Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"Are you sure about this? Do you know the real purpose behind the meeting?" Tracy wanted to be sure that Zachary understood what she meant. If he didn't, she was more than willing to explain it to him.

"Don't worry. Of course I understand. So many clans and sects in the Devil Kingdom have shown me the greatest hospitality, and I won't let them down. You can tell them that," Zachary said, smiling.

"That's quite agreeable of you. Since that's settled, I will report to Dean Marvin immediately, and we can arrange the meeting as soon as possible." Tracy was relieved at how quickly Zachary had agreed to meet with the clans and sects of Devil Kingdom. She had been worried that it would be difficult to explain the situation and persuade him to cooperate.

"Thank you, Master Tracy," Zachary said politely.

Eager to update the dean, Tracy bid them goodbye and hurried from the farmhouse.

"Why did you agree to that meeting? It makes no sense!" Queenie said, looking perplexed.

"It can't hurt to show up at the meeting. I don't have to say or do anything if I don't want to," Zachary replied. Actually, he thought his course of action was a sensible one.

"But it's obvious what the clans and sects want. They'll use the meeting to recruit you. They'll try to invite you to join them in a way you can't refuse," Queenie said, frowning.

"So what? The final decision is still up to me!" Zachary said with a shrug.

"Well, and what if they succeed in persuading you? Isn't Celestial College good enough for you?" Queenie asked, giving Zachary a cold glare.

At Queenie's words, Rebecca and the others exchanged worried glances. If Zachary did indeed want to leave Celestial College, it would be bad for the college and its reputation.

"I'm a warrior of Imperial Level now. Maybe it's no longer appropriate for me to be content with any college. Maybe the time has come to join a powerful clan or sect," Zachary said loudly, making sure everyone heard him.

"Fine! If that's what you think, you may as well join the Ying Clan. I can take you there right away," Queenie snapped back. She did not hesitate to invite Zachary to join her own clan. She would prefer he stay at Celestial College, but if he was dead set on leaving the college anyway, then it would be a great honor if he chose to join her clan.

"You also can join our Hua Clan," Rebecca said quickly.

"Harley, it's not always the large clans that are the best. If you join my clan, you'll have more freedom and less responsibilities," Nelson chimed in, looking cheekily at Queenie and Rebecca.

"I don't want to return to the Enigmatic Kingdom in the near future," Zachary said. He glanced around at everyone's eager expression and shook hi

o choice but to wait and see," Pollard said, sounding a bit helpless.

"I'm going to meet the chief of the Phoenix Pavilion. I can sound out her opinion for you," Zachary suggested. He knew that Pollard found it difficult to deal with Holy Phoenix.

"Thanks. Let me know if you get any good news," Pollard said, accepting his offer.

"To be honest, I don't think there will be good news," Zachary admitted. He was not optimistic about the result.

Pollard shook his head, smiling bitterly. He said goodbye to Zachary and left him.

Zachary left Shura College after his conversation with Pollard. His next stop was the Phoenix House in Zenith City. As soon as he arrived at the door of the Phoenix House, Riley appeared.

"Are you waiting for me?" asked Zachary curiously. Riley's appearance seemed to be a coincidence, but he thought that she must have known in advance that he was coming here. He supposed he would have to get used to it. Now that he was famous, it would be a long time before people stopped watching and gossiping about his every move.

"What do you think?" Riley said, giving him a soft glance.

"I think you miss me so much that you've been waiting for me to arrive for a while now!" Zachary teased, laughing.

Riley smiled back. "What a smooth tongue you have! Come in. Our chief is waiting for you," she said. She guided Zachary through the entrance hall and into the Phoenix Hall, where Holy Phoenix was seated in a chair at the center of the room. She looked solemn and important, and there was an air of the sacred about her, like her person was inviolable. Even the male leaders of primary stage or medium stage clans and sects would pale in comparison to the strength of her aura. She was definitely worthy of being the leader of the third largest force in the Devil Kingdom.