CHAPTER 261: CHAPTER261-THE SANCTURY

However, Bella seemed to have anticipated this, giving Owen a glance before locking eyes with Melita.

"You two are the strongest among us. What if villains show up in your absence?"

"Yes, Bella is right. If we encounter villains like last time, we’d be doomed," Olivia surprisingly supported Bella.

Realizing Bella had the upper hand and that Olivia was siding with her, Melita promptly wrapped an arm around Owen, her gaze fixed on the two, her eyes brimming with a defiant challenge.

"You!"

Bella’s well-laid plans were disrupted by Melita’s brazen defiance, leaving her no choice but to watch Melita’s triumphant demeanor.

"I’m going to rest now. You figure it out," Owen left them with those words and departed.

...

As dawn broke, Melita and the others awoke, feeling rejuvenated after a night’s rest.

With Owen and Melita, two formidable presences, guarding them, the night passed without incident.

"Get ready, and I’ll prepare breakfast," Owen, who had woken up early, finished his morning routine and was delving into array formations.

He had found several books on formations in the ice mountain the day before and was eager to learn.

Such knowledge would undoubtedly aid his future endeavors.

The little Ice Soul Beast eagerly followed Owen.

After breakfast, Owen led the group towards the "Arcane Wheel Realm," having learned from the books acquired the previous day that the ice mountain was located within this realm.

Unexpectedly, Owen discovered that the place was actually a secret realm.

Within the realm, there was something known as the "soul tempering stone," which could aid everyone.

Today, Owen planned to gather soul tempering stones and, along the way, search for herbs that could enhance physical constitution.

In half a day, Owen and his companions found the location of the soul tempering stones, unearthing dozens of level 4 soul tempering stones and a few level 5 stones before proceeding to explore nearby caves.

Among yesterday’s finds was a treasure map, which made their search for treasures as easy as drinking water.

The others were thrilled by this adventure, feeling immensely rewarded.

Owen allowed them to divide the treasures, excluding some herbs and fruits meant for enhancing constitution.

Melita was content, but Bella and Olivia’s eyes sparkled with excitement, their spirits soaring with each discovery.

Two months passed quietly as they continued their treasure hunt.

During this time, the man in blue robes did not reappear, although several people took an interest in Bella and Olivia’s beauty.

However, with Owen and Melita’s joint efforts, all were repelled.

If anyone had made the most progress in these two months, it was Olivia.

Meanwhile, Owen’s strength solidified, bringing his avatar’s power to its peak.

His proficiency in arraymancy reached the level of a level 4 arraymancer on the continent.

He could instantly complete various level 4 magic arrays.

Had he not been wanted, Owen could have made a name for himself as an arraymancer, possibly matching the National Preceptor Blois in arraymancy skills.

Under Owen’s diligent care, the little Ice Soul Beast has grown into a level 3 mythical beast.

Mythical beasts are extremely rare and their advancement is tremendously difficult, mostly relying on the accumulation of time.

For instance, the guardian beast of the Northern Mountain Empire has been accumulating power for thousands of years, its true strength known only to the successive kings.

Only Owen, at this time, could nurture the little Ice Soul Beast so effectively, having reaped substantial benefits from this realm.

...

Everyone woke up early today, as it was the day Owen had agreed to return, and it was also the time for Melita to leave.

Her family had summoned her back, indicating that her family did not fully support Owen.

"Sister Melita, I’ll miss you!" Olivia expressed her reluctance, embracing Melita.

Despite the occasional quarrels between Melita and Bella, they had grown closer over time, building a bond of affection.

"You leaving will at least give my ears a rest," Bella couldn’t resist a parting jab, her relationship with Melita having grown despite frequent clashes over the past two months.

Melita smiled and took the initiative to hug Bella, causing her to stiffen.

After releasing Bella, Melita turned to pat the little Ice Soul Beast.

"Icy, remember to eat less. Look how fat you’ve become."

The little Ice Soul Beast showed displeasure, its size being a testament to its power.

Melita looked at Owen with a hint of dissatisfaction, "It’s all your fault. It’s not cute anymore, now resembling a fully grown wolf!"

Owen rolled his eyes in response, "Did you think I was raising it to be a mascot?"

Owen was counting on it to play a critical role in future conflicts.

"Indeed."

Surprisingly, Melita didn’t counter Owen this time, her gaze gradually shifting towards him.

"Just say what you want to say. I’m getting anxious for you." Owen chuckled, gently ruffling Melita’s hair.

Their interactions over the past two months had brought them unexpectedly closer.

In the past, even a casual touch might have been met with a wary glance from Melita.

Now, not only was she not guarded, but she also seemed quite comfortable with his gestures.

Melita pursed her lips, her eyes earnestly fixed on Owen.

"It’s nothing much, just remember to keep your promise." Owen smiled softly, his voice taking on a tender tone.

"Didn’t we pinky swear on it?"

At the mention of their pinky swear, Melita’s eyes lit up, her unease settling.

"Good, I’m off then!"

With a radiant smile, Melita waved goodbye to everyone.

Watching her departure, Owen had a rough idea of where her family might be located.

Since the calamity struck, many old nobility families who had suffered massacres went into hiding.

Owen guessed Melita was headed for the Divine Dragon Kingdom, a nation that had split off from the empire, claiming half of its territory.

Several cities bordering the Divine Dragon Kingdom had, for self-preservation, sworn fealty to it along with their lands.

Although this country had absorbed a lot of the empire’s territory, it was relatively safer compared to other places.

Particularly from the National Preceptor Blois, who couldn’t extend his reach into the Divine Dragon Kingdom.

Despite its modest size, the Divine Dragon Kingdom was formidable in strength.

Now, it had become a refuge for many of the old nobility families.

Owen harbored a concern; he worried that the nobles, once settled in the Divine Dragon Kingdom, might grow complacent and abandon thoughts of vengeance.

This could result in the loss of a potentially useful force.

Owen and the others bid farewell to Melita with smiles, not turning back until her figure had vanished from their sight.

...

Upon returning, Owen contemplated his next moves.

Although his avatar could wield considerable power, it still wasn’t enough to achieve his goals.

He knew he needed to make his avatar even stronger.

Thus, he decided to temporarily leave the Northern Mountain Empire.

...

In this world, there exists a power that stands above the great empires: the Sanctuary.

Located to the south of the Northern Mountain Empire, Owen and a few of his followers joined the Sanctuary, where they could grow stronger.

After enhancing their strengths, Owen planned to recruit and arm a force.

For now, he must be patient; haste would not lead to success.

...

Owen’s teacher in the Sanctuary was an old man named Renat.

Renat, an elder of the Sanctuary, recognized Owen’s talent and took him as his student.

Renat accepted only him, though the others also joined the Sanctuary but weren’t grouped with Owen.

However, this didn’t mean Owen couldn’t see them.

They would still gather during their free time.

...

One day, Renat, for some reason, sent word that Owen was to meet him immediately.

Arriving at the elder’s residence atop a mountain peak, Owen found Renat’s dwelling, an intricately decorated cave.

Noticing the ward at the cave’s entrance was deactivated, Owen surmised Renat must have sensed his arrival.

Owen increasingly felt his teacher, Renat, was an enigmatic figure, likely one of the rare powerful beings even within the Sanctuary.

Upon entering the cave, Owen saw Renat greeting him with a faint smile.

"Mr. Renat," Owen greeted, bowing.

Renat nodded with a smile.

"Come, take a seat."

"Yes," Owen responded, taking a seat directly across from Renat without any fuss.

Renat stroked his beard, his eyes twinkling as he glanced at the little Ice Soul Beast in Owen’s arms.

With a slight smile, Renat then spoke, "You have some friends coming from the Northern Mountain Empire, including someone named Alison. Here is the information regarding them."

Owen was taken aback.

Alison had managed to escape! He eagerly took the letter from Renat.

"Your friends, if nothing goes wrong, will arrive at the Sanctuary by tomorrow. If you can’t wait, you may go to the foot of Sacred Mountain in the morning to meet them," Renat advised.

Owen’s spirits lifted, his eyes shining brighter.

"Thank you, Mr. Renat. I’ll go and prepare now!" Renat waved him off with a smile.

"Go ahead."