Chapter 50: Rivendell

Xavier watched as the flames consumed the stronghold, the crackling sound of burning wood filling the air as the structure collapsed into itself. Satisfied with the destruction, he turned to Raiden.

"Go to the nearby town," Xavier ordered. "Wait for me in a tavern. We'll discuss what to do next."

Raiden gave a respectful nod and moved off toward the town as Xavier made his way to a quiet spot. He sat down, pulling out the 151 storage rings from his storage space. One by one, he began inspecting the contents, his sharp eyes quickly assessing the value of each item.

Weapons:

• 10x Mystical Swords

• 8x Warhammers

• 12x Longbows

• 15x Daggers

• 5x Mystic Blades

Spiritual Herbs:

• 30x Fire-Infused Herbs

• 20x Ice Blossom Flowers

• 25x Earth Root Herbs

• 10x Thunder Bloom Petals

Earth Grade Pills:

• 250 Earth Grade Spiritual Pills

• 30x Rejuvenation Pills

• 15x Vitality Pills

Spirit Crystals:

• 50x Spirit Crystals

Rare Resources:

• 5x Dragon Bone Fragments

• 3x Phoenix Feathers

• 2x Demon Essence Orbs

Cultivation Manuals:

• 1x "Infernal Flame Strike"

• 1x "Frostguard Stance"

• 1x "Shadow Veil Movement Technique"

Armor:

• 3x Heavy Plate Armor

• 2x Light Armor Sets

• 1x Mystic Cloak of the Flame Monarch

Mystic Items:

• 2x Celestial Stones

• 1x "Ravenous Heart" – An artifact said to enhance cultivation speed when worn.

Miscellaneous:

• 12x Mystic Rings (each enhancing a particular element or attribute)

• 5x Spirit Scrolls

• 1x Map of Hidden Relics

Xavier leaned back, taking in the enormity of the haul. Xavier, feeling satisfied with his recent plunder, set out toward the nearby town to meet Raiden. The rewards from the stronghold would significantly boost the Soul Clan's resources and power. As he walked into the town, the streets bustled with activity. As Xavier walked through the cobbled streets of Rivendell, making his way to the tavern to meet Raiden, a group of women passed by, their eyes catching his imposing yet handsome figure. Their conversation fell into silence as they observed him, their gazes lingering for a moment longer than they intended. One of them, a brunette with sparkling eyes, whispered to her companions, "Did you see him? He's a true sight—handsome, confident. Definitely not from around here."

Another woman, with a teasing smile, nudged her friend. "Looks like a warrior too. He's got that aura. Strong, mysterious. I wonder who he is."

Xavier's sharp senses picked up on their comments, but he paid them no mind, walking with the same calm and collected stride. As he passed, a few of the women exchanged glances, and one even shyly called out, "You're quite handsome, sir. Would you be interested in joining us for a drink sometime?"

Xavier simply nodded in their direction, his expression unreadable but polite, before continuing his journey. His focus remained on the mission ahead, not bothered by the attention—his mind set on meeting Raiden and finalizing their plans. The women continued to watch him, a mix of admiration and curiosity in their eyes as he disappeared into the tavern.

Xavier entered the tavern, and the lively atmosphere immediately surrounded him. The clinking of mugs, laughter, and music filled the air, but what truly caught his attention was the overwhelming presence of Earth-ranked warriors scattered throughout the room. His dragon eye scanned the crowd, pinpointing the energy signatures of several powerful individuals. His gaze then landed on Raiden, sitting comfortably at a table surrounded by beautiful women, a relaxed smile on his face as they chatted and laughed.

Xavier couldn't help but chuckle quietly to himself. His disciple, always so focused on strength and combat, had clearly found a moment of levity amidst their journey. As he approached, the women at the table noticed him, their gazes shifting between him and Raiden.

"Raiden," Xavier said, his voice calm yet carrying authority.

Raiden turned to see his master standing nearby, a faint blush creeping onto his face as he quickly stood up, apologizing to the women who seemed to take the interruption in stride. "Master, I… I didn't expect you so soon."

Xavier gave him an amused look. "Enjoying yourself, I see? Come, we have much to discuss."

Raiden nodded quickly, gesturing to the women who wished him well before walking over to Xavier. The two made their way to a quieter corner of the tavern, where Xavier began to fill Raiden in on their next steps.