Refining the Heavens (炼天)

Chapter 102: The Hope Mansion

Early next day, the boys continued their journey heading towards Jim's home, the Hope family mansion.

When they reached the Dirt Gold territory, the area patrol saw the Hope emblem from afar and greeted them. This place is the closest settlement to the capital with very few bandits, and the guards are pretty lax.

Riding on the back of the Land Wyrm, the gigantic beast may be a sight to behold, but it is well within the range of someone from a powerful merchant family.

They walked through rich pastures near the border undisturbed until they met several shepherds tending to their flock that looked at them with wide, curious eyes. When they noticed Jim in the group, they shouted warm greetings over, "Heyyy Young Jim! You're back from school?"

"Uncles! You're tending the sheep early today!" He shouted back happily.

Jim and his mother might be treated as eyesores back in the Hope mansion, but they are very popular with the locals, especially with their amicable nature towards the lowborn, unlike the others. It is no wonder because Jim himself felt treated like a lowborn among his family.

It was after heading into the territory for a good six hours that they finally arrive near the Hope's mansion.

A stupendous view welcomed the boys when they arrive. The entire mansion is surrounded by spirit grass, a high-class weed-like plant which generates several times more Heavenly Energy into the air than most herbs.

Heavenly Energy comes from the different terrains, the sea itself and even life force emitted from all living things. It is considered an unrefined type of energy.

Because Gaia is a mortal realm, the land's energy is weak, and therefore the plants, animals and people living on it could only receive minimal amounts. Having so many spirit grass surrounding the mansion will definitely help the cultivation of everyone living in this area, and yet the Hope family mansion is not a cultivator's sect building but only a merchant's property.

When one thinks about this, one can see just how rich the family is to be able to afford such expensive plants. Of course, to deter thieves, they are all fenced up.

When they reached the gates of the Hope family mansion, Jim tried to excuse himself and enter alone, but he was stopped by his friends at once. This time, Kairos has plans to meet with the famous Hope family head.

"Come on, captain. You know they don't like me. No one would come to open the gates for me even if the sky is falling."

"Let's see if they really dare then. I'll ring the bell again," said Kairos resolutely.

*Ding Dong*

The huge bell at the gate rang loudly as Kairos gently pulled the crank. The boys waited for someone to come to the gate, but after a little over a quarter hour, no one answered.

"Maybe no one is home?" Tommy asked naively.

"That's impossible. Such a large mansion must have caretakers at any hour of the day. I believe they are simply ignoring us," Alan said

"That makes sense, Edward can you see them?" Kairos asked.

Among the brothers, Alan has the best combat instincts, whereas Tommy has the most brute strength, Jim the fastest speed, Kairos the most powerful soul perception, while Edward the best vision. Seeing as far as a couple of hundred meters away is not difficult for the archer and further than anyone's soul perception could reach right now.

Naturally, if Jones entered this comparison, he will win in all areas. The title of the best combatant of their year is not just for show.

"They definitely saw us. A few servants are by the windows looking at us with an eyeglass, but none are moving."