When he heard that Murong Xue and the others mission was in Smoke City too, Ye Zichen frowned. He could tell this wasnt simple.

Would this be a repeat of what happened in Barren Sands City?

Although Ye Zichen worried about this internally, he couldnt say that outright.

Instead, he said, What mission do you have in Smoke City?

Its a mission the academy arranged for us. A whole bunch of smoke grass appeared in the area, so theyre sending us to gather it up, said Murong Xue. She arched her brows. I know what youre thinking. Youre wondering if thisll be a repeat of what happened in barren sands city, but it wont be like that.

Ye Zichen was keenly aware of smoke grasss value. It was used to refine medicine and could increase a pill refiners success rate by a wide margin. Smoke City was famous on account of this grass.

So long as it wasnt like the incident in Barren Sands City, Ye Zichen could relax. However, when he considered Wei Jie and the others urgent cries for help, he knew he couldnt waste even a moment. Then lets go together. This cant wait, so lets go now.

Alright. Murong Xue summoned the boat shed borrowed, then she and the Appearance Associations Golden Flowers got on board. Jiang Yong, Pang Sheng, and Ye Zichen followed soon after.

To their surprise, Xue Mo decided to tag along as well. I want to go too.

Jiang Yong heard that and laughed. Was I right or was I right? I told you that so long as Ye Zichen was on board, Xue Mo would definitely come too. Thats good too, though; we can be considered old war buddies. Alright then, lets head out!

The flying vessel rose into the air with a boom. Ye Zichen sat in a corner and fished out his cellphone.

Whats the situation? Ye Zichen sent Wei Jie a message.

A few minutes later, he got a response. Were still hiding, so we cant see whats going on outside, nor do we dare spread our divine awareness. If we do, they might find us. I dont know what the situation is either.

What kind of people attacked the village? asked Ye Zichen.

Who knows? We havent been on the mountain for long, but they showed up out of nowhere and just started killing people. Men, women, elders, children, they dont care. They kill anyone they see. Also, all of them are extremely strong. None of us are a match for them, said Wei Jie.

Are you certain theyre human? There are no other presences mixed in? Ye Zichen furrowed his brows.

Theyre human. That, at least, Im absolutely certain of. The moment they first attacked, I wondered if they belonged to other races, but I dont sense even the slightest trace of yao or demonic energy about them, replied Wei Jie.

When he read Wei Jies response, ye Zichen fell silent.

He actually still somewhat suspected that the culprits were demons, but when he saw how certain Wei Jie was that they werent, he grew uncertain. He needed time to process this.

If they werent demons, then they had to be real scumbags to kill even women, children, and the elderly without reservation.

Were these the Horse Bandits?

Although Ye Zichen had never run into them, hed heard that the Horse Bandits were a particularly violent bunch that ran rampant on the Divine Mountains, and there was no evil act they wouldnt sink to.

Stay hidden. Im hurrying to Smoke City now. I should get there soon.

Okay. Ye Zichen returned his phone to his pocket. It was only then that he realized that a group of women had gathered around him.

Murong Xue, the Dai Sisters, and Xue Mo were all crouched and looking right at him.

What are you looking at me like that for? Ye Zichen licked his lips uncomfortably.

Murong Xue frowned then took a step back and addressed Xue Mo. That communication device he was using now was quite good. It provides instantaneous communication!

Next, he walked back over to him and smiled radiantly, Ye Darling, what was that thing you were using just now?

You mean this? Ye Zichen fished his phone back out of his pocket. Murong Xue nodded. Its a cell phone. Its something my research team developed and can be used for top-speed private and small-group conversations. What, are you interested in it?

I am rather interested, but how much does it cost?

Im not sure either, yet. I still need to ask the research team. Once we can produce them en masse, if youre still interested, I can charge you the base price for materials plus a tiny labor fee. I doubt theyll be more than two hundred aureus each.

That would be fine. Murong Xue smiled and nodded. Although transmission devices could send messages, they were far from instantaneous. Messages would sometimes get delayed along the way. Also, they were extremely expensive to make. Even the cheapest transmission device started at five hundred aureus, and that was just for the materials.

She took a shine to the cell phones high-speeds, and now it sounded like it was cheaper than transmission devices too.

If she had to choose between the two, it was obvious which was the better choice.

When the time comes, sell me three million units. I want to give one to everyone in the Appearance Association, said Murong Xue with the air of a rich girl.

Just hearing that made Ye Zichens heart jump.

At two hundred each, three million units would add up to six hundred million aureus.

Murong Xue asked to purchase that many without so much as batting an eye. She really was the leader of one of the top-five student associations. Being a Society Leader took so much cash that all of them were all scions of major clans...

This was practically inhuman!

Beauty Murong, youve given me quite the spare! Three million? Im afraid I cant provide that many. Our first round of production will only be a few million in total, but I need to outfit Anti-Upheaval and my faction in the Lower Lands first. Ye Zichen shrugged helplessly.

To think you had a faction in the Lower Lands! What kind of organization is it? My family has side branches down there too. But have you heard of a gang called Upheaval? Theyre as aggressive as can be, and theyve oppressed our side branches into an utterly pitiful state. Jiang Yongs family is in the same boat.

She pursed her lips pointedly. Jiang Yong noticed and shouted, Yeah, thats right! Upheaval is way too arrogant. But Im too lazy to get involved with our side branches affairs. Still, I heard that Upheaval is doing amazingly down there. Theyve monopolized practically ninety percent of the Lower Lands.

Upheaval? Then isnt our Anti-Upheaval Society the perfect fit to wipe them out? added Xue Mo.

These three were all scions of influential clans of the Northern Divine Mountain. The more Ye Zichen heard of their conversation, the more rigid his expression grew.

He scratched his head and coughed, but didnt participate in their conversation. Instead, he called out, Ol Jiang, how much longer until we reach Smoke City?

Well be there soon, shouted Jiang Yong. Dont be in such a hurry. Do you know your friends location? How about we go there first and rescue them, then the rest of us can split off and gather smoke grass?

No need. You can attend to your own affairs. I can handle my own problems on my own. Once things are settled, Ill go looking for you.

When he finished speaking, Ye Zichen lowered his head and said nothing more, only to hear Murong Xue ask, Then just what kind of faction did you set up in the Lower Lands?