The Herb King



Aethelwolf noticed that his revelation made them feel worried. He didn't want them to lose composure since they still had to fight against the Underworlders soon. "We have more urgent matters to deal with so let's not talk about this for the time being. You guys should keep this a secret as well and don't tell the others about it." He turned his gaze to Estes and asked. "Have you told Ancestor Xymera about the presence of a Transcendent being in the army of Underworlders?"

Estes shook his head when he heard this. Their ancestor had just woken up and he didn't want to disturb her mind while she was still recuperating so he didn't mention the events happening in the Northern Region to her. 

"A Transcendent being has emerged?" Xymera's eyes shot upwards when she heard this. This wasn't a good news. She had just escaped from the seal that trapped her for many years so she was still not in her best condition to fight. 

"I didn't plan to hide it from you, Ancestor! I just don't want to disturb you while you are still recovering." Estes explained himself. His expression then turned somber as he said. "One of the Level 5 Espers in our Regalis Continent told us about this. He is a close friend of mine and he is a trustworthy person. A Transcendent level Underworlder has indeed emerged in the Northern Region. The Underworlder army is also gathering more of its soldiers in one location. Based on their previous actions, we concluded that they are preparing for a big attack." 

Xymera's eyebrows scrunched upwards when she heard this. During her time, there were Transcendent beings in the Regalis Continent. There were also numerous experts like the clouds in the sky. However, the emergence of the Underworlders back then caused the death of these experts. Many famous figures fell during that time and the entire continent suffered a heavy blow. It took the combined efforts of all the continent's experts to repel the Underworlders, but other than her, the remaining Transcendent beings of the continent died. It was a pyrrhic victory.

Xymera turned her head to Aethelwolf and asked in a solemn voice. "How many Level 5 Espers do we have? How about Transcendent beings?" 

Hearing this, Aethelwolf shook his head bitterly. The current Regalist Continent was too weak. "If we include the Barbarians of the Northern Region, there are more than a hundred Level 5 Espers. As for Transcendent beings..." He sighed heavily at the end of his words.

The others also shook their heads. 

Xymera's face turned grave when she saw their expression. The current strength of the Regalis Continent was a lot weaker than she had thought. "You guys can't be blamed for this. The war back then caused serious damage to the continent's inheritance. Many powerful techniques were destroyed and top powerhouses also died..." She muttered in a regretful tone. 

"Ancestor, we will do our best to defend the continent! Our strength might be inferior compared to the experts of the past, but our hearts are as strong as theirs! Please recuperate well and lead us in battle!" Estes muttered seriously. His gaze was filled with determination as he stared at Xymera.

"Good! Your determination is praiseworthy. You didn't disappoint the bloodline of the Ancient Fairies." Xymera smiled faintly. She then waved her hand and muttered. "You guys should leave. I want some peace to increase the speed of my recovery." Now that she knew the predicament they were facing, she wanted nothing more than to recover her peak state. 

Estes and the others bowed when they heard her words. "In that case, we shall take our leave first." 

Soon, six months passed inside the Frigid Snow Dimension. The Level 5 Espers discovered many high level herbs and some of them even uncovered powerful ancient artifacts that were buried in the snow. 

In the past few months, they also encountered many Ice Demons. Two of which were Level 5 and it took the combined efforts of five Level Espers to take down the two Ice Demons! 

Aethelwolf was in seclusion in the last few months so he wasn't aware of what happened. He was preparing for their battle with the Underworlders. He used up all the materials he have in his storage space to create a large batch of runes, artifacts, and pills. He also familiarized himself with his skills to better improve his combat proficiency. 

At this moment, Aethelwolf was practicing a sword technique he recently created. He raised his hand and an oppressive aura suddenly enveloped the surroundings. Suddenly, thousands of swords blotted the sky which casted a dark shadow underneath.

"Ten Thousand Swords Return." Aethelwolf muttered in a calm voice. It was the name of the sword technique. 

The ten thousand swords hovering above the clouds trembled. Their sharp auras injured the nearby magical beasts! 

Powerful sword intent covered Aethelwolf's body as he abruptly lowered his outstretched arm. "Descent of Ten Thousand Swords!" He shouted.

As if expecting his command, the ten thousand swords emitted wailing sounds as they dropped to the ground like rain. 

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Multiple explosions rang out after the swords struck the surface of the earth! Large stone debris exploded all over the place and the mountain nearby was even blasted into smithereens! Meanwhile, Aethelwolf remained standing in his spot with an unruffled look on his face. His clothes fluttered vigorously under the intense winds caused by the explosions. 

Looking at this dreadful scene from afar, Argus and a few other experts had serious expressions on their faces. They sensed the powerful sword intent from that attack and it made them feel apprehensive. Even Argus who was confident in his skills felt that he couldn't block the sword technique he witnessed earlier. It was too powerful that it almost made them believe that Aethelwolf was close to becoming a Transcendent being! 

"How powerful! So this is Sir Aethelwolf's true power! It seems like he was hiding his strength when fought me back then..." Eliazar's voice broke the silence. 

"That is no longer just a Sword Intent. If I'm not wrong, Sir Aethelwolf is close to comprehending Sword Momentum." Estes sighed as he muttered those words. 

Sword Momentum was a stronger form of Sword Intent. It was no longer just a manifestation of his sword comprehension. Aethelwolf could already create real swords with his world essence! Although he was still far from perfecting this move, it was already very lethal beneath the Transcendent level! 

"Island Master, the Ancestor has come out of her chamber! She has now fully recovered!" Victor's voice interrupted everyone's thoughts. 

"What?! The Ancestor has recovered?! Quick! Take me to her!" Estes grabbed Victor's hand and dragged him away. Some people also followed them to see the situation.

Everyone was happy to hear this news. With the Ancestor of the Ancient Fairies' recovery, they no longer had to worry about the Transcendent being of the Underworlders.

"Miss Shiphra, we should inform Sir Aethelwolf about this," Eliazar muttered to the beautiful woman next to him.

Empress Shiphra was still in a daze. She was stunned by Aethelwolf's sword technique. She thought that her power wasn't that far from him, but after witnessing his overwhelming sword technique, she realized how weak she was compared to him. 

"Miss Shiphra. Miss Shiphra!" Eliazar called her a few more times.

"Uh, yes! Let's go and inform him." Empress Shiphra forced out a weak smile as she nodded her head. 

Eliazar stared at her and sighed in his heart. How could he not understand what she was thinking? After being together for over six months, he noticed that Shiphra had complex feelings toward Aethelwolf. "Sir Aethelwolf isn't a high and mighty man. I heard that his wife is not even a Level 5 Esper. You still have some chance." He muttered while chuckling.

Hearing this, Empress Shiphra's ears turned red. She glared at Eliazar and snorted. "What are you talking about?!" She then flew towards Aethelwolf. 

Eliazar shook his head and smiled. He tapped his foot and followed Empress Shiphra. 

Swoosh! Swoosh! 

They both landed behind Aethelwolf. They looked at the mess around them. It was a disaster! 

Aethelwolf already noticed them since his spiritual perception covered a wide range. It has even exceeded the range of his [Virtual Map]. He snapped his fingers and the ten thousand swords that were half-buried in the ground suddenly turned into motes of light that floated into the sky before slowly disappearing. 

"Why are you two here?" He asked while retracting his Sword Intent. 

The two felt much better after his oppressive Sword Intent was gone. 

"The Ancestor has come out of seclusion." Eliazar muttered. Empress Shiphra didn't say anything. She just quietly stared at Aethelwolf's handsome face.

"Is that so? Let's go see her." Aethelwolf was happy to hear this news. He was also relieved. 

Eliazar nodded his head. 

The three of them immediately headed back to the ice palace.