"Unfortunately, the annual junior competition was forfeited due to your condition, Young Master," the group leader answered regrettably.
The Battle God Palace's annual junior competition was a big event for younger generations to assess their achievements while competing for honor and rewards.
The young boy was immediately depressed after learning his participation in the annual junior competition was forfeited.
"Damn, I had such a high chance of winning too," the young boy said despondently before he asked with a frown, "But what kind of condition did I have? Why don't I remember anything?"
"Initially, Young Master displayed symptoms similar to Demonic Possession. However, it was only after Young Master was diagnosed by the Divine Doctor that we realized you were poisoned instead," the group leader said.
"But don't be too sad, Young Master. Even if you missed out on winning the rewards from the annual junior competition, you still have the Eternal Night Secret Realm to explore for lucky chances. Such an opportunity is many times better than the rewards of the annual junior competition."
After listening, the young boy shortly shifted his gaze to Leon's figure curiously without the arrogant flair of a person with noble status in the Battle God Palace.
"Thank you for saving Zion, big brother. Uncle Jizo calls you a Divine Doctor, but you are much younger than what Zino would expect of a person with such titles. You're very talented, big brother!" the young boy, Zion, said curiously while expressing his gratitude.
Leon gazed at the young boy with a slight smile before he said, "You are also a little monster yourself. You're only, what? 13? But already a Low-rank Battle Master. The Battle God's descendants are indeed monstrous talents."
Now that Leon could adequately gauge the young boy's strength after the impurities in the boy's body were cleared out, he was secretly shocked by the boy's strength.
If every offspring were born with even half the young boy's talent, the number of experts in the Battle God Palace must have reached a terrifying count—not just in terms of Battle Masters, but even Battle Kings.
Nevertheless, the young boy gave an embarrassed laugh after receiving Leon's praise.
Although Zion had received many of such praises since he was born, he felt inferior to his savior for some reason.
"Can we talk in private?" Leon requested.
"If it is what my savior wishes, Zion will gladly agree," Young Zion nodded straightforwardly before saying, "There are some doubts that Zion also wants big brother to clear."
However, Group Leader Jizo immediately frowned and said, "Young Master, I think it is best if you keep at least one of us by your side—even if it is just for precaution."
"Precaution against what? My savior? Uncle Jizo, didn't you tell me that this big brother treated my poisoning?" Young Zion questioned before stating, "If big brother wanted to harm me, then he would not have to go through the trouble of curing me."
"No, that's not exactly it…" Group Leader Jizo spoke weakly.
It did not seem like trouble when the Divine Doctor was performing the treatment. In fact, it seemed effortless on the Divine Doctor's part.
Nevertheless, Group Leader Jizo ultimately did not mention it as he dropped the matter, "Ah, don't worry about it."
"…Sure."
Crackle…!
Suddenly, the dark clouds in the skies flashed with streaks of red lightning before the crackles of thunders of thunder followed shortly after.
Rumble…!!
More streaks of lightning flashed across the dark sky with increasing frequency along with its accompanying rumbling thunders as the weather rapidly changes.
The dark clouds quickly gathered towards the southern skies, leaving openings in the northern skies as intense sunlight pierced through tiny gaps and illuminated the lands below, bringing with it; the
"What's going on? This weather change is unnatural," Leon asked with surprise.
The phenomenon was so alarming that even Duna and the six maids paused their cultivations to take a look outside their rooms.
At the same time, Leon could hear hasty footsteps outside the courtyard as numerous people, whether they were local tribesmen or foreign visitors, every one of them exited the buildings to peer at the changing skies outside.
Back in the Barrenrock Courtyard, Young Zion gazed at the sky's transformation for a moment before he shifted his gaze to the Divine Doctor.
"It seems that we will have to talk later, big brother. If Zion is not wrong, this is the phenomenon created when the Shaman King's Successor is attempting to open the secret realm," Young Zion stated.
…
…
…
Great Hall
At that moment, Chief Valencia resumed her role as the host and accommodated the several chiefs visiting the Darkmoon Tribe in person.
Their discussion was quickly interrupted by the skies change before Chief Valencia knitted her brows before she said, "Let us head out for a look."
"Of course."
"Sure."
"Alright."
The chiefs answered.
Shortly after they arrived outside, a warrior quickly appeared beside Chief Valencia and reported, "Chief Valencia! The secret realm is being opened by someone who is not the Shaman King's Successor!"
"What are you smoking? The secret realm can only be opened by the Shaman King's Successor. Young Master Leonhardt's shamanic powers are indeed very strong, but he is not the Shaman King's Successor if that is what you were thinking," Chief Valencia stated.
"Uh…" the warrior was speechless.
That was indeed what he was thinking, and it was most likely the same thought for everyone else as well.
Chief Valencia shortly ignored the warrior and spoke to the chiefs, "We don't have a lot of time to waste if we want to enter the Eternal Night Secret Realm. We need to quickly organize the Battle Masters and set out for the opening location immediately."
"Right!" the tribal chiefs nodded solemnly.
Meanwhile, the One-Eyed Venerable Shaman observed the movements of the dark clouds before he softly said, "So it seems that the secret realm will truly be opened in the demon's territory again."
"Two times can still be considered a coincidence. But if it happens three times consecutively, it was no longer a coincidence. There's no further doubt about it at this point. The demons have found a way to control the opening location of the secret realm," the One-Eyed Venerable Shaman commented with narrowed eyes.
At the side, Aria eyed the flashing lightning before she muttered, "So this is what the secret realm opening looks like…"