Chapter 184


    Yet, no matter how shocking or hard it was to ept, the fact was set in stone. Roald, Felis, Semar,


    and the others had all been defeated, and it was said they were beaten soundly.


    Galos sat stunned in his room upon hearing the news.


    Tyral was in a daze for a long time after receiving the news. He had been preparing to rally people


    to humiliate vin, but how could this have happened?


    All those who had oppressed or scorned vin fell silent that day.


    vin? Top five of the Eight Orders! vin was bestowed with the title of the Shadowlord''s


    Messenger by the Eight Orders.


    vin, once oppressed and ridiculed within the ranks of Cobalt Strike and scarcely regarded by


    anyone, had now crushed his rivals in the sh of Eight Orders and seized a spot in the top five.


    This stark contrast made it difficult for anyone who knew vin to ept.


    While the Organization was abuzz, the Commander himself announced that he would convene an


    Elder council on the main peak that very night, pardoning vin from his servitude and elevating


    him from Freshman Protégé to Golden Protégé!


    Another bombshell!


    vin was to be a Golden Protégé. This was a meteoric rise!


    The Protégés were frantic to learn the details of the championship, and were all eager to know what


    had truly happened. However, Roald had gone into seclusion, Semar and the others refused all


    visitors, and even vin had locked his iron door tight. In the end, only Niks spoke to a few close


    friends about the general events, describing vin''s astonishing performance. As for what legacy


    vin had received, and how he came by such mysterious Combat Magic, no one pressed the


    matter further, nor was there any need to.


    Now, vin was not just a Protégé of Cobalt Strike but also one of the formidable top five of the


    Eight Orders of the Nortnds. What if Cobalt Strike were to cast him aside? The other


    organizations would open their arms wide in wee.


    ...


    This content ? N?v/elDr(a)m/a.Org.


    The Grand Elder of Cobalt Strike entered the Commander''s chamber. He was refined and


    handsome, with a clearplexion that made him appear only in his forties. "Commander, you


    wished to see me?"


    "Have you heard about vin?" the Commander asked, his back turned.


    "Just heard the news. Top 5 Protégé, a name that resounds through the Eight Orders, the young kid


    has done well." The Grand Elder offered a faint smile, his eyes deep and unfathomable.


    "vin may have encountered a special fortune, but he doesn''t speak of it, and we need not delve


    into it."


    "Such is the will of destiny; the fortune finds its master. Let it be."


    "I''m considering pardoning vin from his servitude, promoting him to Golden Protégé."


    "He is worthy of the Golden Protégé title. I have no objections."


    The Commander nodded. "Good that you understand. There''s another matter I need to inform you


    about."


    "Please, speak your mind, Commander."


    "The Mallister family has toiled in the Azure Mountain for eight years. It''s about time to... end it."


    The Grand Elder''s gaze sharpened slightly. "Have you decided? We still can''t be certain whether his


    parents are dead or alive."


    After a moment of silence, the Commander sighed lightly. "Both of us know, deep down, that they


    are gone."


    "That, too, is a sin that must be atoned!" The smile vanished from the Grand Elder''s face. He had


    no objections to promoting vin to Golden Protégé. With all the organizations'' eyes on vin,


    Cobalt Strike would appear petty if they did nothing. But to pardon the Mallister family? Was it


    necessary?


    The Commander persuaded, "The sin was not theirs. Let go of your insistence. Hear me out,


    release them."


    The Grand Elder''s expression darkened, and after a long pause, he asked in a low voice, "When?"


    "Ask vin what he wishes. Whenever he''s ready to return, he may."


    "If you''ve considered it thoroughly, I... have no objections." the Grand Elder took his leave.


    "Let''s not disturb him further; it''s over," the Commander reminded.


    Atop Botanic Haven, the Elder of Botanic Haven stood on the mountain peak. "Your talk of a safe


    transfer, are you referring to vin?"


    Mari stood respectfully by his side. "The Chained Spirit might be within him."


    "Possibly? You still haven''t confirmed it?” The Botanic Haven Elder’s tone was slightly harsh. Upon


    hearing the news of vin’s rise into the top five, he had thought of the Chained Spirit. It was not


    possible for vin to suddenly gain such strength and then defeat the elites of the Eight Orders so


    handily. It must’ve been some opportunity he had seized. Looking across Cobalt Strike, what


    opportunity could have allowed vin to ascend so swiftly? Surely, it was the lost Chained Spirit.


    "I began to truly suspect vin and was convinced he had made a deal with the Chained Spirit. But


    on the way back, I pondered and thought there might be something more to it."


    "Speak!"


    "The Chained Spirit might at best guide him, not grant him weapons. From whence did he get his


    ancient sword? Why would the Chained Spirit summon vin, unless there''s some other secret


    about him?"