"Your Majesty, I don't think it's a good idea to worry about trouble that may not possibly come. After all,
it's believed that the Dragon Master Clan and our Holy Dragon Empire share a lot in common. In fact,
we owe it to them, for we can't have made our nation so prosperous without the Dragon Master Clan's
backup. Therefore, I believe that they will never do anything unfavorable for the benefit of our nation."
Priest Dean immediately took a step forward and expressed his support to Alston. Moreover, this was
his way to urge the emperor to allow Alston's trip to the Dragon Master Clan.
After thinking about it carefully, the emperor nodded his head. He glanced at Alston and asked him,
"So, what do you think, Alston?"
"Father, I cannot agree more with Priest Dean's opinion. The Dragon Master Clan's invitation may be a
little abrupt, but I suppose that they got their own reasons for doing so. Maybe they just want to learn
more about me before I take over the throne and see for themselves if I really have what it takes to
become an emperor. Even though the Dragon Master Clan never intervenes in the state affairs of our
nation, I have observed that they always send emissaries to test the heir to the throne. Am I right? I
suppose that they just chose a different approach this time, and I don't see anything inappropriate with
it, Father." At that moment, Alston was not at all worried about his coming trip to the Dragon Master
Clan. In fact, he was actually excited, because this was an opportunity for him to be on the good side of
the Dragon Master Clan and gain their appreciation. He knew that he would benefit a lot from this in the
future if he got their attention.
Some of these benefits were, for instance, the privilege of the heir to the throne to visit the Dragon
Master Clan once a year to improve their strength. From the previous experiences, the heir could break
through at least one grade higher. In such a case that the heir was gifted, it would be possible for him
or her to break through two or three grades in one blow. Moreover, there was a chance for the heir to
receive valuable gifts from the Dragon Master Clan.
Therefore, Alston made up his mind not to miss a precious opportunity, such as this one.
"Well, since you're all so confident about it, then I suppose that it's alright for Alston to go with the
messenger." After careful consideration, the emperor finally nodded as a sign of approval.
"Thank you for this. I won't disappoint all of you!" Alston said with determination. However, a sinister
smile was hiding behind his eyes at the same time.
Meanwhile, standing on the side of the hall, Marcia took a good look at Alston. But as soon as she saw
him, she knitted her eyebrows. At that moment, she sensed that something bad was going to happen to
Alston and his trip. As a result, she felt the need to ask about Alston's purpose for the trip to the Dragon
Master Clan.
So far, none of them had ever expected that this trip would bring hidden troubles for the Holy Dragon
Empire, which could even threaten the survival of their nation.
Meanwhile, deep in the depths of the flame mountain inside the Hell of Dragon Fang of Roaring Flame
Empire, Rocky and Alyssa had been patiently waiting. To kill time productively, they cultivated together
for three days.
Three days might not be enough for a proper cultivation, but Rocky had benefited a lot from it. From
their cultivation, he had successfully merged a part of the fourth layer of the seal and improved his
strength to the fourth grade of the Supernal Stage.
He thought that if he could continue cultivating with Alyssa like this, then he might be able to merge the
fourth layer of seal in a month. If this happened, then he would at least achieve the eighth grade of the
Supernal Stage.
However, this was only his wishful thinking. Even if he could stay here for a month, there was no
guarantee that Alyssa could, too. But that was reasonable. After all, she was a princess of the Timber
Deity Empire. Moreover, she was the one who took care of state affairs. At that moment, Rocky thought
that he wasn't that important to her and that there was no chance that Alyssa could just put down all
her other responsibilities just to cultivate with him for a month.
On the other hand, it was also impossible for him to stay here for a month, because he was also
anxious to return to the Holy Dragon Empire as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, upon completing a stage of their cultivation, nobody spoke. Somehow, Rocky and Alyssa
opened their eyes at the same time, which soon intertwined inevitably.
"It's been three days since the signal was sent. I don't think they will come for us now," Rocky said, his
eyes still fixed on her.
At that moment, Alyssa narrowed her eyes and heaved a heavy sigh. If the treasure hunting teams
couldn't gather successfully, then it would be impossible for them to get their hands on the spiritual
treasure.
"Maybe I'll wait for one more day. If they fail to show up, then I'll go back to the two elders without
them," she replied after thinking for a moment. It was important for them to complete this mission, and
they needed to come back home with that spiritual treasure. If the princes' teams failed to gather here,
then she would have to go back to the camp to join the two elders. Together, they would help each
other come up with an idea to find the treasure in another time.
Two hours had passed when a hubbub of noises was heard from afar. These sounds, however, were
so chaotic, as if ten thousand horses were going for a stampede. As a matter of fact, the ground even
trembled slightly as it happened.
At that moment, Rocky and Alyssa exchanged glances and soon jumped onto Ken, who flapped its
wings and took them to the nearest opening. Up in the air, they looked down and found clouds of dust
rolling in every direction. Groups of beasts rushed over, making the scene very chaotic to watch.
Soon after, Rocky and Alyssa tried to have a closer view of what was happening and found out that the
princes and their respective treasure hunting teams were running helplessly in front of these beasts
and were heading towards the direction of the flame mountain where Rocky and Alyssa supposedly
were.
"Well, that's weird! Why do I get the feeling that there's something behind driving the beasts?" Rocky
said in a confused manner, as his instincts were telling him that something bad was up.
It was not long after when these six treasure hunting teams from three directions finally gathered in
front of the flame mountain.
As soon as the teams saw each other, they couldn't help but feel surprised. Moreover, it was just as
Rocky had expected— they were all driven here by the spirit-manipulated beasts behind them.
Soon after, Alyssa descended and faced the six treasure hunting teams in front of her.
However, her presence surprised the six teams. But all of them had gathered around her first.
Shortly after, the incoming beasts barricaded all the people in the area.
Apparently, all the teams were just waiting for Alyssa's instructions. Just like a born leader that she
was, Alyssa didn't think twice and immediately took the position. As the master soul of the current
Timber Deity Empire, her appearance alone could strengthen the worried hearts of the people.
Meanwhile, Alyssa ordered the elders led by Lucas and the six-star spirit-manipulated beasts to spread
out in an arc to form a defensive barrier to resist the attacks of the incoming beasts.
At the same time, she commanded these manipulators of the Supernal Stage to disperse in the arc
line. Their goal was to suppress the spirit-manipulated beasts that broke into their defensive line. On
the other hand, spirit manipulators of the Heavenly Stage were left to protect the princes and the
injured ones and, at the same time, assist the defense.
At that moment, all the anxious people calmed down and took their proper places under Alyssa's
command. Soon after, they blocked the desperate attacks of the spirit-manipulated beasts efficiently by
bringing their excellent fighting power to their peaks.
After being at a stalemate for two hours, the insane spirit-manipulated beasts suddenly retreated like
the tide. Not long after, they were out of enemies. Moreover, it was so strange that even the more
advanced spirit-manipulated beasts hanging around the mountain were nowhere to be found. The
place suddenly became extremely quiet, leaving only Alyssa, the six princes, and their treasure hunting
teams.
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