The Medallion

Rocky and the others headed to the Cao Clan since it wouldn't be possible for them to casually meet Woods, who was now the emperor of the Timber Deity Empire. He intended to ask Queenie to take them to the royal palace to meet him instead.

Due to the constraints of time, accompanied by Queenie and Lucas, Rocky left the Cao Clan and headed to the royal palace soon after.

After passing through the strict security at the royal palace gates, Rocky and the others were finally ushered to the side hall.

They didn't have to wait long. Woods walked in, looking imposing in his imperial robe. He was no longer the humble prince they once knew. The officer had reported to him that the chief of the Cao Clan had arrived to see him, and Woods thought that it was only Queenie who was waiting for him. He stopped abruptly in his tracks when he saw Rocky standing in the hall, smiling broadly at him. His eyes widened in surprise and Woods quickened his pace towards Rocky.

"Oh, come on now! It has hardly been a year. Why are you so excited?" Rocky teased as the smile at the corners of his lips grew wider.

"Finally! I have been waiting for you! I thought you wouldn't come!" Woods exclaimed, grabbing Rocky's shoulder. He heaved a deep sigh, as if the man's mere presence gave him hope.

"Where is Alyssa? I want to see her," Rocky said with urgency in his voice.

The smile faded from Woods' face. "She's not here as she has been taken back to the Wood Clan," Woods said seriously.

"The Wood Clan? Is she really..." Rocky shook his head and pinched his brows in frustration.

"The Wood Clan has already decided to exchange her for a spiritual treasure, and she is not in a position to disobey their order," Woods sighed.

"Why? She has a legendary guardian beast! Why do they have to use her for the exchange?" Rocky asked with a deep frown.

The very idea that they treated his elder sister like a commodity annoyed him from the beginning. But he could do nothing about it, even though he was now the emperor of an empire. The Wood Clan was the spiritual race backing their empire, and they were free to decide whatever they pleased. He had no control over the Wood Clan, whatsoever. It was the same in Alyssa's case as well. She was too connected to the Wood Clan, and couldn't say no to

moment. As far as he could see, this was an absolutely useless bargain for the Wood Clan. Alyssa had a legendary guardian beast, something the clan badly wanted to get their hands on. The only reason they were making this deal was because they thought that

after

Tell me more!" Woods shook Rocky's shoulder, unable

half of the spiritual treasure we had found in the Hell of Dragon Fang,"

race took that half from you!" Woods said, shocked

Queenie to hear about this too. No one who had taken part in the treasure hunting knew

stop them from sending Alyssa to the Heavenly Demon Clan. But we need to hear her opinion first. If she has already made up her mind to marry into the Heavenly Demon Clan, we can't force her to

asked me to give it to you whenever I met you." Woods grabbed a letter

and quickly opened it. There was only one sentence in the

from his palm and the letter was burned to

need to find her right away,"

alone?" Woods asked with concern when he

you have made some arrangements." Rocky knew that Woods might already have made some plans to

some dowries for Alyssa and planned to send them to the Wood Clan," he said, his smile widening. The two of them came to

Rocky replied, nodding his approval. Using the dowries as cover, they could approach

if too many of us show up. We should pick our best hands for the job," Woods stated, looking around

and an elite group of escorts was finalized. Twenty people including Woods' best hands and the Cao

men's clothes, although it was still difficult to hide their charm. Rocky got dressed up as

morning, they set out for the