Steward Fang said, "Five hundred years ago, when the strange fog in the Gloomy Forbidden Area began to recede, revealing vast stretches of land, people went in to explore. They discovered that it was a place rich in spiritual energy, containing a great many Spirit Mine Veins. Conflict erupted at once. Fortunately, the strange fog reappeared; otherwise, the major forces would surely have fought to the death."
"After that, the strange fog kept vanishing and reappearing. Gradually, people worked out the pattern: it disappeared roughly once every three years, then gathered again about a month later. That month became the period for mining the spirit veins."
"And because the Gloomy Forbidden Area was so vast that no one had ever fully explored it, no force could control this treasure trove, fraught with danger. So every three years, it was opened for people to enter and mine."
Xu Yi smiled. "By 'people,' you don't mean everyone, surely?"
"Of course not," Steward Fang said. "The Gloomy Forbidden Area may be dangerous, but it contains immense wealth. Though it's difficult to keep people out, the Northern Sacred Court is powerful enough to do so. The Court sealed off the Gloomy Forbidden Area and delegated the right to grant entry, level by level, to the various circuits. The circuits passed it down to the various prefectures, and the prefectures then granted it to the Star Officials. Now it's become an important perk for Star Officials."
Xu Yi said, "I imagine this perk doesn't come cheap." He knew the temperament of the Sacred Court inside and out. They never lifted a finger without profit and would pluck the feathers off a passing goose. The Resentment-Exempt Tablet was the same, and so was the Earth Soul Talisman. There was no way they would casually hand out