When Sophia arrived at Iron Stone Mountain, teams had already gathered in clusters at the foot of the mountain. It was bustling.
However, the only road up the mountain had been blocked.
An armored commander stood there, leaning on his sword. Beside him stood two golden giants, each more than ten meters tall and covered in gilded armor, like divine guardians flanking a gate.
Iron Stone Mountain had been sealed off by a lord.
"According to international treaties, this opportunity should belong to the Star Luo Holy Temple. However, our lord is merciful and is still giving you a chance. As long as you can withstand these two golden giant statues for three minutes, you may climb the mountain."
"Of course, if any of you can produce the Star Luo Holy Temple's Honor Badge, I naturally won't stop you."
At first listen, the commander's words seemed to make some sense.
There really were international treaties of this kind.
In the broadest sense, this place was also within the Star Luo Holy Temple's territory.
But Wild Heroes were living beings, not opportunities that belonged to someone.
Moreover, this blockade wasn't being carried out by the Star Luo Holy Temple at all. It was merely the personal act of the Golden Duke. The Star Luo Holy Temple's Honor Badge was an extraordinarily precious token, and only a lord who had rendered great merit to the temple could possibly possess one.
What did that have to do with whether they were members of the Star Luo Holy Temple?
Many minor lords had long since proclaimed themselves people of Star Luo.
In reality, they were merely vassal or peripheral forces of the Star Luo Holy Temple. The Golden Duchy was included among them.
Recruitment had never depended solely on strength. Compatibility and personal affinity