“So, what do you propose?” King Stickl asked his daughter Sony.
“In this summit will show Kent who truly holds power. We will target the Frost Family’s mages first, cripple them, and secure our dominance. Once we’ve won, he’ll have no choice but to come crawling to us, humbled and defeated for the Spirit world slot.”
A murmur of approval rose around the table. The allied kings began nodding, satisfaction gleaming in their eyes as they envisioned the prospect of the Frost Family’s humiliation.
King Stick leaned back, a proud smile stretching across his face as he observed his daughter’s resolve.
“You’re right, Sony. The Frost Family will know the price of defiance. And when we hold the Spirit World spots, they’ll be left with nothing but begging.” He turned to the assembled kings, raising his voice.
“Beggars can’t be choosers. Once we’ve claimed victory, the wealth and resources from the royal family will be distributed to each of you, according to your support. And,” he added with a knowing smile, “one of you will be granted a coveted Spirit World slot.” King Stick said, a glint of satisfaction in his gaze.
The assembled kings cheered, raising their glasses in unison, their faces alight with the promise of power and reward. As the hall filled with toasts and laughter, the celebration began, each family head envisioning the rewards and resources they would gain once their alliance crushed everyone during the trident Summit.
–
Frost Family Training Grounds…
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Kent hovered above his 20,000 loyal mages. Each of them looked up with an unwavering gaze, the faint glimmer of respect in their eyes.
They had trained hard, overcoming their own limitations under his intense guidance. Standing among them, Lily watched with a mixture of admiration and awe… though she had reached the Supreme Magus stage before him, her understanding of the Dao of Elements had broadened significantly under Kent’s training.
Clearing his throat, Kent rose higher. His voice boomed, firm and solemn.
“As the Trident Summit approaches, I urge each of you to spend time with your families. Use these next seven days to be with loved ones, and live as if they might be your last. Too many of us may not return. This is the path we’ve chosen—an honor that doesn’t fear death. Remember that.” His words settled like stones in the air, striking deeply within each mage’s heart.
From below, an echo of gratitude reverberated through the crowd. “Thank you, Master, for the strength you’ve granted us. Fighting beside you is an honor,” they cried, their voices a mixture of pride and respect. Among them, Lily shouted the loudest, her heart filled with admiration.
Kent gave them a slight nod and turned away, soaring towards the Frost family palace in the distance. From the top window of the palace, Thea watched, her heart conflicted. She was proud of him yet couldn’t shake an unsettling feeling about her sister’s growing closeness to him.
A pair of eyes in the distance stared at the leaving back of Kent with hope. The person who hid in bushes finally moved to meet Kent after several days of secret observation.
Kent continued on, finally reaching the palace grounds. He quietly passed through until he reached the secluded herb garden at the rear. He stepped onto the eternal sacred lotus of milk sea, gifted by the Music God, shimmered as he sat cross-legged upon it, preparing to meditate.
For a full hour, Kent’s focus remained undisturbed. The palace grounds lay silent, yet a rustling in the distant caught his heightened senses. He could feel the subtle shift as someone moved closer, expertly crossing from one bush to another, careful, almost soundless.
Without opening his eyes, he took a deep breath, feeling the movement grow nearer, an unmistakable tension in the air.
Finally, he spoke aloud, his voice calm yet piercing. “How many days are you planning to hide in the shadows like this?”
The concealed figure froze. In the next second, she started to retreat, but the soft glow of a golden divine disc appeared before her, blocking her escape. She halted, her figure cloaked in darkness.
“Did you really think I hadn’t noticed?” Kent continued, standing up slowly. “You’ve been hiding here for three days. What’s your purpose? Why are you spying on me? And who sent you?” His gaze was unyielding, his words pointed like a blade as he descended from the lotus.
The shadowed figure let out a shallow, shaky breath before she stepped out, revealing herself in tight black garments. She wore a hood that obscured much of her face, yet the glint of her eyes betrayed her nerves. Her voice, however, was surprisingly steady.
“Please, don’t kill me,” she said, her tone laced with genuine desperation. “I… I came seeking help. I didn’t mean any harm.”
His eyes shifted to the dagger clenched in her hand. “Then why the dagger?” he asked, taking a slow step toward her.
The woman’s hand loosened around the hilt, her gaze dropping. She held up her hands as a gesture of surrender, dropping the weapon onto the grass. “I had to be prepared for self defence,” she murmured, casting her eyes to the ground. “My name is Chelli. I am the vice leader of the troops of Nomad Island. We… we’re the ones who attacked the Queen in the Royal Court.”
Kent’s gaze sharpened, though he remained quiet, his silence urging her to continue.
“I came here not for revenge,” she quickly added, noticing the hardening of his expression. “Please, understand—I’m here because I need your help.” Her voice was shaking but remained earnest. “My leader, Ria, was captured. She’s imprisoned in the royal dungeons. You’re the only one strong enough to break through those defenses and save her.”
Kent raised an eyebrow, his skepticism apparent. “So, you’re asking me, a potential enemy of your people, to risk everything for one of your own?” His voice was edged with incredulity. “What makes you think I’d help you?”