All other Powers involved were making similar moves, those who were smart took measured approaches, and prepared for the coming race to grasp the power and treasure that was the Focus Shard.

Anyone who thought they could bully or steal the core secret behind the Focus Shard were sorely mistaken, as Young Guso had already foresaw this and made appropriate plans.

In fact, crediting the existence of the Shard to Yupow, was him letting the ball roll.

Something Yupow wasn’t too happy with, when Guso revealed to him he had done so.

But it wasn’t as if Guso was lying, or that Citums conjecture was incorrect, the quantity of Focus Shards that currently existed could not exist without the help of Yupow.

***

A couple hours before sunrise in the Mayor's Estate, a high level Government Official, with an urgent expression respectfully entered into the Mayor’s Office.

There the Mayor patiently awaited what update his subordinate brought.

“Speak without formalities Yeten, time is of essence, how has the landscape changed?”

“Yes Mayor, currently the defense barrier surrounding Master Yupows’ house is full of representatives and high level Experts from almost all relevant Organizations in the City, trying almost any method available to try to establish communication with Yupow and his disciple. But until now all have been in vain. But sooner or later they will be obliged to have to respond, as I don’t think any of these Organizations will give up any time soon.Our Representatives are out there as well, but in accordance with your orders they are only observing the situation. But Mayor, I think it’s important that we make a move as well. The significance of this Crystal amounts to the economic revival of this City. We can’t let this opportunity slip away.”

“Patience Yeten, do you think I don’t have a plan? Do you think I worked hard to build a relationship with Yupow in vain? Soon the fruits of my labor will come to be. For now our main priority is to make sure to maintain peace in the City. We can’t think of a future for this City, if there is no City to speak of. The greed of some of these Organizations knows no bounds; we must remain alert. Besides those Organizations who are wiser than most, have already contacted me, tomorrow morning me and a couple other individuals will make our move, and I am certain that after tomorrow, the beginning phase of the birth of a new Martial Citadel will burst forth!”

***

After an eventful night, in which the uproar caused by the Focus Shards never died down, the arrival of the first Ray of morning daylight revealed a caravan of Four Important individuals departing from the Mayors Estate.

Everyone who saw that the Mayor was making a move followed in anticipation.

All powerful Organizations kept a close watch on the Caravan.

Many of the Masters of these Organizations had already sent letters of complaint demanding that the Mayor united the City in forcefully extracting the secret from Yupow and his disciple.

Of course Lofen paid these idiots no mind, as he knew that even if he did as they requested, the possibility of them overtaking and submitting a powerful Expert like Yupow, without completely destroying the City, were non-existent even with their combined efforts.

But he knew many of these Clans were all too willing to set out on a Warpath, all for the sake of acquiring the secret of the Focus Shard.

And so he personally took matters into his own hands in order to secure the peace and prosperity of Martial Citadel.

Soon they came up to the mystical defensive barrier that surrounded Yupows home in a 15 mile radius.

As soon as he got close to it, he got out of his caravan along with his companions and stuck his hand through the barrier without it pushing him away.

Everyone was surprised that Lofen was able to get through the barrier.

Soon many Expert’s surrounding the barrier tried to do the same.

They were instantly rejected and pushed out, and many were severely injured.

Lofen looked at the Experts in disdain, if he had the power to do so, he would instantly berid his City of such idiots.

“ Master Yupow! I come with visitors in peace and bearing gifts, please allow us the honor of receiving us in your home.”

There was a long moment of silence.

Many of the high level experts in the City looked at what Lofen was doing in confusion.

If he could already get through the barrier why didn’t he just do so.

But then they realized the caliber of companions he had with him.

The Headmaster of Bursting Vase Dojo, the Head of the Firebrun Clan, The Lead Executive of the City's Bank Association, the Lead Engineer of the City’s Energy Union.

These were all heavy hitters.

Lofen wasn’t playing around.

Suddenly certain powerful Experts; Heads of their own organizations, felt excluded.

Trying to make a move wishing to express their dissatisfaction to the Mayor these people moved forward.

But suddenly they were met with a powerful group of guards.

It seemed Lofen had prepared in advance for such a situation.

Many who were unwilling to give up screamed in anger.

“Lofen, what is the meaning of this?! Don’t think your actions will go without consequence!”

Such many Experts made known their contempt.

But Lofen ignored the Experts and patiently waited for his request to be answered.

Never before had the Slums of Martial Citadel, become such an exclusive neighborhood.

Suddenly Lofen heard within his mind the answer he had been waiting for.

“Come in, but don't keep me waiting.”

Excitedly Lofen urged his companions along.

“Quickly, quicky! The master has accepted, don't keep him waiting.”

The important men didn’t need to think twice about it, they hurried along in conjunction with Lofen and all 5 men amazingly got through the barrier unharmed.

Many of the standerbys looked at the fortunate man with envy and frustration visible in their eyes.

As Lofen and his companions hurried along to Yupow’s house, he made sure to give them one last warning.

He made sure to specifically look at Dirgen.

“Remember by absolutely no means disrespect or speak presumptuously to the Master and his Disciple, don't heed my warning at your own risk, the Master doesn’t like to play games, be straight forward and sincere and maybe we can all come out of this alive and enter the gates of prosperity.”

All of his companions nodded in agreement.

All of them knew what kind of powerful individual Yupow was.

Even Dirgen himself had no intention to misbehave.

Besides he had already achieved what he wanted, his Organization was front and center in the negotiations for Martial Citadels future.

Soon they arrived at Yupows house, following Lofens lead they all respectfully bowed in front of his door, and waited for the master to invite them in.

After a while they suddenly heard a voice powerfully project from within the house.

“Come in.”

All the Experts’ answered yes in unison and respectfully entered through the front door.

Within they saw a dirty looking Old Man leaning on a stool against the wall, and an unimpressive young brat next to him, sitting on a dilapidated wooden chair.

Other than that there was nothing else within the main room of the house.

Yupows house certainly left much to be desired, but none of them dared express such a thought.

Suddenly Yupow broke the silence.

“Quickly speak! what is your business here today Lofen, thanks to your City I'm in a very foul mood. If you beat around the bush I will immediately expel you from my home, but not before teaching you guys a lesson.”

Suddenly all the veteran Expert’s felt like they were ant’s before a mighty lion.

They were well aware that Yupow meant his threat.

“I would never dare Grandmaster Yupow, I deeply apologize for everything that has occurred, but I am here to hopefully bring an end to this madness. Master, I humbly request that you allow us to strike a deal with you in regards to the secret of the Focus Shard, which you have gifted the Citizens of the City. Everythings on the table, we won't withhold anything from you. This matter is of great significance for the future survival of the City.”

“So I give you a gift and you greedy old farts come here asking for more, this is your idea of coming in peace, why should I give you the secret of the Focus Shard? It belongs to me and Guso. We will do with it what we will. Tell me why I shouldn't just blast you at this very instant.”

Lofen immediately bowed down and pleaded his cause.

“Master please be merciful, you must be aware of the significance this item has to every Citizen in this City, we don’t ask for it for free, anything you want within my capabilities is yours you need only ask.”

Yupow snorted, the atmosphere within the room became very oppressive, the Banker Executive and Head Engineer began quaking in their boots.

“Lofen, you know I have long abandoned material attachments. I want nothing you have to offer me, you are speaking to the wrong person, I have no business with you, Guso on the other hand might be more willing. But watch your words when speaking to my Legacy, if I catch any trickery I'll cut your tongue off.”

All the visitors gulped in extreme nervousness; they didn’t expect the negotiations to be so intense.

But it seemed like Lofen was finally beginning to get somewhere.