Hank remained unperturbed when confronted with everyone’s apprehension. It was as if he had foreseen their anxieties.
Despite his affiliation with the Hall of Gods, his upbringing in Dragonmarsh had endowed him with a profound understanding of the strength of Sacred Wrym Summit.
Even the most renowned elites wouldn’t dare to challenge the Sacred Wrym Summit.
Hank reassured, “Fear not, everyone.”
Then, he gestured for silence and waited until the room fell quiet before continuing, “I understand your worries. But rest assured, we won’t send you into danger unprepared.
“Even if we venture into the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit, we’ll take all necessary precautions to minimize risks.”
“Mr. Styles, what’s the Hall of Gods’ plan? It’s better to be straight with us so we know where we stand,” Garrett asked.
“Yeah, let’s have some transparency here. We need to know what we’re getting into,” the others chimed in.
They weren’t eager to be sacrificial lambs and charged mindlessly into the danger of Sacred Wrym Summit’s forbidden ground. Hence, they needed assurance of a solid plan for their safety before committing to anything.
Hank said, “Alright, I’ll explain it to you.” He paused briefly before saying, ” You all know the Combat Tournament at the Sacred Wrym Summit, right?
“They had all hands on deck for security, which left many spots wide open. They’re practically deserted at the back mountain. So, sneaking in at night should be doable without raising any alarms.”
“Is that your plan? Sounds a bit risky, doesn’t it?” Garrett raised an eyebrow, looking skeptical.
Even with the distraction of the Combat Tournament, he knew there were probably many elites patrolling Sacred Wrym Summit’s back mountains. Sneaking in carelessly risked tipping them off, and if they got caught, it would be the end for them.
Hank replied, “Elder Mason, there’s no need to rush. What I’ve outlined is just the first step.”
He smiled and continued, “Once we approach the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit, we’ll have additional teams to create diversions.
“When the time is right, these teams will set fires across the mountain. This will draw their elites’ attention away.
“That’s when we seize the moment to infiltrate the forbidden ground and uncover the rare treasures. In simpler terms, it’s a strategy known as ‘smoke and mirrors.””
“Smoke and mirrors?”
The martial artists pondered and were intrigued by the plan’s ingenuity. It sounded promising to them.
By employing multiple teams to set fires and diverting the Sacred Wrym Summit’s elite, they could minimize the risks associated with their mission.
Garrett asked again, “Mr. Styles, the plan sounds promising. However, troubling rumors about the dangers within Sacred Wrym Summit’s forbidden ground are circulating.
“Word has it there’s a mysterious, enigmatic fighter who calls it home year-round. Facing this individual alone would be no small feat.
“And then there’s the matter of hunting down rare treasures. We might be biting off more than we can chew.”
Hank’s strategy could draw the focus away from most elites at the Sacred Wrym Summit. But confronting the enigmatic fighter within the forbidden ground posed a significant challenge.
Plus, with the mission of uncovering rare treasures, the task grew even more daunting.
“Elder Mason, you can count on the Hall of Gods to have your back,” Hank reassured.
He added, “We’ve gathered a team of heroes beyond those here today.
Unfortunately, we can’t disclose their identities for security reasons. But trust me, they’ll be there to lend a hand if you run into trouble!”
The tension in the crowd eased upon hearing that.
The Hall of Gods seemed well-prepared and hadn’t placed all their hopes solely on them. Instead, they had organized several treasure-hunting teams.
It lessened the pressure on them significantly.
With the Hall of Gods taking care of arrangements, joining one of the treasure-hunting teams sounded sensible. The only concern now was what the Hall of Gods offered in return.
After all, trespassing into the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit posed a constant risk to their lives. They would need to reconsider if the rewards didn’t outweigh the risks.
“Mr. Styles, it’s not that I’m unwilling to help, but…” Garrett hesitated. His hand absentmindedly stroked his beard with a troubled expression.
Seeing his hesitation, Hank quickly clapped his hands.
Soon, a group of maids entered carrying chests of various sizes. With a nod from him, the maids began unveiling the treasures in each chest.
Suddenly, the room became a dazzling spectacle of riches that captivated everyone.
The martial artists were awestruck as they beheld the treasures before them. Their eyes sparkled with excitement, and their breath quickened with anticipation.
Each rare and valuable item elicited a flicker of greed across their faces. It was unlike anything they had seen, leaving them utterly mesmerized.
“We won’t let your efforts go unrewarded,” Hank said with a smile. ” If you agree to help, all these treasures will be yours.”
Indeed, few could resist the allure of such wealth, and it seemed that everyone had their price.
“The Hall of Gods certainly doesn’t hold back regarding rewards!”
“This is beyond incredible!”
“We’re honored to serve the Hall of Gods, Count us in!”
After a moment of awe, the martial artists eagerly accepted. With riches like these on offer, they were willing to face any danger, even the forbidden ground of Sacred Wrym Summit.
