“That’s a broad range.”

While it wasn’t unheard of for Genesis-staged cultivators to be capable of going up against those with higher cultivation levels, it was much rarer than any of the prior stages. The amount of energy required to advance from one level to another grew drastically in the Genesis stage, making it common for most people in this realm to require many years to make a single breakthrough. Tems’s request was indeed too vague, for a killing formation capable of incapacitating someone at the first level of the Genesis stage would hardly inure someone above the third level, at least traditionally. The fact that he desired to defeat nearly a dozen people made the concept even more complex, since a formation meant to kill those at the first level had a high chance of failing when targeting multiple people of said strength.

“You’re a smart man. I’m sure you know what I want.”

Taking a moment to clue into what Tems was talking about, Kalvin almost laughed at the preposterousness of the request. Thankfully, he had built up quite the thick face throughout his time in the CMA, where negotiations were commonplace and treachery was as natural as the rain and the wind.

“Did you really think I’d sell my Thousand Killing Formation to you?”

He had famously obtained the treasure in an auction on North Island, one that had been run by the previous merchant king. It had been found in a Vespasian tomb by members of the Crescent Moon Sect—the former hegemon of the Western Isles, now but a shadow of itself after facing annihilation at the hands of an enemy coalition—and had the function of summoning up to a thousand artificial spirits that had been created by an Arrayment Master of ages past. Of the thousand, most were at the first level of Genesis, the rest ranging from the second to the sixth levels. There had been several at the peak, but they had been destroyed by the expert that Markham had hired in the previous battle for the throne.

“Not sell, but trade.”

“What do you have that I could possibly want enough to part with such a treasure?”

Although Kalvin had a high cultivation level compared to the other merchant lords, he was one of the least prestigious among their ranks. He didn’t have as many capable subordinates as most of his peers that had survived the war, nor as much funding. Despite this, even Angram and Markham, the leaders of the strongest factions, would hesitate to offend him, and this was precisely because of his remarkable treasure.

“I’ll give you the Desolate Spirit Tower in exchange.”

Kalvin had never expected the man to make such an offer, since the foundations of his entire sect had been built upon the famous tower in question. With this ancient object alone, the Falling Rain Sect was able to train its tens of thousands of disciples and elders without having to expend a significant amount of spirit stones or alternate resources.

Tems’s stare was penetrating, as if his entire future depended on Kalvin’s response. Growing a little uneasy, he noticed the slight stirrings of out-of-place wind resistance just outside of the palace’s highest tower, alarming him to the fact that dozens of cultivators were currently surrounding the building, their auras hidden from his senses at the behest of an unknown concealment arrayment.

Contacting his men to inform them of his realization, Kalvin played it cool and leaned back in his chair without allowing any visible changes to his expression.

“While I am intrigued by the offer, I’ll have to decline.”

Tems’s expression darkened. “Why? You can save tens of millions of spirit stones on building up your forces, and if you use it to cultivate then you can make breakthroughs years earlier than you otherwise would have.”

“Do I look like I’m in need of resources? I have everything I need to continue to raise my own strength. Besides, what good would the Desolate Spirit Tower do for me in situations where, say, my life were being threatened? Certainly not as much as an army of powerful spirits.”

Judging by the angry frown that Tems wore as he masked it with the mouth of his bottle, the naïve sect master understood the message behind Kalvin’s words.

So what if you’ve gathered a few dozen people at the Genesis stage? I could wipe out yourself by myself, if I activate my formation. Conscious of the necklace at his neck, which was an essence fusion object and a talisman, and also the vessel for the formation, Kalvin quelled his unease.

Tems choked on his drink, and then spat into a corner of the room. “I don’t necessarily need to buy the formation. I just want to make sure that certain people die, and I believe that your little treasure there is the best way to ensure that happens.”

“You’re saying?”

Putting his bottle down and straightening up in his seat, Tems spoke in a level voice. “I’ll be frank with you. I’ve called in some favours and put together a team of people to help me get revenge on those that attacked my sect. I’m just waiting on one more group of people to show up, but after that we’re heading straight to the nearest city to search for them.”

“What a coincidence. I’m also on my way to Tallgate.”

Even though it was technically a holding of Merchant Lord Kam, Kalvin owned most of the influential businesses within the city, along with all of the most lucrative real estate. Effectively speaking, he was in charge of the critical outpost city, not Markham’s upstart bastard.

“If you help me kill them, I’ll give you the tower. Just make sure to use the formation at the right moment so that there’s zero chance of them surviving.”

Kalvin didn’t speak for a moment as he mulled over the proposition. Eventually, he stared Tems in the eyes and gave him a businessman’s smile. “If that’s the case, then how can I say no?”

He couldn’t help but laugh, which sent a shiver throughout his electric blue cloak. He, a merchant lord of the Continental Merchant Association, was being hired on as a sellsword? He had only ever been on the opposing end of such deals, and considering the fact that he had more assets than most minor kings, he had never imagined that there would come a day where he would risk his personal safety in exchange for payment.

Tems must have intended to make such an offer all along, since whoever it was that he wanted dead would have no chance of surviving the coming conflict in the event that Kalvin were to agree to his request.

“Fantastic,” smiled Tems, who stood up with a flourish of his robes, which were a rich teal patterned with golden raindrops. “Then I’ll introduce you to the others. We’ll be working together in the coming weeks, so be sure to get along.”

The sect master left for a few moments, during which time Kalvin turned to his subordinates with a greedy smile. He had enjoyed an unexpected windfall during this visit to the Grand Isle of Weston, for he had just struck up an agreement that offered him tremendous and unprecedented gains at virtually zero cost.

Kester’s grin was wide as he mirrored Kalvin’s expression. Although he didn’t speak due to being conscious of outside ears, his eyes said it all. It wouldn’t be long before Kalvin’s standing within Angram’s faction grew high enough to rival the old vulture himself.

Tems returned shortly after, a short, bald man at his side that was dressed in fine, ashen robes.

“This is Belren. I’m sure you recognize him.”

Belren, who seemed to look down on everyone present despite being the shortest in the room, seemed displeased at the casual introduction. “We meet again, Kalvin.”

“It’s been many years. You’re doing well, I take it?”

Belren gave a confident shrug. “It seems that you’ve heard of the goings on in the west. Yes, things are going very well these days, now that the Crescent Moon Sect is but a thing of the past.”

These words cast a heavy weight within the room, since the power in question had been famous for being home to thousands of incredibly powerful cultivators. Before its fall, the Crescent Moon Sect had been the most powerful entity in this world, and it was largely due to the Nightshadow Sect that this grand hegemon had met its demise.

“I didn’t expect to meet you in the Northern Wilderness, of all places. I doubt you’ve travelled so far just to help this reckless fellow in pursuit of his revenge?”

Belren shook his head and let out a tired sigh. “I’ll be honest with you because of our acquaintanceship. Something odd is happening in the eastern area of the Dragon’s Tail. Hundreds of our disciples have gone missing in the area, and now even one of our elders. Our sect master decided to dispatch a more capable team to look into the disappearances, and I’m the head of that team. I just thought I would check up on my dear old cousin here before heading going off to look into things.”

Kalvin blinked his eyes in surprise, abandoning his businesslike attitude in the face of an old friend. “You two are cousins?”