The Hundred Nations Banquet is a gathering for third-tier nations across the continent. The main participants are third-tier countries, and all competitions during the banquet are only open to them. The final prize is also only available to the victorious third-tier country.
But higher-tier powers like Gladiolus Kingdom always have their own ways to get hold of key information in advance. That's one of the reasons why this year's Hundred Nations Banquet hosted by Geranium Kingdom has drawn the attention of many higher-tier powers.
"However, even though I roughly understand some of the situation, I can't directly access the specific location information on that map. We have to wait until the banquet ends, and Geranium Kingdom hands the treasure map to the winning nation before we can find out."
"There's no other way. If someone tries to get that top prize from Geranium Kingdom before the banquet ends by other means, they'll not only be hunted down by Geranium Kingdom and its backers, but also become enemies of the entire continent."
"After all, Geranium Kingdom's suzerain is a second-tier country located in central continent, and that second-tier country is supported by an even greater power behind it."
This is almost an unspoken tradition among all nations bold enough to host a Hundred Nations or Thousand Nations Banquet. Without support from a strong backer, no country would dare to host such a banquet alone.
Otherwise, once all the nations and powers of the continent gather, and the host country is robbed clean, there would be no one to cry to.
Prince Yu snapped his folding fan shut with a pa and gently tapped his temple with the fan leaf. "At least two or more awakened divine gifts of unknown rank? Hmm... that really is tempting."
Unknown rank means the divine gifts that can be found might be high-level types with extremely strong power or effects.
Not to mention anything else, take Jingshi Kingdom's divine mirror for example. Though it's not a top-tier divine gift, it is mid-high-tier at the very least.
If the hidden treasure can produce even one divine gift of the same level, it would make sense for a first-tier power to be drawn in.
And the divine gifts that might appear on that map are of unknown rank, which means there's a chance they could even be top-tier or supreme quality divine gifts.
No wonder even the Skywork Pavilion has sent people this time.
"I came here this time just to explore that hidden treasure after the banquet ends. Even though the chances are slim, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"Besides, it's said that place isn't just a source of divine gifts, but also the remnants of a site left behind by a 'god.' There must be all kinds of extraordinary items inside, things the outside world has never heard of or seen. Even if I don't obtain a divine gift, there'll surely be other gains."
"If I get lucky and obtain one of those divine gifts, that would be divine fortune from the heavens! That would be an incredible win!"
"Whether it's for attacking Jingshi later or keeping it for other use, it will definitely become an unpredictable support!"
It truly sounded extremely tempting. But for something this enticing, why would Geranium Kingdom and its backers willingly give it away as a prize instead of keeping it for themselves?
Elara looked at Prince Leland, just about to speak, when Prince Yu raised the same question and asked with a puzzled expression, "Brother Leland, if this treasure is so great, why would Geranium Kingdom and its suzerain be willing to offer it as a prize? Isn't it likely that the treasure has already been looted by them?"
Prince Leland gave a quiet laugh. "Heh, you don't need to worry about that. First of all, if Geranium Kingdom and its backers dare to use that item as a prize, it definitely isn't just bait. If the powers drawn here find out they were tricked, the backlash from all the continental forces would be severe. They'd only suffer and end up offending everyone, possibly even provoking retaliation from major powers."
"Secondly, I've already confirmed this with reliable information. Originally, Geranium Kingdom and its backers didn't plan to bring out this treasure map. But they've tried multiple times to explore the hidden site and failed each time. They were forced to offer it publicly because they couldn't claim it alone."
"A place that can be called a 'god's remnant site' isn't easy to enter. Geranium Kingdom and its backers are only doing this because they have no choice, using the banquet as an excuse to gather nations and powers from across the continent in hopes that some genius might help them figure out how to access the site."
"But if Geranium Kingdom and its allies are willing to do this, then they must already have some kind of advantage. Once the banquet ends, they'll be heading to the treasure site too."
"Together with others like me, higher-tier powers who also caught wind of this, there'll be a large number of forces heading into the site. The journey will be extremely dangerous."
"But the greater the danger, the greater the reward!"
"I came to Geranium Kingdom just for this dragon's den and tiger's cave! I'm risking everything to find a treasure and then return to my own estate!"
Prince Leland looked at Elara, Prince Yu, and Gareth. "Well? Since you're all here and happened to run into this rare opportunity, why not wait with me until the banquet ends and head into the site together?"
This really was an incredibly rare opportunity, especially for someone like Elara who knew little about divine gifts and urgently needed to learn more.
But the matter of attacking Jingshi and its vassals was also not to be taken lightly.
After thinking for a moment, Elara asked Prince Leland, "Brother Leland, how much longer until the Hundred Nations Banquet ends?"
"Not long now." Prince Leland picked up the wine cup on the table and took a sip, the smile on his face deepening slightly. "After all, with such a great treasure hanging in front, there are plenty of people getting anxious."
"Geranium Kingdom originally just wanted to use the Hundred Nations Banquet to gather all sorts of strange talents from across the continent. Now that their goal has been achieved, they naturally want to speed things up and begin the descent into the hidden realm as soon as possible."
"In past dynasties, the Hundred Nations Banquet usually lasted about half a month. But this time, all kinds of forces are pushing for it to move faster. I'd guess the competition will be over in about ten days, the champion will be selected, and that will be our cue to descend into the hidden realm!"
"Ten days, that works perfectly."
Elara picked up the thread of the conversation and quickly calculated in her mind. "Before attacking Jingshi and its vassal states, we need to do some preparation anyway. These ten days give us just enough time to plan and get ready with various strategies."
"I'll handle the matter with the mirror. Once everything else is discussed, we can each send messages back home to start preparations early. The weapons Prince Leland requested can also be delivered to Gladiolus Kingdom ahead of time during this window."
Preparation time was absolutely necessary.
Even if they stayed here, they could still send instructions back home through letters to remotely arrange everything. Why not just stay here a little longer, wait until they explore that rare hidden opportunity, and leave afterward?
Maybe, by then, they might even obtain some unexpected treasure or confidential information from the hidden realm.
Prince Yu and Gareth had no objections to Elara's words. They clearly had the same plan in mind.
Seeing this, Prince Leland couldn't help but laugh loudly and raised his wine cup toward the other three.
"Good! Then we'll all descend into the hidden realm together! We can watch each other's backs and seek the hidden treasures as a team!"
. . .
That night.
After returning to the inn, Elara first read through the secret royal history of Jingshi Kingdom that Prince Leland had given her. Then, combining it with the information he had shared at the restaurant, she sorted out her thoughts about the divine mirror.
She summoned Black Hawk and wrote separate letters to Oswyn, Mathias, Damon, General Qi, Scholar Fu, and Kristof in Plumera City, instructing them to begin preparations early.
For the iron weapons Prince Leland wanted in the trade, Elara had Damon start preparing them immediately and personally escort them to the meeting point where Prince Leland's men would pick them up.
As for the secret medicine from Jingshi Kingdom that Prince Leland had given her, she scraped off some of the powder and sent it back to Oswyn, asking him to quickly work on developing an antidote.
Once she had finished arranging everything that needed to be prepared in Plumera, Elara finally stepped out of her room to find Emory.
Ever since arriving in Geranium Kingdom, Emory had been coming and going like a shadow every day.
Elara hadn't paid him much attention before, since he had come with her to the Hundred Nations Banquet to seek a chance to return to the Thousand Faces Sect.
But now that the matter of the divine mirror had arisen, Elara needed his help and naturally had to go speak with him.