Wizard: Starting from the Skill Tree

The Bishop furrowed his brow tightly.

"Investigate who that young man in the white robe is. Also, notify the other three Divine Halls, the situation in Stone Hammer City cannot be taken lightly."

...

Several days later, the group arrived in Stone Hammer City.

They did not encounter any obstacles along the way. This was an official procession of the Light Sect, with clear flags and orderly personnel. Although the Four Gods Sect was watching them like a tiger in the shadows, they dared not act openly.

The Light Sect, after all, was one of the top sects in the Oracle Plane, backed by the Divine Favor of the God of Light and many prayers from its followers.

Anyone daring to ambush the Holy Daughter and sect emissaries halfway would be blatantly declaring war on the Light Sect, the consequences of which no one from the Four Gods Sect could bear.

Stone Hammer City was larger than the Duke had anticipated.

The city walls were newly built, the grey-white stones still bore chisel marks, and the tower above the city gate was not yet completed. Wooden scaffolding stood, and several craftsmen were busy hammering away.

The gates were wide open, with a continuous stream of people entering and exiting—merchants carrying goods, farmers leading livestock, mercenaries in armor, and groups of three to five players.

The streets in the city were wide, and most of the shops on either side were open—taverns, smithies, general stores, herbal shops—signs were varied, and cries of vendors filled the air.

In the distance, several buildings under construction were wrapped in scaffolding, and the outlines of temples could be vaguely discerned.

But there were no emblems of the Light Sect there.

The Duke rode his horse, his gaze sweeping over those buildings under construction.

The Wind Sect’s banner flew on the highest tower, the Water Sect’s blue flag on another side, the Fire Sect’s red flag, and the Earth Sect’s brown flag were also flying at their respective construction sites.

The four temples, in four directions, completely divided the central area of Stone Hammer City.

Not a single flag of the Light Sect could be seen.

Henry’s face looked grim. His fingers gripped the reins so tightly they turned pale, and a suppressed fury burned in his deep brown eyes.

The knights followed silently behind, their armor gleaming coldly under the sun, and the hoofbeats on the stone-paved road made a dull sound.

The mages’ faces were calm, but the tense grip on their magic wands betrayed their anxiety.

The warriors kept their heads down, not daring to look at those fluttering four-colored flags.

The group came to a stop at the town center square, not large, with rough stone slabs on the ground and still unfinished buildings around it.

In the middle of the square stood a pedestal, not yet bearing a statue; it had four insignias carved on it, awaiting the erection of the Four Gods’ statues.

Dali dismounted, handing the reins to the knight beside her.

She stood at the center of the square, her golden hair shining softly in the sunlight, a silver coronet casting a small shadow over her brow.

Her gaze swept over the temples under construction, over the Four Gods insignias on the pedestal, her expression unchanged.

She held no magic wand in her hands, merely standing quietly, like a white flower blooming in the wind.

The Duke also dismounted, standing slightly behind her to the side.

He said nothing, only quietly watching as people gathered from all directions.

The people of the Four Gods Sect arrived swiftly.

Several priests of the Wind Sect walked out from the incomplete temple, led by a slender middle-aged man wearing a green robe, the robe’s corners embroidered with wind patterns, and a silver feather emblem on his chest.

His footsteps were quick, his gaze sharp, lingering on Dali for a moment before moving to the Duke.

The Duke noticed that his gaze lingered on him a half-breath longer, but it soon shifted away.

The Water Sect’s people approached from the other side, led by a gentle-looking middle-aged witch in a blue robe, the robe’s corners embroidered with water patterns, a silver shell emblem on her chest.

Her pace was unhurried, her gaze swept over Dali’s face, she nodded slightly as a form of greeting.

The Fire Sect arrived last, but with the greatest momentum.

Leading them was a burly middle-aged man wearing a red robe, the corners of which were embroidered with flame patterns, a silver torch emblem on his chest.

A scar ran across his face, from the corner of his eye to his jaw, his gaze fierce, a disdainful smile at the corner of his mouth.

Behind him followed over a dozen priests in red robes, each with weapons at their waists, their steps uniform and imposing.

The Earth Sect’s people came last, led by a taciturn old man in a brown robe, the robe’s corners embroidered with mountain patterns, a silver hammer emblem on his chest.

His gaze lingered on Dali for a moment before moving to the knights, then he shook his head slightly.

The four sects, from four directions, half-surrounded the Light Sect’s group in the center of the square.

The scarred middle-aged man from the Fire Sect was the first to speak.

His voice was low, like sandpaper against stone.

"Holy Daughter Dali, what does the Light Sect mean by this?" He pointed to the knights, mages, and warriors, "Bringing an army to Stone Hammer City, are you here to preach or to make war?"

Dali looked at him, her gaze calm: "To preach."

The scarred middle-aged man sneered. "Preach? The Four Gods Sect has been building in Stone Hammer City for two years, the temples are nearly finished. You come now to talk of preaching, isn’t that too late?"

Dali didn’t look at him, but at the temples still under construction.

"Stone Hammer City belongs to no sect. It has tens of thousands of people, mines, forests, resources. The Light Sect has a right to preach here, just as you have the right to preach here."

The scarred middle-aged man’s face darkened: "Holy Daughter, do you know what this means?"

"Of course," Dali’s voice remained calm, "According to the rules, for disputed territories, each chooses one person, and the outcome of a duel decides the ownership."

There was a moment of silence in the square.

People from the Four Gods Sect glanced at each other, their faces showing surprised expressions.

The Light Sect had always been the one to concede, never daring to engage in such disputes.

What happened today? The Holy Daughter personally leading, accompanied by two hundred elites, and wanting to follow the rules? Where did they get their confidence?

The scarred middle-aged man stared at Dali for a long time, then smiled.

That smile had no warmth.

"Fine. Since the Holy Daughter has spoken, the Four Gods Sect cannot refuse." He turned, looking at the leaders of the other three sects. "What do you say?"

The other three did not hesitate much, all agreeing to follow the rules.

The scarred middle-aged man turned back to Dali.

"In three days, outside the city. Each sends one person, the winner preaches in Stone Hammer City. The loser, leaves." He paused, "Holy Daughter, are you sure?"

Dali looked at him. "I’m sure."

The scarred middle-aged man snorted coldly, turning to walk towards the Fire Sect’s temple.

The people from the other three sects also gradually dispersed, leaving only those from the Light Sect in the square.

Multiple inns within the city refused the Light Sect’s requests for accommodation.

Some said they were full, others claimed they were under renovation, some simply did not open their doors. Henry asked seven or eight places, receiving identical replies.

His face grew darker, his grip on the reins turning his fingers white, but he held back from erupting.

The Duke rode his horse, watching the closed doors and flickering glances without speaking.

The Four Gods Sect had been operating in Stone Hammer City for two years, and their influence was apparent.

Not allowing the Light Sect to stay in town was both an insult and a way to test their resolve, to see how much the Light Sect really dared.

Henry rode back, his face stormy.

"Holy Daughter, there’s no place in the city that will take us." Dali nodded, seemingly unsurprised, "Camp outside."

Henry took his orders and left, the knights turning their horses towards the outskirts.

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