Chapter 316
"Did you cause trouble again yesterday?" Mari asked coolly as she led the way.
"No trouble at all."
"Do you blush when you say that?"
"Some sought trouble with me. I was merely defending myself."
"Did you have to p them? Themotion has upset many Elders."
"Have those Elders ever been pleased with me? I prefer to act decisively, letting actions speak
where words fail."
E giggled delightfully, drawing close to vin and giving him a flirtatious wink. Their
temperaments matched so well.
"What is your mentor''s stance on this?" vin inquired, keeping pace with Mari.
"He will not harm you—that much is certain. As for his exact stance, that will depend on your
performance. Let me remind you, he does not share the biases of the other Elders. Be courteous."
"Of course, ''do no harm unless harmed'' is my philosophy," vin whispered to E. "If I''m captured
or killed, spread the word after you leave that the Kings'' eptance has been detained by Cobalt
Strike."
"First to Bloodlore, then to all of the Nortnds."
"Agreed!"
"It''s settled then."
"Alright."
"If you die, I''ll die of heartbreak."
Mari, walking ahead, could only sigh in exasperation. "I heard that!"
At the mountain''s peak, both the Elder of Botanic Haven and the Commander of Cobalt Strike
awaited them, unconcerned by E''s presence and aware of vin''s purpose.
RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only
"How much does Commander Jarad know?" The Commander had withdrawn all his divine aura,
appearing like an ordinary Mage, avoiding any intentional oppression upon vin and E.
"Nothing, for now, rest assured." Curious, E scrutinized the venerable Botanic Haven Elder with
his frosty white hair. She had heard tales of an old-timer in Cobalt Strike, a peer to the Commander,
who should have been of the same rank. Yet he chose to guard the Botanic Haven, living a life of
low profile and mystery. Today, she finally met him in person.
The Botanic Haven Elder watched vin with aplex expression, remaining silent time and
again. For the sake of Antis'' secrets, his father had sacrificed his life, and Cobalt Strike had
incurred the ire of the Warrior Tribe of the East. He had to resign hismission as Commander
and remain alone in the Botanic Haven, suppressing the Chained Spirit, and using his own life force
to sustain the Chained Spirit''s vitality, ensuring it wouldn''t perish.
After more than two decades ofbor and sacrifice, it all seemed to have been for naught. He had
done it for the youth before him!
vin remainedposed, calmly epting their scrutinizing gazes.
The Commander was also silent, unsure of his feelings toward vin. Recalling the feats during
The sh of Eight Orders, he had to acknowledge vin''s talent and his spirit, and considering the
events at Azure Mountain, he had to admit the young man''s ferocity and resilience. Disregarding
everything else, he knew that vin surpassed all of Cobalt Strike''s Protégés. Yet fate was often
unkind. vin harbored vengeance and bitterness, feeling no sense of belonging to Cobalt Strike.
The atmosphere grew heavy with silence atop the mountain; no one spoke, each lost in their
thoughts.
Mari awaited a decision from the Commander and her mentor, for they had not provided her with
a definitive answer before vin''s arrival.
A chill wind swept across the mountain peak, stirring the thick mists, and rustling the hair and
garments of those gathered.
Finally, the Botanic Haven Elder spoke, "Congrattions, child. To inherit a legacy spanning
millennia is a rare gift, one that may help you reach unprecedented heights in the annals of Cobalt
Strike." With a simple statement, he recognized vin''s im to the legacy.
Mari breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"The eight years I spent with Cobalt Strike are the most precious treasure of my life. I will forever
hold them dear." vin also diplomatically stated his position, though his words might’ve been
interpreted differently by different people.
The Botanic Haven Elder nodded slowly, finding vin''s words ambiguous yet eptable, neither
sycophantic nor spiteful. "Let us now discuss your Shadowbringer."