Balan

"The Radiant Church?"

Yale held a glass of red wine and raised an eyebrow. "The Radiant Church is a colossal force on the Yulan Continent. It has quite a few Saint Realm experts within it. The Dawson Trading Company has had some dealings with them as well."

"Moke, what do you mean?"

Moke smiled. "I was born in the Holy Union, so I don't know much about the Radiant Church. If you know anything, you can share it with me."

"For example, what Saint Realm experts from the Radiant Church are in the Holy Capital, Fenlai City? Or Ninth Level experts? I heard Pope Heidens is also in Fenlai City?"

"Pope Heidens is a Saint Realm expert, but he may not necessarily be in the Holy Capital, Fenlai City."

Yale shook his head, then explained with a smile, "I can tell you that there are definitely Saint Realm experts from the Radiant Church in the Holy Capital, Fenlai City!"

"However, those Saint Realm experts stand high above everyone else and normally never show themselves."

"Oh?"

Moke raised an "astonished" eyebrow.

Yale lowered his voice. "The Radiant Church also has different internal organizations, such as the Inquisition, the Ascetics, the Fanatical Legion, and so on."

"The one usually in charge in the Holy Capital, Fenlai City, should be Archbishop Gilmor. I once met Gilmor when I was following my father."

Moke listened the entire time. When Yale mentioned the Ascetics, his heart stirred.

After that, Moke continued chatting with Yale, asking for more information.

Once Yale got talking, he rambled on about all sorts of things.

Finally, he smiled. "I don't know much about the Ascetics, but the most outstanding Ascetic in Fenlai City should be Balan."

"Balan? Is he a Saint Realm warrior?" Moke pressed.

Yale burst out laughing. "Moke, how can there be so many Saint Realm experts? Balan is merely a Ninth-Level Ascetic."

"Ninth Level?" Moke's heart stirred.

Then Yale said mysteriously, "But I did hear that Balan has a deep background. He seems to be the disciple of a Saint Realm expert within the Radiant Church."

"Ascetic Balan is the disciple of a Saint Realm expert. Could that Saint Realm expert be Fallen Leaf?"

Thoughts raced through Moke's mind.

No matter what, he had learned quite a bit from Yale today.

Ascetic Balan—even if he was not the Ninth-Level Ascetic who had stolen Prust's child—definitely knew that Ninth-Level Ascetic!

Yale lowered his voice and clicked his tongue. "If you ask me, the Radiant Church is full of lunatics, especially those Ascetics!"

"Although the Inquisition's people are vicious when they act, that is only toward their targets. Compared to the brainwashing of those Ascetics, it is nothing at all!"

"Forget it, forget it. I've gone off topic." Yale seemed to come back to himself. "Don't repeat any of this outside, or we'll both be in trouble."

"Don't worry. I know what matters." Moke smiled and nodded.

"I'd only say this much around you. If Reynolds were here, I definitely wouldn't dare say it."

Yale laughed heartily. "That guy Reynolds can't keep any secret once he starts drinking."

"Boss Yale, are you talking bad about me?" Reynolds glared in their direction.

"Hehe, not bad things, not bad things."

Yale laughed it off. "Eh? The auction is about to begin."

"The first item is actually a stone sculpture? Too bad Linley hasn't returned from the Magical Beast Mountain Range yet. Otherwise, he probably would have been interested in these stone sculptures."

The auction truly was impressive in scale. Aside from an Eighth-Level magical beast cub, there were several valuable items worth millions of gold coins.

Unfortunately, none of those items held the slightest appeal for Moke.

After the auction ended, Moke found an excuse to part ways with Yale and the others.

"Ascetic Balan." Moke pondered for a moment, then found a small inn to disguise himself. After putting on a conical hat and veil, he headed out.

Fenlai City was crowded and full of all sorts of people. There were plenty dressed like him, so Moke's appearance would not attract anyone's attention. Fenlai City was the Radiant Church's Holy Capital, controlled by the Radiant Church. Other than the two great empires, no organization on the continent could easily get involved in Fenlai City.

And the two great empires would not provoke the Radiant Church without a grudge.

However, there were always exceptions. Fenlai City was not an impregnable fortress.

For instance, hidden strongholds of the Dark Church.

Or concealed assassin and intelligence organizations.

Although the Radiant Church was a colossal force, it did not dare provoke so many organizations at once, especially the assassin and intelligence organization known as Blade.

"The Blade Organization was established several thousand years ago by Cesar, a peak Saint Realm expert. Even the Radiant Church does not dare casually purge it. Once Cesar becomes a divine-level expert in a few years, the Radiant Church will be even less willing to provoke the Blade Organization."

Moke spent some effort locating the Blade Organization's stronghold in Fenlai City.

"Are you here to kill someone, or for information?"

Inside the dim underground building, the Blade Organization member receiving Moke was extremely cold.

Moke did not care and said directly, "I want information on a Ninth-Level Warrior."

"Information on a Ninth-Level Warrior?" The receptionist was somewhat surprised, then sneered. "Information on a Ninth-Level Warrior isn't cheap. Every one of them is a major figure."

Clack!

Moke tossed out an Eighth-Level Magic Crystal Core.

"Oh?"

The receptionist was a Seventh-Level Warrior. Seeing the Eighth-Level magic core, he was shocked.

Everyone knew that it was extremely difficult for an Eighth-Level Warrior to hunt an Eighth-Level magical beast. Usually, only a Ninth-Level Warrior could kill one.

"Who are you looking for?" The receptionist put away the Eighth-Level Magic Crystal Core, a smile appearing on his face.

"A Ninth-Level Ascetic of the Radiant Church, Balan."

"You dare cause trouble for the Radiant Church?"

The receptionist was startled again, then smiled and shook his head. "Sorry, I nearly broke the rules. But I have to remind you."

"Every year, quite a few people come here to cause trouble for the Radiant Church, especially Advanced Warriors. Even the success rate of the assassins we send out is not high."

The Blade Organization actually dared accept missions to assassinate people within the Radiant Church. Moke had not expected that.

"That is none of your concern," Moke said. "I want all his information."

"Don't worry. The magic core you gave is worth the price!" After saying that, the receptionist quickly fetched Moke a thin booklet.

"Everything on Balan is in here." He became cold again. "The intelligence provided by our Blade Organization is the most detailed among all intelligence organizations. If the information you want is not here, you won't find it with any other intelligence organization either."

Moke gave it a rough glance and soon smiled.

"Not bad. It's detailed enough."

He tossed the booklet to the other man, then left the Blade Organization stronghold directly.

After Moke left, the receptionist happily took out the Eighth-Level magic core. "Not bad. I made a killing on this deal!"

He could simply pay the gold coins Moke had asked about himself, then keep the Eighth-Level magic core. This was an unspoken rule within the Blade Organization. Even the organization's Saint Realm elders would not investigate it.

"Hmm?"

The man suddenly jumped in fright, because someone had appeared in the room at some unknown time.

"Chief?!"

Startled, he respectfully said, "Chief, why have you come to Fenlai City?"

Cesar said casually, "I just came to look around. I was feeling nostalgic for Fenlai City's beauties."

The receptionist did not dare say anything more. Their chief was powerful, but exceptionally libertine. He particularly liked stone sculptures, fine wine, and beautiful women.

"That kid just now requested information on a Ninth-Level Ascetic of the Radiant Church?"

"Yes, Chief." The receptionist hurriedly nodded.

"Interesting..." Cesar smiled, and then his figure instantly vanished from the room.