Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"The boots very rare. I have no doubt that you will like them," Holy Phoenix told Zachary. She was familiar with his fondness for treasures, and knew that he had expended a lot of effort and time to seek out treasures to use for his own purposes. She was certain he would be impressed with what she had shown him.

"Thanks. That's quite thoughtful of you. The boots are indeed a valuable treasure-hunting aid, and I can't wait to try them," Zachary answered honestly.

"Go on, try them out. They're yours. I don't rescind gifts that I have already given. Should you decide against joining my Phoenix Pavilion, they will still belong to you," she said. It was a magnanimous gesture, but a calculated one. She wanted Zachary to know that after he joined the Phoenix Pavilion, he could obtain more treasures.

"Really? That's great! Thanks again," Zachary replied without hesitation. His eyes lit up at her offer. He wouldn't decline such a valuable gift.

As soon as Zachary expressed his gratitude, Holy Phoenix smiled and turned to give Jaxon a knowing glance. She was showing off.

"The gift I gave you is also yours, regardless of what you decide," Jaxon put in. Holy Phoenix wasn't the only one who could make grand gestures! He was confident he could offer Zachary things that the Phoenix Pavilion could not.

"That's very kind of you, too. You have my gratitude as well," Zachary said to Jaxon, grinning from ear to ear. He couldn't believe he had just gained two treasures without paying any price. It was like gold falling out from the sky.

The others shook their heads, wearing expressions of envy and disappointment. They couldn't help feeling jealous of Zachary, but there was nothing they could do, for he was simply far stronger and more talented than they were.

Jace and Larry had been quiet so far. The crowd turned their attention to them, wondering how they would try to top Holy Phoenix and Jaxon in trying to recruit Zachary. Did they also have treasures to give away?

All the representatives of the clans and sects maintained impassive faces, projecting an aura of confidence, but they were beginning to get a little restless. It seemed that Zachary was taking a long time to decide. Jaxon and the Holy Phoenix were each positive that the treasures they had gifted to Zachary were superior to what the other offered. However, Jace and Larry had yet to make their pitch, and they might suddenly bring out treasures that were better and more powerful. After all, one was the most powerful Sage Level weapon refiner in the Devil Kingdom. The other, meanwhile, was the strongest Sage Level warrior in the Devil Kingdom. Between them,

ching Fluid, which was now his second most prized possession, after the egg itself. He was delighted by Larry's gift and certain he would be able to hatch it successfully. Then he would have a Red Auspicious Dragon of his own!

Seeing the reverent way that Zachary handled the egg, Larry let out a roar of explosive laughter. "So, you are pleased with my gift!" Larry then looked meaningfully around at the crowd. "By the way, I'm sure many of you are dreaming of snatching the egg somehow. Don't bother! If someone takes his egg, I will make it my personal mission to hunt down and punish the thief."

In fact, some members of the audience had indeed been dreaming up ways to steal the egg from Zachary, but Larry's threat quickly changed their minds.

"Larry, this is a truly wonderful and amazing gift. But it's also risky, is it not? You said yourself that it's almost impossible to successfully hatch the egg of the Red Auspicious Dragon. If Harley fails to hatch it, then your gift will be wasted," Jaxon said in a tone of calm logic, but inside he was seething with jealousy. His Ice Water Bead was nothing compared to this dragon egg. He himself had wanted one for a long time.

"Unlike you, I have confidence in him. I think that he might be able to hatch it," Larry replied coolly.

Jaxon rolled his eyes but did not say anything more.

"I agree with Larry. I believe Harley can hatch it," Holy Phoenix said majestically. She had recovered from her initial shock at the egg, and had decided that although Larry's gift far eclipsed her own, she would still try to gain Zachary's favor. More importantly, she knew for a fact that Zachary had the Hatching Fluid to help him in his endeavor, although she could not say so. That was Zachary's secret to tell.