章節 18: 18 : Crown Prince

As the evening descended upon the spirit forest, a hush fell over the gathered disciples. The Mad Witch plant, at the center of everyone's attention, was nearing the culmination of its once-in-a-decade bloom. The spectacle of the flowering was mesmerizing, a dance of nature that unfolded under the watchful gaze of the guardian sun.

Madam Frost, her expression a blend of determination and caution, prepared to undertake the crucial task of harvesting the flower. She wielded one of the sect's most powerful talismans, a necessary precaution against the potent poison that the Mad Witch plant was known to secrete. Before approaching the plant, she consumed an antidote, a safeguard against the venomous defenses of the rare bloom.

The disciples watched in silent awe as Madam Frost skillfully navigated the danger, her movements precise and confident. With a swift and practiced motion, she plucked the flower, securing it safely within a protective container. A collective sigh of relief rippled through the crowd; the mission had been a success.

The air was filled with a sense of accomplishment and excitement. The disciples began their journey back to the sect, each carrying their own set of memories and stories from their time in the spirit forest. The experience had been a test of skill, courage, and camaraderie, a chapter in their cultivation journey that would be recounted for years to come in their lives.

Surprisingly, the Vinci Sect disciples, who had departed earlier from the Mad Witch plant, had caused no further trouble. Their absence was a silent concession of defeat, a tacit acknowledgment of the Clark Sect's triumph in the forest.

As night enveloped the forest, the disciples followed the designated path back to their sect, moving at a brisk pace. Their retreat was swift, aided by the wind, their spirits lifted by the successful conclusion of their expedition.

The journey back was a blur of shadows and moonlight, the forest a silent witness to their passage. As they moved, the stories of their adventure intermingled with laughter and reflections on the lessons learned.

By the time the first rays of the early morning guardian sun began to crest the horizon, the disciples had reached the outskirts of their sect. The gates of the sect welcomed them back, a familiar sight that marked the end of their journey.

The disciples, tired yet fulfilled, dispersed to their respective quarters, their hearts and minds enriched by the experience.

As the chariot made its way through the royal garden, the boundary between the sect and the royal kingdom, Ria stood at a distance, her gaze lingering on Eric. She watched until the chariot disappeared from view, a mix of emotions playing across her face. With a final, wistful glance, she turned and made her way back to the sect grounds.

"Take the chariot to the Royal Training Grounds" Princess Lanner instructed while checking outside environment.

Eric nodded silently, guiding the chariot along the main path that wound around the majestic palace. The sounds of the city faded away, replaced by the distant echoes of metal.

As they drew nearer to the training grounds, the air was filled with the sounds of intense combat – the clashing of weapons, grunts of exertion, and the heavy thuds of impact. The atmosphere was charged with a raw energy, a testament to the rigorous training that took place there.

Upon entering the training grounds, a striking scene greeted them. In the center of the expansive area, a muscular young man wielding a massive golden mace was engaged in a vigorous training session.

His movements were powerful and deliberate, each swing of the 200-pound mace executed with impressive strength and precision. The mace cut through the air, landing on the training dummies with devastating force.

Beside him stood an old man, his presence exuding the calm and authority of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator. He watched the young man closely, offering guidance and corrections on his technique. The dynamic between the two was one of respect and diligence, the mentor keenly invested in the development of his student.

Eric, walking behind Princess Lanner, observed the young man with interest. His cultivation was evident – Core Formation 9th stage – a significant achievement for his age. This young man was none other than the Crown Prince of the Clark clan, a figure of immense potential and expectation.

Princess Lanner paused to watch the training, her eyes reflecting a mixture of pride and contemplation. Deep down she admires her brother's effort in training as he always strive to improve every bit of his technique and strength.

Eric, while attentive to the princess's needs, found himself drawn to the prince's training. He recognized the dedication and discipline required to wield such a weapon, to turn raw power into a refined art.

As the prince landed another powerful blow on the dummy, the training session drew to a close. The old man nodded in approval, a small smile of satisfaction on his face. The prince, breathing heavily from the exertion, bowed respectfully to his mentor, acknowledging the guidance he had received.

Princess Lanner watched the prince with a mixture of admiration and expectation. "He is the future of our clan," she remarked to Eric, her voice carrying a hint of pride. "His dedication to the martial path is unmatched."

Eric nodded, his eyes still fixed on the prince. In the young man's relentless training, Eric saw a reflection of his own journey, a path marked by perseverance and the constant pursuit of improvement.

As her brother put down the mace, Princess Lanner began approaching her brother with wide smile. Eric followed her in a casual pace.

"Ethan, the competition is in two month... work hard. You are the only hope of Clark clan." The bald head master who is training the crown prince said in a serious tone.

"Hahaha... old master, you don't need worry about that. This time the number one position belong to my brother. The Clark clan name will top the charts in this year's competition." Princess Lanner said enthusiastically as she approached the crown prince, Ethan.

"What a sudden surprise!. You should have come little earlier princess. Your brother just smashed twenty star iron dummies in a continuous streak." The bald man said in a prideful tone with cheerful laughter.

Tq for reading... Don't forget to vote the Power Stones.

Your's lovingly,

PETERPAN