Chapter 1713 A New Plan

Chapter 1713 A New Plan

"You have to meet with the Emperor again?" the old man asked.

Alex nodded. "Within 2 and a half years," he said. "Actually, it might be closer to 2 years now since so much time has already passed."

"Why?" the old man asked.

Alex sighed. "When I was called for a 20-year-long Alchemy exchange to the Eastern Continent, I hadn't realized that I was being called so that the Dragon Emperor could ask for my techniques and skills."

"I didn't want to give him any, but I was practically forced into setting up a trade with him for it. For the next 20 years, I would give him everything he needs to make Pill Clouds consistently like I do. In return, he would give me something of equal value."

"I was supposed to make a total of 4 trades with him throughout the years. I've made 3 trades by now and need to make my final trade. Since I only have about 2 years of time left, I need to become strong enough to survive when I meet him next."

The old man frowned. "This is certainly bad," he thought. "Can't you take your Phoenix with you to the trade? She can protect you?"

"I can't," Alex said. "The Phoenix can't go to a place without a proper king. With the Azure Dragon dead, the Phoenix can't go with me to the Eastern Continent."

The old man nodded slowly and gave a sad look.

Alex had long since told the old man about the Azure Dragon's death, but the old man was still saddened every time he was reminded of it.

"Then you have to go to him alone?" he asked. "I doubt the Emperor ever plans on leaving his own continent."

"That is why I must become strong," Alex said.

The old man gave the words a long consideration before nodding. "Alright, if it will help you, I will give you the cores," he said. He reached into his storage bag and brought out exactly 9 beast cores.

Alex took the beast cores and looked at them. 3 of them were in the Saint Condensation realm, 5 in the Saint Foundation realm, and the last one in the Saint Core realm.Ñøv€l--ß1n hosted the premiere release of this chapter.

"Should I come?" Pearl asked curiously.

"No," Alex said. "You aren't strong enough to fight down there, and I don't know if I'm strong enough to protect you. So I will do it on my own."

After making that plan, Alex left Pearl alone and went to tell the old man what he wanted to do. The old man was still not entirely sold on the idea of eating beast cores to improve one's cultivation base, but he didn't completely reject the idea either.

Desperate times called for desperate measures. It was true, and the old man understood it.

"Here, take this talisman." He handed a long-range communication talisman to Alex. "Tell me when you need to come back. The island will be hidden from your senses, so you will need my help to get inside."

Alex slowly nodded. "Thank you," he said.

"You can leave now. Go dive deep underwater and get strong," he said. "But be careful, the sea floor is dangerous. Perhaps much more dangerous than land. The ocean is a world of its own, one the humans have not been able to conquer. The beasts reign supreme there and for a good reason. Always be ready to run if you see the tiniest bit of danger."

Alex nodded. "I will do that," he said. "Thank you for the talisman."

"Now go," he said. "I will continue keeping my eyes on the area around us. If it ever becomes clear to leave for the Southern Continent, I'll let you know and we can leave."

Alex smiled. "Thank you, senior. For all you've done for me," he said. "Please look after Pearl while I'm gone. I'll be back soon."

Saying so, Alex walked out of the island with all of his aura hidden and slowly got into the water.

Despite the hot day with the sun blazing in the sky, the water was icy cold. Alex went underwater and quickly resorted to using his Qi instead of air to sustain himself.

He took a few seconds to have himself get used to this. As he had done the same back in the Celestial Peak, it came naturally to Alex.

Once he was all ready, he dove deeper into the ocean, entering the dark world of aquatic beasts that hadn't been touched by humans in a long, long time.