Chapter 699 - Back to the Surface

Six months later,

After a nice session of training, Alex had reached 8-Star Martial Monarch. He didn't forget to learn two pills: Sun Strength Pill and Abyss Soul Pill according to Firia. As the name implied, it was the next version of his strength and soul pill, which he abruptly took in the process. He felt that his strength wouldn't lose against a 2-Star Martial Saint at this point.

Meanwhile, the other pills would be managed by Firia because she had learned many pills, including the pill that could raise one's talent. Alex wanted to make that pill and gave Rose one while selling the others.

He didn't forget about the four arrays too. Everything was going according to the schedule, and no one was left.

In the meantime, Aileen also visited him from time to time as they discussed Space Mark. Due to how advanced Aileen's experience and knowledge about Space Element was, Alex somehow managed to create at least ten marks at the same time. This would be very useful in the upcoming battle.

Alex took out Anya's card. "Anya, I am going out today."

"Noted. I will meet you right in front of the cave as our plan."

"Well, there is a problem. It seems that they are going to escort me until I am out." Alex talked with an unsure tone.

"It doesn't matter. They are striking deals with you not long ago, so we should show our face as well. Though, it will only be me, Firia, and Leoz that will welcome you. We can't show all of our strength, can't we?" Anya smirked as she thought about showing their dominance.

"Don't you think it is unnecessary?" Alex asked and furrowed his eyebrows.

"It's necessary for us. After all, you have been under their care these past eighteen months. Although it's not really important, just say that this is a courtesy." Anya persuaded him.

Alex thought for a moment and nodded. "Alright. Do as you like."

"Thank you."

He then put her card inside the Inventory again and made sure he didn't leave anything inside. At first, he wanted to leave a wisp of his soul, but he refrained himself. He thought that Evelyn might come to this place and trained here, but he didn't know when she would come. If the Freedom Sect had resurfaced, she wouldn't get this message. Hence, it would be better to say it to her through the system.

After finishing all the matters inside the house, Alex then walked outside the house and found the three people that had accompanied him for the past one and a half years had been waiting outside.

"I'm sorry for making you wait." Alex smiled and nodded.

Aileen waved her hand, telling Alex it was fine. "Anyway, are you really going to leave?"

"Yes. I need many important things to do on the surface."

"Alright… Still, your cultivation speed is insane. I remember that the first time you came here, you were only a 6-Star Martial Monarch, and you had reached 8-Star Martial Monarch without a problem." Aileen narrowed her eyes and sighed.

Alex laughed inwardly. If he didn't have anything and only cultivated, he might be able to advance 3 stars within a year. It was already too low for the current him, considering he could advance one star in a month previously.

"Are you going to participate in the Seven Influences Banquet?" Aileen asked.

Alex thought for a moment and nodded. "Yes. I need to go to that banquet no matter what, especially if I want to keep my end of the bargain."

'This guy.' Aileen squinted her eyes and took a deep breath. She still kept smiling as to prevent Alex from noticing anything. "I see. We can't really help you with this matter. However, we have many spies inside all those influences. If you have the insignia that I gave you months ago, you will know our spies and can order them as you like, including passing the message to us. If they don't believe you, you can simply give them the token, and they will obey right away."

Alex nodded. "I will remember it."

"Anyway, I just want to say that if you have any problems, you can come to us. After all, we are relying on you right now."

"I understand." Alex didn't reply that he would rely on them. Licht must ask her to say it because he could say that it was a part of the promised five wishes or something along the lines. They might not be able to trick him, but Rose was different. That was why he wasn't planning to ask their help unless it was the time to uphold their agreement. He wanted to have his record as clean as possible.

Aileen sighed inwardly and realized what Alex was thinking. She thought, 'I have said it to him, Old Licht. It seems you won't win against this guy, especially if you are at a disadvantage.'

"I am going back then." Alex nodded.

"Ryuu and Maya will escort you to the surface." Aileen smiled and pointed her hand toward Ryuu and Maya.

"Haha… Let me see you off, Alex." Ryuu smiled. He couldn't be more impressed with a guy and somehow had Alex to be his role model.

"Hmph. It's not like I want to accompany you, alright? It's simply because of the benefit that you brought to this place. If not, I won't even accompany you." Maya crossed her arms and looked away. Although Ryuu and Aileen were the number one and number two in her heart, Alex undeniably became the number three.

Not only had he helped her for her cultivation and weapon, but he had also helped Aileen and Ryuu. Hence, she had a certain affection with this person called Alex, of course, not a romantic one.

When Alex saw her acting like a tsundere, he couldn't help but recall the ultimate tsun-tsun couple, Fabio and Vera. These two would surely have a symphony with her… Not that he could say it though.

Alex smiled and nodded. "Then, I am in your care."

Aileen then waved her hand and created a Spatial Gate toward their Teleportation Array.

Ryuu stretched his hand and asked Alex to go inside the portal before activating it.

Aileen waved her hand with a smile, seeing them off.

As soon as they arrived in the previous water cave, the two disciples that were guarding the gate bowed to them, especially to Ryuu and Maya, as they realized these two.

Ryuu smiled and said, "Good work you two. I am bringing our guests out, so please watch the gate for us as we will come back soon."

"Yes." They cupped their hands and bowed simultaneously.

Ryuu then led Alex through the cave until he arrived at the previous hole where Alex came one and a half years ago.

As Anya said earlier, Anya, followed by Firia and Leoz, were standing right above the ground. Ryuu and Maya noticed their presence and were shocked. They were astonished when they saw two 1-Star Martial Saints and one 4-Star Martial Saint.

"I am back." Alex appeared before them without waiting for Ryuu and Maya to react.

"Welcome back, Alex." Anya and Firia said at the same time, signifying their status.

Ryuu and Maya were shocked once more. They looked at each other and sent a thought transmission.

'They are… Alex's wives, right?'

'It seems to be that way.' Maya nodded furiously.

'Now that I can see why he never had any interest from those women in the sect. His wives are so amazing.'

'Yeah.'

When they were thinking about it, Alex already finished talking with Anya and Firia and turned around. "These two are Ryuu and Maya. They have been helping me inside the sect."

"Thank you for helping our Alex." Firia smiled gracefully.

"No. It's us who should thank you." Ryuu hurriedly regained his bearing and thanked them.

"I think it's time." Alex smiled at Ryuu and Maya. "We shall meet again if the opportunity comes."

Ryuu nodded his head while Maya waved her hand awkwardly.

Alex then flew away with the others.

"By the way, how is the situation on the continent? When are we making a move?" Alex asked while flying.

"No need to hurry. The Seven Influences Banquet will only start in two weeks. We can go there in a few minutes with your teleportation anyway." Firia assured him with a smile.

Alex thought for a moment and nodded. "Then, how about the ticket situation?"

"You mean the invitation? We acquired them from the Blackwade Clan not long ago. I am planning to inform you after this…" Anya sighed.

"Well, the problem will be who will accompany you for this banquet… Or are you planning to go alone?" Firia asked.

"Hmm, I don't know what this banquet is all about to be honest."

"This banquet is simply for the talented younger generations to show off their power," Anya answered him bluntly.

"Well, show off is the right word, I guess." Firia scratched her cheek and made a weird smile. "They will have a set of events for you to show off your power… Albeit, this is only about your other power like Poem, Alchemy, and so on. After that, they will move toward the battle event where they could challenge one another."

Alex furrowed his eyebrows. "I heard that the current successor of the Fire God Clan has a brain. It will be hard to anger him."

"If you want to kill him, that is… But our priority is to have a nice chat with the Fire God Clan and for you to see the other geniuses from other influences. You might be able to see whether they are a threat or not." Anya added.

"True enough." Alex nodded in agreement. "Killing that guy will only be a bonus."

"Yeah. Seeing how you act with Song Jiaoren will also make the Ancient Blue Family think twice whether to cooperate with the Fire God Clan. After that, we can start pressuring them and have them not participate in the battle against the Fire God Clan." Anya smirked evilly.

"True enough. Evelyn is going to be there, right?" Alex asked.

"Yeah. Though she will be accompanied by hand-picked disciples, and it seems she has so many suitors in the Drunken Pavilion." Anya laughed.

Alex shrugged. "If she has taken a liking for a guy, I will surely give her my blessing."

"You will meet one of them in the Seven Influences Banquet, and it will be from one of their disciples." Anya sighed.

"Is this going to be the 'You are not qualified to be with her' again?" Alex twitched his eyebrows in annoyance.

"I suppose." Firia rolled her eyes as she said, "If you can have Song Jiaoren to stop him, he will naturally stop. Unless he is a fool or something along the line, you can simply shame him with Evelyn and kill him afterward. Don't worry. It will be so clean that no one would know."

"Isn't it easy to know since he offended me or something?"

"And do you think that Manness will care about it?" Firia stuck out her tongue. "Drunken Pavilion is not like other influences. The elders are only responsible for their branches all over Heavenly Continent, so you won't need to worry about it. With your status, that Manness won't make trouble."

"That's right. Although he is a son of an elder, we can simply eliminate that elder, considering that elder is only a 6-Star Martial Saint Elder. Leoz will be powerful enough for him… Or maybe level up Nelson and have him assassinate him. Although we are not fighting the Drunken Pavilion, it doesn't mean we are easy to bully. We need to make a clear conscience with that Manness too." Anya grinned evilly.

"Anyway, we can talk about the rest when we arrive." Firia clapped her hand and stopped the conversation.

"I know that, but I am curious about one thing. How do you acquire the Invitation from Song Jiaoren?" Alex asked.

"Oh that." Anya recalled the report and started telling him. "Nicole was in charge of it, and the process was like this…"