The days passed swiftly. A week had already gone by since the sixty young adventurers concluded their expedition inside the Mystic Treasure Realm. As they returned to their respective factions, news of what transpired on the Floating Island spread like wildfire throughout the entire Sacred Dragon Kingdom.
Whether in cities or the smallest towns, rumors and accounts of the event circulated, distorted here and there with embellishments and omissions.
Everyone was astonished as they heard the tales. Every gathering turned into an animated discussion of this unbelievable story.
A young Adventurer, merely from an ordinary clan, had emerged as a 5th Level Profound Rank?
Some believed it. Others scoffed in disbelief. Everyone knew that Ordinary Clans were the weakest of the four kinds—lacking influence, wealth, and powerful legacies.
How could such a prodigy come from obscurity?
Questions flooded every mind, yet no amount of speculation could reconcile the facts.
And the most shocking of all was that this youth had perished in the Mystic Treasure Realm. This, more than anything, planted doubt among many.
For days, there was no other topic spoken of.
The swift demise of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom's most talented Adventurer…
--
Aurora Town
The once tranquil Aurora Town was no longer as serene as before. News had finally reached even this quiet place, stirring every household into fervent conversation.
Inside the town's most popular tavern, everyone was deep in discussion about the events on the Floating Island—and about Finn.
"I still can't believe that boy was a 5th Level Profound Rank! I saw him myself once. He was only Bronze Rank then. That Azure Wood Family…they sure kept their secrets well," slurred a bald old man, his entire face flushed with drink.
Seated across from him was another old man with unkempt hair, idly swirling a cup.
"You're right. They've been far too quiet. It's been over eight months now since anyone heard anything of them. Not a whisper of news. I haven't seen a single Azure Wood clansman in all that time," replied the old man with the messy hair.
"Same here. The only thing I've noticed is the Golden Lion Family Elders coming and going more often. It's a pity, though… If I had power like that, I'd have spent my days in luxury with my little family and never wished for anything more. Imagine living so lavishly you could buy whatever you desired," sighed the bald old man, his voice tinged with regret.
"Heh! Lucky for everyone that talent never landed in your lap. Everyone here knows you'd have used it to ruin the futures of young girls," the unkempt old man shot back with a sour look.
"Hmph. What kind of friend are you? I only ever courted women who were paid for their company. But let's change the topic. I've heard that the Golden Lion Family is no longer just an Aristocrat Clan. They reported to the Royal Clan and were granted Noble Clan status," the bald man declared with a self-satisfied nod.
"Hm? I haven't heard of that… If that's true, they'd be the fifth Noble Clan of the Sacred Dragon Kingdom. Their rise in power has been astonishing," the other muttered quietly.
"Heh! Shows how much more connected I am than you. Maybe it has something to do with their alliance with the Azure Wood Family… What kind of secret is that clan hiding to have so many unbelievable things happening around them? Even as a Noble Clan, the Golden Lion Family is still the weakest in numbers and foundation," he sneered.
--
Azure Wood Family
The Azure Wood Family was no longer what it had once been. Much had changed—chief among them the sudden surge in the cultivation of its members.
Under the scorching sun, the entire clan trained tirelessly. Determination burned in every eye. Some meditated in silence, while others sparred atop a modest arena stage.
Within the clan's meeting hall, seven figures sat quietly in their seats.
At last, after a long, oppressive silence, one man spoke.
"Elder Creed… I still don't want to believe Finn is truly gone, but it's been a week since my son Leo returned from the Cloud Soaring Sect…" Augustus said solemnly.
He wore a golden robe and regarded Creed's dark expression with a quiet, pained look. Seated beside him was Caesar, who likewise remained silent.
A month ago, Augustus had become a 4th Level Profound Rank Adventurer, and Caesar had broken through to the 3rd Level Profound Rank. This was all thanks to the resources Finn had given them without hesitation.
They had already reported their newfound strength to the Royal Clan and were recognized as a Noble Clan. They'd even received Excellent Armaments as a reward. Yet, none of that mattered to them as much as their gratitude toward the Azure Wood Family.
They often came to check on the clan, and each time, they could only marvel at the progress they saw.
In a matter of months, the Azure Wood Family had surpassed the Golden Lion Family.
They, too, were stunned when they learned Finn had been a 5th Level Profound Rank. But understanding dawned quickly—he'd given out rare pills and armaments like they were nothing. How many more must he have kept for himself?
Today, Augustus and Caesar were here because of the grim rumor that Finn had perished within the Mystic Treasure Realm.
BANG!
Creed stood up and slammed his hand onto the table. The heavy oak shattered beneath his palm, splintering across the floor.
No one reacted. Instead, they watched him quietly, understanding the torrent of grief and rage in his heart.
"He is my son, and I know—one day—he will come back to me!" Creed roared.
All of them felt the pain in his voice. No one here suffered more when Finn's death was mentioned.
Creed had hidden it from his wife, Olivia, and their daughter, Meiyin. He could not bear to see them weep over the boy who, though not of his blood, he'd raised as his own for seventeen years.
He had always been proud. And now, that pride had been hollowed out, replaced by a single, burning hatred.
Creed was the strongest among them, already a 6th Level Profound Rank Adventurer.
Of course he'd advanced so quickly. He had decades of experience—what he had lacked was resources. And those, Finn had given him.
But even with this strength, the Azure Wood Family was still weaker than the Earth Sieve Family, once the weakest Noble Clan.
Compared to the Nine Ice Family, there was no comparison at all.
Creed took a deep, steadying breath and slowly sat down. He ignored the ruined table and looked at the elders with tired, smoldering eyes.
"We must prepare. With my son's disappearance, I feel the war with the Nine Ice Family is inevitable. If they do not start it…I will," he said, his voice as cold as iron. "I will avenge every life stolen by their greed. If they had not interfered, my son would never have suffered. My brother Altair would still be alive."
Every word he spoke was laced with venom and sorrow.
Neleos, the clan head, inclined his head solemnly.
"Though I am the Family Head, you are the strongest among us. I will follow your will, Elder Creed," he declared.
He, too, had changed. Having consumed a Longevity Pill from Finn, he now looked a little younger, and his body brimmed with vitality. Like Caesar, he had reached the 3rd Level Profound Rank.
Augustus met Creed's gaze and spoke with quiet conviction.
"The Golden Lion Family will stand with you. In the end, it was Finn who gave us this strength. We owe him a debt that must be repaid…and he saved my son Leo in the Mystic Treasure Realm."
"Thank you," Creed murmured. "Our Azure Wood Family is not what it once was. Including me, we now have nine Profound Rank Adventurers. We have dozens of Scarlet Gold Rank and hundreds of Gold Rank. Even if we are weaker than the Nine Ice Family, we will fight with everything. We will make them pay."
Everyone saw it in his eyes—the unquenchable fury, the unbreakable resolve.
"Earlier today, Sect Master Noah sent a letter. Even if he wished to help us, the Royal Palace forbids any of the Seven Great Factions from interfering in wars between clans. The Ice Feather Sect is under the same restriction. The Palace is watching closely to prevent an escalation," Creed added quietly.
A heavy sigh rippled through the chamber. This war could no longer be avoided.
--
Sacred Dragon Palace – Meeting Chamber
"Lord Helbram, I can hardly believe the rumors sweeping through the kingdom," said an elderly minister, his voice low.
Five old men in golden robes sat in the vast hall. All had hair as white as frost, yet none of them seemed frail—power still radiated from their presence.
The one who'd spoken was the Justice Minister, the kingdom's arbiter of all disputes. He was known for his fairness and wisdom.
"Nor can I," Helbram replied calmly. "Just days ago, the commander of the Royal Guard reported that a mysterious Adventurer appeared on the Floating Island. He harmed no one, stole nothing—he merely observed the portal to the Mystic Treasure Realm."
The ministers traded serious looks.
"Hmph! Likely another spy from the Crimson Blood Kingdom," one of them snapped.
It was not the first time agents from that kingdom had infiltrated their borders.
"If it were a spy, he would never have left our Adventurers alive. The commander reported that this stranger rendered everyone unconscious without even glancing at them. That alone proves he is no ordinary man. He may be a powerful Sky Rank…or perhaps even Legend Rank," Helbram said quietly.
'Legend Rank?!'
All five ministers tensed. For them, such power was scarcely imaginable. Though they were Sky Rank themselves, they knew they were unlikely to ever set foot on that summit.
"But what reason would a Legend Rank have to meddle on the Floating Island? He can't be from the Crimson Blood Kingdom—they have no such power," another minister protested.
"I don't yet have an answer. For now, we must be ready for anything. Our king remains gravely ill, and we still depend on Association Master Morris to cure him. Until then, the Crown Prince governs," Helbram said.
The king's illness was no secret to those of high standing. Years ago, he had fought off an assassin—5th Level Sky Rank—sent by the Crimson Blood Kingdom. Though he prevailed, the wounds had never truly healed.
"I only pray that Association Master Morris finds a cure soon…otherwise, the Crimson Blood Kingdom may grow bold enough to declare war," the Justice Minister whispered.
He looked at Helbram with grave eyes.
"Lord Helbram…do you think it was wise of the Crown Prince to let the Nine Ice Family destroy the Azure Wood Family? Even if they are weak, the Golden Lion Family will support them. If this sparks conflict, it will cripple the kingdom when we can least afford it," he continued.
The hall fell into silence.
"The king can no longer decide these matters. The Crown Prince holds that authority. And you all know the reason," Helbram said, shaking his head.
A long pause. Then:
"Of course… The rise of the youngest Profound Rank Adventurer in history. The Crown Prince means to uncover the truth. If the Azure Wood Family holds some miraculous treasure, he intends to seize it," said the Finance Minister, his tone smug.
"But that youth saved thirty-one Adventurers… Is this how we repay him? With treachery?" the Justice Minister asked bitterly.
"We will only investigate," the Finance Minister said softly, his smile cold. "But if we discover they truly hold such treasures…"
He paused.
"…then what? What do you intend?"
The Finance Minister's smile widened.
"Then we will claim them. They are but an Ordinary Clan—unworthy of such power."
Helbram said nothing, only gazing into the distance.
"Your greed will make us hated by every Ordinary Clan," the Justice Minister said.
"Hmph! What can they do? They depend on our protection," the Finance Minister retorted disdainfully.
No one pursued the matter further. A few more discussions followed before the meeting adjourned.
Helbram was the first to rise. When he opened the great doors, a soldier was waiting.
The soldier saluted crisply.
"My lord! Ashe Vermillion, whom all believed dead in the Mystic Treasure Realm…has returned to the Cloud Soaring Sect!"