Moonvault Palace Sect is also after the Nine Provinces Treasure Map?
Ling Mo only brought back this piece of news. As for the rumor that his 'aunt' is the Lan Princess Royal of the Former Dynasty, Ling Mo hasn't confirmed it yet. Still, this news alone made his trip worthwhile.
"Could it be that Moonvault Palace Sect also has a Nine Provinces Map fragment?" Serena waited until Ling Mo left before asking.
"Hard to say. The 'aunt' Jason Lan mentioned must be a Lan royal descendant. It's not strange for her to know about the Nine Provinces Treasure Map." If Liancastle could tell him about the map, of course they'd let Jason Lan know too.
Right now, Prince Nolan was extremely glad he hadn’t told the Liancastle people that he had obtained a Nine Provinces Map fragment. To this day, they still don’t know whether he actually has one or not.
"You’re right. If they do have a Nine Provinces Map fragment, it’ll save us a lot of trouble." We can just snatch it directly from Moonvault Palace Sect.
Prince Nolan nodded in agreement. Moonvault Palace Sect may be packed with experts and backed by Former Dynasty forces, but that doesn’t mean he’s afraid.
When Fortress Lord Ling heard that the Moonvault Palace Lord had arrived in Skyvault territory but went to visit Prince Nolan first instead of himself, he finally couldn’t sit still. He decided to swallow his pride and personally go to Qiyun Villa to see Prince Nolan.
Just so you know, the status of Moonvault Palace Sect and Skyvault Palace Sect in the jianghu is far above Skyvault Fortress. Skyvault only rose to power because those two great sects usually avoid meddling in martial world affairs, giving Skyvault an opening.
If those two palaces ever joined forces with the imperial court to intervene in jianghu matters, Skyvault Fortress would be finished.
Although he was anxious, Fortress Lord Ling didn’t want to seem desperate. Only on the third day after the Moonvault Palace Lord’s visit did he arrive with Linden Ling, acting leisurely and composed.
Prince Nolan wasn’t the petty type, and naturally wouldn’t feign illness like Fortress Lord Ling. The moment he saw Fortress Lord Ling, Nolan finally understood why Zed's aunt would throw away her clan and reputation for this man—even entrusting her own son to him.
Fortress Lord Ling’s looks need no introduction—he was famous in his youth as the most handsome man in the martial world. But what really sets him apart is his aura: a warrior with the elegance of a scholar, yet carrying the bearing and dominance of a top martial artist. Even with a stern face, he radiates sincerity and righteousness.
People always say appearance reflects the heart. With a face like Fortress Lord Ling’s, you just can’t help but believe he’s a good man—never suspecting him of being a great villain.
Prince Nolan quietly shook his head, suddenly thinking of Serena’s slightly showy beauty. A hint of a smile flashed in his eyes, and with that, the chill around him faded a little.
Fortress Lord Ling noticed and was secretly delighted, thinking Prince Nolan still feared Skyvault Fortress’s power. Though he was polite during their conversation, he couldn’t help but press harder. He even overturned the terms Linden Ling had previously agreed on, claiming Linden was too young to understand and demanding changes.
Prince Nolan didn’t say a word—just glanced at Linden Ling. To Linden, that look carried a thousand meanings. Frustrated, he turned away, growing even more resentful of his father.
What he hated most was admitting defeat in front of someone stronger. Yet his father sacrificed his dignity for Skyvault Fortress’s interests, not caring about his son’s pride at all.
His father had just tossed aside the contract he negotiated—who would ever trust his word again? What face does the Young Master of Skyvault Fortress have left?
Prince Nolan neither agreed nor refused Fortress Lord Ling’s proposal to change the terms. He simply said he would consider it.
Fortress Lord Ling left satisfied, but before he went, he formally invited Prince Nolan to attend the Martial Arts Conference on Skyvault Mountain in three days. He even 'kindly' reminded Nolan that the mountain road was tough, and offered Skyvault Fortress’s help if needed.
"No need." Prince Nolan refused coolly, his dislike for Fortress Lord Ling growing even deeper.
It looked like a friendly offer, but was really a trap at every turn. To join the Martial Arts Conference, you have to climb Skyvault Mountain yourself—everyone in the jianghu knows this rule. If you can’t make it up, you don’t qualify to compete or even watch.
If Prince Nolan accepted Fortress Lord Ling’s help, the entire jianghu would look down on him. No matter how strong Eastlyn’s army is, the top martial artists wouldn’t respect him.
When Prince Nolan told Serena about it, she sneered coldly, “Fortress Lord Ling really underestimates us. So what if Skyvault Mountain is tough? If it pisses me off, I’ll flatten it myself.”
“Good.” Ling Mo, who’d been silent the whole time, suddenly spoke up, startling Serena. “I’m talking serious business with Prince Nolan—why are you butting in?”
He wasn’t just butting in.
Ling Mo looked at Serena with absolute seriousness. Anything related to Skyvault Fortress—he meant to destroy it all.
Prince Nolan and Serena exchanged glances, both thinking: No wonder he’s Zed’s cousin—destruction runs in their blood.
Ling Mo didn’t get an answer from Prince Nolan or Serena, but he wasn’t upset. He just silently handed the note he was holding to Serena.
The message came from Greenshine; she had already found out the whereabouts of the map, but she couldn’t make a move herself.
“Looks like Fortress Lord Ling knows just how important that map is.” To hide it in his hairpin—Serena couldn’t help but admire the cunning.
With Fortress Lord Ling’s cultivation, almost no one could get close to him, let alone touch the hairpin binding his hair.
“Kill him.” Prince Nolan offered the simplest solution, but carrying it out wouldn’t be easy. Just as Serena was weighing how to act, Ling Mo spoke again: “Me.”
Just one word, but it was enough for Serena to understand his meaning. She didn’t answer, instead told Prince Nolan, “The best time to strike is the day the Martial Arts Conference ends.”
“That day, Prince Damien will make his move too.” Prince Nolan recalled the latest intelligence, his mind racing.
There were countless martial sects, large and small. If all these scattered forces united, their power would rival a small kingdom. This was exactly what Linden Ling wanted—but Prince Damien had acted first.
If Prince Damien’s scheme succeeded, he’d become the new martial star. Then... even for Nolan, dealing with him wouldn’t be easy.
“The Black Riders… how do we get them in?” Prince Nolan sounded as if talking to himself, but in truth he was asking Ling Mo.
Ordinary soldiers wouldn’t be enough to stop Prince Damien’s plan; only the elite, well-equipped Black Riders could do it.
“Men?” Ling Mo was sharp as ever—sharp enough that even Prince Nolan had to give him credit.