Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"Let me just say one thing. No matter what, regardless of what competition you join or what kind of opponent you face, do not ever again use the heterodox refining skill. It is powerful and unique, but it can also affect your willpower, especially if you use it repeatedly. You have the talent to succeed without relying on the heterodox refining skill. There is no need to go down the wrong path," Marvin warned. He hoped that Zachary understood the gravity of what he was saying.

But Zachary just smiled, as though nothing of importance was being discussed.

"As soon as the Celestial College gives you permission to leave, you may go to the Xiao Clan," Marvin said and sighed.

"I am truly grateful for your consideration, Dean Marvin. Should you ever need my help in the future, please don't hesitate to ask," Zachary replied politely. Although he appreciated Marvin's kindness, he knew that Marvin was being nice because he wanted to recruit him to the Shura College eventually. In the world of warriors, there were no absolute enemies, only absolute benefits.

"Of course. I'm sure the time will come when I take you up on that offer," Marvin said. He nodded at Zachary.

They bid their goodbyes, and Zachary left.

After his conversation with Marvin in the conference hall, Zachary went to the farmyard, deep in thought. He knew that Celestial College wouldn't allow him to leave immediately. It might take at least half a month. He would use that time to make his own plans and arrangements.

Queenie and the others were gathered in the farmyard, having an animated discussion about something. As soon as they saw Zachary, their faces fell and they stopped talking. He knew it was because he had chosen to leave Celestial College and join the Xiao Clan.

"You are a traitor!" Alger suddenly shouted, glaring at Zachary.

The others didn't call Zachary any names, but they looked at him disdainfully. They thought he was vain and believed himself to be better than everyone else.

Queenie, Rebecca, Nelson and Scott stared at him with complicated feelings, without saying anything.

Zachary's gaze swept over everyone in the group. "Queenie, Rebecca, Nelson, and Scott, come with me," he said. The four he had named gave him puzzled looks.

Zachary turned to leave. The four hesitated for a moment, then followed after him.

The five of them left the farmyard and entered a ne

est the egg.

"There's nothing wrong with the egg. It's simply because the Hatching Fluid alone won't be enough for the egg of a rare mount beast. It has to be refined by its owner's martial energy in a special environment," Mimi explained.

"How long will it take to refine it?" Zachary asked, frowning down at his precious egg.

"It can take several months or several years. If you have enough Hatching Fluid, you may be able to hatch it just by using a drop of the fluid every day for a month or so," Mimi said.

"I'll have to think about this. I guess hatching the egg will be harder than I thought," Zachary said. But it would all be worth it. If he could hatch the egg, he would have his very own Red Auspicious Dragon. He could go anywhere and explore any place, and no one would be able to stop him.

He went to the Peach Blossom Forest and placed the dragon egg there for safekeeping. He asked the three beasts to keep an eye on the precious treasure. After making some preparations, he left Shura College and began to collect the materials for the quest that Anne had assigned him. He had thought initially that the quest of repairing the weapons was quite simple, but later he found that there were as many as over twenty rare materials that needed to be collected. It was a time-consuming and laborious process.

A few days later, Zachary found himself in a swamp area, collecting materials for Anne's quest. He was busy with his work, up to his knees in the murky water, when he heard the sound of Mimi's sweet voice. "The Summoning Token is activated. I will teleport you now."