Arthur had completely ignored Ricardo's suggestion and headed to the caravan every single day, looking around for various Fae materials and any unique Fae that had caught his eye.
His battle against Randolf and Alina, and the use of his Attribute Control Skill was already quite well-documented already within Parachenko Village, however with the most recent defeat and death of Alan, one of their Rank 2 Fae Masters, the members of the caravan had to look at both this young seventeen year old, and the Kovacs Clan in a different light.
Dealing in just physical goods would be a complete and utter waste of both their time, and their efforts. Dealing in information was always a good business, and these caravan members were sure to get quite a pretty penny from the other Villages within Winter Rain Mountain if they sold this information.
It also meant that the overall power of the Clan that they were currently staying in was much higher as well. Attribute Control Skills broken down into different types, depending on their effects, duration, and range.
The Attribute Control Skill that was used against Alan was a Wood Attributed Control Skill. One that created a fake Domain around the Fae Master, transforming the grass beneath their feet into countless tiny blades, capable of rising up and piercing through bone and flesh.
It had ended the battle between Arthur and Alan almost instantly, leaving a complete corpse and several complete Wood Yin Ghosts ripe for the taking.
After seeing the purchases that Arthur had done over the last few days as well, the Rank 3 Fae Master in charge of the Ghost Attributed store came to the conclusion that Arthur was purchasing Fae and Fae materials in order to supplement his newly obtained ghosts.
Some of the Fae materials were catalysts to spark an evolution or qualitative increase, while the others were presumably for the same effects. Considering the extremely varied amount, most of the Fae Masters supposed that this seventeen year old was experimenting with these ghosts, although....
"He bought the materials to transform a Wood Yin Ghost into a Hermetic Cactus Ghost. And the day before he bought the materials to transform a Wood Yin Ghost into a Seafoam Moss Ghost. The first is a quite a powerful control-type ghost, that can grow to a size up to 30 metres tall. It's needles and needle-like roots can pierce through most defences within Rank 3. In its current state, it might be a match for vapour ruby and liquid ruby origin essence Fae Masters....".
"And Seafoam Moss Ghosts? They gain an additional Attribute, making them Water-Wood-Yin Attributed ghosts. They can travel underwater, and when they possess someone, they temporarily gain the ability to breathe underwater. They often possess large gatherings of kelp, and then strangle and pull any unsuspecting creature down to the darkest depths of whatever body of water they were formed from. They aren't too powerful in one on one combat, however in the water, things are entirely different....".
"I seriously think that the Kovacs Clan has found hidden cache of Ghost Attributed Fae. Or at the very least, have started to research Ghosts and the Ghost Attribute in huge detail. Additionally, the fact that they have a working Attribute Control Skill, means that most likely, Elder Vova has-".
The Rank 3 owner of the Ghost Attributed store wanted to keep speaking, but was interrupted by the middle-aged man sitting in the chair at the end of the table.
Much like Niklos, he emitted the aura of a Rank 4 Fae Master.
"Bartland. Other than the materials he purchased for transforming those two ghosts, how many materials did he purchase? How many.... exactly?".
His final word was emphasized, and the other Fae Masters in the room felt the brunt of his cultivation base within that single word. They felt a formless sense of pressure wash over them, although it wasn't anything that could impede their trains of thought.
Bartland, the Ghost Attributed store owner, avoided his superior's gaze, his tone a few decibels quieter than before.
"He bought a total of 158 different types of Fae materials, from 11 different stores. Of that 158 materials, 32 were Wood Attributed, 29 were Yin Attributed, 22 were Water Attributed, 20 were Ghost Attributed, 19 were Emotion Attributed, 18 were Darkness Attributed and the rest were just miscellaneous items from the Earth, Wind, Fire, Ice and Desire Attributed stores. But Leader, I just can't help but feel as though he knows something about ghosts. Why else would he target Alan and kill him in order to obtain-".
"Bartland. Enough".
The liquid topaz origin essence Fae Master felt a shiver crawl up his spine, and he swallowed the words in his throat, lowering his head in shame and anger.
In terms of strength, he was nothing in comparison to their Leader. Even though their Leader was younger than them all, his talents and his ability to do business far exceeded their own. He was personally in charge of all the.... unique Fae that was being transported in the caravan.
Of course, there were things like Sophia's Emotion Fae Emporium which served a different purpose, however even he wasn't allowed knowledge on such a thing.
This Leader knew that Alan was a Rank 2 Fae Master under Bartland's care, and that he had no small amount of relations with the man, usually in the form of compensation whenever Alan's sister and her husband came to visit.
The next time he would face them in Slavik Clan Azure Coastal City, he would undoubtably have the face Alan's family.
.... And then tell them that he had been killed under his watch.
Bartland gritted his teeth and clenched his fist, sending a hateful glance towards Ricardo sitting near the top of the table. Ricardo was in charge of the Thought Attributed Fae in the caravan, and his cultivation was at the peak of Rank 3. His status was above and beyond what his own was.
During the previous meeting, regarding the death of one of their caravan members, Ricardo stated that he was present during Alan's death, and did absolutely nothing in order to prevent him from being killed.
He had also informed them all that the Kovacs Clan had completed at least one Attribute Control Skill, and that it most likely came from Elder Vova, who they also supposed had finally attained the first level of Wood Laws.
Such a thing meant that they had to be more careful around the Kovacs Clan in the future, especially if they continue to increase their collective knowledge and strength.
Their third young master as well, the one who had killed Alan was only a vapour ruby origin essence Fae Master, and yet he had instantly killed Alan, a solid ruby origin essence Fae Master.
If Elder Vova were the one using the Attribute Control Skill, and with his peak Rank 3 Fae Master cultivation, would it be possible to assail even Rank 4 Fae Masters?
That meant that even though the Kovacs Clan only had one Rank 4 Fae Master, they had the strength of two Rank 4 Fae Masters. If this trend continued into the future and their next generation grew up to possess Rank 3 cultivations, then their strength will be one that exceeds their actual limits.
The Kovacs Clan had just suffered a devastating blow, however, rebounded from it immensely using the newly created Fae and Fae materials from the battle to enhance the strength of those whom remained.
The vast majority of Fae Masters that remained as well, were the stronger ones. The ones that could fight and come out on top, even if it meant losing an arm or a leg.
An animal was most dangerous when it was backed into a corner. Humans were no exceptions to that fact.
The Leader tapped his fingers rhythmically on the table, bringing an end to the current meeting. Glancing at some of the Rank 3 Fae Masters present before nodding slightly.
"We will be leaving the Kovacs Clan in the morning. Make sure you have everything prepared and are ready to leave by then. Our next destination will be the Marina Clan, North of here. Other than the Kovacs Clan, they are the other big spender in the region.
"One of their descendents possesses a Sovereign Boundary Physique and is a member of the Azure Ocean Sect. I do not want to see another repeat of Alan, and nor do I want anyone to get into an altercation that paints us in the wrong. Otherwise".
The mahogany table that their Leader was tapping on shattered with the faintest touch of his fingers. Shivers crawled up the spines of all the other Fae Masters present.
They all nodded, some somewhat frantically and others with a certain level of aloofness.
This was what the real cultivation world looked like.