Chapter 20


    For five consecutive days, vin delivered goods in the morning, trained his physical strength, and,


    come afternoon and evening, delving into the mysteries of the Earthtorrent Greatde. The more


    he studied, the more astonished he became at the de''s profound movements and the terrifying


    power he wielded.


    He made a handwritten copy of the first technique and entrusted it to Carlys, instructing her to pass


    it to Celesse, and emphasized that it should be burned after reading. Such wondrous knowledge of


    the scroll should be shared.


    "Why are you here?" Afterpleting his deliveries, vin had just returned to the warehouse


    when he found Odell standing in front of the iron gate, hands behind his back, head tilted, and eyes


    askew—ever the infuriating presence.


    Odell jangled therge lock on the gate. "Think the warehouse is your own? Why do you lock it up


    after a delivery?"


    "State your business or leave."


    "You..."


    vin''s gaze turned frosty. "I haven''t settled the score with you regarding Nysah''s affair. Don''t stir


    up trouble for no reason."


    Odell stuttered ambiguously, "What affair with Nysah? I don''t understand."


    "Get lost." vin, carrying a stone jar, moved toward the iron gate.


    "You bloody..." Odell wanted to assert his dominance, but his muttering diminished his presence.


    "I''vee to assign you a task. Get ready; we''re setting off soon."


    "Where to?"


    "The Arena. Botanic Haven Protégés will venture out to gather herbs today, and we have arranged


    for several Senior Protégés to offer protection."


    "I''m to protect a Botanic Haven Protégé on a herb-gathering expedition? You''ve lost your mind."


    Odell sneered, "You? You''re not worthy! I heard they need a servant, so I rmended you."


    "What trick are you ying now?" vin narrowed his eyes, his fists creaking with tension.


    "You''re a rare talent among our Cobalt Strike''s many servants—strong, brave, and even a Novice


    Mage. Who else should I rmend?" Odell quickly stepped back to keep a safe distance, wary of


    vin''s potential punch. "You have half an hour to prepare. Come to me to collect your tools."


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    Protégés in Botanic Haven often formed teams to venture into the depths of Cloudveil Woods in


    search of precious herbs to enrich their stock of Elixir Herbs and Fruits. The Botanic Haven


    Protégés were generally powerful enough to handle the dangers outside, but for safety, Cobalt


    Strike always arranged for many Senior Protégés, and sometimes even an Elite Protégé to lead the


    group.


    However, it was unheard of for a servant to apany them.


    vin took his Dawnedge de, wrapped it in threeyers of beast hide to conceal its intimidating


    sword energy, and secretly stashed his throwing des at his waist. Once fully prepared, he went to


    collect his tools from Odell.


    A massive iron barrel over two meters high, filled with various tools and enough provisions, it


    weighed a staggering seven hundred pounds. vin hoisted the barrel onto his back and strode


    towards the tenth arena.


    The Arena was crowded with over a hundred Protégés, including more than twenty from Botanic


    Haven. They wore silver-white robes embroidered with green herbal patterns, symbols of honor and


    status.


    Few dared to provoke a Botanic Haven Protégé within Cobalt Strike, and to maintain their mystique,


    these Protégés rarely mingled with others.


    Seventy to eighty Senior Protégés were responsible for their protection, mostly around twenty years


    old and at or above Stage VI of the Novice Mage.


    As vin ascended the stone steps into the Arena, he stopped in his tracks.


    Nysah? What was she doing in the protection team?


    Nysah stood amidst the bustling crowd, beguiling and beautiful, herughter light and alluring. The


    breeze yed with her smooth hair and teased her gown, revealing shapely and elegant legs. Many


    Protégés crowded around her, their gazes hot with desire. Several Botanic Haven Protégés could


    not contain their restlessness, approaching her to exchange pleasantries.


    "Well, if it isn''t vin? What brings you here?" Nysah''s surprised gaze fell upon the approaching


    vin.


    vin? Many Protégés turned to look.


    A Botanic Haven Protégé chuckled. "vin hase to be our apanying servant."


    "Apanying servant? For what?" Nysah sashayed out from the crowd, her beauty and charisma


    irresistible, her figure voluptuous and enticing. Many guys watched her, unable to help but swallow


    hard, knowing they were in for quite a sight on this journey.


    "We used to carry our own tools and food, but with vin here, we can offload our burdens onto


    him. This is the man Odell rmended, a remarkable servant of our Cobalt Strike, possessing


    strength and courage, and also a Novice Mage."


    "Is that so? Well then, no need for us to be polite." Nysah approached vin and casually tossed


    her small parcel into the barrel.


    "This time, we can lighten our load. Come, put everything in." Many Protégés threw their bags and


    unnecessary items into the barrel, which weighed seven hundred pounds and slowly increased to


    over a thousand.


    vin stood there, unmoving, realizing this was another of Nysah''s schemes orchestrated through


    Odell.


    That wretched woman was plotting to have hime to grief in the forest.