He turned, his eyes falling on Wang Baole and Jin Duoming. He seemed to want to speak more about the Dark Sect, but his voice transmission ring vibrated then. He checked it and frowned. He ended the conversation and chose to leave.

Before he left, he summoned the illusory girl and got her to bring the two to visit three other labs. He also approved the construction of a research facility in the new city.

“I can approve the new research facility, but you must remember, the Divine Armament Catacombs concerns the Dark Sect. You have to be on your guard constantly. Once the wall disappears, perhaps we’ll be able to uncover part of the veil… the mysterious veil that has been concealing the Dark Sect for such a long time!” Having said that, Zhao Pinfang turned and was about to leave. There was anxiety in his eyes. The transmission had clearly contained news that was important to him. But as he reached the entrance to the third lab, Zhao Pinfang stopped in his tracks. He turned and looked at Wang Baole, suddenly saying.

“Wang Baole, cut down on your snacks and do more exercise. You’re a Primary Rank Three Noble and a city lord. You shouldn’t be snacking all the time. That’s hardly proper. You should work harder on your cultivation as well, and reach the Core Formation realm as soon as possible!” He glared at Wang Baole, then left.

Wang Baole was slightly dazed. He thought there was something wrong with the final few words that Zhao Pinfang just said.

<em>Why does he sound like my dad when he’s not my dad! Besides, I’m already so slim, why do I need to go on a diet?</em>

With doubts and grievance in his heart, Wang Baole and Jin Duoming followed the illusory girl and toured another three labs. However, the last three labs seemed more focused on the research and lab work, so they couldn’t really understand what was going on. At the same time, they were still reeling from their knowledge of the Dark Sect. They were in no mood to check out what was going on in the last three labs. The illusory girl soon led them away and out of the research facility.

Only when they stepped into the teleportation array formation did Wang Baole finally feel his heart calm down. He turned and stared at the illusory girl who looked exactly like Little Missy. He turned and stared at the endless research facility, which seemed to hide countless secrets. He could sense that… there must be more secrets the Federation was hiding inside that it didn’t wish to make public!

<em>Maybe there’s a Nascent Soul here. Who’s to know? </em>Wang Baole muttered secretly. He teleported alongside Jin Duoming and left with questions plaguing him.

When both of them appeared in the main Martian city again, they both released their breath at the same time. They didn’t linger in the city. They boarded a cruiser and headed straight for the new city.

Jin Duoming was very satisfied with the visit. He had learned many pieces of secret information. The most important thing was that their proposal for a research facility was approved. He felt he had made a smart move by bringing Wang Baole along for this trip.

He hadn’t told Wang Baole, but he had previously requested to visit Zhao Pinfang before, but the latter had ignored him. That was why Jin Duoming had thought hard about it. When he had applied again, he had included Wang Baole’s name.

This round, Zhao Pinfang had agreed to have them over.

Jin Duoming had done quite a lot of preparations after obtaining the approval. He had thought about how Wang Baole might be embarrassed in front of Zhao Pinfang. He would have done something good if that had happened. The great Master Zhao didn’t seem like the sort to kill the donkey when the grinding was done.

<em>But Master Zhao only did a visual assessment without making any other moves… maybe he thinks that Wang Baole’s not bad? That can’t be possible. But if that’s not the case, why would he reveal so many secrets, and even indirectly help Wang Baole come to an understanding of how to refine Dharmic Armaments… </em>Jin Duoming had many doubts, but he was still happy with his gains.

As for Wang Baole, he felt that he had gained much as well. He had learned about a part of the Dark Sect’s history and gained enlightenment on the Heavenly Evocation of Dharmic Armaments.

The former expanded Wang Baole’s horizons while the latter was an immense practical help to his current stage in studying Dharmic Armaments.

But Wang Baole still felt that the way Zhao Pinfang had looked at him, and his final words, had been slightly strange. He thought about how Jin Duoming had invited him along. Even though he couldn’t discern the details, he could still tell that Jin Duoming had made use of something special he had to gain an opportunity for the visit and also the approval for his request.

At that thought, Wang Baole raised his eyebrow. He suddenly patted Jin Duoming on the shoulder. He had something resembling a smile on his face as he spoke.

“Old Jin, you know, I’ve been studying Dharmic Armaments recently. I lack proper samples. Why don’t you lend me fifty of those?”

Jin Duoming, who had been in a good mood, instinctively and hastily voiced his refusal when he heard Wang Baole’s tone of voice.

“You might as well rob me blind. Do I look like I have so many Dharmic Armaments? No!”

“Really? Well, actually, I feel that there isn’t really a need for a research facility in the new city, and I think Master Zhao seems to have some misunderstanding about me. It’s alright, I’ll just speak to the Governor when I get back. We won’t go ahead with the research facility,” Wang Baole said casually while snorting inwardly. He thought about how Jin Duoming had been planning to use his influence for his pet project. Why would Wang Baole agree to that without him coughing up something in return?

As soon as Wang Baole said that, Jin Duoming smiled wryly. He finally realized that Wang Baole was expressing his discontent. He was adamant about getting something out of this, by hook or by crook.

“One, I swear… I only have two on me. My family’s not going to give me anymore. I can only lend you one!”

“You’re giving me one? That’s not appropriate. It’s such a valuable thing. Fine, fine, since you’re so sincere, I can’t turn the gift down. It’ll hurt your heart. Fine, I’ll accept the gift. There’s no next time.” Wang Baole patted his tummy and shrugged. He had a look of exasperation on his face.

Jin Duoming was about to go crazy. He said he would lend it to him, not give it to him… but this wasn’t the first time he had witnessed Wang Baole’s complete lack of shame. Still, he couldn’t bear the pain of losing a Dharmic Armament. He knew though, that if Wang Baole didn’t get what he wanted, this jerk would really do something like send a voice transmission to the Governor. He thanked the heavens that Wang Baole didn’t know the truth. Else, he would be asking for more in return… Jin Duoming gritted his teeth.

“Fine, but you have to promise you will let this rest!”