139-147

Chapter 139 - Four Kingdoms, Five Sects

Valaran-Crawford Kingdom Border.

There was a small town called Aqualeaf Town located in the small region between the two kingdoms and wasn't affiliated with any of the two.

It was once a popular stop for merchants in between their travels, however it came to a grinding stop when it was taken over by the Hundred Snake Gang and became a bandit's nest in recent years.

The strength of Hundred Snake Gang was neither strong nor weak compared to the might of a kingdom, but they had their own advantages and was powerful enough to become the overlord of the region when they have no competitors.

The strongest of the gang, the gang leader, Ives, was only a 5th step Awakener Realm and ex-farmer, however the strength of the Hundred Snake Gang did not lie in the people but the snakes they reared and tamed with a special technique.

They weren't really snakes, but earthworms that have evolved to the size of snakes. With thousands of teeth inside their body, the bite of an earthworm was no laughing matter. Fortunately, they only eat dirt, or rather the nutrition found in the soil.

The people of Aqualeaf Town used to live content and happy lives, but now they could only live in fear under the tyrannical rule of the Hundred Snake Gang and their earthworms. Escape and resistance meant death.

There were some brave souls that once tried to fight back, but they had long become supplements in the bellies of the earthworm. Just because earthworms don't eat humans, it didn't mean they couldn't eat humans. In fact, humans had much more nutritional value than the soil and were a much more favored diet.

At this moment, a deathly paled traveler arrived at Aqualeaf Town. He wore a noble attire that depicted his status, but it had been stained with blood and a hole could be seen around the chest, except, no wounds could be seen.

"One bowl of noodles and wine." Zagan ordered impolitely, after arriving at an inn.

The innkeeper looked at the guest briefly, before heading into the kitchen quietly.

While waiting, Zagan knitted his brows at the silence of the town. It was too quiet. Last time he was here, it was very boisterous and lively, but now, it is basically a ghost town.

"Where do you come from, Traveler? Judging by your attire, you must be a noble." Ives arrived with a group of men and inquired nonchalantly. Each member had an earthworm draped around their neck.

Seeing this weak and frail looking noble, Ives wasn't going to let this prey go. Although it looked like the noble had already been robbed, they could still hold him hostage and ask for ransom from the affiliated kingdom.

"Where I'm from, it has nothing to do with you. Mind your own... god... damn business...!" Zagan spoke icily.

He did not like his meal being interrupted by ruffians. He no longer had any elegance in his tone and movements after suffering from the dead wound back in the Crawford Kingdom.

Hearing the unwelcoming tone, Ives said solemnly, "This is the Hundred Snake Gang's territory. Everything here is my business. You will do as I ask, unless you don't want to live."

"Hundred Snake Gang? What shit is that?" Zagan looked at the earthworm draped around Ives and disdainfully said, "Just a mere earthworm and you dare call yourself the Hundred Snake Gang?"

Ives boiled with anger at the naked contempt from someone who looks like he would fall over at the slightest gust of wind.

He looked at the paled-face noble with mockery and said, "You don't have strength, but you are so arrogant! Since you dont want to listen then... go die!"

The earthworm hanging around his neck immediately sprang into action, lunging itself at the other person with mouth wide open and all his sharp teeth on display.

Zagan sneered and his hands blurred into a slicing motion. Before anyone of the gang members could see what happened, the earthworm fell past him, diced into dozens of pieces.

Ives was stunned, before pointing his finger with shaking anger and said with disbelief, "Y-You! How dare you kill my pet!"

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I hurt your feelings? I guess you should be called the Ninety-Nine Worm Gang now." Zagan said indifferently, as he folded his arms and crossed his legs on the seat.

Flushed with anger, Ives ordered, "Kill him!"

The gang members immediately charged at Zagan with their earthworms. A cold light flashed in Zagan's eyes. The blood stains on his clothes coagulated in a blood needle and shot through each of their heads.

They were just a bunch of ignorant ants, who didn't know who they were up against. Even in death, Ives didn't know how he died.

Their bodies soon became dried corpses after their blood essence was extracted and absorbed into Zagan's body.

His body was filled with energy, while the paleness and weakness on his face was replaced with a lively color.

With impassive expression as if he did an insignificant thing, he said coolly, "Why didn't you kill these pests?

The innkeeper came out with an equal impassive expression and said, "Killing them draws too much attention."

The noodle and wine were placed on the table.

Zagan sneered at the response but didn't pursue the matter. After a moment of silence, he asked, "What's the situation of the sect?"

"Our Bloodfiend Sect has already spread our influence throughout the Valaran Kingdom. The royal family is just our puppet now." The innkeeper answered.

"And the other kingdoms?" While eating his noodles, Zagan continued his inquiry.

The innkeeper shook his head and said, "There's no way of spreading our claws into the other kingdoms with the Illusory Butterfly Sect, Burning Heaven Sect and Grand Ocean Palace guarding them."

"…"

Seeing Zagan's silence, the innkeeper continued in greater detail, "Illusory Butterfly Sect guards the Durham Kingdom, Burning Heaven Sect guards the Ishaan Kingdom and the Grand Ocean Palace guards the Geyser Kingdom."

"Due to be located in the far east, we have never had conflicts with the Grand Ocean Palace. But it is a different story for the other two sects. With the Valaran Kingdom's border being connected with the Durham Kingdom in the north and the Ishaan Kingdom in the east, there had always been friction between out three sects."

"They kill how many we send and vice versa. It's a vicious cycle. The only advantage we have is being connected the declining Crawford Kingdom to our west. But even then, we still have to share with the Illusory Butterfly Sect."

Zagan silently enjoyed his meal without expressing any opinion or fluctuation in emotion at the information. It was as if he had already anticipated this sort of answer from the innkeeper or he simply didn't care.

"Judging by your state, I guess your plan failed. Do you have news of the Illusory Butterfly Sect's people in the Capital?" The innkeeper queried.

"Do you want to die?" Zagan said frostily. His mood soured at the mention of his failure. He hadn't expect the declining Crawford Kingdom to have such a mysterious expert, adept in spatial laws.

Zagan suddenly frowned with a dubious expression. If the person really was adept spatial laws, why did they use a spear instead of ripping the fabrics of space itself to tear him apart? Was he tricked by a spatial treasure? Zagan's expression grew even worse, when he arrived at that conclusion.

The innkeeper just shrugs his shoulders, when his question wasn't answered and even threatened. He lazily said, "What you should be concerned about is how to report your failure to the Sectmaster."

"I don't need your reminder." Zagan said coldly. He finished his bowl of noodles and slammed it on the table, before grabbing the wine bottle and standing up to leave.

"That would be 50 Craws." The innkeeper said in a joking tone.

*Split*

Zagan sliced the table apart, but before he left, he answered the previous question, "The Illusory Butterfly Sect are adept at disguise and poison. It's too difficult to uncover their people. However, I suspect the rebellion 17 years ago, was their doing."

"Understood."

After Zagan was gone, the innkeeper shook his head and cleaned up the mess.

"Aish, what a nasty temper." The innkeeper glanced at the dried corpses and said, "That bastard even stole my cultivation resources."

He was just an outer sect elder in charge of overseeing this region, while Zagan was an inner disciple.

But while their status was different, he wasn't any weaker than the inner disciple. Outer sect disciple had the choice of becoming outer sect elders or inner disciples when they are promoted.

The difference is the latter had better privileges and access to better resources. However, they also bear greater responsibility and had to perform dangerous missions. Because he treasured his life and had less potential to progress far in cultivation, he settled for the outer sect elder position.

Aqualeaf Town were one of their sect's outpost under the surface. The disciples of the Bloodfiend Sect would pass by this outpost, before entering the Crawford Kingdom.

He was stationed at Aqualeaf Town for many years and would acquire his information from the passing disciples. The only information he lacked, was the information about the Crawford Kingdom, since the disciples rarely return.

He assumed they mostly died in the hidden skirmish with the Illusory Butterfly Sect.. Both their sects have their own unique cultivation technique to reach Transcendence, but it never hurt to have more.

Chapter 140 - Dinner With The Queen

After successfully breaking through 9th Layer Body Tempering Realm, he stabilized his cultivation, before entering the Worldspace to check on the growth of his herbs.

Having left some herbs in the Worldspace for some time now, some of them had leveled up to Tier-2 Spirit Herbs, while a few others were showing sign of reaching Tier-3 Spirit Herb.

However, it would still take about another 1-2 weeks. It's a pity that he was no longer training in a spirit energy-based cultivation technique, otherwise, he could make some Spirit Enhancing Pills for his cultivation.

Hmm, no. Even if he doesn't need it, he could make some for those around him that may need it. He took out the necessary herbs and began refining some batches of tier 1 to tier 2 of the recovery pills and spirit enhancing pills.

After completing the batch of pills and storing them into pill bottles, he planted new herbs into the spirit soil area filled with life energy.

The Worldspace remained the same. Majority of the area was greyed out due to the deficiency of life energy. He really had no idea how to go about replenishing the Book of Life. He might be required to go on a journey to look for spirit veins or spirit-rich objects.

Afterwards, he visited the Whitespace and browsed some pill books, before returning to the real world and continue to comprehend the [Myriad Metal Compendium Vol.1] in his consciousness to pass the time.

He felt he was ready to form his Metalseed, but he wanted to completely comprehend the [Myriad Metal Compendium Vol.1] for a firm foundation first.

Night gradually arrived; dinner was just around the corner. Leon arrived back at the Guest Courtyard to pick up the girls.

He shook his head as he could still hear them talking from inside the bedroom. Their talk was filled with giggles and laughter.

He wondered how incredible it was for these two to get along so quickly. Although, this conformed with his wishes, he hadn't expect it to happen so quickly and so smoothly.

Leon knocked on the door and said, "How are you girls still talking? My mother wishes for us to eat together over dinner tonight. Quickly get ready and come out."

Shortly after he said that, the giggles in the room died down as Lynne and Aria became stunned. They were going to meet the queen?

Just as men feared meeting fathers-in-law, women feared meeting mothers-in-law. The exact reasons differ, but in essence, it was all about acceptance and approval.

Aria had never met the queen in person. Although she stayed in the palace for some time and mentally prepared herself for the occasion, when the time came, she still finds herself panicky.

Lynne, on the other hand, had met the queen briefly, but even she is still panicking all the same. It was just a brief meeting, not enough to become familiar. Thus, she felt the pressure. It is the Queen they are meeting after all, Leon's mother no less. Double the pressure.

"Hello? Why did you girls go silent? Come on out." Leon said with a puzzling expression. Are they trying to play a game of hide and seek with him?

Receiving no answer, he decided to open the steel door, but it was locked from the inside.

Fine, he wasn't planning to do this soon without a solid foundation, but since his girls were giving him the silent treatment, he will do it. He can strengthen his foundation later.

Leon sat down in front of the door and pulled out all the guns, ammunition and steel ingot that was lying about in his Worldspace and taking up space.

In any case, the guns were poorly made, the ammunition was useless after the gunpowder got soaked in the water and the steel ingot brick was no longer required.

Leon began to absorb all the metal essence from them and the surrounding atmosphere to form his Metalseed.

Ten minutes later, the Metalseed was formed and the connection to Metal Laws was formed. The process proceeded far more smoothly than he had hoped and anticipated like his body was long ready for it. Or perhaps it was another benefit of his 5-Element Body.

After forming his Metalseed and receiving the baptism of metal, it brought no changes to his body due to his already higher body resistance to the elements. He continues to fill up the Metalseed and stabilize his 1st step metal-manipulation.

The metal essence was completely exhausted from the items and got reduced to fine dust.

Leon still had not received any replies from inside the room. He could hear whispers but not to a comprehensible level.

He opened his eyes and stood up after he was done, before he said excitedly, "Ladies, I'm coming in."

He wanted to use his newfound metal manipulation to undo the lock from inside, but before he could, the steel frame of the door seemed to have lost its support and fell with a bang. Unwittingly, he had also absorbed enough metal essence from the support, holding the door together and caused it to collapse.

Leon glanced inside the room and his eyes brightened at once. What a feast for the eyes.

Lynne and Aria were camping over by the wardrobe, half naked and undecisive of what to wear. The wanted to look their best in front of the Queen, but they weren't sure what to wear.

The moment the door slammed into the ground, they jumped with a start like cats getting their tail stepped on.

When they saw Leon by the entrance ogling at their body, Aria covered herself with bashfulness, while Lynne glowed red with embarrassment.

Since the door fell, Leon did not make excuse and just continued to burn the sight into his eyes bravely.

Lynne became angry at once and roared, "Still dare to look?!"

"Ahem… I'll wait outside. Don't keep my mother waiting." Leon reluctantly teared his eyes away and said with some awkwardness. No matter how thick-skinned he was, it was still made of the flesh.

He manipulated the door to stand back up and cover the open entrance.

Having heard his reminder, the Aria and Lynne was shocked and no longer cared about which attire to wear. Their choice of attire couldn't be more important than the Queen. If they were late and made the Queen wait, it could leave a bad impression.

That was the last thing they wanted. They just picked randomly from the wardrobe that was filled with beautiful dresses made by the Royal Palace's chief dressmaker.

Each piece of dress was intricately interwoven and had visually stunning designs. They were unordinary and unique. It wasn't a surprise for the Aria and Lynne to have a hard time picking.

A few minutes later, Aria and Lynne came out in a gorgeous red and white dress.

Lynne did a short spin in front of Leon and said, "How do I look?"

Leon's eyes glowed with appreciation and praised, "Very pretty."

It was a simple compliment, but it was straight from his heart. Lynne was easily content, but then she angrily pinched his waist, twist it and pouted, "Don't think I will forget what you just did! Hmph hmph!"

"Ow, ow…" Leon played along and whispered, "It's not like I haven't seen it." At the same time, he thought, 'Why do girls like to pinch that area?'

Lynne immediately flushed red and pounded his shoulder, "So hateful!"

Aria tugged on his sleeve and said quietly, "W-What about me?"

Leon rubbed his chin and mused, "Hmm… Very nice, but something seems to be missing."

Aria thought for a moment, before removing her hair cover briefly in understanding and asked again with bashfulness, "What about now?"

"Too perfect." Leon's lips rose into a wide smile. Aria smiled with pure joy and shyness. Sometimes happiness comes from the simplest of things.

"Alright, time to go meet my mother." Leon urged.

...

They soon arrived at the Dining Hall, where the Queen was seen seated in waiting.

"Sorry we are late, mother." Leon apologized, while Lynne and Aria bowed guiltily in greeting, "Your majesty."

"There's no need for such formalities among us." Elizabeth gestured for them to be at ease warmly, before saying, "Come, let me see my daughters-in-law."

Aria immediately glowed with happiness upon hearing the Queen's words. It showed her approval and recognition.

Elizabeth had seen Lynne earlier in the day. After a brief interaction and praise, she strode over to Aria.

"Hmm? My girl, why do you hide your face?" Elizabeth asked curiously with a gentle tone. Right now, she was not the cold-blooded ruler of the kingdom, but a loving mother of her son.

However, when Aria heard the Queen's question, she was immediately shocked and thought her face cover could be seen in a disrespectful manner. She quickly removed her fair cover and showed off her pristine beauty.

At the same time, Leon took the initiative to recount Aria's backstory and reason to his mother for her.

After Elizabeth finish listening to her son's explanation, she began to sympathize with Aria.

"It's been hard on you. My son was fortunate to have met you." Elizabeth said sympathetically.

Leon thought he heard wrong. With a dubious expression, he asked, "Uh... mother? Don't you mean Aria is fortunate to have met me?"

Unexpectedly, Elizabeth harshly rebuked, "Nonsense! If it wasn't for her peculiar difficulties, did you think you could have win the heart of such a peerless beauty so easily with that face of yours!? Fortunately, you still have half my good genes."

Leon's jaw dropped in surprise. Was this still his loving and doting mother? What did his face has to do with anything? And did his mother just admit his father looked like a pig?

"Real men don't depend on their faces to put the bread of the table and win hearts." Leon said with a perplexed expression.

"Mm, that's the right way of thinking, just like your father." Elizabeth nodded in agreement and no longer paid attention to him.

Leon didn't know whether laugh or cry. Even if his father was a handsome, he didn't need to depend on his face to begin with. As the king, he was born with everything. Leon shook his head quietly as his mother seem to favor her daughter-in-law very much.

Elizabeth face Aria with stern expression, making the latter shaken, before she lectured dominantly, "You are wasting heaven's gift to not show off such supreme beauty! I can understand why you hid your face before, but now, you are this Queen's daughter-in-law!"

"If someone harasses you, spare the nonsense and kill him! If ten more harasses you, kill them all! Keep your head held high and show your face proudly. Don't let others dictate your actions!"

The Queen's words resonated with Aria. Even Lynne was affected as they both felt their blood boiling. This is how a strong woman should be!

"Yes, mother." Aria nodded determinedly and no longer hid her face.

Leon scratched his temples wryly as he watched this scene unfold. It seems that his position in his mother's heart had been replaced as the mother-in-law and daughters-in-law bonded over dinner.

They chatted over their meal heartily for hours, while he was seemingly abandoned. No one bothered to talk to him during this time.

Afterwards, his mother allowed them to stay in the Inner Palace and have their own room to stay the night.

Leon retired to his room by himself to rest. Half an hour later, a figure snuck into his room and crawled into his bed.

"What's wrong? Not used to the sleeping quarters of the Inner Palace?" He teased.

With her heart pounding and flushed face, Lynne said, "You know... what I want."

No longer able to cope with her daring actions and embarrassing words, she buried her face in his chest.

Leon smiled, as he spoke no more.. They rolled in bed and enjoyed another passionate night in each other's embrace.

Chapter 141 - Arrival Of Supplies

During the previous night, roughly 27,000 commoners in the Temporary Camp were shivering from the cold winds.

Due to insufficient tents, many had to suffer the cold outside. Despite many campfires being set up to keep them warm, the wind still sent chills down their spines.

No doubt, many would fall sick eventually, if they continue to brave the cold with their weak physique.

The other 10,000 commoners in the comfort of their tents alternated with the commoner outside as they support each other.

At this moment, the grumbling and hissing sounds of steam engines could be heard as a long entourage of heavy military trucks finally arrive at the center of the camp.

Soldiers began hopping of the trucks and load supplies after supplies of rations, portable tents, blankets pillows, cooking essentials and even medical supplies.

The people cheered at their arrival. They have hope of sleeping in warm cozy tents tonight.

The entourage was led by the general marquis himself and the people cheered even louder for their hero as Hendrick directed the troops where to place the supplies and control the crowd to keep the order.

The supplies were expected to take over a day to arrive, but it only took half a day under Hendrick's leadership.

A total of 3000 troops had accompanied the general marquis. It took a full hour to move all the supplies in the designated areas and set up the tents.

Within two hours, 6000 tents were sent up to accommodate the remaining 27,000 commoners with 4-5 people sharing a tent each.

With the arrival of additional supplies, it was enough to last them for two months, under the assumption that they continue the rule of one meal a day.

It was impossible for commoners to follow the one meal law without disciplinary training on their own. Thus, 1000 troops stayed behind and set up a Military Camp besides the Commoner's Camp to control the ration distribution when it was time to eat.

The remaining 2000 troops did not return to the western frontier. Instead, they moved to the 1st Underground Floor to set up the frame of the military settlement.

The military intended to permanently station 2000 troops in the underground to ensure security and supervision of the underground mining. After setting up settlement framework, 500 troops prepared to make a round trip with the steam powered military trucks to bring back more supplies for the underground settlement construction.

With the presence of the military in the area, none of the miners employed by the royal family would dare to smuggle the minerals and neither would the nobles dare to try anything funny.

For the expense of this supply, the Royal family paid the military 40,000,000 Craws with the expense of ration alone costing 36,000,000 Craws at the price of 15 Craws per meal.

In order to prevent the commoners from falling sick, the military made a special exception to cook up a steaming hot second meal of the day to warm their bodies, which was the equivalent of spending 600,000 Craws for the 40,000 mouths.

...

Addition to the 30% and 50% royalty, the noble families had to abide by for the mining rights, they also had to pay for the plot of underground land after it was further discussed on the following day.

The price was proportional to the size of the plot and location. The royal family did not slip up on the chance to make more money.

After finalizing the deal, the noble families immediately started recruiting miners from the camp.

With 20 noble families recruiting 500 miners each for a total of 10,000 miners. In order to entice the commoners to work for them, they offered better conditions than the royal family. Thus, they couldn't employ as much as the royal family due to the expenses.

They set up their own camp and suddenly, the original 40,000 commoners in the Temporary Camp was reduced to 27,000.

When the notice to recruit hired hands for construction arrive, there was a greater reduction. Those with experience with construction work had priority and bonus privileges.

By the end of the second day, there were only about 12,000 commoners left in the camp, mainly consisting of elderlies and children. There are also other people still capable of working. However, they were not worth mentioning.

The royal family tried to provide everyone with work and lots of benefits to help get them back on their feet, but the royal family's hands are tied, if these people refuse to work. There would always be some people like this in society.

...

It was a long night. Leon and Lynne battled for a dozen rounds. Every touch, every kiss and every thrust filled Lynne with euphoric pleasure as she moaned and panted.

Leon's little brother was like a raging dragon as Leon was especially active and brimming with lustful energy tonight. He continued to thrust like an inexhaustible piston with a rhythmic tempo.

He flipped her body into various positions that filled Lynne with embarrassment and shame, but not long after it was swept away by the greater wave of pleasure, sending her on cloud nine.

After spurting one last fountain of love juice, Lynne pleaded, "Ahh no... No more... Mmm… I can't take it anymore... please..."

There was clear exhaustion in her tone as their bodies were glistened with sweat, but it was also filled with sweet eroticism.

Leon evilly smiled, "The night is still young. How can you give up so soon, after delivering yourself to me?"

"Nooo... ahhh... so good..." The room was soon filled with Lynne's continuous moaning as they battled for another two rounds. Lynne shortly collapsed on his chest after have the last vestige of her energy drained.

Leon placed her into a more comfortable sleeping position and tuck a fee loose strands of hair behind ear. A blissful smile hung her face as she fell in deep sleep.

A regretful look appeared Leon's face as his rod continue standing erected with liveliness. However, there was nothing he could do as it would harm Lynne's body.

She was also his lover, not a tool for his carnal pleasure. He couldn't continue to do her body after she had fallen asleep and her content expression made it hard for him to bully her in her sleep.

He was prepared to finish off with his hands, when he caught the glimpse of a shadowy figure pacing back and forward outside his room, through his windows and under the cascading moonlight. After a few moments, the figure left.

"I can't favor one and neglect the other, can I?" Leon smiled lasciviously, before gently peeling himself away from Lynne's body and draping the blanket over her lustrous white and smooth figure. After donning his clothes, he quietly left the room.

...

The room of the two girls had not only been located in Leon's courtyard, they were also aligned with his own room, side by side.

Because of Aria's upbringing, she did not retire early but stayed up to diligently cultivate. This opportunity was given to her by Leon, and she would not waste time on sleep if it could be swapped with cultivating.

However, the tranquility of her peaceful cultivation was disturbed by the sudden moans of Lynne next door.

"Ahh~~ so good~~ yes~ harder~~"

Listening to Lynne's words, Aria flushed a crimson red. She was extremely embarrassed and at the same time, curious. She was no longer in the right state to cultivate.

"Does it really feel that good?" Curiosity got the better her.

She started to feel aroused from listening and began touching her flower bud probingly. A peculiar sensation entered her body as she blushed with guilty pleasure. She felt like she was being corrupted.

She tried to stop acting like a thief, eavesdropping on the other side and sleep through it. However, she couldn't block out the sound and became restless in bed, tossing and churning for a few hours. She felt wronged as the rim of her eyes became red.

"It's so hot... so uncomfortable..."

Aria exited her room to cool off outside. However, it did not help much. She felt like she was burning up.

She began pacing and forward outside Leon's room, but ultimately didn't have the courage to enter. She decided to bear the unpleasantness of her body. She returned to the foot of her room in a despondent mood, when a shadow suddenly loomed over her.

Before she could turn around to look, Leon embraced her from behind and whispered gently, "Were you feeling lonely?"

Leon's sweaty scent assault her nostrils and made her feel weak and fluffy. She blushed and denied coyly, "No…"

Hearing the reluctance in her tone, Leon smiled. He lifted her off her feet and carried her like a princess over to the bed.

Aria's heart pounded with shyness as she wrapped her arms around his neck like a docile little lamb. At the same time, faint anticipation and fear rose in her heart.

Leon placed her on the bed and gently kissed her cherry red lips, before slowly making his way down, while slipping off her clothes without resistance.

"Very beautiful."

Aria hugged her chest and dared not look Leon directly in the eyes due to shyness after hearing his words, but her eyes were filled with love.

She had long considered herself his woman since that night… and tonight, that final barrier will be broken as she become one of his women truly.

"Mmm~" Aria bit her lips in pleasure as Leon began kissing her flower garden.

Leon began making his way back up, while caressing her white rabbits with his heavenly massage. His touch was filled with a magnetic charm and sent waves of pleasure throughout her body.

The heat in her body found a form of release as she drowned in the pleasure that was amplified by her sensitiveness.

They linked hands, before Leon thrusted his rod through her budding flower garden and made them bloomed the color red. The sudden surge of pain made her grimaced, but she bore through it with a repressed voice, "Mmmm…"

After the initial pain subsided, the pleasure returned in great waves. Leon began to increase the strength and tempo of his thrusts as they enjoyed their passionate first session together.

"Mmm~!" She wasn't as unrestraint like Lynne as Aria muffled her moans.

She didn't have much stamina after being stimulated and tortured by Lynne's moans for hours. The passionate session between Leon and Aria only last two hours with short dialogues in between.

"How do you feel?"

Aria collapsed in his arms with blissfulness and content. "I'm very happy."

After falling asleep, Leon wrapped her body in the blanket sheet and carried her back to his own room, hugging both beauties to sleep.

Lynne had been sleeping with a frown after Leon left, but it soon relaxed after feeling his returning warmth. The two beauties slept soundly in his arms with a very sweet dream.

'This is the life.' Leon thought as his consciousness slipped away.

Chapter 142 - Soul Enhancing Pill

When morning arrived, Leon woke up like a human clock. Despite being very active last night with little sleep, he felt great.

Seeing the two cuties nestling soundly in his embrace like little kittens, he planted a kiss of each of their foreheads.

Leon left the sleeping beauties and don his clothes, before heading out of the room.

"What orders do you have for this servant, your highness?" A palace maid was summoned, before asking.

The air around Leon had a slight change as the confidence he exuded was stronger after one night.

"Have someone prepare three portions of breakfast for me." Leon ordered.

"I will have it done at once, your highness."

The palace maid left quickly and Leon had some spare time to ponder some things.

"It's surprising, how quickly the two girls have grown without much resources and guidance. They aren't much slower than me, despite my consumption of resources to aid my cultivation. Is this what it means to be a jack of all trades, master of none?" Leon thought amusingly.

He didn't actually think as such. He had just discovered last night that both his girls possess Divine Bodies.

Special Physiques were acquirable body constitutions and were quite easily discovered from a knowledgeable doctor's diagnosis.

However, Divine Bodies were latent and harder to discover. Before they awaken, even Leon would not be able to tell if someone had them. It was precisely the Divine Body that appeared on Lynne and Aria. One had the Ice Phoenix Divine Body and the other had the Storm Luan Divine Body.

Divine Bodies were blessed by the heavens and every possessor of a Divine Body had what it takes to become a powerhouse in the Divine Realm, which explains why they weren't falling behind much in their cultivation.

Divine Bodies were great, but his Special Physique, the Five Element Body wasn't inferior either.

"As expected, the Lightningseed was also formed, huh?" Leon inspect himself and mused. 'Now, I have 4 elemental seeds of fire, ice, metal and lightning. Ice can be attributed to being a being a part of water, thus making it one of the 5 five elements. Lightning on the other hand, is not."

"That confirms it. The Five Element Body served as the foundation for the five elements, but it is not limited to only the five elements. This means, I can acquire much more elements and it shouldn't affect my cultivation either."

This made sense to him. He was practicing the [Hegemon of Primal Chaos] after all and not the [Hegemon of the Five Elements]. The Primal Chaos encompasses everything and the name could be interpreted as being the ruler of the universe or the lord of everything. It was indeed a domineering name.

Half an hour later, three different palace maids brought a portion of breakfast on each tray.

"Y-Your breakfast, your highness." The Palace maid blushed and almost dropped the breakfast tray.

Stopping the food from dropping, Leon asked, "What is your name? Are you all new here?"

"This maid's humble name is Emma. We just began maid training this morning, your highness. Thank you for saving us." Emma responded nervously, before apologizing, "Please punish this maid for her mistake."

Since the food wasn't spilt, he wasn't going to punish her. However, he was bewildered by their gratitude. "Thank you for saving you?"

"We were part of the young ladies that were almost sold as slaves to the nobles in the underground auction." Emma explained.

"I see, but this is already the second day, no? Were you unable to reunite with your families?" Leon asked with puzzlement.

"Thank you for your concern, your highness. We were able to reunite with our families, however we still decided to serve the palace to repay your highness's saving grace." Emma and the two palace maids blushed and began to furtive glances at him.

Leon pretended not to notice and nodded in understanding, "I see. Goodluck with your training then and try not to make anymore mistakes. The rules of the palace are strict and punishments are not light. You can place the food on the table inside, before leaving."

"Yes, your highness." They answered.

The maids closed the door on the way out, after they were done as told.

Leon sat the stool and gazed at his beauties sleep with glowing red complexions. "Alright, stop pretending. It's time for lunch."

When he said this, their complexion grew a shade redder. They had only met for a day and bonded pretty well, but only enough to change clothes together. They weren't ready to share the same bed and could only stubbornly keep their eyes shut to avoid the awkwardness.

"It seems you both need discipline." Leon smile mischievously at their stubbornness. He used his heavenly massage on them, forcing their faces to turn red like a tomato.

"Mmm~" A muffled moan escaped Lynne's tiny mouth and her cheeks began boiling hot. Leon grinned, "Still pretending? Let's see how long you can pretend."

He began attacking their soft mounds. They continue to persist for five minutes stubbornly, before Lynne was first to be defeated by the pleasure. "Ahh~~"

Feeling like a body of soft cotton, Lynne panted and eyed him with an aggrieved and seductive expression. "So hateful."

"One down." Leon smirked and began to focus his attack on Aria. Sweet began oozing from her forehead as her eyes remain shut tight with a cute expression.

It didn't take long before Aria also defeated by the pleasure, before eyeing daggers at him with a lovely expression.

"Alright, get up for breakfast." Leon said, but he was quickly pulled onto the bed. Aria and Lynne looked at him with passionate gazes. He smiled wryly at the result of his own work. "Maybe after a few rounds."

The two refused to roll in bed together, but each fought a round with Leon, before they finally sat by the breakfast table, albeit reluctantly.

"You're both one step closer to being true sisters." Leon said over breakfast.

"Go die!" Lynne reacted strongly with a crimson shade, before Leon erupted into laughter.

The meal ended quietly and they left to do they own things. Leon shook his head as he thought it would take much work before they completely open up to each other, but there's no rush. They only just met. There were plenty of chances in the future.

Even in his previous life, he had yet to experience 3P. Counting back from his first intimate experience with Lynne, it's been about 25 years since his last intimate session with a woman.

It wasn't strange for him have a sense of unfamiliarity with women from the long years of abstinence, especially when the character of his present life had been a true virgin up until that point.

Being reminded of his dual personality, Leon's smile disappeared and decided to enter the Whitespace for related knowledge.

There's always been something off about his reincarnation, or rather transmigration.

It wasn't normal for a transmigrated person to have two personalities.

Usually it would be one life inheriting the memories of the other life, without much change in character, except for becoming more knowledgeable.

But for him, he was like two people sharing one mind; one is experienced but cowardly, while the other is inexperienced but mature meshed together. Highly complicated.

The best way to put it would be, having two exact souls overlapping each other. How can there be two exact souls to begin with?

Unless he transmigrated into his parallel self in an alternate universe. The idea was ridiculous, but that was the only possibility he could think of

Forget about whether his enemies would even know he is their enemies in this universe. They might not even be the Divine King they were in his original universe.

How was he supposed to take revenge then? Just kill off their parallel self before finding his way into his original universe? He doesn't know if that was even possible!

All other problems aside, he should first solve his twin soul problem.

After browsing through the library in the Whitespace, he came across a pill recipe which seems to address his problem; the Soul Convergence Divine Pill, a Tier-1 Divine Pill. He might as well wring his own neck.

Leon sighed as he continued to browse for other useful pills, he came across an interesting pill, the Soul Enhancing Pill.

It could strengthen his soul. With a sufficiently strong soul, it could suppose the usage of his divine sense outside his body for extended and wider periods.

"Interesting, this should be a cultivation-related pill, no? How does it relate to medicine?"

After further browsing, he found his answer. There were rare illnesses that causes the soul to slowly shrink and disperse. Although the Soul Enhancing Pill can't cure the illness, it can delay it.

Looking at the materials for the Tier-1 Soul Enhancing Pill, it had 12 common supplementary ingredients and 2 yin-attribute core ingredient that he doesn't have.

Leon smiled bitterly at the lack of herbs. It seems he must make a person trip to the Extreme Misty Forest to look.

Before that, he should check with the Merchant Associations. The bulk of the Four Great Family's money was on him, while the material goods and treasures were left for the gang.

"You called, your highness?" A summoned maid, asked.

Leon wrote down the two missing spirit herbs on paper and passed it to the maid, "Send someone to check if the Merchant Associations has these two herbs. If there's a price, buy it. Money is not an issue."

"I'll have it done right away, your highness." The palace maid affirmed.

Leon nodded.

Half an hour later, the maid returned. "Your highness, the Lucretius Merchant Association has one of the herbs you seek, but…"

"But what?" Leon frowned.

"They said we have to state why we want the herb, or else they won't sell it."

"Did you tell them; I was looking for them?"

"Yes, your highness."

"Ridiculous. Since when do merchants pry into their customer's secrets? They didn't even give face to the royal family?" Leon said with faint anger. "They could just say they don't have, if they don't want to sell."

This Lucretius Merchant Association was clearly asking for trouble. How arrogant!

Chapter 143 - Three Big Merchants

The Lucretius Merchant Association was a wealthy family-owned business, founded by the Lucretius family, a commoner-turned-aristocrat family and originated from the Durham Kingdom.

Their business could be seen stretched across the two kingdoms and the store located in the Capital was only one of the branches of the Lucretius Merchant Association, not even their main headquarters.

However, this particular branch had become the main base of operations in recent years. The head of the family, Oliver Lucretius had settled in the Capital, not for the profits but for the connections with the alchemists.

The Capital didn't have an Alchemist Association, but it had ten grandmaster alchemists, each with power and wealth.

Crazy Don stood at the head of the ten grandmaster alchemists in terms of skill and strength, but he was also the poorest of them all.

...

Inside the Lucretius Merchant Association branch building, top floor.

"You called for me, father?" A young man in his early 20s, asked with a dubious expression. This person was the son of Oliver Lucretius, Orion Lucretius.

Oliver Lucretius stood by the windows and watched the departing back of a palace maid, with hands linked behind. With his back to facing his son, Oliver questioned him with a frown, "What did you do just now?"

"Ah, you're talking about this, father." With a contemptuous smile, Orion continued, "Someone came looking for the Yin Lotus Heart that we managed to procure from the Extreme Misty Forest after much difficulty.

Considering we don't know what it could be used for, while the other party needed it, I thought they were should know its usage. Thus, I set the condition that they had to tell us what it is used for, if they wanted to buy it. That person was extremely arrogant, father. Even dare to claim to be under the orders of the prince. Who doesn't know the prince has been missing since birth?"

Oliver turned around with anger and gave his son a resounding slap. "You fool! Have you fed your brains to the latrine pits!?"

PA!

Holding his swollen cheeks with an incomprehensible expression, Orion, "Why did you slap me, father?"

"Hmph! If you weren't my son, I would have beaten you to death!" Oliver roared. "Couldn't you recognize the attire of the palace maid!? Even if the other party didn't represent his highness, she definitely represented the royal family! Even if you haven't seen his highness, have you not even heard of the prince's return!?"

Oliver did not curse his son for what he did, but who he did it to! There were people they could offend, and people they couldn't offend. As merchants, it was always better to have more allies than enemies.

Which merchant at the top, hasn't dipped their hands in dirty business to get to their current heights? Trust was the basis of a merchant, but as long as no one knows, they can be as unscrupulous as they want.

"Father, I think you are getting on in your years. How can you believe in baseless rumors? The prince's return is something worth celebrating over, but the queen had not announced nor celebrated it. So, how could it be true? So, what if it is? Let's take a step and say even if it was the royal family's intention by the Yin Lotus Heart, we have the right not to sell it!" Orion said arrogantly.

"Y-You! Unfilial son! How dare you talk like that to your father!" Oliver felt veins popping out all over his body in anger. "You are blatantly offending the royal family! Have you already forgotten how the Queen punished the nobles yesterday!?"

Hearing his father's words, Orion sighed, "Father, no matter how the queen punished the nobles, it has nothing to do with us. They committed a crime even after the queen exit her seclusion. That is their stupidity. Did I commit a crime? No, all I did was ask what they need the spirit herb for. Although I broke one of our policy, it was no crime.

Our three grandmaster alchemists always wanted to find a usage for the herb. I believe it was in the association's best interest to please the grandmasters, by finding out exactly that. After all, it's the only herb to have ever been successfully acquired from the Extreme Misty Forest."

"How can you be so shortsighted? Have we never done anything dishonest before? Has the noble affiliates with us never committed any crime before? What if the royal family decides to dig those up?" Oliver was filled with disappointment. "Also, the three grandmaster alchemists stay with our merchant association because we provide them great benefits. But what happens when those benefits disappear? Would they still stay? The answer is no!

Don't forget that we are not the only merchant association in the Capital. There are also the Primrose Merchant Association and the Fischer Merchant Association that was equal powerful as ours. There's been balance between our three merchant associations.

However, if the royal family convinces the two to team up and suppress our business, there would be no place for us in the Capital. Those two would be more than happy to swallow up our businesses and eliminate one less competitor."

After hearing his father's reminding, Orion felt his heart chilled.

"This... I'm sorry, father. I've been blinded by short term benefits and failed to see the long-term benefits." Orion sincerely apologized, before asking, "What should we do now?"

Seeing his son recognize his mistake, Oliver nodded in approval. At least his son wasn't completely irredeemable.

He lit up a high-quality cigar on the seat and took a deep puff. "It's not what we should do. It's what the royal family will do. Since we offended the prince, we must try to mend the relationship. I will send someone to deliver the Yin Lotus Heart to his highness. If this relationship cannot be patched, at most, we can just withdraw from the Capital's market."

Saying to this point, Oliver let out a deep sigh. If they were relentless, they could chase their merchant association out of the kingdom.

Not only would they lose the entire kingdom market, they would also lose connections with all the nobles associated with their merchant association. That was like losing the forest to buy a tree. Except, the tree would also grow legs and run away.

"This..." Orion was unwilling to gift the Yin Lotus Heart for free after the difficulties in attaining it. Anything from the Extreme Misty Forest was bound to be a treasure. However, he ultimately nodded obediently, "Yes, father."

In the end, his father was still the wise one. He was too arrogant and narrowminded. The slap was well deserved.

...

The Lucretius Merchant Association had gotten on Leon's nerve, but he didn't plan to find trouble with them.

First, they had to commit crimes enough to warrant death. Pissing him off wasn't a good enough reason. The royal family was ruthless, but they weren't tyrants.

Secondly, even if he obtains the Yin Lotus Heart, he still needs the other missing herb, the Silver Mystic Grass.

Thus, he would still need to go to the Extreme Misty Forest. He was extremely curious about what made the place so dangerous and mystical.

If he can also find the 7-Petal Frigid Agapanthus, he could awaken his father and shove kingdom matters on his shoulder. That was the king's responsibility to begin with.

The royal family's budget was tight. Although they gained 2,000,000,000 Craws from the nobles, the yearly expense of food alone was estimates to exceed 200,000,000 Craws. And this was just food to support the commoners. They hadn't calculated the expense for building materials, which would be an astronomical sum.

The cheapest single-storey residential building would cost at least 300,000 Craws and building 10,000 of such building 3,000,000,000 Craws.

Naturally, it was ridiculous to build 10,000 of such buildings. Since they want to build bigger and better buildings using steel frames, the cost could jump up to between 5,000,000 Craws with the upper limit, dependent on the number of floors.

The Crawford royal family had done well to survive up to this point on tax and tributes alone. But it's clear they don't have enough funds to complete the construction project.

The commoners were also reliant on them to support them. Increasing the tax would not yield anything from the commoners. They couldn't tax something, if there's nothing to tax.

After sort out his thoughts, Leon prepared to train now and make the trip tomorrow, but he was suddenly interrupted by a palace maid.

"Your highness, the Lucretius Merchant Association has sent the Yin Lotus Heart over."

Confused, Leon asked, "Did they change their minds and decided to sell it to use without conditions? How much was the cost?"

"There was no cost, your highness." The palace maid answered. "They had sent the herb over as an apology gift for offending, your highness."

After a few inquiries, Leon understood the gist of the situation. The son was and idiot making trouble, while the father sought to immediate patch their soured relationship and maybe even befriend him, establishing a connection with the royal family. The head of the Lucretius family was wise and canny.

"No discord, no concord eh?" Leon mused, before saying, "Send my word to Oliver Lucretius; I have received his good intentions and will not make things difficult for him."

It wasn't worth it to make an enemy out of such a big cash cow, since the other party was friendly. If there's a business opportunity, they could even cooperate. He wishes to make more money and ease the burden on his mother.

"Yes, your highness."

After the maid, Leon rubbed his chin with an intriguing smile. "Unexpectedly got the herb for free after wishing for it. Is this the result of my accumulated karmic virtues? I must have gained a lot for slaying the wicked nobles. It's a pity, I can't feel the illusory Karmic Laws."

If his accumulated karmic virtue was high enough, perhaps he would gain heaven-defying luck.

Such luck would be useful for seeking fortuitous encounters.

Chapter 144 - Primrose Merchant Association

After checking on Lilith's recovery, Leon strolled through the streets of the Upper District seeking opportunities to make money. He once intended to open a pill store, but it would require a lot of his time to manage.

The best solution was to find some disciples to pass on him alchemy skills and have them manage the store in his stead, but so far, he had not met anyone suitable.

With the absence of the Alchemist Association, it puts him at a loss. In his memory, there used to be a branch in the Capital.

However, it collapsed from within overnight. The exact reasons were not privy to him, who didn't have much contact wiht the Upper District, outside of the Campus as a commoner.

His previous self was like a textbook geek that excelled in class, but lacked every other bit of knowledge outside his studies. The world of the Upper District and its nobles were unknown to him. Even in the Lower District, he did not venture to many places due to the dangers.

He was endowed with intelligence, but he did not make effective use of it. Intelligence without knowledge, is like a pigeon without wings, utterly useless.

...

"Get lost, kid! Grandmaster Cato isn't looking for disciples." A middle-aged man hollered, before ordering, "Toss him out!"

A 16-year old youth was thrown onto the pavement from the building by a brawny servant. The fall scraped his skin and injured his flesh, causing the youth to crease his brows in pain.

However, the youth did not seem to mind the ill treatment and pleaded, "Please let me see Grandmaster Cato! I sincerely wish to learn alchemy from the Grandmaster!"

Despite the youth's pleading, the middle-aged man was not moved and said coldly, "If you continue making trouble, I will order the servants to break your legs!"

The man was the floor manager of the Primrose Merchant Association building, while Grandmaster Cato was one of the three grandmaster alchemists belonging to the Primrose Merchant Association.

"How can you be so unreasonable? Why won't you even let me meet the grandmaster?" The youth complained.

"Hmph! You think the grandmaster is someone just anyone can meet, boy? So what if you are the son of a Baron? You're not even the main heir." The manager satirized, before no longer paying the youth any attention. He reentered the building. "Break his legs if he tries to enter again."

"Yes, sir." The servants complied and guarded the entrance. They eyed the youth with a dangerous glint.

The youth felt a chill down his spine and became disheartened. He picked himself up, before dusting off the dirt on his clothes.

"Surely, this was just a coincidence, right?" Leon wore a dubious expression as he witnessed this scene in front of him. Making his way over, he asked, "You alright, kid?"

The boy glanced at Leon, who is wearing ordinary clothes and only seemed 1-2 years older than him, yet treating him like a junior.

"I'm alright." The boy answered without much change in expression. He did not look down on commoners. His status wasn't much higher than one.

As the prince, Leon would be too eye catching if he strolled around in his royal attire, thus he donned his normal commoner clothes before he headed out. He didn't want to stop for every Tom, Dick and Harry that tries to get close to him on the road. Those kinds of people were too fake.

"What's your name?" Leon inquired curiously. "Who is Grandmaster Cato? Why do you want to learn alchemy from him so badly?"

"You don't even know who Grandmaster Cato is?" The boy looked at him in shock, before realizing the discourtesy in his behavior. "Ahem, my apologies. I am Reginald of the Graeme family, 3rd son of Baron Morven. Grandmaster Cato is ranked two among the ten grandmaster alchemists in the kingdom.

I want to learn alchemy from the best alchemist, but it's impossible to come in contact with the elusive grandmaster Don, who always resides in the Royal Palace so I can only settle for second best. I don't think there needs to be a particular reason for wanting to learn alchemy. It is interesting and profound, I just wish to learn it."

After his explanations, Leon rubbed his chin in approval. "My alchemy is the best in the kingdom. If you kowtow and take me as your master, I will teach you alchemy. If you're diligent, you can surpass this Grandmaster Cato in a few months."

His only standards for his disciple are that they had to be good natured. This person was simple and straight forward enough. He had no malice even after such ill-treatments. He was a suitable candidate.

However, Reginald was flabbergasted when he heard Leon's words. It was too unbelievable. There had to be a limit to boasting, right? Their age didn't defer by much. How can he be the best? Before he could voice his response, someone else had beaten him to the chase.

"Utter bullshit!" A voice thundered from the second floor of the Primrose Merchant Association building. A man in his 40s jumped down and roared, "How dare you look down on my teacher! You think alchemy is child's play, brat!?"

"Primrose family head..." Reginald muttered in fear on the side. "It's over... This person offended the Primrose family head, Vigo Primrose."

"If you're talking about Grandmaster Cato's attainment in alchemy, it is indeed child's play to me." Leon responded, unaware if Reginald's thoughts and unperturbed.

All the grandmaster alchemists in the kingdom was nothing to him. Tier 1 Alchemists could only be called an Adept Alchemists, while Tier 2 Alchemists are called Master Alchemists. Only Tier 3 Alchemists can be called Grandmaster Alchemists, but he was a Tier 5 Alchemist Sovereign.

A Tier 3 Alchemist was capable of refining pills for practitioners of the Revolving Core Realm. After witnessing the prowess of Grandpa Don, he came to understand that an early-level Transcendent wield the same strength as Revolving Core Realm practitioners. His previous assumptions had been incorrect.

"Y-You!" Vigo flushed with anger. "You dare disrespect my teacher twice! You need to be taught a lesson for your arrogance, brat!"

The man raised his hand for a slap but it was caught be Leon. "Impossible! You're just a brat. How can you stop me? Who the hell are you?" Vigo questioned in disbelief.

Leon shoved the man back and made him stumble shamefully onto his rear. "Who I am is not important. What is important is you should really mind your own god damn business! Stop seeking humiliation!"

"Hmph! I will remember this!" Vigo retreated inside his Primrose Merchant Association building.

...

Inside the Primrose Merchant Association building. "President, are you going to let them leave like that?"

"Of course not! Send someone to check out that bastard's background!" Vigo ordered.

He was a 7th step Awakener, but he was easily overpowered by a kid more than half his age. As a merchant, he had learnt to be cautious from a young age in his trade.

Since he didn't understand who the person was, they have to find out first before teaching the person a lesson, less they offend someone they couldn't afford to offend.

"Yes, president." The person complied and left quickly.

...

"So, did you want to become my disciple?" Leon asked again.

"Dude, you're very strong, but you offended the Primrose Merchant Association. You have to be careful." Reginald warned, before adding, "Besides, I don't even know how good your alchemy is."

Inwardly, he was unwilling. His impression was this person was a braggart. Furthermore, he wasn't much older than him. How can he be his master?

"They won't find me for trouble unless they don't want to operate in the Capital anymore." Leon shook his head and said, "If you're not willing then never mind."

"What do you mean by that?" Reginald couldn't comprehend where the person gets his confidence and arrogance from.

Leon was too lazy to explain with words and directly display his needles floating above his palm. Reginald immediately muttered in shock, "Metal manipulation! You are royalty!"

Leon shrugged his shoulders and began walking off. He doesn't publicize his status, but that didn't mean he is hiding it.

"Wait, master! Accept this disciple's kowtow!" Reginald's attitude quickly changed as he gave three kowtows on the ground, before catching up excitedly. "Where are we going? When can I start learning alchemy?"

Leon paused his steps and poked him on the forehead. A string of information was transmitted into his mind upon contact. Such methods were much more effective than a thousand words and demonstrations.

"Go back and digest what you learnt. If you can comprehend everything, you will already be half way to becoming a qualified Grandmaster Alchemist." Leon stated.

He was not stingy in his treatment, since the other party has kowtowed to him. They only just met and it was impossible to see through a person's true heart, but he had seen that the boy had a good character and that was enough. Only a fool would oppose royalty and throw away the great opportunity bestowed upon them.

"Y-Yes, master." Reginald said excitedly.

He readily accepted the other party as his master because he would have chances to come in contact with Grandmaster Don by following the person around.

But Leon had immediately subverted his understanding of the world and changed his mind through his magical means. Just based on the information he received; the person was not boasting when he said he was the best in the kingdom. The person was arrogant, but he had the right to be arrogant.

Reginald returned home quickly. He feared if he didn't quickly digest all the information, he would forget them.

Leon continued to look for more suitable candidates and a good location for his pill store. One was not enough to manage the pill store. He was certain that if he sold the healing pills and ointments, it would surely sell like hot cakes.

"This young master, would you like to come in and have a great time?" A seductive and coquettish voice suddenly made its way into his ear.

Leon looked over to see a young lady in revealing clothes and heavy makeup waving to him from the entrance. He looked up and read the plaque on top of the building; Heaven's Paradise. It was a high-class brothel.

He was filled with a peculiar and nostalgic feeling, before shaking his head. "Thanks, but no thank you."

In this life, it was best to steer clear from these sorts of places.

Chapter 145 - Mysterious Dean

Inside the Dean's office, Crawford Royal University.

"Are you sure you want to resign, lass?" An aged old man asked. "Why the suddenness? What are you planning to do after?"

"Yes, Grandpa Wilfred. Thank you for taking care of me all this time." Lina answered with determination as she handed in her resignation letter. "But I want to travel the world and temper myself. I want to become strong."

In class, she would always put on a strong facade to hide her weakness in front of her students, but this was not what she wanted. She wanted to be genuine strong and confident.

"Very well. Since you have decided, I will not stop you." The dean said, before continuing, "However, if you wish to become truly strong, I can recommend you to a place to train."

With her interest piqued, Lina asked curiously, "What place is that, grandpa Wilfred?"

"I take it that you interested." The dean smiled gently and began writing a letter of recommendation. "Head to the far eastern kingdom, the Geyser Kingdom and give this to the City Lord of Blackwater City, he will make arrangements for you. Once you reach that place, you will naturally know exactly how great of a place it is to train there."

"Thank you, grandpa Wilfred." Lina accepted the letter with mild astonishment, but still asks with a trace of doubt, "But I am a wood-user, are you sure I can train there?"

"Wood-users are indeed rare." Wilfred nodded. "But they are not unique to your Greene family. Once you travel far and see more things, you would eventually come to know there are much more wood-users and the world is much bigger than you think."

Surprised, Lina couldn't help but ask, "Who are you really, grandpa Wilfred?"

"Hmm? Lass, you ask a very strange question. Don't you know who I am anymore? I'm just an old man living out the remainder of his days as the acting dean of this university." Wilfred stated.

"Oh...got it." Lina responses with a skeptical expression.

The dean was a very mysterious person. No one knew his strength and origins, not even his true age. He appears to be very advanced in his years, as one could grasp from his long brows and beard.

However, the vitality exuded from the old man was not much different to that of a middle-aged man. It was far from someone with little time left like he had claimed.

Perhaps, he came from the far east kingdom? Otherwise, how would it explain his connections with the people there?

People rarely travel as far, to and from the Geyser Kingdom, thus there weren't many news regarding the place.

It was unknown to which heights the kingdom had progressed, but it never had much tension and conflicts between its borders as compared to the other three kingdoms.

The Geyser Kingdom was also known as the Water Kingdom because it is the only kingdom that has access to the Boundless Sea. All other kingdoms had their access to the sea cut off by the Extreme Misty Forest and Desolate Mountain Ranges.

The only way other kingdoms could procure fresh drinking water was from the inland rivers and water-users. Thus, water families usually have monopoly over the water distillation business in the Human Domain. With their abilities, they could create water or simply separate the clean water from the impurities.

Of course, others could obtain safe drinking water through simple filtering and boiling methods, but it would never taste as good.

...

"Leah, you're still too green. How can try to attract these types of men? Don't waste your time on that poor sook. Judging from his appearance, he probably can't afford our service even if he wanted to." Another hostess mocked.

"Eh~ But I thought he seems quite decent." Leah inserted.

Hearing someone mocking, Leon paused his steps. Here he was, minding his own business, but he is being looked down for it. His pride wouldn't allow him to simply walk without doing anything.

He directly tipped the girl called Leah 100,000 Craws, before walking off. Best way to deal with people that like judging other people by their appearance was to slap them with the cold truth.

His action immediately sealed the hostess's foul mouth as she froze in disbelief.

Impossible! How can he give away so much so easily, while dressed like that? Was this person actually a rich young master in disguise? She immediately felt regret for offending such a potentially big customer.

"This... so much..." Leah was pleasantly surprised. Although the amount wasn't a lot in their line of trade. There would occasionally be a few prodigal young nobles and masters coming to play, but this was the first time someone tipped her so much without receiving her service.

"Wait, young master! I can't take your money without servicing you- ah?" By the time she had realized it, the person was already gone. She felt a faint trace of disappointment.

"Leah, we should split the tip half and half. If it weren't for me goading that young master, he wouldn't have tipped you." The foul-mouthed hostess said as she eyed the money greedily.

Working in the brothel, they get paid a certain amount of commission for the customers they serve, but tips were completely their own income.

"That goes without saying. Thank you for the hard work, senior." Leah handed over 50,000 Craws with a fake smile.

Inwardly, she was disgusted with such a hypocrite. Although she wasn't paying attention, she could tell the myriads of changes the person's expression; Contempt, surprise, regret and now greed. Human selfishness and greed knows no bounds.

It was sickening, but she was just a small-time figure in this big city. In order to survive, one would have to get along well with everyone. Only the capable can keep their dignity and stand proudly, instead of buttering up to others. That is the harsh reality of society.

…

Leon continued his stroll through the streets of the Upper District, unaware of what transpired. He did not pay the brothel any further attention. This encounter was just like a crossroad that intersect once and never meets again. If it did, then it would be called fate.

He stopped at the doorstep of the Cromwell's Real Estate Building. As royalty, the land belonged to them. They can just pick any random empty plot of land to have his pill store built, but it would take too much time.

It was much quicker to acquire an existing building. He would just treat it as the royal family buying back the land they sold.

"Hello young master, how may I serve you?" A young clerk asked politely.

"I would like--"

Before he finished his words, it was interrupted by another person.

"Piss off, commoner." The passing manager insulted, before berating the young clerk "For these types of poor looking people, just drive them away. They can't afford anything even if you talk to them. They are just a waste of breath and time."

Leon let out a sigh as he heard these words. As expected, anywhere he goes, there would be people like these, but if he had to choose between seeing people butter up to him or looking down on him, he would choose the latter. It was easier to see a person's true self and know who to steer clear from.

If he had time, he should buy some noble clothing after. He currently only have royal and common attire.

"Is this how you treat your customers?" Leon said calmly.

"No, this is how we treat wild dogs. Did you think you qualified as a customer? Do you have the money?" The manager said arrogantly. "This was the Upper District. Commoners don't have the right purchase any land here."

"Hoh? Since where do we have such a law? Do you take yourself to be the ruler this land to make up such a law? Do you think you are born more nobly than commoners? Don't forget that commoners are also people and it's because of the commoner's hard work that you get to enjoy such privileges." Leon remarked, before chuckling coldly, "If I wasn't sure this was the Cromwell's Real Estate Building; based on your arrogance, I would have thought this was the Royal Palace, but even if it was, none of the palace maids and guards would dare be so arrogant in front of me."

"You're even more arrogant than me. Who the hell do you think you are? The prince?" The manager sarcastically said, before calling the guards. "Hurry up and kick this troublemaker out. Make sure to break his legs so he can never step foot in this place again.

After hearing those words, the young clerk anxiously said, "You should quickly leave. You can't afford to offend this person. He is someone from the Huckabee family, the distant relatives of the Cromwell family."

"Thank you for your concerns, but I will be fine." Leon said with a smile, as he watches someone approaching from the corner of his eye.

"Y-You! I won't bother with you." The young clerk pouted angrily. She warned him out of good will, but he chose not to appreciate her kindness. She stormed back to her desk, but froze on the way. "P-President."

"What is going on here?" Bromley said with a deep frown.

"Ah! Nothing is going on here, uncle. I'm was just trying to drive away this troublemaking commoner." The person from the Huckabee family pointed.

PA!

"Josiah, you are a fucking idiot!" Bromley slapped his distant nephew, before welcoming Leon warmly, "Hahaha... My dear son-in-law, what brings you here?"

The slap made Josiah dizzy. After recovering, he wanted to complain indignantly, but the words got stuck in his throats. Son-in-law!? Oh shit!

Leon shrugged his shoulders at the question. "I came to see if you have any nice buildings with good locations to purchase, but I was stopped by this person. Tell me father-in-law, what is the punishment for trying to break the legs of royalty?"

The punishment was death.

Josiah paled at once and cried, "Uncle, you have to save me! Boohoo…"

With a wry smile, Bromley and said, "My dear son-in-law, he is after all a distant nephew of mine. How about you spare him? The ignorant is not guilty. Why are you dressed like this to begin with? Isn't this like playing the pig to eat the tiger? Is the royal family that short on funds that you started to eye my coffer as well?"

"I really did come to look for a nice store with good location to buy, father-in-law." Leon said with a helpless smile. "I can forgive your nephew's transgression against me, but the Huckabee family have to compensate me."

"So, in the end, it's still about money!" Bromley secretly cursed, before putting on a smile and said, "The Huckabee family will pay you an appropriate amount of compensation. I guarantee it. Now let's go sit somewhere else to talk about what you want to buy."

His family hadn't gained any benefits from this connection yet they're already suffering losses from it. What a pair of black-heart money grubbers.

"Alright." Leon readily accepted, before complimenting, "Oh right, this person was very good. She did not look down on me, while serving."

Bromley nodded and led Leon to a private room, before turning back to his employees and said sternly, "Not a word of today gets out, got it?"

The guards, the clerks and the agents all nodded rigorously. It was an in-house problem. If word got out, the Cromwell family would lose face.

"Good."

"Josiah, you can go home and rest. No need to come back to work"

"and you; you are promoted to floor manager as of today."

"I…" The unexpected happiness came too abruptly, the young clerk was overwhelmed and did not know what to say. She also had some misgivings as she stole glances at Josiah.

"You don't have to worry; he will not make trouble for you." Bromley assured.

The president's words were worth its weight in gold. The young clerk's heart was at ease with his assurance. She accepted the new role happily. "Thank you, President!"

"Continue the good work." Bromley smiled, before returning to Leon.

"Aren't you lucky, Camila? Directly promoted to floor manager. Ah, I'm so envious. Why don't I have such luck?"

The clerks began gossiping among themselves.

…

In a private room, Leon sat comfortably on a soft couch with a big grin, while waiting for Bromley Cromwell to return.

It was a good idea of him to wear such common attire, when going for strolls around the Upper Districts.

If other nobles provoke and pick fights with him, he would have good reasons to extort them.

Chapter 146 - Preparations For Departure

Bromley entered the private room and sat down opposite of Leon happily.

"Why do you look happier than I am? Leon was baffled his father-in-law's expression.

"Hahaha... happy... why shouldn't I be happy? Those distant relatives had been far too arrogant, while riding on my family's success. They've been tarnishing the good image of my Cromwell family long enough. This will ought to teach them a lesson. In any case, the money will come out of their pockets, not mine." Bromley grinned.

Happily, as he was, it couldn't be shown to others because he had to uphold his image as the Huckabee family's relative.

Although he sealed their mouths and they would not spread the news outside, they would inevitably gossip among themselves inside. It would not sound pretty if his workers said he took pleasure in the misfortune of his own relatives.

"Fair enough. Alright, back to business. I'm looking for a good location with lots of traffic to open a pill store. What options does the Cromwell Real Estate have to offer me?" Leon stated forwardly.

"Sure, just let me grab the files." Bromley stated, before rummaging through a bunch of papers on the desk. "Here at the options. Take a look and see, which one suits you."

Leon accepted the files and had a quick scan through the few options available.

"This is a surprise. For such a real estate business, I was sure there would be a lot more options than just these few." Leon commented.

"Naturally there are a lot more options, if it is outside the Capital. Here, it would not be weird if there weren't any options available at all." Bromley stated as a matter of fact.

His words baffled Leon. "What do you mean?"

"Well you see, real estate business in the Capital hasn't been good at all, thanks to your good mother holing up in the palace. Haven't you realized why the Upper District is still so spacious?" To construct new building complex in the Capital, we must first buy the land.

But in order to do that, we must first gain approval from the royal family since most of the undeveloped land belongs to the them. We can only acquire the already bought lands from others." Bromley explained.

Hearing the explanation, Leon nodded in approval. "That makes sense."

He would have understood the reason if he had also given it some thought. It wasn't rocket science. However, why would he need to waste time thinking when he could just ask the person who already knows the answer?

"Well that shouldn't be a problem anymore, since my mother has taken to the office. If you want to buy some land in the Upper District to develop, just go and discuss it with my mother."

"Why would I want to do that now?" Bromley responded irritatingly. "Your mother just dumped the entire Lower District Reconstruction Project on my shoulders. I don't have the spare time and manpower for that."

"Actually… it was me, who recommended your Cromwell family to take charge of the project." Leon said with some embarrassment.

"Damn rascal, you must have plotted to work this father-in-law of yours to death, in case he opposed you wooing his daughter, right!?" Bromley said grumpily.

"Hahaha, it wasn't like that at all. As the saying goes; Important tasks should be left in the more capable hand." Leon chuckled and said righteously.

"Hmph! What a good; important tasks should be left in the more capable hands. Aren't you just shoving the work to someone else?" Bromley upbraided.

"Hmm~" Leon hummed, before saying. "I want this building."

Seeing they were no long talking nonsense and going back onto the main topic, Bromley shrugged his shoulders and looked down at the option his son-in-law pointed.

Some surprise appeared on his face. "Boy, I don't know if you are a genius or just courageous. You actually picked the prime location in the commercial district."

Leon just smiles towards this comment.

"Despite being situated in the busiest part of the Upper District and selling for a very cheap price, no one wants it. Do you know why?" Bromley quizzed Leon, intrigued with how the boy would answer.

"Because it is also situated in the middle of the three Merchant Association Buildings. There's no way such a good location for business would be unoccupied until now. The three merchant associations must have been fighting over it with no real winner.

If any of the three Merchant Associations dares to open business there, the other two would join forces to suppress them. Thus, they have been waiting for someone else to take it, but no one else dares to either because it is eyed by the three merchant associations, right?"

"Right. Good lad. It seems you already saw through everything before picking this option. I guess I have nothing to worry about."

Only Leon would dare pick the place. No one dares to mess with the royal family in the Capital. But if the three merchant associations dare to do so… Leon couldn't be any happier. He wouldn't have it any other way. Who wouldn't want to miss out on such an opportunity to milk those fat cashcows.

The price for the land and property deed amounted to a mere 4,000,000 Craws. It was cheaper than a steam-powered car. It shows how much the value had depreciated over the years. Leon paid the full amount outright on the spot.

"Good lad, you even came prepared." Bromley was startled as wasn't sure how Leon hid so much money on his body.

Leon soon followed an attendant to check out the newly bought property. It was a simple three-storey building. The inside had collected an incredible amount of dust.

Since everyone wanted but never bought the place, the Cromwell Real Estate never bother to maintain the place.

"…"

Leon looked at the dusty building, before glancing at the attendant silently. Nothing could be read from his calm expression.

"T-This… I'll go inform the President about this right away! The President should be able to send a team over to refurbish the place as soon as possible." The attendant sweated and said with awkwardness.

He was just an attendant, but he felt embarrassed as part of the company, for selling a piece of property in such poor condition. It would take a few days to refurbish the place back to pristine condition.

Leon nodded towards the attendant. "Please."

Receiving his acknowledgement, the attendant scurried back to the company quickly.

Normally, the customers would check out the piece of property first before buying, but Leon did not waste time and bought it outright.

Because of the string of coincidences, it created this awkward situation.

…

Back at the Primrose Merchant Association Building.

"P-President."

A servant barged into the president's office. His action immediately caused the president to be displeased.

"What the hell are you doing? Is this the sort of place you can barge in without knocking?" Vigo reprimanded with a dark expression,

"My deepest apologies, President. This servant deserves death." The servant kneeled before him.

Seeing his servant had something urgent to report, Vigo forgo the servant's undisciplined action with a wave. "Never mind. Out with it. Why are you back already? Did you already find information on that brat?"

"Y-Yes and no. This servant has yet to uncover his identity and background… but that person went to the Cromwell's Real Estate and bought the prime location the three association had been keeping an eye on."

"That's it? You haven't found out his identity or background yet you came back to report so urgently!? Go back and keep digging! You're a fucking embarrassment!" Vigo kicked his servant out of the office.

The servant scurried back to spy on Leon with awkwardness. He thought he found big news for his master, but it turned out to be anything big in the President's eyes.

He had forgotten that the association had always been watching over the property. If someone bought it, the assigned person would know immediately.

After the servant was gone, a different servant knocked on the office door, before entering.

"Leave. I already know." Vigo waved off the newcomer.

"Huh? Yes, President…" The servant left in bewilderment. Was their president a god? He hadn't given his report, but the president already knew? How strange.

In the quiet office, Vigo's lip rose into a cold smile.

"How interesting. Was this brat purposely picking a fight with me? That was an extremely foolish move. He is not only picking a fight with me, but all three merchant associations. There's no need for me to send someone to inform them. They should already know that someone bought the property."

Their three merchant associations had been eyeing the piece of property for a long time. They would be blind if they didn't know when someone bought it.

…

Before calling it a day, Leon went and bought some necessities and rations in preparation of his trip to the Extreme Misty Forest. After finding a secluded spot to store everything in his Worldspace, he returned to the Royal Palace.

Lynne had gone to Crawford Royal University that day, while Aria continued to cultivate quietly in the Guest Courtyard.

The situation on campus was complicated. Due to the previous events that happened to the Capital, the compulsory military training the student had to undergo was put on halt.

While the students cheered for the break, the soldiers back at the western frontier wailed in agony. The Wild Bear, that battle maniac had returned to duel with everyone.

"Tomorrow, I'll going on a short trip to the Extreme Misty Forest." Leon said over dinner with his mother and the two girls.

Elizabeth and the two girls expressed their surprise.

"Why are you going there?"

"Nooo, don't go. That place is filled with unknown dangers."

"That's right, son. Don't go. Just wait for someone else to find the herb. Mother had already sent out the task. We can afford to wait." Elizabeth argued against his decision.

Leon shook his head and said. "Even if it's not for the 7-Petal Frigid Agapanthus, I will still go for other reasons, mother. You don't have to worry about my safety. I know how to take care of myself." He promised.

He wanted to temper himself in the wild and see what rare herbs he could find in that mysterious forest. He wasn't lying when he said he knew how to take care of himself.

He had gone beast hunting before in his previous life before. Coupled with their wealth of knowledge over herbs, it was hard for them to starve in the woods or accidentally poison himself.

Seeing her son's strong conviction, she didn't continue to argue against his decision.

"Just be careful when you are out there." She sighed.

She had seen the desire for strength and to explore the unknowns of the world in her son's eye. She knew her son would leave the Capital one day, but she didn't expect it to be so soon.

"Don't worry, mother. I will only be gone for a few days." Leon assured, after reading the reluctance in his mother's expression.

"Mmm." Elizabeth nodded quietly.

Dinner soon passed by. Leon retired to his room for an early rest for tomorrow's trip.. However, the two girls had other intentions and followed him to his bedroom.

Chapter 147 - Blackwillow Town

"Why are you both here?" Leon pretended to be dumb and asked.

The two immediately blushed at the question. How are they supposed to answer that? They might be a bit more daring if they were alone, but there were three people in the room.

However, they had at least come to some sort of tacit understanding and compromised. They both wanted to spend the night with Leon before he leaves.

"Can you not go tomorrow?" Lynne dodged the question and mumbled in a quiet tone like a little rabbit. "Many peopled ventured into the Extreme Misty Forest, but very few ever return. It's a very strange and eerie place, full of unknowns."

"If people let their fears of the unknown control them, how would they ever be able to move forward?" Leon said with a smiled, before pinched Lynne's cheeks with both hands. "It seems someone doesn't have enough trust in her lord husband. You ought to be punished."

Leon lifted her up and carried her over to the bed. Placing her down gently, Lynne's heart was filled with anticipation, despite Aria still standing by the door. Her face was immediately painted a crimson color.

She wasn't a shameless woman, but how can she still be excited when she was being watched? Leon did not give her time to think too much. He directly kissed her lips and fondled her white rabbits.

Leon always had his magically touch that quickly make her soft and giddy inside like she was melting.

However, her man seemed a bit different today. He was a bit rougher and more aggressive than last time.

She thought was strange that her man didn't remove her clothes yet. Was he teasing her? Was this the punishment? She was prepared to take the initiative to remove herself, but she was suddenly flipped on her stomach.

"Ah?"

Before she could comprehend what, her man wanted to do, a soft sting of pain on her rear made her cry moanfully, "Ahhh~"

PAPAPA!

Leon continued smacking her rear. His hits sent an intermix of pain and pleasure through her body.

"Ahh~~ No~ Don't hit my rear~"

Lynne pleaded, but her seductive moans and cries only makes Leon more excited to smack them.

Aria was completely embarrassed as she watched the scene play out with her face covered with both her hands, but peeked in between the gap of her fingers.

"I'm… I'm going to my room." She tactfully closed the door and fled to her room next door.

She entered with the same determination as Lynne to spend the night with Leon, but in the end, she didn't have the same courage to stay. She would just wait her turn.

After Leon was satisfied with smacking Lynne's rear, he flipped her back. Lynne panted weakly with a crimson blush. "I… I want…"

"I guess I punished your enough." Leon smiled.

He removed their clothes and began making love to Lynne passionately. Few hours later, Lynne was drained of her strength. He draped the blanket over her pristine naked body and allow her to sleep sweetly on his bed.

One rabbit down, and the other one ran.

Leon exit his room with a thin cloth over his body.

"Hmm…" Leon paused his steps and withdrew a few needles and shot them in a certain direction, before retrieving it with his metal-manipulation.

He closed the doors to his room and entered Aria's room. Inside, she was tucked in bed with her bed shut tightly like she was trying to shut off all her senses.

He made his way over and whispered, "Are you asleep yet?"

A pink shade appeared on her face as soon as the words were finished. Leon smiled and caressed her face gently, before crawling into her bed.

Since they had delivered themselves to him, he was not a man if he did not satisfy his women.

Another round of rocking bed and muffled moans was soon heard from Aria's room.

…

"Damn! This is too stimulating!" A shadowguard inwardly cursed, when he heard the first round of moans.

When the sound stopped coming from the prince's room and the door opened, the shadowguard curiously tried to peek inside.

However, a few flying needles flew over into his direction before he could even react. Because shadowguards didn't wear hunks of armor like palace guards, the needles shot straight through his foot before flying back.

The pain from his foot travelled throughout his entire body and assaulted his mind like a strike of lightning.

'F*@#$%!'

The shadowguard bit his arm in ordered to prevent himself from wailing loudly. He dared not steal another glance as he broke out into cold sweat afterwards.

Another shadowguard looked at him with a 'You deserve it' expression before giving him a ridiculing laugh.

…

The next morning, Leon did not bid his women goodbye as they continued to sleep peacefully. He gave them both a gentle peck on the forehead. He then went over to Lilith's room and slipped a note and some healing pills before he left.

He sprouted his flame wings and took to the sky, before flying north. He did not fly directly straight into the Extreme Misty Forest.

Near the borders of the Extreme Misty Forest was the lumber city, Rainwallow City, but this was not Leon's stop. There was a newer town established even closer to the Extreme Misty Forest after the old trees were felled, the Blackwillow Town.

He arrived at the town with a fire-attribute meat jerky in his mouth.

"Wow, so bustling." Leon exclaimed. The streets of Blackwillow Town was filled with Awakeners and street vendors. Their strengths ranged between the 1st step to the 5th step.

For a dangerous place like the Extreme Misty Forest, it was a surprise that there were would be this many people. Most people tend to avoid dangerous place, but there are also people that doesn't.

Fortune and dangers came hand in hand. These people must be hunters and adventurers that came seeking the hidden riches of the forest.

He did not see anyone that looked like lumberjacks from Rainwillow City here and estimated there were at least 5,000 people, enough to be considered a small city. Naturally, this was not the number of permanent residents. It was a surprise to see this many Awakeners here.

"This brother here, you must be new." A young man in his late 20s approached.

"That's right, and you are?" Leon admitted.

"Pardon me. I should have introduced myself first. I am Elias, a 4th step Awakener." Elias stated.

"I'm Leo, a 3rd step Awakener. So, what do you want?" Leon said coolly.

"Quite straightforward. Then I'll be blunt. I wish to invite you to join our team." Elias said with a smile.

Leon raised an eyebrow when he heard this. He was new and this person was stronger than the average Awakener around here. There was no reason for this person to approach him. There were better options around.

Either this person had a heart of a saint, wanting to help out newcomers or he had an ulterior motive. Leon leaned towards the latter.

"Oh, I guess I can join." He was intrigue to see what this person wanted.

"Great, I'll bring you to introduce you to the rest of the team." Elias said happily.

"Alright." Leon followed.

He was more skeptical that the person didn't find anything wrong with how he accepted the offer so readily.

After asking around, he realized he had stumbled into the team recruitment ground. People would come here to look for teams to join on their expeditions into the Extreme Misty Forest.

Due to the dangers, they had a higher chance of survival if they move in groups. Leon thought this was strange, since he heard that rarely anyone ever make it back out after entering.

Upon further investigation, he realized this information wasn't entirely correct. There was a safe zone within Extreme Misty Forest.

Typically, 1 mile within the outskirts of the forest was considered safe. Anyone venturing beyond that point would usually go missing, but not definite. There were some special cases, but those people were either unwilling to divulge the secrets beyond the 1-mile mark or had already gone insane.

Indeed, there was some truth to the saying; one would learn more, walking ten thousand miles than reading ten thousand books.

Leon interested was piqued further. He thought it was wise to join a team since he had yet to understand the forest that was filled with yin energy. He didn't care if the team leader was plotting something or not. He was strong enough to render all his plots and schemes useless.

"These are our other team members. Introduce yourselves." Elias gestured towards another group of four people; two young men and two young ladies, all between 20-25 years of age and 3rd step Awakeners.

"Hi, Elena. Nice to meet you." Elena said cheerily as she offered her handshake.

"I'm Leo. Nice to meet you too." Leon accepted.

"You can call me, Garry."

"I'm Nina, and that's Jeremiah. He's a bit of the quiet." Nina pointed.

Jeremiah: "…"

"Mm, I can see that." Leon commented.

They continue to have small talks to familiarize themselves with each other and their abilities. Only when they understand each other's capabilities, could they work together efficient.

All in all, their team could be said to be a team of fairly young and simple people, excluding the team leader. He still felt the person was suspicious. Blame his distrustful heart.

Elena was a cheery young girl, Garry had a big build, but also a big heart, Nina was easy-going and Jeremiah was a cold but shy person.

He didn't understand why they would come here, but from what he learnt; this was also going to be their first expedition into the forest, they were all singled out by the team leader upon arriving at the town.

"Alright, since we have all familiarize ourselves with each other, let's talk about loot distribution, prepare our supplies then we can set off.." Elias suddenly declared.