Just imagine, their only emperor died during their glorious days. How hard was the blow for them by that time? The kingdom started to decline and geniuses were getting rarer and rarer for each generation. In fact, it became harder when they couldn't produce a single decent descendant.
It was obvious. The ancient emperor was the one who was controlling the whole source of the kingdom as he was only the right one capable to manage it. Now that the emperor was gone, the source couldn't be controlled leading to the source hiding itself away.
The source was very important for a kingdom. After all, it was the foundation and strength of it.
Jin Rou contemplated for a moment and realized something off the topic, "By the way, have you seen a woman with a golden hair by my side when you found me? Her dress is black with shining features."
He was talking about Schwal Coffin. He realized that the lady was not with him but he could faintly sense her.
"A woman?" Asner was puzzled, "I only found you alone floating on the lake. There is no one else beside you."
'Was she teleported to another point?' Jin Rou thought about this possibility. It was possible. But the point was they were together. If they weren't, he could understand this fully. But they were together, so wasn't it supposed to land them in the same place?
Or was she abducted? Jin Rou couldn't rule out this one too. Either way, he knew that he was safe but he didn't know until when. He needed to search for her as soon as possible or else the Coffin Clan would surely go all out to hunt him.
"Who leads your kingdom right now?" Jin Rou asked.
"It is our Repensine Ancient King. He is our oldest ancestor here. Although he is just a king, his power is insurmountable that enemies will not dare to attack us unless they have a death wish." Asner explained with full of pride.
It was true. Though the kingdom had no ancient emperor left, Repensine Ancient King was still guarding the fort. Rumors said that he was a very powerful being that killed an ancient emperor in the past. Who knows if it was true or not? But his power was truly undeniable.
Not just that, being one of the oldest existences in the present, he had a vast knowledge and experience of the world.
"Why do you ask? Could it possibly that you want to meet him?" Asner asked as he thought about it.
"If it's possible, I want to meet him. I want to fully say my thanks of saving me." Jin Rou knew that it wasn't just Asner who had the will to save him. It was also because the king permitted thus he was here. Although he could manage by himself alone, getting taken care of was better.
Asner beamed with a smile as he was about to open his mouth. But a figure suddenly appeared by the door.
It was an elf, comparable to Asner's handsomeness. He had an emo-style hairstyle with a shining golden hair and a bow by his side. He was smirking with malicious intent that could be felt by everyone present.
"Raser! Who told you to get in here?" Asner shouted with anger.
Jin Rou could feel the deep animosity between the two. He couldn't help but sigh. It's going to happen again.
"Why, I just want to pay a visit the human you saved. Is that wrong?" Raser smiled and looked at Jin Rou, "Hah. You saved a human at the Breaking Mortal level, a trash of the jungle. I don't know what's wrong in your head."
It was obvious that Raser had come with ill intentions. Thus it enraged Asner and refuted, "Who do you think you are? Talk when you are already a king or an emperor, then I'll let you talk like that. But for now, shut your mouth!"
Raser and Asner were deep rivals and enemies at the same time. Their talent was the same and they were both the promising candidates to become an emperor
"I am very sure of it that I'll be an Ancient King in the future, but how about you?" Raser taunted and sneered, "Aren't your talents depending on the kingdom source itself? I heard that the source was getting thinner, how are you supposed to breakthrough without it?"
It was true. There were talents and opportunities that solely relied on the source, and while this was a good thing, it was a bad thing for those kingdoms with thinner sources. So what Raser said was valid. Of course, there were alternatives to do if you cannot rely on the source.
"You..." Asner almost spat blood from being infuriated. This person didn't forget to rub his wound by salt and said those words. It was the most sensitive part of Asner and he didn't want to be reminded of it. It was painful and humiliating.
"What me? I'm merely speaking facts. Please don't take it to heart." Raser appeared apologetic but his eyes were giving him away.
"Asner, it looks like someone is jealous of you being more talented than he is. After all, he could only rely on his pitiful resources to advance further while you can grow steadily as long as the source is still there." Jin Rou decided to step in to help Asner.
Raser's eyes sharpened and asked," What did you say?"
"Why, am I wrong?" Jin Rou knew that the other party had bit the bait and continued, "You are talented, yes. But Asner is pretty much more talented than you. He can become an emperor in no time, but how about you? I can fully see that you do not cultivate hard and all you do is play around, relying to resources given by your family. While on the other hand, Asner is very hardworking. Tell me now, do you think you're better just because you don't rely to the source?"