Chapter 245: Stepping into the Viper’s Den
Chapter 245: Stepping into the Viper’s Den
After Thorian accepted the ten flawless Mystic-Grade pills, the last remaining shreds of restraint within the grand hall evaporated.
Dozens of minor nobles and wealthy merchants completely abandoned their dignity.
They swarmed toward the center of the hall, desperately trying to shove their way past one another just to get within speaking distance of Vulcan.
"Manager Vulcan! Please, accept this three-thousand-year-old Blood Ginseng as a token of my clan’s utmost respect!"
"Manager Vulcan! My family controls three herb mountains! We would be honored to supply the Pavilion at a heavy discount!"
"Manager Vulcan, please, just a moment of your time! Take my name-card!"
"I am the Patriarch of the Drale Family! Just tell the Grandmaster I am willing to offer my own daughter as a concubine if he desires!"
Spatial rings, precious artifacts, and rare herbs were practically shoved into Vulcan’s face.
The frantic nobles were desperately trying to secure even the slightest connection with the Celestial Elixir Pavilion, hoping to somehow get into the mysterious Grandmaster’s good graces.
Standing at a relatively quiet table, Dean Carmilla watched the chaotic spectacle with an amused expression.
She turned her head, looking seriously at Rhain and Seris.
"Look at their influence," Carmilla advised, her bright eyes uncharacteristically stern. "Rhain, Seris. You two are the future leaders of the Stormveil Academy. Raw combat power is essential, but it is not everything. You cannot afford to ignore an entity with this level of economic and political dominance."
She pointed a slender finger toward the surging crowd.
"You must try to build a strong, personal relationship with the Celestial Elixir Pavilion. Earning Grandmaster Korryn’s favor could secure the Academy’s foundation for the next hundred years."
Rhain looked at Carmilla’s completely serious, instructive expression, and he almost laughed.
’Build a strong personal relationship with the Pavilion?’ Rhain thought, ’I don’t think my relationship with it could possibly get any stronger.’
Beside him, Seris bit her pink lip, and heavily nodded with a serious expression, "We understand, Dean Carmilla. We will definitely try our best to get along with the Grandmaster."
"Good," Carmilla smiled approvingly. "Let us lead by example. Come with me."
Carmilla stood up, gesturing for Rhain, Seris, Myrielle, and a highly suspicious Liana to follow her.
She was thinking about the day when Rhain had taken her to the Celestial Elixir Pavilion, and made a direct apointment with Vulcan himself.
She was thinking that Rhain had such close connection to Vulcan because of his status in the academy, but that was clearly not the case.
Then why was Rhain so close to the Celestial Elixir Pavilion?
While thinking, they walked toward the center of the hall.
However, upon reaching the center, they found that the swarm of minor nobles had already been forcefully pushed back.
Two overwhelmingly oppressive auras had cleared a wide circle around the Celestial Elixir Pavilion’s delegation.
The Valemere and Emberford delegations had stepped in.
Under the shocked, unblinking gazes of the entire grand hall, Patriarch Caelan and Matriarch Seraphine stepped directly in front of Vulcan.
And then, the two titans of Stormveil City formally bowed their heads.
"Manager Vulcan," Patriarch Caelan spoke, "During our previous negotiations in the VIP room, I fear my Valemere family acted with short-sightedness and rudeness. I formally apologize for our lack of vision."
Matriarch Seraphine nodded in agreement, her sharp eyes respectful.
"The Emberford Family shares this sentiment," Seraphine added smoothly. "We failed to recognize the true depths of the Grandmaster’s abilities. Please, Manager Vulcan, convey our deepest regrets and apologies to Grandmaster Korryn."
Two supreme Domain Masters were publicly apologizing to a Core Formation manager!
Vulcan stood like an immovable mountain.
He didn’t flinch under their overwhelming auras, nor did he show any signs of panic.
Remembering Rhain’s strict instructions, he perfectly executed his role.
"Patriarch Caelan. Matriarch Seraphine," Vulcan replied, his deep voice maintaining a professional, utterly aloof courtesy. "My Master is a man who pursues the pinnacle of the Dao of Alchemy. His mind is not burdened by worldly grievances or petty insults. I will convey your words, but you may rest assured, the Grandmaster holds no grudges."
It was a perfect response.
Respectful, yet entirely untouchable.
Caelan and Seraphine both let out subtle sighs of relief, nodding their thanks before stepping aside to allow Carmilla’s group to approach.
Standing a short distance away, Rhain watched the exchange with a satisfied smirk.
Vulcan was truly a natural at this.
As the crowd shifted to accommodate the retreating Patriarchs, Rhain took a slight step to the side.
Thud.
His shoulder bumped lightly into someone standing right behind him.
A not so much familiar scent filled the air.
"Are you blind, or did you simply leave your eyes behind in the arena?"
A haughty, fiercely irritated voice sneered.
Rhain turned his head.
Standing there, rubbing her shoulder and glaring at him with blazing crimson eyes, was Lyra.
She had followed her mother to the center of the hall, only to end up crashing directly into the one person she didn’t even want to look at.
"My apologies," Rhain replied, his voice completely flat and devoid of sincerity. "I didn’t see you down there."
It was a subtle, yet incredibly sharp jab at her kneeling before him in the dirt of the arena.
Lyra’s breathtaking face instantly flushed with a burning rage.
"You arrogant bastard!" Lyra hissed, her hands clenching into tight fists as her Core Formation essence instinctively began to erupt. "Do not think that winning once makes you invincible! I may have lost that day, but I will make you pay for that insult!"
"I’ll be waiting," Rhain retorted lazily, completely unfazed by her blazing aura. "Just try not to cry next time."
"I DID NOT CRY!" Lyra practically shrieked.
It looked as if they would draw weapons on the spot, and start a fight.
The surrounding nobles instinctively backed away, terrified that the two greatest monsters of the younger generation were about to tear the grand hall apart.
But just then, an elegant voice sounded.
"Lady Lyra, young master Rhain. Please, I beg you to enjoy the banquet peacefully."
Elara glided gracefully between them.
Lyra scoffed coldly, turning her head away with a haughty hmph.
Elara then turned her attention directly to Rhain and Seris.
"Young master Rhain. Lady Seris," Elara spoke politely, "My father has concluded his pleasantries with the other guests. He is ready for your private meeting now. If you would please follow me."
Carmilla, who had been watching the exchange with high amusement, waved her hand dismissively.
"Go on, you two," Carmilla smiled. "Liana can stay right here with Myrielle and me."
Rhain gave a brief nod.
Guided by Elara, Rhain and Seris broke away from the noisy banquet hall.
They walked through a series of quiet, heavily warded corridors, leaving the bustling crowds far behind.
The deeper they went into the Thunderwood ancestral estate, the more profound the defensive arrays became.
Finally, they reached the outer antechamber of the Patriarch’s private study.
Elara stepped forward and placed her hands against the massive, soundproofed golden doors.
"My father is waiting inside," Elara said politely, pushing the heavy doors open for them.
Rhain and Seris stepped across the threshold.
The private study was lavishly decorated, filled with ancient bookshelves radiating an aura of profoundness.
Sitting in a massive, high-backed leather chair at the far end of the room was Patriarch Thorian, his muscular frame looking somewhat relaxed.
But Thorian was not alone.
Sitting comfortably on a sofa directly opposite the Patriarch, casually swirling a glass of spiritual wine, was a figure dressed in imperial white robes.
Crown Prince Lucius.
As Rhain and Seris stepped into the room, Lucius stopped swirling his wine.
He slowly raised his head, his amber eyes locking onto Rhain with an enigmatic smile.
"Ah," Lucius spoke in a smooth, velvety voice "Our guests have finally arrived."