Chapter 1853: Gathering Intelligence
Fang Chen could understand Old Wang's excitement. During this era, Old Wang was still pretty young. It was normal for a young man to feel excited when visiting Longsheng City for the first time.
The human race had been in constant struggle against the Flame Race, so they understood them very well. When it came to the other foreign races, however, they never had the opportunity to learn about them. For the weaker races, the Saint Tower Battle served as an opportunity to learn more about powerful races and establish contact with them.
Ordinarily, the Half Saints of the human race weren't worthy of setting foot inside Longsheng City, and Longsheng City would not be directly open to the outside world either.
"Old Wang, why did Half Saint Wang leave?" asked Fang Chen, glancing at Wang Zhenlong and the others as they chatted enthusiastically with Fang Qianxue and Qin Baichuan.
The Half Saints of those respective families had already departed, leaving behind Wang Zhenlong and the other Third Step Limit Breaking experts.
"The various affairs back home cannot do without the management of those ancestors, so they could only escort us up to this point." Wang Chongsong smiled. "At any rate, having Half Saint Zangling lead the team is more than enough. The Wang Family stands together with the Fang Clan, and your clan happens to be an ally of the Wandao Alliance, so we're all on the same side."
Suddenly, Fang Qianxue's voice rang out beside everyone's ears.
"Return to your rooms."
The room tokens for Wang Chongsong and the others had clearly been finalized as well, and Wang Zhenlong and their peers were likewise urging them to their rooms.
The crowd followed Half Saint Zangling upstairs, each returning to their respective rooms according to the room tokens in their hands.
The room was not particularly large, measuring only about ten square meters, but being able to stay in a private room to oneself in a place like this was evidently decent enough.
Fang Chen had noticed just moments ago that Half Saint Zangling had handed over quite a substantial amount of immortal crystals.
Not long after he entered his room, Old Wang came over.
Fang Chen cast a glance at Old Wang and offered a reminder, "Half Saint Zangling mentioned that we should stay in our rooms if there's nothing else to do and not to run around blindly. There are thousands of rooms on this one floor, so it isn't only us humans living here. A conflict with another foreign race would not be ideal."
Wang Chongsong chuckled. "No need to fear, no need to fear. I've long since inquired clearly. The races staying in this inn are pretty much about as powerful as the human race. Even if a conflict flares up, it will be resolved within the Saint Tower Battle. No one dares to mess around blindly within Longsheng City, lest they bring annihilation upon their sect and race."
Fang Chen's expression stirred. "You've gathered quite a bit of intelligence?"
"Does this even require gathering? Doesn't your Fang Clan have people who previously attended the Saint Tower Battle as well? We've always lodged here, so a casual inquiry makes it clear enough."
Wang Chongsong smiled, then retrieved a jade slip and handed it over to Fang Chen. "The contents inside this are what truly count as the intelligence I gathered. It concerns the Flame Race. There is also some information regarding the Jinyang Alliance and the Luoxue Alliance. Take a look."
Fang Chen accepted the jade slip and scanned it with his divine sense. He finished browsing through the information inside in a mere instant. The information contained within was indeed substantial. The primary intelligence focused on the Flame Race, while the secondary intelligence covered the likes of the Jinyang Alliance, the Luoxue Alliance, and the Wandao Alliance.
Wang Chongsong said with a smile, "Since I am also uncertain as to who exactly the various Saint Alliances will ultimately dispatch, I have highlighted all the more outstanding figures. You only need to pay attention to your peers of the same rank. Lest you end up completely blind if you cross paths inside the Saint Tower Battle."
Pausing for a moment, "The main thing is to watch out for the Flame Race, the Jinyang Alliance, and the Luoxue Alliance. If you encounter people from these three parties, it's basically a fight to the death, especially the latter two. Don't let the thought of showing mercy cross your mind just because they are of the same race, and don't expect them to show mercy to us either."
Fang Chen nodded. "I am aware of this. However, in the intelligence you gathered, the only foreign race is the Flame Race? Why didn't you gather more intelligence on other foreign races?"
"What's the point of gathering that?"
Wang Chongsong was slightly startled. "The foundation of most foreign races is stronger than ours. We are here just to broaden our horizons. You don't actually think you can break into the top 100,000, do you? When the time comes, quit while you're ahead and concede decisively when the opportunity arises. Don't lose your life because you missed that window. Moreover, how could my family have the capability to gather intelligence on foreign races?"
Clearly, Wang Chongsong did not believe that gathering intelligence on other foreign races served any purpose.
Fang Chen could also understand his line of thinking. He had only asked casually, partly to gauge how extensive Wang Chongsong's information channels actually were.
"Old Fang, our families all regard your family as the leader. When the time comes, put on a splendid performance in the Saint Tower Battle and make a name for the Fang Clan, and let the Flame Race and the other Saint Alliances see what the Fang Clan is capable of. We not only need to suppress the Jinyang Alliance and the Luoxue Alliance, but also fight a few splendid battles. The stronger the prestige of Saint Fang is at that time, the more stable our status will be."
"So whatever you do, try not to embarrass yourself. Countless people from the major Saint Alliances will be watching this battle."
Fang Chen was slightly taken aback. "Watching the battle? What do you mean?"
"How is it that you seem to know nothing? Did no one from the Fang clan remind you?" Wang Chongsong said helplessly. "Outsiders are allowed to watch the Saint Tower Battle. At that time, Longsheng City will allow the major Inner Domain to connect with it, so people can directly view the scenes inside the Saint Tower."
Fang Chen murmured softly to himself, "So an Inner Domain can even do that.... It is truly miraculous."
At this time, a flurry of footsteps came from outside. Clearly, another team was preparing to check in.
Wang Chongsong immediately opened the room's door. He glanced outside before looking back at Fang Chen and smiling. "A batch of brats from the Flame Race has checked in. They seem to be under the command of Saint Chiyan. There are still a dozen or so days before the Saint Tower Battle begins. Shall we go outside for a stroll?"
Fang Chen nodded. "That works too."
He left the inn together with Wang Chongsong.
Neither of them forgot Half Saint Zangling's warning. However, their thirst for knowledge made them selectively ignore it. Wang Chongsong was unwilling to miss such a rare opportunity to observe the major races up close.
Fang Chen felt the same way. He felt that the Nine Realms would eventually come into contact with the Divine Realm again. It would be a pity not to take this opportunity to understand them more.
After strolling around for a while, Fang Chen gradually gained a new understanding of Longsheng City. The city probably had quite a few people during ordinary days. These 'people' should be the subjects or descendants under the command of that Saint Longsheng.
Their stature was quite large, ranging from ten feet tall to twenty feet tall. Every move they made revealed an arrogance that stemmed from their very bones. Most of these natives of Longsheng City kept strangers at a distance, appearing indifferent when foreign races tried to strike up a conversation. They, however, conversed very enthusiastically with their own kin.
Besides these natives, there were others whose physiques closely resembled those of humans, except that their skin was slightly darker. They also possessed an arrogance radiating from their bones, but when they faced those natives with larger builds, a trace of humility was apparent in their eyes.
Fang Chen pondered as he walked, "Longsheng City is not composed of a single race, but is constructed from several or even over a dozen races, forming a complete ecological circle."
Wang Chongsong suddenly stopped walking and pointed at a magnificent building not far away. "Old Fang, this restaurant is very lively. Let's go up and sit for a bit. Perhaps we can overhear some useful intelligence."
Fang Chen glanced at this building and seemed to see members of the Asura Race walking around inside, so he nodded. "Let's sit for a bit. We can also use the opportunity to gather some information about those top-tier races."