Absolute Beast Dominion

Thalvyr didn't oppose the idea nor even ask why Leo knew such a thing. He directly led Leo to the location after carefully making his way across the cracked ground.

Leo was led to a collapsed underground tunnel just beneath a large ashen tree with green leaves edged in red, the unusual colouration caused by the red-tinted water.

Thalvyr stood awkwardly before the collapsed tunnel.

"The treasure is inside this place... but the path collapsed while I was carrying Zharrissa out."

Leo nodded.

He was curious about Zharrissa, but that could wait.

"Do you think the treasure might still be intact after this?"

"I am sure! That treasure has great vitality. It even helped Zharrissa survive in this Ashen Wilderness," Thalvyr replied.

Leo immediately stepped forward and raised his hand toward the tunnel as he spoke.

"Is it the same one that you stole from that one chieftain?"

As the words left his mouth, the collapsed tunnel began rebuilding itself.

Thalvyr was slightly taken aback that Leo knew this. That could only mean someone had revealed his location, hoping to claim the Salamander Water Lake for themselves.

"Yes..." he responded.

The collapsed debris returned to its original place, though the reconstruction wasn't entirely accurate since Leo had no idea how it had looked before.

One thing Leo did notice, however, was that the soil contained an unusually high amount of straw.

"Is that white-scaled one weak to heat?" Leo asked as they walked inside, realizing the straw acted as excellent insulation against the extreme heat outside.

Thalvyr nodded.

"Yes, she is. That's the reason I have wanted to leave the realm for so long. But—"

"You cannot leave because you will be turned into a slave the very next moment," Leo finished.

"We will talk about it later. I think we have reached the destination."

The tunnel opened beneath the hollow, intricate root structure of the massive tree above. The underground chamber was surprisingly spacious and was very cool, with a 1.5-meter-tall shrub standing in the middle, radiating a refreshing coolness throughout the surroundings. Its green leaves had greyish borders, completely uncharacteristic of the surrounding vegetation, whose leaves all bore red edges.

Its bark was a pale charcoal colour, and it possessed broad, lance-shaped leaves.

[Ashveil Laurel] — High Purple-Tier Natural Treasure

- A pale silver flower that takes birth only where volcanic ash has buried old mana veins. Its petals never wilt, instead absorbing heat and toxic ash while emitting a faint cooling aura. It blossoms every 10 years, and the blossoms release a cool, soothing fragrance while gradually condensing droplets of Ashveil Essence at their centres.

Its nectar fortifies weak physiques, allowing ordinary people to endure the scorching climate and ash-filled air of the Ashen Wilderness. More importantly, it clears mental distractions, dramatically improving mana perception and making the comprehension of complex spells and magical principles significantly easier.

Ashveil Essence — Mid Purple-Tier

- Upon consumption, the body undergoes a gradual transformation, becoming remarkably resistant to extreme heat, volcanic ash, and scorching winds for up to 4.5 years. Even ordinary beings can traverse the Ashen Wilderness with minimal discomfort, while fire mages can cast spells without suffering heat exhaustion.

"This is the one, but it will take a bit of time for me to dig it up. I will be quick!"

Saying that, Thalvyr steadied his claws as a metallic sheen coated them. Thalvyr was so proactive because if they were going out of the realm, he needed this natural treasure for Zharrissa.

But before he could dig into the ground, Leo caught his arm.

"Nice skill. Is it similar to that dragon's?" Leo muttered before giving his arm a slight squeeze that progressively hardened.

Thalvyr winced, after which Leo let go.

"Hmm. Nobody below Mid 3-star will be able to even scratch that. Good."

Leo nodded in satisfaction.

"Step back."

With that, Leo placed his hand on one of the leaves, and the entire treasure vanished into his spiritual space.

"Let's go. We are short on time."

Thalvyr was dumbfounded, but he still followed Leo. He didn't know why, but Leo's aura felt similar to that of the rulers of this realm, and he unconsciously found himself following him. All his pride faded before Leo's commanding presence.

Leo and Thalvyr immediately made their way back to the original location. By now, everyone else had comfortably seated themselves atop Shyra and Nyxa.

Naelith, the red-scaled woman, and the white-scaled woman were on Shyra, with the red-scaled one letting the white-scaled woman's head rest on her lap. Naelith appeared to be using her healing skill on the white-scaled woman to stabilize her condition while using her other hand to restrain the restless Lizardkid.

The kid was in a rather pitiful state, since Naelith held his hands and head firmly while the red-scaled woman pulled on his tail to keep him from squirming away.

Nearby, Lyswenna seemed to be gently petting Nyxa while both watched Agnivar, who had landed elegantly beside them.

Leo glanced at Thalvyr, who immediately hopped onto Shyra to join his family.

The moment the kid saw his father, he instantly calmed down and latched onto his lap.

The next second, Naelith stepped off Shyra's back and climbed onto Nyxa instead, giving the family some space.

"Remember to hold on tight. Shyra's travel speed is a bit fast, and it might get a little uncomfortable."

Saying that, Leo leapt into the air and landed on Agnivar's back.

"Nyxa, Shyra, head directly out of the secret realm without looking back. Be careful of your riders."

Both beasts nodded. Nyxa activated her aura armour while Shyra slipped into stealth.

But just before they departed, Leo stopped Shyra and landed beside the Lizardmen family.

"What happened—"

Thalvyr was about to ask, but Leo simply pressed his index finger against the white-scaled woman's forehead and cast [Iceveil Hide] along with aura armour.

"This will prevent the excess heat from affecting her."

"T-thank you."

Thalvyr was visibly surprised but thanked him nonetheless. Even the red-scaled woman respectfully lowered her head after seeing the tension leave her mother's face.

After that, both beasts departed, and Leo climbed back onto Agnivar.

"Agni, descend to the place where the serpent died."

Leo cast a single dismissive glance at the dragon, who had been releasing muffled groans from the very beginning, before flying away as the crushing wind pressure pinning Ignivorax down finally vanished.

The dragon's face was red from sheer anger and humiliation. Not only had he been suppressed by what he considered common spells, but his very existence had been ignored by everyone present.

"HUMANNNN!!!!! I PROMISE! I PROMISE I WILL EAT YOU ALIVE IN THE ACADEMY COMPETITION!"