Before long, the people exploring the ruins gathered together with the reinforcements who had recently arrived from Spellbreak City to discuss further excavation and the distribution of the many books, documents, weapons, armor, and other artifacts.
Everyone now displayed their ability to scrape the ground three feet deep in their plundering. They spared not even bricks and stones suspected of bearing special restrictions that might reveal the mysteries of formation arrays, let alone obviously valuable objects such as Puppet Remains and decaying ancient treasures.
But the most eye-catching find was undoubtedly the Mei Clan Primordial Hundred-Treasure Transmutation Furnace. Though the other items were important, they fell far short of it; even their combined value could scarcely equal a tenth of its worth.
"Fellow Daoist Lang, Young Master Fang, we need to discuss that refining furnace."
The elders of the major sects, led by Huang Yunhao, approached Lang Dong and Fang Qianyuan. They appeared calm and reasonable, but their words carried a veiled threat.
"Spellbreak City is a long, long way from here, with who knows how many demons and other races along the road. It would be most unfortunate if you lost it."
Lang Dong said, "You must be joking, Elder Huang. Our Azure Cloud Sect members discovered this refining furnace, and it belongs to our Azure Cloud Sect. Whatever happens, surely it is no concern of yours?"
Huang Yunhao said, "You are mistaken, Elder Lang. Even these ruins were discovered by members of our Spirit Taming Sect. How has their contents ended up becoming the exclusive property of your Azure Cloud Sect?"
"Is that so?" Lang Dong remained noncommittal.
He, too, knew that this war of words would be difficult to win. With all the factions speaking in unison, even the sect's senior leadership would struggle to decide whether