Secret News and Arrangements

As Hogg's battle qi surged, his hands transformed directly into dragon claws.

He then struck out at the rocks on the mountain behind them.

After witnessing this attack, Zhao Nan gained a certain understanding of Hogg's strength and spoke up, "Mr. Hogg, judging by your attack, you possess at least the offensive power of an eighth-rank warrior."

"If you were to fully transform into a dragon, you would definitely possess the strength of an eighth-rank warrior."

Zhao Nan said to Hogg.

Zhao Nan then continued, "However, Mr. Hogg, because both you and Linley have absorbed the blood of Sathius, your movement speed is high, and your defensive capabilities are quite impressive as well."

"This makes your speed a cut above your strength in dragon form."

After saying this, Zhao Nan added, "But compared to Linley, your strength in human form has reached the seventh-rank.

If you want to have a say in the Yulan Continent and restore the reputation of your Baruch clan, it would be best to reach the ninth-rank in your human form. That way, you will reach the Saint-level once you transform."

"In the current Yulan Continent where no gods appear, the Saint-level already holds significant influence."

"When that time comes, no matter what you want to do, you won't have to worry about failure!"

Zhao Nan said this to sound an alarm for Hogg, warning him not to rush into seeking revenge, as his current strength was not yet sufficient.

Upon hearing Zhao Nan's words, Hogg was stunned for a moment, then looked deeply at Zhao Nan. He felt that Zhao Nan must know something, but Hogg did not ask.

At the same time, he decided in his heart to listen to Zhao Nan and wait until he reached the ninth-rank before seeking revenge.

If Hogg had gone to seek revenge without hesitation in the original story after Linley grew up and Wharton was settled, it was because Hogg could not awaken his own Dragonblood Warrior bloodline and thus could not improve his strength, leaving him no choice but to risk everything.

But now that he could cultivate, Hogg naturally would not throw his life away so easily.

Zhao Nan naturally saw the change in Hogg's eyes and said to him, "Mr. Hogg, do you know that as long as one has not become a god, their soul will descend to the Netherworld after death?"

"If one has enough strength, it is possible to rescue deceased family members or friends from the Netherworld."

Although Zhao Nan saw the change in Hogg, he was afraid that Hogg might act recklessly if he felt his strength was sufficient, so he revealed this secret.

Sure enough, as soon as Zhao Nan said this, a glimmer of light flashed in Hogg's eyes. His voice trembled slightly as he asked, "Mr... Mr. Zhao Nan, are... are you telling the truth?"

"Mr. Hogg, I have some understanding of your experiences, so I would not deceive you," Zhao Nan replied immediately.

After hearing this, Hogg let out a loud roar.

Listening to the roar, Zhao Nan could hear an endless sense of relief mixed with boundless killing intent.

However, Zhao Nan ignored Hogg, while Linley, Ace, and the others looked at Hogg in confusion, though they remained silent.

After a long while, Hogg finally ceased his roaring and returned to a calm expression, though a faint, gentle look appeared on his face.

Zhao Nan had read the original story and knew that Hogg was originally a gentle person; it was only due to the family tragedy that his temperament had changed drastically.

But now that there was a solution and a goal, his true nature had naturally returned.

Seeing that Hogg had recovered, Zhao Nan said to everyone, "Alright, since the testing is finished, let's have a talk!"

After saying this, Zhao Nan did not return to the house, as Sathius was too large to fit inside.

"Teacher, what do you want to talk to us about?" Linley asked first.

As soon as Linley spoke, Ace, Barker, and the others all looked at Zhao Nan.

Zhao Nan looked at Linley and the others and said, "I intend for you and Ace to test your magical talent and apply to the Ernst Institute."

"Teacher, are you casting us aside?"

"I don't want to go to the Ernst Institute; I want to stay with you!" Linley said hurriedly.

Ace followed up, "Yeah, me too!"

Zhao Nan waved his hand, patted both of their heads, and said to them, "You don't need to overthink this. I am not casting you aside; it's just that you are not young anymore, and you need friends."

"When you grow up, you can come back and follow me in your cultivation."

Once Zhao Nan said this, Linley and Ace looked at each other and could only nod.

Seeing that Linley and Ace had agreed, Zhao Nan turned his head to Sathius and said, "Sathius, I have told you before: your biggest problem is not your comprehension of the laws, but your pride."

"Only by letting go of your pride can you truly become a Saint-level existence."

"That is why I still want you to sign an equal contract with Ace!"

"What do you think?"

As Zhao Nan's voice fell, Sathius fell into silence.

Previously, Sathius had refused because of his pride; if not for Zhao Nan tempting him with the path to the Saint-level, he would rather have died than become his disciple.

However, after spending this time together and practicing the Visualization Technique that Zhao Nan had taught him, Sathius had truly come to acknowledge Zhao Nan and his fellow disciples like Linley.

Therefore, this time, Sathius did not refuse immediately.

Seeing that Sathius did not refuse right away, Zhao Nan stopped pressing him and let him think it over.

Then, Zhao Nan turned to the five Barker brothers and said, "Barker, I intend to arrange a place with abundant elemental energy for you five brothers so you can raise your strength to the ninth-rank there."

"What do you think?"

"Understood, teacher!" the five Barker brothers replied in unison.

Just after the five Barker brothers had responded, Hogg spoke up as well: "Mr. Zhao Nan, since Linley is preparing to head to the Ernst Institute, I was wondering if I might be able to take Wharton along to the place where the five Barker brothers train?"

After hearing Hogg's request, Zhao Nan pondered for a moment before replying: "Since Mr. Hogg wishes to go, that is naturally fine!"

No sooner had Zhao Nan given his consent than Hillman and Hiri both spoke to Zhao Nan: "Mr. Zhao Nan, we were wondering if we might be able to go and accompany Master Hogg!"

But before Zhao Nan could even speak, Hogg interjected: "Hiri, Hillman, you two cannot come with me; you still need to look after Wushan Town!

I intend to entrust Wushan Town to you both."