The Invincible Full-Moon System-Chapter 1474: The Stronghold’s Normalcy

As Linthia stated, she managed to obtain a lot of information from the guard she was with.

Based on what the guard said, talented people from across the Empire took on dangerous missions in the Void Hub in order to attract the scouts sent by the Orion Eight. Once they were chosen, the scout would give them a referral that they could use to enter any stronghold under the Orion Eight.

It was not only a blessing to be chosen but also a massive opportunity.

Entering one of the strongholds guarantees the person a better environment to grow their strength.

Any of the strongholds was made around a Gate-class Obelisk of Life.

Normally, it would take a hundred years for a spirit with a normal Spiritual Vein and hailed from a land with a Needle-class Obelisk of Life to go from a High Spirit rank to the Ascendant Spirit rank. However, within the fortress' bubble, the time to reach that rank would be reduced to a measly five years.

An opportunity that would hasten a spirit's growth by twenty times.

Such an opportunity was enough for anyone to kill for it.

Once the talented spirit has chosen a stronghold, they would then need to choose a faction to join.

Choosing the faction to enter would determine their future in the stronghold.

Every year or less, depending on the situation and the policy of the associated stronghold, a few people from each village would be chosen to enter the main city of the stronghold. Joining the main city meant being closer to the Obelisk of Life and also becoming a proper warrior.

Not only would the spirit be given a house and a job, but they could also bring their families.

But the main reward was still the increase in growth.

If it would take five years to enter the Ascendant Spirit rank earlier, now, it would only take three years.

Naturally, the villages have their own varying quota.

Some have more quotas than others.

And the next chosen batch would enter the Aurelian Fortress in ten days.

Currently, Rex and the others were in the Blue Gem Village—a native village that was already here even before the entire place was turned into the Aurelian Fortress. Because of that, the people here have a fixed quota to honor their birthright, which meant not needing to compete.

However, that was back then.

Now, the Blue Gem Village's quota was becoming smaller and smaller.

It was for the sake of the Empire—the Aurelian Fortress' representative always used that as an excuse.

And now, the village has accepted that and decided to become a peaceful village instead.

"Is that the only way for us to enter the Aurelian Fortress?" Rex asked, frowning.

Considering the social construct, he would need to hunt a lot of Voidal Monsters and convince the Blue Gem Village's head to get him and the others into the quota. Doing that would be a lot of work, and it might also create friction between him and those who were already waiting for their turn for years.

Amanir told him earlier that he can't keep overpowering his way through every bad situation.

Going on that path would only create more enemies and bite him in the future.

Unless necessary—it's best for Rex to find a peaceful way to tackle the problem first.

Rex agreed with Amanir—there was no need for him to slaughter an entire land or village if obtaining Life Gems could do the trick too. Better yet, killing special Voidal Knights—wouldn't cause him to be hunted down by the Imperial forces.

I'll only do that if my time here is running out. For now, I need to find a way inside.

"No," Linthia shook her head. "There's also the Pity Road"

Upon hearing this, Rex raised an eyebrow in question.

"It's the gambling way by hunting an exceptional Voidal Monster—and waiting at the road leading to the gate for any high-ranking member of the Aurelian Fortress to pass by," Linthia answered, she seemed reluctant to convey this to Rex. "It's practically fishing for attention from the high-ranking members to be let in"

Personally, Linthia doesn't want Rex to go along with this path.

Seeing Rex sleeping on the ground, considering his status, was already painful to watch.

It would feel even worse to watch him beg for attention using this path—that would be too much.

She deliberated to not tell Rex as she had a feeling that Rex would try this method.

However, she has the obligation to convey everything so she has no choice but to answer with the truth.

"I could do that..." Rex rubbed his chin in contemplation.

No matter what he needed to do, even that is to lower himself and beg—he'd do it for the other's sake.

"Rrggh…" Rex held his head when a sharp pain stabbed his mind.

<Warning: As the candidate of Invincibility and an Alpha, the user must act appropriately!>

I can't do it huh…? He smiled acutely. I guess I'll have to find another way.

He then raised his gaze, "Did you find anything about the Eight Orion House here?"

"Yes," Linthia nodded, she was meticulous in learning everything she could about the Aurelian Fortress to help Rex make a decision. "From what I heard, the Eight Orion house that governed this land is the Aurelius House of Marquess Hadrian. I don't know about the house more than that but maybe Amanir could help?"

Upon hearing this, Amanir pondered for a second before his eyes flickered with clarity.

"I remember Marquess Hadrian," He started with a troubled look. "He's called the Death Rose Marquess by the people. He has an SS-grade Soul Artifact that has taken the form of a glistening black rapier—and also in possession of the one-of-a-kind Demon Fencer Echo"

Rex listened attentively to what Amanir said.

And as expected, there was no way Rex would negotiate with this Marquess Hadrian.

Judging from how Amanir mentioned his name, it was clear that he was an overbearing individual who might not be reasonable enough. Since he also stood at the very top of the house, it's very unlikely for Rex to be able to have a one-on-one talk with him.

"Is the Marquess here?" Rex asked, turning to Linthia.

But this time, Linthia shook her head, "I'm not sure but it's unlikely for him to be here"

"I'm sure he has a lot of heirs," Rex said as he pivoted back to Amanir. "Who's the weakest of them?"

"Prince Rudy is the youngest so he should be the weakest," Amanir answered.

Nodding his head, Rex turned and headed for the exit, "Amanir, go mingle with the people and find out more about the Aurelian Fortress condition. Linthia, reach the Immortal Spirit rank as soon as possible and don't leave Kraken alone. I'm going to scout around for a bit,"

Having no time to waste, Rex left the hut once he gave them his orders.

Just like that, the day came to pass.

Rex scoured the entire forest, not forgetting to transform into his Werewolf form.

As soon as his transformation was complete, his senses were heightened exponentially.

His ears could hear the smallest sound across the entire forest, his eyes could pierce through the dense greenery and focus on an ant a mile away, and his nose could locate the other villages—at pinpoint accuracy through the smell of fire.

It was the second main reason why he brought along the Sovereign of the Night passive skill.

Possessing such acute senses is almost always a good thing.

Rex checked every single village while simultaneously avoiding their people—and also the patrolling guards he encountered a couple of times. Other than to see their condition, he also gauged their powers in case of an emergency.

As expected, almost all of them are Immortal Spirits.

Recalling that these people were talents across the empire, he wasn't surprised.

But there was only a handful of them who had an above S-grade Soul Artifact.

On top of that, Rex also stole a map from a resting guard in the forest and learned of all the villages.

He was hiding in the shadows, stalking like a phantom predator without anyone noticing.

Aside from the patrolling guards, the other villages had their own watchmen, marking their distinct turfs, which showed that the villages weren't exactly on good terms with each other. Technically, Rex was now trespassing—but as long as he wasn't caught, it hardly mattered.

Other than that, he also found the main road, or as many called the Pity Road.

A group of people as Linthia informed, was waiting near the bridge that crossed the entire sea and led to the Aurelian Fortress' gate. Each one of them brought a Voidal Monster carcass with them. Most of them only brought a strong Voidal Pawn but there are some who brought a Voidal Knight.

Even after waiting for more than four hours, nobody passes the road.

It seemed a high-ranking member of the Aurelian Fortress passing is very rare to happen.

Swoosh!

Right now, Rex was going to the other side of the forest to check the remaining three villages.

He soon neared the Verdant Ivy village, the second weakest village that was in fact the weakest village, as it was only above the Blue Gem village that wasn't even participating in their quota battle. Based on the map, the village should be located near a small lake.

Other than that, the village should also host around two thousand people.

Compared to the other villages, averaging around three thousand—this village is a tad bit behind.

As Rex was dashing from tree to tree, exercising his silent steps guided by the training he had in the USR, he suddenly came to an abrupt stop. Looking down under—from the high-rise of a tree, veiled by the forest canopy's shadows, he noticed several people camping.

Checking the map one more time, the village should be two hundred meters ahead.

So this group of people was camping outside of the village.

Narrowing his eyes, Rex noticed one of them had a topaz mark on his wrist.

"Hmm, they're not from the Verdant Ivy village," Rex mumbled. "But from the Topaz Haven village"

Glancing over to the other side, he sensed multiple other groups.

It was clear that this was a siege from the Topaz Haven village, bullying the Verdant Ivy village.

Since the only way to rise in rank and secure more quotas was by completing Voidal Monster hunting quests issued by the Aurelian Fortress, being under siege meant they were trapped. Without the ability to venture out, the village couldn't accumulate any points.

"No wonder they only have five pitiful quotas…" Rex thought aloud.

Just then, a frown crossed his face when he sensed the Invincible Apparition appearing beside him.

"What are you waiting for?" the Invincible Apparition asked, smiling wickedly at the village ahead. "It is an opportunity. Go meet their head and negotiate their quotas in exchange—for getting rid of these weaklings. Better yet… Infiltrate the village, mark yourself with their mark, and kill all of these Topaz Haven people. Then, you can negotiate and make sure they accept your terms"

Upon hearing this, Rex clenched his jaw.

He had thought of doing the first one but he didn't think of the second one at all.

Choosing the second option would guarantee him three quotas as disguising himself as a member of the Verdant Ivy Village and eliminating the people of the Topaz Haven would shift the blame onto Verdant Ivy—freeing him from the blood he shed.

Rex could then negotiate with the Verdant Ivy village head while the Topaz Haven brewed revenge.

Once the Topaz Haven people arrived, they would have no choice but to accept Rex's proposal.

It was a flawless plan but a wicked one.

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"Do you have a better plan?" the Invincible Apparition asked mockingly. "If not, and you refused to do my plans, then that's the same as being stubborn and refusing to accept that you're weaker than me. Let me do it, you don't need to see it"

"Shut up and watch," Rex smirked. "I can guarantee three quotas even without using your plans"