Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"Master Jaxon, you may treat Master Katrina, but Harley has to come with me." Perhaps Holy Phoenix had an enmity towards Katrina because they were both top female warriors, and she felt competitive towards her. Anyway, Katrina's opinion wasn't important. The only thing that mattered was Zachary's choice.

"Holy Phoenix, please stop making things so difficult!" exclaimed Jaxon, his face turning red with anger. He couldn't help but think that Holy Phoenix had gone too far, for she was obviously messing with the Xiao Clan.

"Am I?" Holy Phoenix retorted.

"Calm down. Harley belongs to the Celestial College. He also has a clan already. He won't be able to join another clan or sect so easily. Besides, he is our rising star. So unless we let him go, no one else can get him," Katrina said calmly.

Jaxon and Holy Phoenix immediately realized that Katrina was correct. They had all but forgotten about the Celestial College. Of course, as a disciple and a future star of the college, Zachary couldn't just walk away. If the Celestial College refused to let him leave, then Zachary wouldn't be able to join any sect or clan in the Devil Kingdom.

"Harley, please get some rest now. We need to speak privately," Katrina told Zachary.

"Understood," he said. Zachary nodded at Jaxon and Holy Phoenix, then left immediately.

The two of them would have preferred for him to stay, but they didn't interfere as he left.

"Let's go! I know where we can speak without being disturbed," Katrina said, motioning towards Holy Phoenix and Jaxon.

The pair exchanged a glance and followed Katrina as she walked away.

Zachary had been gone a long time. Everyone was starting to wonder if some new trouble was brewing. But as soon as he emerged from the competition area, the disciples of Celestial College immediately surrounded him, looking very excited.

"I thought something had happened to you!" Queenie said. Her tone was annoyed but her beautiful face was full of interest and enthusiasm.

"Hey, what was up with the dean saying you performed some heterodox refining skill?" Reb

sure everything goes as it should," Lilian replied immediately, wearing an abashed look on her face.

"Then go. This time, be careful not to make any more mistakes. If you fail again, I won't be able to intercede with our leader to stop him from punishing you. When he is displeased, not even I can dissuade him," warned the man.

Fear entered Lilian's eyes. Without saying another word, she disappeared.

Meanwhile, Zachary was drinking with Pollard in a tavern in Zenith City. They talked mostly about unimportant things. Only when they'd had their fill of food and drink did Pollard begin to look serious.

"So, Pollard, what did you want to say to me?" Zachary asked with a faint smile. Throughout their conversation, he had sensed that Pollard was holding something back, waiting for the right moment to speak.

Pollard hesitated. "Have you considered my father's proposal?" he asked. There was no use beating around the bush, and he much preferred to speak frankly.

"Yes, I have considered it. What do you think?" Zachary asked, looking amused.

"I'm not sure! I know that many people would be eager to become one of my father's private disciples." Pollard thought there was no reason for Zachary to reject his father's proposal. He was a man of great statue, and to be his disciple was something that many weapons refiners across the Supernal Continent could only dream of.