Chapter 104: Info

Ku’Vara has certainly made a name for himself. Everywhere in the camp, they kept hearing his face popping up in people’s conversation here and there.

Being sponsored by two Prominent Families was one thing. But doing so while having no other group members was something else entirely.

Every single chosen leader here in the Second Test had all been trying their hardest to recruit more group members. After all, it directly impacted their ability to conquer Territory.

Most leaders could choose to delegate the task of conquering a Territory to their group members. That way, they wouldn’t have to risk their lives and get caught out in the open, especially if they were carrying the flags of their other Territories with them.

So, with more members, meant they could conquer more territories.

But surprisingly, Ku’Vara chose the complete opposite path. And it was working.

Makes sense. He basically has his own village of helpers in that hive of his.

Pixies were very versatile. They could basically do anything that a human could do, but better. As long as they were fed better and commanded smartly, then they could definitely become the equivalent of a hundred group members easily.

This was making Eren start to wonder if he should have chosen that as his Ascension Art. It would have made his life so much easier.

Eventually, he shook his head. No use cultivating if he didn’t hold that power in his hands. Ku’Vara might be able to do a lot of things with his Pixies, but that meant his physical body was vulnerable.

"We’re here," Celeste reminded him.

By the time he finished his musings, they’d arrived in Pang Cai’s street of stalls. This place had become even bigger than before. More stylized as well. Now, there were red lanterns and paraphernalia hanging on strings across the stalls like there was a festival.

And surprisingly, Pang Cai was currently in a small pagoda, sitting on feather pillows and drinking tea with a certain customer.

Eren immediately recognized those westernized features. Dantes Evergreen. The so-called top-runner of the Second Test. And the owner of the Territory that Abe and the others found first.

He wanted to eavesdrop on their conversation, but the pagoda was encircled by Dantes’ goons, who made sure no one came close.

They had to wait for a few minutes before Dantes got up from his seat and exited the premises, along with his other group members.

And inside the pagoda, Pang Cai waved at Eren and beckoned him to come.

Eren and Celeste took the invitation and entered his little pagoda, sitting in one of the silk, luxurious pillows inside.

"Skyward Herb tea?" Pang Cai offered them, showing a metal tea pot. Once Eren and Celeste nodded, he poured the tea on the small cups on the small table in the middle.

"You’re living well," Celeste said.

"Of course, miss Celeste. One must live luxuriously any way they can. Even if the world is being destroyed. Especially so."

Then, Pang Cai turned to Eren. "But no need to discuss my living standards. You’re here because you’ve received my message, correct?"

Earlier this morning, Sierra found a message in a bottle directly at the entrance of their camp.

It was from Pang Cai, telling Eren that he had pertinent information to discuss.

Eren didn’t give Pang Cai the direction to their camp. It only goes to show how good his information network was.

"Yes, I did. Now, what did you find?"

Pang Cai smiled, then gave Celeste a look askance. "Are you sure you want to discuss this with the lady here?"

"?" Celeste’s eyebrow raised, curious.

Eren shrugged. It didn’t matter to him.

"Well, alright then," Pang Cai said. Then, he cleared his throat with a sip of tea before handing Eren a piece of weathered paper.

Inside this paper was a map of a certain part of the Subterranean Burrows. It was crudely drawn. With the ink spilling on most edges. But it was filled with enough detailed descriptions to excuse the shoddy work.

"My little fingers have been able to hear a rumor going around in the tunnels. Two groups are currently locked in a tight rivalry against each other.

One of the groups is from the Hunter Sector and sponsored by the Crownless Yellows. Meanwhile, the other group is from the Academic Sector and is sponsored by the Twin-Moon Guild.

You see, both groups happened to discover the same Territory at the same time. Now, since there’s no rule about who gets to conquer the flag in such situations, both groups decided to independently try to defeat the traps and solve the puzzles at the same time.

However, both groups found little success. They ended up realizing that they needed to work together if they want to conquer the Territory."

Eren listened intently and immediately understood the point of friction between the two groups.

"Now, they don’t know how to divide the spoils," he said to Pang Cai.

The Scion of the Cai family nodded while sipping his tea. "Exactly. Both groups are arguing that the Flag should be in their group, while the resources would be on the other.

Both groups want the same thing. The flag. And both of them won’t back down on this condition, that’s why they’re at a stalemate. And they won’t start unless they settle this matter.

So for now, that Territory remains unconquered."

Celeste sipped the tea in her hands. "Sounds like a very messy situation. Intruding on such a rivalry could end up becoming a very bad decision. Why would you want to tell us this?"

Pang Cai glanced at Eren first, before looking at Celeste again. "That’s because Eren requested I tell him anything interesting regarding a certain person called Ms. Calliope."

Celeste straightened her posture. "Ms. Calliope? Who is that?"

Seeing the focused stare Celeste gave Eren, Pang Cai leaned towards him. "See, my friend? This is why I told you if you wanted to keep this a secret from her or not. Women are very jealous creatures."