Chapter 508
He had already decided to let Leina absorb that drop of essence.
After all, if this stuff is used on plants, it can only extend their growth period by 300 to 500 years, and cannot guarantee that the Golden Ancient Tree will break through the 1,000-year mark.
If it were used by someone else, it would be 100% able to break through the limits of their potential.
Although Shen Xing didn't know what would happen to Leina after she broke through her aptitude limit.
But he had a premonition that this breakthrough would bring her tremendous improvement.
With that thought in mind, Shen Xing pushed his wheelchair back to the Lotus Pond to continue honing his spiritual power.
At the current pace, he should be able to break through the bottleneck and reach the third level of mental power— Shaping —within the next few days.
He was quite looking forward to this ability.
While Shen Xing was focusing all his efforts on improving himself in the Lotus Pond, he was hundreds of kilometers away from his territory.
The ancient Weideng Royal City has also undergone new changes.
Within the vast city shrouded in gray fog, various buildings appeared and disappeared, their tops glowing with swirling light.
On the black city wall stood a group of soldiers, silent as pines.
They remained silent, and even their movements were perfectly synchronized, like a group of moving machines.
Only beneath the black mask, a pair of bright red eyes revealed a glimmer of humanity.
Just then, the group of soldiers turned their heads in unison and looked at the gray fog in the distance.
A tiny spark rapidly approached, gradually magnifying in view until it coalesced into a torrent of flames.
In the firelight, one could see a large, Fine army marching swiftly, steadily approaching the giant city.
A black flag fluttered in the wind, bearing the image of a giant black eagle.
"Swish! Swish swish swish!"
The soldiers drew their weapons in unison and assumed fighting stances.
The buglers raised their horns, ready to sound the blast.
Just then, a burly middle-aged figure appeared above the city wall.
He waved his hand, signaling to the soldiers not to be nervous.
Soothed by this figure, the soldiers gradually laid down their weapons.
Meanwhile, the massive army continued its advance.
A black-armored knight order of over a thousand men led the way, followed by tens of thousands of elite soldiers.
The rumbling footsteps even caused the city walls to tremble slightly.
When the army was still a kilometer away from the city wall, it suddenly stopped.
Immediately afterwards, a middle-aged man dressed in light sergeant's armor and wearing a sword at his waist stepped forward from the crowd.
He slowly approached the Weideng Royal City, and as he reached the foot of the city wall, the heavy city gates automatically and slowly opened to both sides.
The middle-aged man, with a helmet tucked under his arm, stepped straight in.
At this moment, in the center of Weideng Royal City.
Inside a dark palace, thick, heavy black stone pillars stood, and a gray carpet stretched from the main entrance to the center of the hall.
Beside the main hall stood a group of figures dressed in gray robes, exuding a profound aura.
The leader was a middle-aged man wearing a purple robe.
And a woman wearing a headscarf and a white dress, whose face was obscured.
"Lord Haidesen."
The middle-aged man in purple robes looked ahead and spoke first, "Our Blood Origin Cult has been waiting here for half a day. When will the promised compensation be delivered?"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall turned to look at the middle-aged man in purple robes, and then followed his gaze to the center of the hall.
At this moment, at the end of the gray carpet, stood a heavy, pitch-black throne.
A distinctive figure sat reclining on the wide steps.
His white hair fell in front of his eyes, obscuring his face, and he wore heavy armor.
He gripped the sword hilt with one hand and rested his chin on the other, leaning against the armrest.
Someone will... give it to you... just wait...
A hoarse voice came from beneath the white hair, intermittent, yet it gave off an invisible sense of oppression.
It was like a ferocious beast grinding its teeth in the shadows.
Upon hearing this explanation, the group of gray-robed men all frowned.
They had asked the same question several hours earlier, and the other party had given them the same answer.
The repetition of this now is gradually making them lose patience.
The men in gray robes exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with a fierce light, seemingly unable to contain themselves.
Even the purple-robed bishop's hands trembled slightly beneath his robes, and a dangerous aura emanated from him.
On the other side, the group of royal guards clad in armor also sensed that something was amiss.
They placed their hands on the hilts of their swords, ready to strike at any moment.
Just when the tension was at its peak and the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.
"Grandmaster Hector, Deputy City Lord of Black Hawk City, has arrived!"
A deep announcement came from outside the main hall.
The figure on the throne finally raised his head, revealing a pale, gaunt face. "Bring him... in..."
"No need to send a message, I'm already here."
As the sound rang out, the black iron doors of the main hall opened automatically to both sides.
The middle-aged man, dressed in sergeant's armor and with a helmet tucked under his arm, strode over.
He first scanned the hall, his gaze landing on the group of gray-robed men. He paused for a moment, then a meaningful smile appeared on his lips.
"Haidesen, what's wrong with you?"
The middle-aged man in officer's armor immediately asked, "They actually managed to escape from the royal city, and even made it all the way to Black Hawk City to report to our city lord."
"If he went to another city, you'd be finished, you know that?!"
The figure on the throne remained silent, his face beneath white hair revealing no emotion.
"Lord Haidesen."
The purple-robed bishop had intended to attack directly, but had to temporarily halt his actions due to the sudden appearance of a Grandmaster Rank expert.
At this moment, he looked up again and said, "Please give us a definite answer. I don't have time to waste here with you."
The figure on the throne remained silent, which only made the group of gray-robed men lose their patience.
At this moment, the deputy city lord of Black Hawk City spoke up, "You must be from the Blood Origin Cult? I've already heard about what happened."
"Don't worry, the 'compensation' that Haidesen promised will be given to you by me."
The group of grey-robed men exchanged glances, then all looked at the purple-robed bishop.
The middle-aged man in the purple robe frowned, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.
A moment later, he waved his hand, and the dangerous aura emanating from him dissipated.
Seeing this, the other gray-robed men gradually calmed down as well.
"Where... is that person...?" The figure on the throne spoke again, his hoarse voice coming in fits and starts.
He didn't answer the Blood Origin Cult's question, but instead looked at the middle-aged man on the other side.
"You mean the one who brought the message?" the Black Hawk City Deputy City Lord said. "He's still in the Blackwing Plains. I sent people to follow him, and they even found a fairly large Chosen Territory."
The figure on the throne remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke.
"Send men... to wipe them out..."
"Destroy this territory? No problem." The deputy city lord of Black Hawk City said casually, "It's just a small territory anyway. When I return, I can easily flatten it with my army."
He paused, then continued, "Alright, Haidesen, let's not worry about these trivial matters. The city lord asked me to ask you, when will we begin our operation?"
"That old man already knows the princess is missing and is sending people to investigate. They might find out about us soon."
Upon hearing this, the gray-robed man from the Blood Origin Cult slightly narrowed his pupils.
Although I don't know what the meaning of this Black Hawk City deputy city lord is.
But they could tell that Weideng Royal City and Black Hawk City had joined forces, seemingly plotting something that involved the princess.
On the throne, Lord Haidesen replied haltingly, "Once I break through to the Grandmaster... that will be the time to begin..."
"Good!" The deputy city lord of Black Hawk City nodded and said, "Then we will coordinate from within and without to storm the Weina'er Imperial City and cut off the old King's head."
"Let this country welcome its new masters!"
His voice was filled with extreme Fervor, and even a hint of madness!
Meanwhile, the group of grey-robed Blood Origin Cult stared wide-eyed.
They could tell.
These guys have joined forces to attack the Weina'er Imperial City and drag the King off the throne.
This is tantamount to a rebellion!
"Lord Haidesen, I don't want to get involved in your plans!"
The purple-robed bishop immediately stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Please pay the compensation as agreed. We are leaving."
His voice trembled slightly, clearly indicating that he was somewhat frightened.
These guys actually brought up such a big deal right in front of them; the implications of that are self-evident!
"Compensation..." Lord Haidesen raised his head and said slowly, "It's you..."
With that, he waved his hand gently.
"Boom!"
The palace doors behind them slammed shut instantly, plunging the entire hall into darkness!
All around them, gray mist billowed out, gradually enveloping them.
Upon seeing this, the faces of the gray-robed Blood Origin Cult all changed drastically.
"These guys deliberately lured us into the royal city!" a black-robed elder exclaimed. "Quick, run! It's a trap!"