Hao Xuan laid on something that looked like a surgery table. There were bright lights all around him, all aimed towards him. He could see vague silhouettes flying left and right. The light buzzing of their wings was enough to let him know where they were.

Occasionally he would hear clanking noises coming from around him and a couple of minutes later, a light blue barrier came out from the sides and encompassed Hao Xuan from head to toe. But it didn't block out sound or vision and he could still hear everything.

He closed his eyes and focus his hearing to find the people he was looking for. Ryfon and Cornelia were talking to one another in the distance, more than a hundred meters away.

'They sound different,' he thought upon hearing their conversation until he realized they were speaking in a different language.

Poriverse had literally implanted thousands of different languages inside his brain so 9 times out of 10, he wasn't even aware when someone was speaking a different language. To him, it all sounded like English from earth, the easiest and the simplest language he knew.

He listened carefully and realized they were speaking an extremely old Fae language. It was only used by the royal clans and some learned scholars so not many people understood it. The fact that Cornelia could speak it as well was proof enough of her status.

"What do you want? Don't think I will fall for your bull** again. You still owe me from last time!

" Cornelia said, incensed at the very prospect of talking to Ryfon.

Ryfon sighed and started speaking somberly.

"Cornelia, how long have we known each other? You know I wouldn't bother you if wasn't serious.....I...found her...

"

Now it was Cornelia's turn to be surprised.

"...Are you sure it's her? It's been so many years...

"

"It's definitely her, but I can't get to her right now. My uncle has her somewhere, but that's not all. From what I can tell, she had a daughter.

"

"A daughter?! With that man?

"

"Yeah. And she is here too, in the academy. I can pretty much tell what uncle wants so I have to get to her first.

"

"Why....don't you tell the king? Maybe he will have calmed down by now?

"

Ryfon scoffed at the very idea.

"Tell him what? That I heard rumors about my exiled sister staying in the Royal City? He will kill her himself if he found out. Or should I tell him that her daughter, my niece, and his own granddaughter has been taken captive by his most trusted and most powerful general? I have no proof and making accusations like that will only get me whipped in public and exiled as well.

"

From his tone alone Hao Xuan could feel the absolute hate and the disgust Ryfon had for his father.

'So the prince is looking for his niece? Does he need me to find her?'

*Sigh*

'Why are all these royal families so messed up? Even with all his power and money, he still has his own problems to deal with huh...'

Hao Xuan understood a lot more about him now. He didn't blame him for keeping this secret.

"And what of the human boy? What's his role here?

"

Hao Xuan could feel them looking over at him so he stayed still and pretended to be asleep.

"Wu Jin recommended him. He said I could trust him with my life.

"

"Wu Jin? That skeptical brat trusts a human that much?! Why??

" shock and awe apparent from Cornelia's tone.

"I don't know, but if Wu Jin says I can trust him, I believe him. You know he would never lie even if his life depended on it.

"

"Yeah.....so what's the plan?

"

"I found out my niece is participating in the tournament. I just need Hao Xuan's help to find her and tell her about me, that she isn't alone here and has other people to depend on. If I'm right, then it has to be done before the tournament ends. My uncle probably has other plans for her after this so this is the only opportunity I have.

"

"That's why I need Hao Xuan to be ready. You have probably heard the rumors as well right? Many families have reached out to the other continents and brought in geniuses from there to fight for them. This one will be bloody so I need him to be in his best condition possible. Do whatever you have to, however much it costs, I'll cover it.

"

*Stomp*

Hao Xuan heard a loud crunch and opened his eyes just a little bit to see a VERY displeased Cornelia squishing Ryfon's foot with hers.

"Do I really seem that selfish to you?! I knew sister Zenthia before you were even born, kid. What happened to her was a tragedy, but she followed her heart. She ran away with the man she loved and had a child, something that none of us

"royal children

" could ever think of doing. If she is really here, then I will do everything I can to help find her and protect her daughter. We might not be blood-related but I have always thought of her as kin.

"

She lifted her foot and allowed Ryfon to have a breath of relief.

"I will help him as much as I can. 'He' is back as well so I will ask him to help Hao Xuan train a bit.

"

A sly smile crept upon Ryfon's face.

"Oh, your 'man' is already out of closed-door cultivation? You must be so proud!

"

Cornelia's pale face turned beet red in an instant, the color reflecting even in her semi-transparent fluttering wings.

"S-Shut up! H-He's not my man....

" she said looking down at the floor.