Aksai's group moved through the wide streets of Torah and slowly approached the central region of the city.
The buildings around them beca larger and more refined. Guards could be seen at every important turn. The flow of common people also beca thinner as they moved closer to the heart of the capital.
Soon, a grand palace ca into view.
Tall white walls surrounded it. The gates were large and made of heavy tal, with fine carvings on them. Several guards stood outside. Unlike the ones at the city entrance, these guards included Spirit cultivators as well.
Lurina stepped forward and showed the mission token. The guards checked it carefully before nodding. The gates slowly opened. Aksai followed the group inside.
The palace grounds were wide and clean. Stone paths ran through well-kept gardens. Small water streams flowed quietly, adding a calm feeling to the place.
Palace workers were already waiting for them.
As soon as the group entered, they were greeted politely.
"Welco, honored cultivators," one of the attendants said with a slight bow.
The tone was respectful, but not overly stiff. It felt like the secular powers had already gotten used to dealing with the cultivators. Aksai noticed this small detail but said nothing.
The group was then led deeper into the palace. They passed through long corridors with decorated walls and high ceilings. Paintings and carvings could be seen everywhere.
Soon, they arrived at a large hall. The mont Aksai stepped inside, he paused slightly.
The hall was lavish.
Soft light filled the space. Long tables were arranged neatly. Rich cloth covered the surfaces. Fine dishes were already placed in order.
This was no ordinary food.
Aksai's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at them. Many of the dishes contained precious Spirit ingredients.
Rare herbs.
Demon beast at.
Spirit grains that were refined using array formations to make them more flavourful and in rich Spirit energy at the sa ti. There were so Spirit fruits that were especially ant to be consud by late-stage Experts.
These were not things that could be easily gathered. Even so well-established sects would think twice before serving such items in large amounts.
Yet here they were. Served like a normal feast. Aksai took his seat quietly.
'How did a mortal-run kingdom gather so many rare Spirit resources… and in such quantity?' he wondered silently.
His expression did not change. But his mind beca more alert.
anwhile, the others in the group reacted differently.
The seventh mber who had joined last looked just as surprised as Aksai. His eyes moved from one dish to another, clearly not expecting such a welco.
As a wandering Expert, this man wasn't accustod to consuming so many 1st and 2nd Order Spirit resources in one go. So it was natural for him to be overwheld with the kind of opulence he was seeing at the ti.
However, the remaining seven mbers, including Lurina, looked calm.
So even started chatting with a few mortals present at the scene. Their relaxed behavior made it clear that this was not their first ti receiving such treatnt.
The feast continued for a while.
Plates were slowly emptied. Cups were refilled again and again. The mood in the hall beca more relaxed.
Then, the doors at the far end of the hall opened quietly. A young man walked in, followed by a few attendants.
He wore rich robes, but not too flashy. His steps were steady and calm. His face carried a faint smile, but his eyes were sharp.
The mont he entered, the palace workers lowered their heads slightly. Lurina and the others also noticed him and stood up.
"Your Highness, Arven," Lurina greeted with a slight bow.
The rest followed. Aksai also stood up, observing the man closely. The young man raised his hand lightly.
"There is no need to be so formal," he said with a gentle tone.
"Please, sit."
Everyone returned to their seats. The prince walked forward and took a seat at the head of the table.
He looked at the group and nodded.
"Allow to introduce myself," he said in a calm voice. "I am Arven Kaan. I am the 7th Prince of the Kaan Kingdom."
"I have heard about your success," he said.
"You have done well. The subjugation of a 3rd Order demon beast is no small task."
His tone was warm, but asured.
"On behalf of the Kaan Kingdom, I thank you all."
The group responded with polite words. As the prince spoke, Aksai extended his 3rd Order Spirit Sense slightly without anyone noticing. The next mont, his eyes narrowed just a bit.
'Hmm? Foundation Establishnt realm…'
The prince was not a mortal. He was a Spirit cultivator. And not a weak one either. Aksai kept his expression normal, but his interest deepened. He couldn't understand what was happening with the Kaan Kingdom.
The prince soon started talking more casually. He asked about the battle. He asked about the journey. He even made a few light remarks that caused so of the team mbers to laugh.
But slowly, Aksai noticed sothing. The prince's attention shifted. His gaze often landed on Aksai. And sotis… on the last team mber who had joined along with him. The questions beca more pointed.
"Is this your first ti dealing with a 3rd Order demon beast?" the prince asked Aksai with a small smile.
Aksai nodded.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"And yet, you perford quite well," the prince said.
"Not many early-stage Experts can keep their calm in such a battle."
Aksai gave a simple reply.
"You are overpraising , Prince Arven. I just followed the formation."
The prince smiled slightly, as if amused.
He then turned to the ninth mber.
"And you?"
The man gave a short answer as well.
"I did what I could."
After so more casual talk, the prince leaned back slightly. He looked around the table.
"I believe you all must be tired," he said.
"The palace has prepared rooms for your rest."
He paused before adding,
"Except for Lurina… and the two of you."
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