Chapter 358


    Meanwhile, the caravan of the Mollen family, already en route, was deeply shaken. They had been


    invited by Balder to visit Stormcast for a meeting and talk, but as they neared the ancient city, they


    hadn''t expected such a dramatic turn of events.


    The patriarch of the Mollen family immediately ordered a halt, ignoring Balder''s vehement


    insistence. They set up camp midway to wait. As the situation escted, the Mollen family dared


    not intervene rashly. It was best to observe the changes quietly.


    Deep within the Cloudveil Woods.


    Hamund, bathed in his own blood, hid in a ravine, having escaped encirclement for the sixth time.


    Three days prior, Lord Viperbane''s mighty blow had injured his Channel of Energy, and just two


    days ago, Tobin had ambushed him, piercing his body with a dagger and leaving him gravely


    wounded. He didn''t know how much longer he could hold on, but he had to keep fleeing as best he


    could.


    Lord Viperbane and his followers were even more livid. They had been tracking Hamund for six


    days straight—how much longer would they have to pursue him? What was the origin of this man


    who had escaped their grasp six times? Why were his movements so elusive? There had been


    instances where they thought they had in him, only for him to incredulously reappear in another


    direction. Their hunt had caused an uproar in Cloudveil Woods, almost revealing Lord Viperbane’s


    position.


    They were nearing madness. How could a mere Elder be so troublesome?


    What they found most uneptable was that in several direct confrontations, they had not


    discovered the Cobalt Strike Commander. Where was he? Could he have been hidden away?


    The Grand Elder had dispatched over two thousand of his troops to return and search for the


    Commander. They could not allow him to escape the forest, nor could he be allowed to spread the


    news.


    However, today, the secret of the Kings’ eptance swept through Cloudveil Woods, reaching the


    very troops on the hunt.


    Lord Viperbane was furious. “What a cunning man. You dare use me for your own ends, Grand


    Elder!”


    As a king of the Nortnds, a master of schemes and machinations, he immediately deduced the


    Grand Elder’s true intent behind disrupting the Cobalt Strike. It wasn’t about seizing the


    Commander’s position, nor was it to disrupt the bnce of the Nortnds for his ambition, but


    rather, it was a plot for the Kings’ eptance! Considering further, if the Grand Elder was willing to


    create such chaos for the Kings’ eptance, it suggested its immense value, and that the Grand


    Elder would stop at nothing to obtain it. Should the tripartite alliance fall into danger in the future, the


    Grand Elder might even abandon Cobalt Strike and flee to the hidden depths of the Sacred Territory


    to break through his limits.


    Surveying the entire situation, it was all a game set by the Grand Elder, with everyone as his pawns.


    The Grand Elder’s sole desire was one thing—the Kings’ eptance!


    Tobin was no fool either, and quickly saw through the ruse. His killing intent, as cold as a winter tide,


    locked onto the Grand Elder. "Exin yourself."


    The Grand Elder feignedposure and replied with a counter-n. "You give me too much credit.


    I had no knowledge of this Kings'' eptance secret. I only sensed the Commander bing a


    threat to me, beginning to oppress me, and forcing my hand to resist. At first, I couldn''t fathom why


    the Commander was suddenly so harsh and intent on suppressing me. Now I understand—he and


    the Botanic Haven Elder have chosen vin. They entrusted the sacred treasure from Antis to


    vin. You all know well the dispute between vin and myself. If the Commander wishes to


    support vin, he will surely suppress me, and even seek to kill me. Besides, had I known the


    treasure was with vin, I would have taken him down directly. Why would I need to rebel?"


    Although he appeared calm, his heart was in turmoil. How could things havee to this? Was fate


    not on his side? First, Hamund returned, then the Commander was abducted, and most infuriatingly,


    the treasure of Antis ended up with vin! Why vin, why that servant!


    Lord Viperbane and Tobin were not so easily fooled. The affair had already caused an uproar in the


    Nortnds, putting Lord Viperbane and Amber Valley in an awkward and passive position. They


    had to find a way to resolve the issue or face severe trouble.


    "As punishment, I shall cripple one of your arms," dered Lord Viperbane, unwilling to suffer the


    insult, as he raised his fist to disable the Grand Elder''s other arm. Tobin, just as unforgiving, seized


    the opportunity tounch a sudden attack.


    "Wait! Hear me out!" the Grand Elder called out urgently, not waiting for the others to lose their


    temper. "How did the news get out? What in the world are vin and their ilk up to? If they''ve


    obtained the legacy, hiding it away is surely the wisest course of action. Why make itmon


    knowledge? We still have a chance to set things right. We must strive to be the first to reach


    Stormcast. Before the other Organizations arrive, we need to capture vin... We''ll... we''ll divide


    the legacy among us!"


    Lord Viperbane glowered at the Grand Elder, seething with anger. It took a moment for him to regain


    hisposure. "Keep your arm. For now, it stays attached to you! We''ll continue our alliance and


    make for Stormcast. I''m rather curious to see what they''re up to."RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only