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Chapter 638: Collateral

With the premise of an extended future in mind, everyone’s heart ached for the chance Western politicians resisted the calls fro the Western Alliance had released a nue, the West decried Eastern attempts to keep theh it was the East who recovered the crystals, they were a precious resource for all of huht to buy theave an even more clever response Because the West had refused to accept these crystals as real, their invitation was rescinded to avoid conflict Harsh words were flung back and forth, but as the tiun to walk back on so lives as well, and behind every politician was a group with money If those silent partners pulled support, they would be reduced to nothing Vital crystals would be the least of their worries

In the end the West had to aded that the East had indeed found and recovered accurate data on the alien creatures They also had to made concessions in other areas, and on top of all that required a higher collateral payle battleship For the West, they required an expedition cruiser – ten times the worth of a battleship Only twenty seven parties from their Alliance could even afford to join But for the East, that was already twenty seven expedition ships! Not a single crystal was sold, and already the East had the value equivalent of two dreadnoughts There had never been a higher buy-in for an auction

In the end, the West was permitted to participate However, that was just a chance, not a guarantee Obtaining these crystals fro, and trust did not come easy No one side wanted the others to kno much they paid or received The West elected to participate anony openly was also an option, if the buyer elected

First to suffer fallout fro was the Austin family Both directly and indirectly they had been the loudest skeptics Consequences as biting as these would need to be answered for, and those in poere quick to put the loss on the Austin’s shoulders Thankfully the East had only increased their buy-in If the political cost had affected direct bidding, Sylva would have had hell to pay

Undoubtedly, the East was using the pricelessness of these crystals for political gain They dangled theovernment’s collective noses For the first time, weak little Eastern Alliance was in a position of absolute authority

The long-awaited day of inspection had co, the rich and powerful were eager to hear from their representatives Because of how much was at stake, every representative was either experienced with the exuviureed to adhere strictly any rules the East imposed If anyone dared to break those rules – for instance, by atteation’s invitation would be revoked and their pay-in kept These rules were meant to be restrictive and strict, but also fair

Where the inspections were held was kept a secret until the day before When delegates learned where it would be held, they couldn’t help but scowl to themselves For those with less honorable intentions, they neas even

Skyfire Museum!

A plain and simple name, but what it represented made Adepts shiver It’d been the seat of the Clairvoyant Although the one called the Eye of Tomatic Who knehat surprises the old seer left after his passing? Beyond that, anyone fa this location meant Anyone who dared step a toe out of line would immediately suffer the full force of the Avenue’s ire

As an organization, no one could doubt its dominance In recent years the Avenue not only produced a nuht future on display in the Great Adept Tourna leaders even walked away Chareement that Skyfire Avenue was in the midst of a meteoric rise It already far surpassed the two Citadels and the Great Conclave

Anitaries were representatives fro, as patriarch, had come personally It was his first visit to the Avenue His son had told hi it all in person was very different

He took a shine to the Avenue thewas a traditionalist and loved the old style Each antique building lining the road was exquisite Be it the elaborately carved balustrades with fantastical Chinese beasts or soaring gothic towers passing sole beauty in them all

Each step drew hiot what they’d coht his attention Four eyes met and all at once his pleasant stroll ca’s eyes fled, chased away by inner conflict But of course he’d react like this Howsince he’d seen him, face to face? He’d lost the fiery attractiveness of youth, but had gained a on now, but the years had still left their