Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

At this point, Queenie and the others also drew in closer and encircled Zachary.

"How could you have the heart to keep us in the dark for so long? Why didn't you tell us sooner who you were?" Queenie groaned in annoyance.

"So Zachary is Harley, and vice versa. Although it's a bit confusing, I don't mind, because you are a close friend. Speaking of that, is it okay if I borrow some of your treasure beasts? I want to study them," Nelson stated. He had set his eyes on Zachary's treasure beasts.

"The thought of you already gone had left Elva devastated. It took her quite some time to grieve before she could move on. Now that you're back, you should make it up to her," Rita clarified as she pursed her lips in a pout.

"Don't worry. I'm just waiting for the right timing," Zachary grinned as he winked at Elva.

A flush of embarrassment rose to Elva's cheeks.

After exchanging a little chat with them, Zachary stepped down from the stage and moved toward Jace, Pollard, and Polly.

"Thank you for extending your all-out support to me. I appreciate your kind gestures," Zachary said warmly, cupping his hands to convey his gratitude.

"I just did what I thought was necessary. But I'm afraid the Zi Clan won't rest easy on you after what you did earlier," Jace pointed out worriedly. He understood the struggle happening inside a clan very well. 'Now that Zachary has cleared his name and accused Armand of committing crimes, Armand is doomed eventually,' he analyzed inwardly.

"That is precisely what I want. So long as Armand dares to mess with me, I have enough reasons to wreak havoc on the Zi Clan," Zachary responded. As long as he wished, Zachary could ask Katrina and Sophie to take direct action against the Zi Clan. But he knew he first needed an excuse for why they should do so to avoid anyone from blaming him. If he attacked for no reason, he would end up as public enemy number one. Also, he was now the future son-in-law of the Xiao Clan. If things went out of hand, it might lead to conflicts between the two kingdoms. So, he couldn't do any revenge without considering its consequences. He could only hope that Armand would pursue him first. In that way, he would have a justification once he assaulted the Zi Clan.

"In any case, be careful always and take good care of yourself. I'll have to go back to the Devil Kingdom. I'm going to round up a team of elites in my clan and send them over to Cele

at Katrina's residence. When he went inside, he saw Katrina and Sophie playing chess peacefully.

"You both look like you're having fun. Weren't you two sworn enemies for the longest time? How did you become friends?" Zachary teased with a cunning smile.

"I ended up like this because of her. So she has to take good care of me from now on," Sophie grumbled. To demonstrate what she meant, she took off her hood. Suddenly, her long snow-white hair cascaded down, and her originally beautiful face also appeared a bit pale, like a white-haired witch.

"Sophie, what happened to your hair?" Zachary asked in shock as he gaped at her hair.

"Why don't you ask her?" Sophie retorted back to Zachary.

"Have a seat." Katrina motioned to Zachary.

Seeing that Zachary sat on the floor, Katrina recounted to him the story. According to her, after Sophie had met him last time, the two ladies then snuck into Dignity College to steal its most valuable treasure.

Stealing the treasure was supposed to be easy work for Katrina and Sophie, but as it turned out, a large number of masters from other forces also had their eyes on it. The two of them fought hard with those mysterious warriors. Although the enemies outnumbered them, they defeated them all. When they were about to leave with the treasure, a Holy Level warrior from Dignity College caught up with them. He injured Sophie and recognized her. As a result, Dignity College went after Sophie for stealing their precious treasure. To make matters worse, her hair turned white overnight after her injury. Katrina and Sophie couldn't figure out the reason for it.