Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"There must be a reason for this..." Zachary mumbled, eyes squinting in contemplation.

However, he was well aware that he had to go back to the Xiao Clan to check on Zelvag, so he decided to shelve the matter for the meantime. He placed his focus on regaining his strength and restoring his martial energy to its fullest ability while within the Peach Blossom Forest. Upon completion of the task, he then left the system with the aim of going back to the Xiao Clan. He had ordered the Blazing Roc to send Goliath back to Alexander City earlier. With the Flying Boots subject to limited altitude, it was around two days later when he actually arrived in Alexander City himself. Upon stepping into the city limits, he found himself in no hurry to head to the Xiao Clan. Instead, he headed for the Centennial Inn just east of the city to see Goliath.

"Harley, there you are! You're finally back! I have been looking forward to seeing you, you know, and here I was thinking that you wouldn't return. I thought something might have happened to you!" Goliath breathed out a sigh of vast relief, gazing at Zachary with unbridled delight after having waiting for him for two days.

"I did give you my transport, so I basically had no choice but to head back on foot," Zachary complained, sitting heavily onto a chair with a sigh. "So where's Orion?"

"Oh, I've told it to head back to the Xiao Clan," Goliath answered with a nod.

"Sounds good." Zachary nodded in response.

"And your plan? How's that coming along?" Goliath asked curiously, eyeing him.

"Well, I can't really complain. I'd say so far so good," Zachary shrugged.

"That's good to hear anyway. Do you think you've got an idea as to when you'd be able to recommend me to the Xiao Clan?" Goliath asked earnestly, getting to the crux of the matter. They had already been quite frank with each other, so he saw no reason to beat around the bush now.

"Can't rush that, I'm afraid. We'll have to wait for the most auspicious time for it. After all, I have just joined the Xiao Clan. I need a good firm foothold first before I start recommending anyone; otherwise they just won't listen to me. They need a reason to believe me first...maybe some achievements," Zachary replied, arms crossed and contemplative.

"I suppose you're right about that. But still, everyone in the Xiao Clan is already aware that you've got a master at the Holy Level. Won't they look at you in a different light? Particularly that Xiao Clan leader..." Goliath knew that what Zachary had done at the Holy Cloud Mountain, along with the sudden manifestation of an incredible master that stood as a warrior of the Holy Level, had caused a tremendous stir, not just in the Xiao Clan, but also throughout the entire Devil Kingdom. He was certain that after that spectacular display, Zachary would have no issue about gaining a foothold in the Xiao Clan.

"Well, you never know how people are going to react to anything, especially in moments of extremity. It might go sideways if I try to push for too much too soon. Everyone knows that I have a Holy Level master as my backup now, sure, but that doesn't mean they'll accept me unf

y into the clan. He had found their people something beyond imagining—a treasure and a huge boon to their clan.

Anthony, who was also present in the hall, had the opposite opinion to him. With his gloomy expression, he merely turned his nose up at Zachary's presence. He didn't see the virtue or the point in all the fuss about Zachary having a Holy Level master. After all, he wasn't the only warrior connected to someone at that level in the Xiao Clan. Furthermore, during their stint at the Holy Cloud Mountain, he had seen Zachary give away the five Sun-swallowing Pills to outsiders. The loathing that filled Anthony at this betrayal was unspeakable. He had every intention of informing the rest of the clan about this outrage and set in motion a movement to expel him from the Clan itself.

As Zachary and Lola reached the center of the Magnific Martial Hall, the latter departed to one side to leave Zachary in the middle. He cupped his hands towards Jaxon in an expression of respect and greeted him in a polite tone, "Good day, Master Jaxon!"

"You've finally returned! Why so late? Had anything been in your way? I was worried that you might've found another reason to offend some other clan or sect and gotten yourself hip deep into trouble, especially after what took place at the Holy Cloud Mountain. I was just about to send some men to seek you out," Jaxon replied, looking concerned.

"I'm grateful for the concern, but I merely took the opportunity to collect some materials along the way. I'm only a day late. Hopefully that isn't too much trouble," Zachary replied, his tone casual.

"Oh, very well then. Nevertheless, I'm pleased to have you back. But I see that you've come alone...." Jaxon said tentatively, looked around, almost expectant, just as Zachary had predicted. Jaxon certainly was as deep-sleeved as he'd thought.

At this, the members of the Xiao Clan perked up attentively, knowing that Jaxon was implying about Zachary's magnificent master. They were highly interested. Everyone was all ears at the idea of Zachary's master coming by, and who exactly that person was.