"A Witch of the Holy Dragon Empire brought the treasure here? But..." Rocky hesitated. It seemed
strange because this was not recorded in The Witch's Book. Why would they not record such an
important incident in the book? It could only mean that the Witch who had brought the spiritual treasure
did not want anyone to know about its origin.
"However, according to the teachings of the previous emperors, the spiritual treasure cannot be taken
out of the forbidden area. I wonder if it would be possible for us to do the impossible," an elder said
with caution in his words.
The other elders looked at each other with embarrassment for not being able to be more helpful.
"I have to make it possible. As a prince of the Holy Dragon Empire and as a son, I have to save my
father. Could you please make an exception this time and let me go to the entrance of the royal
forbidden area to take a look?" Rocky pleaded earnestly.
The elders gathered together in a small circle and started discussing the matter in whispers. It was a
matter of great importance after all, so they had to think about it carefully. Especially after what
happened with Alston, they had to be cautious, so as not to repeat the same mistake.
Rocky and Lena waited patiently. After around an hour, the elders finally came to a conclusion.
Elder Brendan stepped forward. "Your Royal Highness, the emperor and the Witch are the only ones
who are allowed to enter the forbidden area of the royal family. But since the current emperor is
imprisoned in the Dragon Master Clan, we will make an exception this time. But we need a promise
from you," he said on behalf of the other elders.
"Go ahead." Rocky nodded curtly.
"Prince Basil, if you fail to find a way to enter the forbidden area within the next three days, we want
you to temporarily act as the emperor of the Holy Dragon Empire. You are the best candidate for
succession. Moreover, the Three Great Generals of the empire admire you very much. If you ascend
the throne, it will appease the public. Moreover, it will quickly erase the troubles created by Alston, and
bring peace to the Holy Dragon Empire." The other elders nodded in unison. Lena looked at Rocky's
grim expression. After a pause, Elder Brendan continued, "We will save your father, the emperor from
the Dragon Master Clan at all costs; we will not sit still and wait for the news of his death. Once you
take over as the emperor, we can take measures to save him by any means."
"I'm afraid that the Dragon Master Clan won't give us that much time. But if this is the condition for
entering the forbidden area, then I give you my word," Rocky agreed. In view of the current situation,
even if he couldn't find a way to enter the forbidden area, it would be best for him to take over as the
emperor for now.
"Good. Now, you can do as you wish," Elder Brendan said after exchanging glances with the other
elders.
"Thank you," Rocky said gratefully, cupping his hands together.
"Elder Ferris, please guide them to the entrance." Elder Brendan gestured to the elder who had brought
Rocky and Lena to see them.
Elder Ferris nodded curtly and the three of them headed for the entrance of the royal forbidden area.
Not long after, they reached a huge stone arch. The arch was more than ten meters high and was built
against the mountain. Both sides of the stone doors were engraved with parallel dragon-shaped
patterns, lifelike and imposing.
"Once you open the stone arch, go all the way to the end of the road. There, you will find the entrance
to the royal forbidden area. Prince Basil, under no circumstance should you try to force your way in.
The entrance is protected by a very powerful enchanted barrier. If you try to enter by force, the barrier
will counterattack. Please remember that, Prince Basil." And with that warning, Elder Ferris
disappeared.
Rocky turned to look at the stone arch with the huge dragon sculptures in front of him. He then looked
at Lena and said, "Let's go." She nodded slowly.
Rocky pushed the giant stone arch with both his hands and the two stone doors, which were thicker
than stone walls, opened slowly with a loud rumbling sound, as if they were heaving a heavy sigh
because of the disturbance. It was pitch black behind the stone arch; even the sunlight from outside
could not disperse the darkness.
The two of them looked at each other and then walked side by side through the open stone arch and
into the darkness within. The moment they stepped into the darkness, the stone arch closed once
again.
In an instant, both Rocky and Lena felt like they had fallen into a bottomless abyss. But soon, flames
rose on both sides of the path.
Rocky looked around and saw that the flames rose from the fire grooves in two rows of tall dragon
pillars. The two rows of dragon pillars extended from the arch to the depths on both sides of the path,
and behind these pillars were stone walls. Under the light of the fire, Rocky could vaguely see the
carvings on the stone walls—murals, like a long scroll of the history of the Holy Dragon Empire.
"Come on," he said to Lena and the two of them continued on the path.
Along the way, Rocky studied the carvings on both sides from time to time. There were some humanoid
carvings that looked like the spiritual race. The beings were covered in dragon scales, with horns on
top of their heads, and their faces were a little longer than those of normal human beings. They had flat
noses, and their eyes were slender. The huge wings extended from behind them like those of a dragon
beast.
"They must belong to the Dragon Master Clan, right?" Rocky asked Lena, turning to look at her.
She studied the carvings and nodded, "Yes."
"Lena, why is the Dragon Master Clan looking for the spiritual treasure all of a sudden? And why is the
treasure sealed with forbidden curses so that the spiritual race cannot enter?" Rocky asked as he
stared at the carvings.
Lena stood beside him and followed his gaze. "I think this may have something to do with the origin of
the spiritual treasures. Although we don't know anything about their origins yet, since all the spiritual
race clans in the Wild Spirit Land are looking for them, it could only mean that the spiritual treasures
have amazing power..." Lena said suspiciously.
"I think so too. But what is the secret behind these treasures? And why have the hidden living spiritual
race clans suddenly gone so crazy about them?" Rocky wondered with a serious look on his face. In
order to get their hands on the spiritual treasure in the forbidden area, the Dragon Master Clan
imprisoned his father and treated Alston like a puppet. This was not at all like the Dragon Master Clan
which had always supported the growth of the Holy Dragon Empire.
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