Xavier and Raiden arrived at the palace, their mission successful and their minds filled with the spoils of their latest venture. Xavier immediately called for a messenger to gather all of his clan members for an important meeting, ensuring that Jessica, Liana, and the others would be present as well. The spacious grand hall of the palace would serve as the meeting point, its opulence reflecting the strength and ambition Xavier had cultivated for his new clan.
As the clan members slowly gathered, there was an air of anticipation among them. The room buzzed with murmurs of excitement as everyone speculated what Xavier's next move would be. Jessica, Liana, and the rest of the group arrived, their expressions a mix of curiosity and respect for the leader who had brought them all together.
Xavier stood at the front of the room, the purple dragon emblem of the Soul Clan emblazoned behind him. Once everyone had settled, he raised his hand to silence the crowd. His voice was steady, yet filled with the weight of responsibility.
"I have gathered you all here today to discuss our future," Xavier began, his eyes scanning the room of eager faces. "The resources we gathered, the enemies we've defeated, and the alliances we've forged have all been part of our journey to this point. But now, I must ask you all to prepare for the next phase of our rise."
He paused for a moment, letting the gravity of his words sink in.
"The Battle of the Realms is upon us. And we are not here to simply participate. We are here to dominate. Our clan will rise above all others. We must train, strategize, and prepare for the challenges ahead. Each of you will play a crucial role in securing our place at the top."
Turning to Jessica and Liana, Xavier smiled.
"Jessica, Liana, you have shown unwavering loyalty and strength. As we move forward, your roles will be vital in guiding and supporting the clan. But I also need each of you to focus on your cultivation—this is a time for growth and refinement."
The room grew silent, everyone awaiting his next instructions.
"I've brought back enough resources to ensure we can advance together," Xavier continued, taking a moment to reveal the spoils of the Crimson Cult hideout. "These will be used to enhance our power and ensure that we are ready for any challenge that lies ahead."
He gestured to Raiden.
"And Raiden, you've proven yourself capable today. You will continue to train, learn, and grow with us. I expect you to keep proving your worth as we move forward."
Xavier's voice echoed with authority as he stood before his newly formed clan, handing out resources to each of them. He moved down the line with purpose, making sure each person received what would help them grow stronger.
"I'll go down the line to our lovely queen," he began, his eyes gleaming with pride as he turned to Jessica. "You'll be getting 10 Earth-grade spiritual pills, 1 spiritual crystal, and the Shadow Step manual—perfect for your agility and stealth in battle."
Jessica gave a slight bow of her head in acknowledgment, her heart swelling with appreciation for Xavier's thoughtfulness.
"Next," Xavier continued, his gaze shifting to Liana, "you'll be receiving 10 Earth-grade spiritual pills, 1 spiritual crystal, and a mystic longbow. Your archery will become a powerful asset to our clan."
Liana's face lit up with excitement. She eagerly accepted the gifts, grateful for the trust Xavier placed in her.
"Mara," Xavier said, turning to her, "you'll be getting 10 Earth-grade spiritual pills, 1 spiritual crystal, and the Mystic Dual Swords. Your swift combat style will complement this well."
Mara nodded firmly, her confidence growing as she envisioned her training with the new weapons.
"Eddie," Xavier continued, "you'll be receiving 10 Earth-grade spiritual pills, 1 spiritual crystal, and a mystic warhammer. Your power and strength will be well suited to this."
Eddie accepted the items with a grunt of approval, already feeling the weight of the warhammer in his hands, mentally preparing for the battles ahead.
"Felix," Xavier said, turning to him, "you'll be receiving 10 Earth-grade spiritual pills, 1 spiritual crystal, and a light armor set. Your defense will be significantly improved with this."
Felix smiled and gave a nod of gratitude, pleased with the armor that would give him the protection he needed in battle.
"And last but not least," Xavier said, turning to Raiden, "you'll be receiving 10 Earth-grade spiritual pills, 1 spiritual crystal, and the Crimson Flame Technique. Your fire-based attacks will be much stronger with this."
Raiden's eyes gleamed with excitement as he accepted the technique, understanding the power it would grant him.
With a final glance at his gathered friends, Xavier spoke again.
"This is just the beginning. With these resources, we will grow stronger together. It's time to train and prepare for the Battle of the Realms. We have a clan to build, and we will stand united at the top."
Xavier's words rang with a commanding tone, filling the room with a sense of purpose. After he had handed out the resources, he turned his attention to the remaining supplies, carefully going over what was left in the clan's vault.
He scanned the inventory with a keen eye, counting every pill, every artifact, every resource that could potentially be used to strengthen his clan.
"I will only be using what I need," Xavier declared, setting his gaze on his comrades. "Each of us needs to focus on cultivating and breaking through. Every moment counts if we're to stand a chance in the Battle of the Realms."
His eyes shifted to Raiden, who stood at attention.
"Raiden, you are still a noble, but remember—" Xavier's voice grew firmer, "—you are my disciple. This means you are to be protected at all costs. Understand?"
Raiden nodded solemnly, knowing that his new role came with great responsibility.
Xavier turned to the rest of the clan. "Everyone, listen closely. Raiden is to be treated with the same respect and care as one of our own, but he is my disciple, and his safety is of the utmost importance. Do not forget this."
The group nodded in unison, acknowledging Xavier's command. Each member understood that this wasn't just about growing stronger individually, but about fostering a sense of unity and protection within the Soul Clan. They would train together, face dangers together, and ensure that Raiden, as the youngest disciple, was given the best possible chance to thrive.
The atmosphere in the palace lightened as Xavier joked with his friends, the tension from the meeting dissipating, replaced with a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Laughter echoed through the halls as the clan members departed, each heading toward their own cultivation chambers. The time for intense preparation had arrived.