Chapter 322: March to Solathane City

Chapter 322: Chapter 322: March to Solathane City

Chapter 322: March to Solathane City

Before leaving the academy, Rhain headed straight toward the serene bamboo grove to meet Dean Qaylus and the Old Dean.

When Rhain stepped into the tranquil grove, Dean Qaylus and the Old Dean were already waiting for him.

Qaylus was pacing furiously near the edge of the pond, his sharp features carved with deep frustration, while the Old Dean sat quietly on his wooden stump.

Both Deans were not happy in the slightest with Rhain’s impulsive decision to publicly challenge the Alchemy Emperor.

But they had only gotten to know about the public missive later, long after Rhain had already challenged Marcellis for the Alchemy duel.

By the time the news reached their ears, the arrow had already left the string, and there was simply no way to call it back.

"You are truly the most reckless youth I have ever met in my entire life," Qaylus scolded the moment Rhain approached, "To bet your own life and give the Royal Court the advantage of choosing the herbs! Do you have any idea what kind of man Alchemy Emperor Marcellis truly is?"

Rhain remained perfectly placid, offering a polite bow. "I am aware of the risks, Dean Qaylus."

"Being aware is not enough!" Qaylus gritted his teeth, "That old man has accomplished feats which were previously considered impossible. Only a miracle can save you now."

Old Dean looked at Rhain, he was calmer than Qaylus, but it was also clear that he was not completely convinced with Rhain’s decesion either.

"Rhain," the Old Dean spoke, "Do not underestimate Marcellis. The title of Alchemy Emperor was not given to him lightly. No one has ever defeated him in the path of Alchemy. He is revered as a god in the capital."

Rhain’s dark grey eyes did not waver in the slightest.

"I thank the Old Dean for the warning," Rhain replied evenly. "But a god of the capital is still merely a man. I will win this duel at any cost."

Qaylus stared at the youth’s unyielding confidence.

He let out a long sigh, the frustration draining from his face knowing that nothing he said now could change anything.

Qaylus stepped forward and landed a heavy hand on Rhain’s shoulder.

"It is all up to you now, Rhain," Qaylus said solemnly, "You must do this impossible."

Rhain met his gaze, and simply gave a resolute nod.

-----------------------

Leaving the serene bamboo grove behind, Rhain walked unhurriedly toward the towering gates of the Valdris Royal Academy.

Buzz—!

As he walked, the space around his face rippled.

His face transformed into an ordinary man.

The kind of face one could pass in a crowded street a hundred times and never remember.

He navigated the crowded streets without drawing a single glance.

Once he was safely deep within the commercial district and out of the prying eyes of any lurking Imperial executioners, he slipped into a secluded, empty alleyway.

Swoosh—!

The ordinary face dissolved in an instant.

The jawline broadened, the untamed dark hair settled, and the aura of a martial prodigy was completely erased.

What took its place was the dignified, scholarly visage of Grandmaster Korryn wearing pristine white robes.

He adjusted his exquisite robes and casually stepped out of the alley, walking directly toward the Celestial Elixir Pavilion.

The moment he stepped into the main hall, dozens of eyes locked onto him.

"Master!"

Vulcan stood at the very front, stepped forward and greeted.

Behind Vulcan stood the core of his newly established power.

The seven Domain Master guest elders, alongside the seven slaves—Skullcrusher, Deathblade, Peregrine, and the others—were arrayed neatly.

But they were not alone.

Standing alongside them were Luka, Dex, Ives, and Ezra. The mercenary brothers had successfully arrived from Stormveil City!

Not only had they safely made the journey, but they had also brought an astonishing amount of reinforcements.

Standing behind the four brothers were five more guest elders—two middle-stage Domain Masters and three early-stage Domain Masters!

Adding the guest elders already stationed in Valdris City, the sheer concentration of Domain Master Realm experts gathered in this single hall was staggeringly huge.

It was more than enough to destroy a noble family.

"We greet the Grandmaster!" The army of Domain Masters behind bowed at the same time.

Rhain’s calm gaze swept across the group.

"Luka, Dex, Ives, Ezra," Rhain looked at the four brothers. "You have done well to arrive in time. The Stormveil branch is secure?"

"Yes, Master!" Luka replied, his eyes burning with devotion. "We left a crew of trusted guards in the pavallion, and we brought the strongest elites with us to Valdris. We are not leave you alone in this journey."

Rhain placed his hands behind his back, and gave a faint nod.

"Royal Court believes they can use an Imperial Decree to step on the dignity of my Celestial Elixir Pavilion," Rhain’s voice turned as cold and merciless as a frozen blade. "Then we will march to the Royal Capital together. Let the entire Solathane Dynasty witness the true power of our Celestial Elixir Pavilion!"

"UNDERSTOOD, GRANDMASTER!" nineteen Domain Masters roared in unison.

A short while later, the massive doors of the Celestial Elixir Pavilion opened.

A luxurious white-gold, high-speed commercial skiff owned exclusively by the Pavilion was already waiting in the sky above the commercial district.

Rhain stepped onto the deck, and the group behind him immediately followed.

"Launch it," Rhain ordered calmly.

BOOM—!!!

The high-tier wind arrays ignited with a blinding blue light.

As the formation activated, the massive vessel shot into the sky like a bolt of lightning, blasting through the clouds and setting a direct course for Solathane City.

----------------

The journey took an entire day and night.

The white-gold skiff tore through the sky at maximum velocity, crossing mountains, rivers, and provinces like a descending comet.

Finally, as the morning sun broke through the clouds, the destination came into view.

Solathane City.

It was a metropolis of a scale that defied human imagination.

Colossal golden walls stretched as far as the eye could see, gleaming under the morning light.

Thousands of floating fortresses hovered above the city, and the majestic spires of the Imperial Palace seemed to pierce the sky at the center.

It was the royal capital of the dynasty.

But as the luxurious skiff approached the colossal main gates of the capital, the space before them distorted.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Hundreds of elite Imperial border patrols, clad in gleaming golden armor and riding majestic flying spirit beasts, shot up from the city walls.

They rapidly fanned out, forming an impenetrable blockade in the sky.

"HALT!"

The commanding officer of the patrol, a mid stage Domain Master expert, hovered forward on his armored gryphon.

His voice, amplified by his essence, boomed aggressively across the sky.

"You are entering the restricted airspace of the Imperial Capital! Lower your skiff and state your identities! Failure to comply will be treated as an act of treason!"

On the deck of the skiff, Vulcan and the Domain Master subordinates were about to reply, but just then Rhain calmly walked on the deck from the inner room of skiff.

The Domain Masters instantly stopped, lowering their heads obediently.

Rhain stepped to the very edge of the skiff, and looked straight at the mid stage Domain Master patrol guard.

His dignified, middle-aged voice carried an unquestionable authority as it echoed across the colossal gates of Solathane City.

"I am Grandmaster Korryn."