There were five men, their expressions relaxed. But their leader wasn’t. The men escorted Emperal towards their central location.

From the conversations of the present men, Emperal learned the name of their leader. After all, he seemed pretty strong.

Stage Two Verth Shaper. Yes, a Verth Shaper.

One might ask, why was he so cautious? Well, after the chaos Dresh caused when she infiltrated the Ironscale territory, she was kinda neglected by the patrol team. This led to some ugly consequences for the previous patrol guards. Well, even if they were cautious. They couldn’t do shit if Dresh wanted to enter.

Coming back to the topic, Emperal learned the Stage Two Verth Shaper’s name was Korrath.

He was one of the direct retainers of the Leader of IronScale...in the EverHeart.

His eyes didn’t leave Emperal for even a second, making Emperal question his sexuality.

...

A few minutes later, they entered the settlements. Emperal couldn’t help but admire.

"The IronScales are indeed different from those muscle-heads. These guys are a bit...civilized."

The structures were all built symmetrically, mixing natural soil and the stones present in the EverHeart.

"Still now, I do not understand how long we will be staying here."

Emperal muttered inwardly, he had the same doubt before. Upon asking Soleine, she simply said.

"Depends on the realm."

"No wonder people build settlements, who knows, it might take years, decades, and even centuries if stretched."

Of course, he ruled out the possibility of a century; it was way too long.

Walking inside, he saw that half of the settlements were empty. Only the logistic people seemed to be here; the rest were either battling the beasts or searching for treasures.

Korrath pointed at the largest house, which was in the middle of the settlement.

"Go there, the leader must be waiting for you."

He spoke, earning a nod from Emperal.

Fortunately, they didn’t treat him like a prisoner. Otherwise, things could have been a bit ugly for Emperal.

Taking a deep breath, he walked ahead. The settlement for their leader would naturally be huge. Emperal stood a few meters back from the door.

"Come in."

A melodious, yet strong voice resounded. Making Emperal turn his head.

"Well, here goes nothing."

Emperal stepped inside the moment he did. Several eyes descended upon him, making him frown inwardly.

Looking ahead, he saw four figures. All of their auras range from Stage Three Verth Wielder to Stage One Verth Shaper.

The Verth Shapers naturally had an overwhelming presence, but it all paled in front of the figure sitting on the throne-like chair in the center.

She was a beautiful woman, with steel-coloured scales hardened on her neck and forearms. She had very long hair, and her expression was cold.

Emperal immediately bowed his head, "I greet the Leader of IronClaws."

"Who are y–"

A man sitting at the back stood up, just as he was about to complete his words.

"What is your purpose here?"

The woman spoke, Emperal raised his head when he heard that.

"I was merely traveling to the eastern part of the Outer regions in search of some treasures, and unknowingly happened to trespass in this territory."

Emperal spoke.

"And why should we believe that?"

Another man stood up, he pointed his finger at Emperal and questioned. Emperal smiled wryly at that question.

"I am a mere Verth Seeker, what harm could I even dare to think of?"

...

The man was silenced, after all, it was true. Let alone him, who was an early Verth Shaper. Even a Stage One Verth Wielder will smoke him alive if fought.

"Hmm, I see."

Suddenly, the woman nodded, to the surprise of everyone, she stood up!

Emperal blinked, in the next moment. His vision was blocked—blocked by a tall figure.

Emperal’s expression turned confused slightly, "The Lord—?"

"You have to pay a certain amount if you want to pass our territory. If you pay, you can leave; if you can’t, then..."

The moment Emperal heard those words, his lips curled up lightly.

"Bingo."

His expression turned neutral. "Is information or knowledge considered as a payment?"

He asked, surprising the present cultivators.

The Leader—Daereth IronClaw, raised her brows when she heard Emperal’s words.

"Oh? And what is the knowledge that you have?"

She asked, her voice sounding a bit amused. But the men behind? They completely lost it.

"Pff~!! Hahahah!! Did you hear what that brat said?"

"Hehe, a Verth Seeker, transferring his knowledge to us lowly Verth Shapers."

"Fortunate, fortunate indeed!"

They laughed and jeered at Emperal, their mocking words resounding throughout the area.

Emperal’s expression didn’t change in the slightest; he still looked at Daereth.

"It is about your formations."

"!!!"

The moment his words echoed, a wave of deafening silence descended upon the present cultivators.

Even Daereth narrowed her eyes lightly.

"The answer better be worth your life."

She threatened; of course, they were alerted. After all, only a few weeks back. Dresh had wreaked havoc in their territory and, in that process, destroyed countless arrays and formations.

So yes, aside from the basic few. The rest were as good as dead.

"Of course, I wouldn’t dare say this if I wasn’t a hundred percent sure. From a very young age, I had studied the art of Formations! Even though I am not the best formation expert, I dare say I have the most knowledge about formations."

Emperal spoke, and the confidence in his words was really infectious.

Even Daereth IronClaw was swayed for a moment, but of course, she regained control over herself.

"Alright, so much boasting. Tell me the few formations and arrays that were damaged or malfunctioning on your way here?"

Daereth asked, hearing her words. The rest of them were surprised; they didn’t think she would trust this man so easily.

But since it was her decision, they all quietly turned their heads towards Emperal, their eyes shining curiously.

Emperal exhaled lightly, "Alright, the first formation to be damaged was...the Presence Web Array."

The moment his words echoed, all the present cultivators were shocked.

"This.."

Daereth couldn’t believe her ears. Suddenly, an excited glint shone in her eyes.

She smelled it!

The sweet smell of extorting from the poor!