The Return to the Kingdom and the Investigation

The rain was pouring heavily the next day. A flight master had carried the fourth elder the previous night and taken him to the royal treatment headquarters.

The following day, the fourth elder's wounds were healed…

Farkan pretended to be asleep as soon as the king and Yan Yue arrived.

"When the fourth elder wakes up, we'll conduct an investigation with him," Yan Yue said, turning his gaze to the king.

"Hmm, the investigation will be at his bedside. No need for formalities," the king replied.

Farkan slowly opened his eyes and looked at the king and Yan Yue.

"Where am I?" he said in a low voice.

"You're in the kingdom," the king said to Farkan.

Then Farkan raised his body and leaned back against the pillow.

"We'll ask you some questions, fourth elder," Yan Yue said, looking into Farkan's eyes.

"Where were you in the past few days?"

"I was wandering in the forest, facing many beasts."

"The guards told us they found someone from the Demonic Alliance chasing you."

"That's true. He was chasing me. I always changed direction whenever I saw him getting close."

"Why didn't you run back to the kingdom?" the king asked with a slightly harsh tone.

"Of course, I was injured in my stomach, and he had me cornered, so I took a risk last night to escape, and here I am."

"But how—"

"The investigation is over," the king interrupted, glancing at Yan Yue, who had wanted to ask another question.

"Very well, Your Majesty."

"Spread the news across the kingdom that the fourth elder has returned and is now well. In the evening, prepare a feast with the kingdom's leaders and all the elders in celebration of his return," the king said.

"Yes, sir," Yan Yue replied, clasping his hands before leaving.

"Wait, Yan Yue, let's go together. You can return to your post whenever you like, fourth elder."

Farkan clasped his hands to the king, and then they vanished from his sight…

"Good thing Syl Fu brought me an ability to conceal my rank from the fifth level."

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The previous day, while Farkan was at Baku's house, he had spiritually ordered Syl Fu to bring him an ability to hide his rank.

Syl Fu secretly searched the alliance's storage and stole an ability to conceal his fifth-rank status.

When Syl Fu and Farkan were in the forest near the kingdom, they exchanged abilities.

Farkan gave Syl Fu the old ability that had hidden his fourth-rank status,

and Syl Fu traded the new ability with him…

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"And now I've made my decision. I'll choose the path of Rabid Blood."

He got up from his bed and stretched a little…

Suddenly, the head of the royal treatment headquarters appeared before him.

"I'm glad you're okay, fourth elder."

She was a woman with a fair complexion and smooth, jade-like skin.

"Miss Yu Xin," he clasped his hands and spoke to her as if they were friends.

(The previous owner of this body had been friends with Yu Xin.)

"No need for formalities, fourth elder," she said, smiling at Farkan.

"There'll be a feast tonight. I hope you'll attend."

After saying this, he immediately left the headquarters to avoid prolonging the conversation with her.

(Be like Farkan.)

"He's changed…" Yu Xin thought internally, feeling a little upset.

Farkan walked with majestic strides.

"Isn't that the fourth elder?" one passerby said.

"Yes, yes, it's really him!"

"We're happy you're back!"

Farkan was heading to the trade headquarters. The trade headquarters was large and imposing, divided into two sections: one for selling food supplies and the other for selling abilities…

There were two guards. One of them blocked Farkan's path.

Farkan gave him a cold look. His colleague, terrified, hit him on the head.

"Bow to him! Don't you know who this is??"

"No, who is he?"

"He's the fourth elder!" the guard shouted, then bowed immediately, followed by his coworker.

"What's your name?"

"Su Tsu greets the fourth elder. Sorry for not recognizing you; I'm new on the job."

"Su Tsu, don't repeat this grave mistake," Farkan said, smiling at him before continuing into the trade headquarters.

"Damn, I couldn't breathe properly in his presence," the guard said to his colleague.

"Next time, do what I do."

Farkan went to the kingdom's famous ability vendor.

"This vendor greets the fourth elder," he said, clasping his hands.

"Are there abilities for the Rabid Blood path?"

"Of course, though few take this path, fourth elder."

"I don't care. Give me three offensive abilities—the best ones."

The vendor searched his massive shop and brought out three crystals, all dark red with a black sheen.

"The first crystal is an ability called Blood Slaughter, an offensive ability. When activated, your blood turns into sharp blades extending from your fingertips…"

"The second crystal is an ability called Savage Blood Rush, also offensive. You sacrifice a portion of your blood, and it grants you doubled speed and strength, but only for a short time."

"Do you have descriptions for each ability?" Farkan asked in a stern voice.

"Yes, I do. Let's continue—"

Farkan grabbed his clothes and pressed him.

"Why didn't you tell me from the start? I wasn't forced to listen to your filthy voice."

Someone saw Farkan pressing the vendor.

"Hey, you idiot, let him go!"

Farkan turned his gaze toward him. The man had a giant build, prominent muscles, and was tall.

"Are you talking to me??"

"Who else, you fool? Don't take your anger out on the weak."

His name was Nao Bu, an adventurer who helped the kingdom, bringing back anything notable he found in exchange for essence stones.

"Hmm, fourth rank, advanced stage—not bad," Farkan thought internally.

"Nao Bu, you idiot, he's one of the nine elders!" the vendor selling to Farkan said.

Hearing this, Nao Bu quickly bowed and clasped his hands in respect to Farkan.

"Get out of my sight," Farkan said in a strong voice.

"And you, give me the descriptions of these abilities."

"Yes, sir. Should I bring you the best defensive abilities from this path?" the vendor asked, looking at Farkan.

"Yes."

"How much is the total price?"

"Since the fourth elder has just returned and was in a life-and-death situation, I'll offer a 50% discount for you."

"I just remembered—give me lethal moves from this path if there are any."

"There are only two, with their descriptions."

"Bring them."

He then brought everything Farkan requested and placed them in front of him.

"Now, how much is the price?"

"Forty thousand regular essence stones."

Farkan looked at him…

"That's too much. Thirty thousand only, vendor."

"I can't lower it too much. The lowest is thirty-five thousand."

Farkan gave him a cold stare…

After some haggling, they settled on thirty-three thousand regular essence stones.

Then Farkan bribed him, handing him one medium-grade essence stone.

"Don't tell anyone I bought these abilities."

The vendor became overjoyed and delighted after receiving the stone.

"I won't tell, fourth elder. Safe travels!"

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Farkan left the grand trade headquarters and walked back to his palace. All the elders' palaces were close to each other and near the king's grand palace.

The fifth and sixth elders were sitting, laughing slyly because tomorrow was the elders' competition.

Farkan passed by, and their mouths dropped open. They glanced at each other, then turned their eyes to him.

"How did you get here?" the fifth elder said in shock.

"Oh, you fools, I missed your pathetic looks. And what do you mean, 'how did I get here'?" His eyes turned menacing.

"I've reached the fourth rank, advanced stage—don't underestimate me!" the fifth elder shouted in Farkan's face.

"Wait, what? Even the sixth elder has reached the fourth rank, intermediate stage?" Farkan thought internally.

Farkan was very surprised. He hadn't left them for long, and yet they had advanced to higher ranks.

"Your breath stinks. Get away from me," Farkan said mockingly to the fifth elder.

"What, do you want a fight?"

"If you're ready, I'll accept."

Their inner energies erupted, causing the ground to crack. Suddenly, the first elder appeared between them. Farkan glanced at him and was slightly surprised.

"He's reached the fifth rank—truly impressive. Which path did he choose?" Farkan thought internally.

"Don't fight," the first elder said in a firm tone.

"I just heard about your return. Well done for staying alive."

Farkan remained silent, as if he hadn't heard him.

"The first brother is speaking, and you don't respond?" the fifth elder said, a bit surprised.

"If we meet in the competition, I'll crush that little head of yours," Farkan said with high confidence.

Then he turned and walked calmly toward his palace.

"It seems his spirit has been refined…" the first elder thought internally.

"The third elder is in closed-door cultivation and has been for ten days."

"The second elder has reached the same rank as me."

"As for the other elders, they've improved noticeably, but what rank is the fourth elder at to be so arrogant with me?"

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The End