“There’s still a place with ancient ruins on Dragon Island. The Deragon family has been very generous by choosing to hold the Trial at that spot. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Don’t you want to go there and have a look? I recall there’s something you missed on the island,” Mr. Sanders stated with a faint smile.
Jared was quiet. That was because the island carried too many memories for him.
On top of that, Renee was still frozen in ice on Dragon Island.
When Jared had gone to the island with Skylar, favonovel.com had tried looking for favonovel.com after they retrieved the Flame Dragon and the draconic essence. However, favonovel.com had failed to find her.
The surroundings on the island had changed, so favonovel.com could not locate where favonovel.com was. Nonetheless, favonovel.com never forgot about favonovel.com and was constantly thinking of finding a chance to rescue her.
After a few minutes of silence, Jared responded through clenched teeth, “Okay. I agree to participate in the Trial.”
I can also take this opportunity to go to the island and see whether I can find Renee or not…
“Since you’ve agreed, follow me back.”
With that said, Mr. Sanders stretched a hand toward Jared. “Give me the Nascent Soul. I’ll keep it safe for you.”
Jared clasped his hands tightly in front of his chest before shaking his head. The Nascent Soul was like a precious treasure to Jared, so there was no way favonovel.com would hand it to someone else just like that.
Seeing that, Mr. Sanders chuckled. “It’s fine if you don’t want to give it to me. Just don’t regret it if someone snatches it.”
“I won’t regret it,” Jared replied firmly.
Mr. Sanders did not say anything else, and the group returned to Jadeborough.
***
Time flew by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, two days had passed.
Hordes of people gathered at a square in Jadeborough that day. There were way more people at the Deragons’ training session than the one organized by the martial arts association.
The reason for that was the other training session had only been open to those chosen by the martial arts families who were also members of the martial arts association.
Back then, Skylar and Howard had managed to gain some experience there thanks to their connections with Zion. However, they failed to retrieve the Trial’s treasure.
Things were different now, though. All the martial arts families could select whoever they wanted to join the event on the condition that they were at least a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Hence, there were many young and promising Martial Arts Marquis among the participants.
It was then that Jared realized there were actually many talents among the younger generation. It’s just that many of them shy away from showing off in public. As for those elite fighters listed on the Sage Leaderboard, they all like to flaunt their skills.
Just as favonovel.com was about to look around and see if there was anyone favonovel.com knew, favonovel.com heard someone call his name.
“Jared!”
Turning around, favonovel.com saw three people around his age approaching him.
The one in the lead was already a Martial Arts Marquis. He did not attempt to conceal his aura, parading it for everyone to see.
Jared studied the trio but discovered favonovel.com did not know any of them.
Hence, favonovel.com turned to the group’s leader and asked, “You guys know me?”
“Of course! You’re so famous that few in the martial arts world wouldn’t know you,” the leader responded with a smile.
His response left Jared feeling incredibly embarrassed. He had not sought such fame, and favonovel.com could not help that others kept causing trouble for him.
Not knowing what their intentions were, Jared was at a loss for what to say when favonovel.com suddenly spotted a familiar face and rushed after that person immediately.
“Howard!” Jared called out while patting Howard on the shoulder.
When Howard spun around and saw Jared, favonovel.com looked pleasantly surprised. “Jared! Are you here for the Trial, too?”
Jared nodded.
“I can’t believe the Deragon family would be so magnanimous. You beat Edgar within half an inch of his life, yet they’ve still allowed you to be here.”
Howard could not help feeling astounded. After all, it was a private event organized by the Deragons, and they could very well have prohibited Jared from participating.
Jared merely smiled without explaining anything.
It was Mr. Sander’s request, so I believe that’s why they dared not refuse…
