Leon and Amelia made their way to the Viscount's office, the weight of the impending departure hanging heavily in the air. They walked hand in hand, their footsteps echoing through the grand halls of the estate. Leon could feel the subtle tension in Amelia's grip, a silent testament to the emotional goodbyes that awaited them.
When Leon and Amelia reached the front of the office, they and all those gathered exchanged glances.
The Viscount, Amelia's father, stood at the center, his expression stern but softening slightly at the sight of his daughter.
Seraphina, the Ice Queen and Sect Leader of the Glacial Frost Lotus Sect, stood beside him, her icy blue eyes fixed on Leon with a mixture of respect and something deeper.
Amelia's sisters were gathered, their faces a blend of concern. The scholar-looking husband stood apart, his gaze deliberately avoiding Leon's.
In the corner of the place stood Euwen, his body still bearing the marks, bruises, and injuries from his recent duel with Leon. As Leon and Amelia entered, Euwen's eyes narrowed, a mix of hatred and grudging respect evident in his gaze. He gritted his teeth, the memory of his defeat still raw.
The speed with which Leon had defeated him was unbelievable. Euwen had been left in shock, unable to comprehend how Leon had moved so swiftly, like a blur. Even his enhanced eyes had failed to keep up. Only then had he realized that Leon had not taken him seriously from the start. In a real fight, Leon could have ended his life before the battle even began. The thought sent a shiver down Euwen's spine.
Reflecting on his previous arrogance, Euwen could only smile bitterly at his foolishness. He had underestimated Leon, thinking him just a pretty face with no real ability. The reality was far more humbling. Leon had emerged from their duel without a single scratch, a testament to his superior skills. This realization haunted Euwen, filling him with both fear and grudging admiration.
Leon, sensing Euwen's inner turmoil, allowed a subtle smirk to curve his lips. Euwen noticed it and clenched his fists tightly, muttering under his breath, "Bastard..."
The scholar-husband, witnessing this silent exchange, felt his own fear solidify. He had seen enough to know that Leon was not someone to be trifled with. Euwen's disgrace was a warning he intended to heed. He had no desire to suffer the same fate. Enjoy more content from m-v l'e|-NovelFire.net
Meanwhile, Seraphina stepped forward, her white hair fluttering in the breeze as she said to Amelia, "It's time to leave..."
Amelia nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. While she longed to stay and spend more time with Leon, she knew it was for the best. Until she learned to control her Physique, she might prove to be a danger to those around her.
Leon took Amelia's hands in his, their fingers entwined. Their eyes locked, and in that moment, words seemed unnecessary. Leaning in, Amelia kissed him deeply, her lips soft and warm against his. The kiss was full of promise and longing, a silent vow that they would reunite. Leon responded with equal fervor, holding her close, as if trying to imprint the memory of her touch in his mind.
"I'll visit you in the sect," Leon whispered against her lips, his voice a promise.
Amelia smiled, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "I'll be waiting."
Seraphina stepped forward and handed Leon a map. The parchment was detailed, marking routes from their current location to the far northern part of the continent where the Glacial Frost Lotus Sect was located. "This will guide you," she said, her voice steady. Though her demeanor was composed, there was a hint of longing in her eyes. "I expect to see you soon."
Leon accepted the map with a nod. "Thank you," he said, understanding the significance of the gesture.
Everyone gathered around to bid Amelia farewell. Her father, the Viscount, approached first, his stern expression softening. "Take care of yourself, Amelia," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "And remember, you're always welcome home."
Amelia hugged him tightly. "I will, Father. I'll make you proud."
Her sisters followed, each offering words of encouragement and love. "Stay strong, Amelia," one said, while another added, "We'll be thinking of you every day." Their voices trembled with a mixture of sadness and pride.
Euwen stood off to the side, his gaze fixed on Leon with a complex mix of emotions. He gritted his teeth, the lingering bitterness evident, but there was also a grudging respect which had been weighing down on him since when he first laid his eyes on Leon. The speed and skill Leon had displayed in their duel was still fresh in his mind, a humbling reminder of his own limitations.
The scholar-husband stood apart, carefully avoiding Leon's gaze. He had seen enough to understand that challenging Leon would be a mistake. Euwen's disgrace had served as a stark warning.
But then, slow and deliberate, he locked eyes with Leon forcing a smile, Leon scoffed inwardly...
The guy was clearly trying to smoothen out the relationship between the two of them, but Leon couldn't care any less.
It was finally time to depart...
Seraphina raised her hand, and with a wave, a shimmering portal appeared before them. Amelia turned to Leon one last time, her eyes filled with love and determination. "Until we meet again," she said softly.
"Until then," Leon replied, his voice firm.
With a final nod to everyone, Amelia and Seraphina stepped gracefully into the portal. The shimmering light enveloped them, and in an instant, they were gone. The portal closed with a faint shimmer, leaving the group standing in silence, each lost in their own thoughts and emotions.
Leon stood there for a moment, clutching the map in his hand, feeling the weight of the journey ahead.
Sighing, Leon thought to himself, "Soon, I'll take my leave as well. Conquering the Goddess of Souls might prove to be troublesome. I need to get the treasure as soon as possible, but I'm still confused as to how I'll get my hands on one."
As if in response to his thoughts, the system's voice echoed in his mind, "The Soul Cleansing Lotus is a rare and powerful treasure. It is formed under very specific conditions. When the essence of life and death converge in a location untouched by corruption, the Lotus may begin to form.
These places are often found where ancient battles took place or where powerful beings once lived and perished, leaving behind a potent mix of energies. The Lotus requires centuries, sometimes millennia, to fully mature, absorbing and purifying the ambient energies."
The system continued, "If you are fortuitous enough to come across such a place during your journey, you might have a chance to find the Soul Cleansing Lotus. However, this method is unreliable. Such locations are incredibly rare, and the Lotus itself even rarer. You might spend a lifetime searching and still come up empty-handed.
The treasure is so sought after that it is never found in popular auction houses; those who possess it will not part with it easily."
Leon listened intently, his mind racing with the possibilities. "Is there a quicker way to get the treasure?" he asked the system.
"Indeed," the system replied. "The fastest way to obtain the Soul Cleansing Lotus is to raid a dungeon. Specifically, you should seek out rare dungeons with creatures that have a nature affinity. These dungeons have a low chance of yielding the treasure you need. Keep an ear out for any information about such dungeons during your travels."
Leon furrowed his brow, pondering the information. "Why is there a time limit for this mission if my chances of finding the treasure are so low?" he asked.
The system's tone grew serious. "The time limit exists because the balance of energies within the Goddess of Souls is unstable. If not addressed promptly, the consequences could be dire. Additionally, the existence of the treasure itself is tied to the cycles of energy in the world. Prolonged delays might result in the treasure becoming even harder to find.
Your mission is urgent, not just for your own goals but for maintaining the equilibrium of forces in the world." S~eaʀᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Leon sighed again, the weight of the task settling on his shoulders. "Understood," he said, determination steeling his voice. "I need to ask the Viscount if there's any dungeon of such affinity in the vicinity."
With a purposeful stride, Leon left his quarters and made his way to the Viscount, the Viscount was just finishing his discussion to Euwen, Euwen walking down the path with the rest.
"Leon," the Viscount greeted, looking up with a warm smile.
"I have a request to make," Leon began, his tone serious. "Do you know of any dungeons nearby that might have creatures with a nature affinity?"
The Viscount furrowed his brow, it was surprised that after Leon raided a dungeon yesterday and having a duel today, he wanted to raid another...