After moving aside the straw to reveal the egg, Thane did a double-take when he noticed that the egg had turned from a dull green to a bright emerald. In the back of his mind, Thane made the connection that it was the same shade of green as his eyes.
Running his fingers across the egg's scaled surface, Thane was started when a notification appeared in front of him with a fanfare that seemed to come from his head. Looking at the semi-transparent screen, Thane noted the edges of the prompt were decorated with gold.
[Notice: Start]
The Realms have given you a quest: Return of a Bloodline
Backstory: The egg you purchased has reacted to your mana, reawakening the long-dormant creature inside. Though you may not have chosen it, the Realms have chosen you to carry on this responsibility. Protect the Ovum Ad Regem and usher in a new era in the Realms.
Task: Protect the Ovum Ad Regem until it hatches
Reward:???
[Notice: End]
Thane didn't know what to think as he closed the notification, 'What does it mean that the Realms can give quests. It's always been in the back of my mind, but I didn't think it was a real possibility.'
Taking the egg into his hands, Thane felt a strange heat coming from the egg that he hadn't felt before.
[Notice: Start]
You have found: Ovum Ad Regem
Quality: Mythic
Durability: 450/450
Effects:???
[Notice: End]
While he wanted to be surprised by the mythic quality item in his hands, Thane could only shake his head, "How the hell did I end up with you?" Putting the egg back into its container Thane noted he would have to get something better to incubate the ovum.
Leaving his room, Thane returned to the training hall and wasn't surprised to see Annabelle sitting on the ground. Her eyes closed in meditation.
Walking over, Thane gently shook Sonya on the shoulder. When she opened her eyes to see who had interrupted her, Thane smiled, "We have a bit of a situation on our hands."
Thane told Annabelle about the deal he made with Lilith, and he waited to see her reaction.
"Okay, where do we start?" Annabelle asked, her face straight and unflinching. Thane blinked, "Really, I thought you would at least be a little pissed."
Annabelle's lips twitched up in a small smile, "I've had enough time sitting on the sidelines. I want to help. Also, I have to ask, did you change something? Were your eyes green before?"
Thane smiled and puffed out his chest in pride, "I'm glad you noticed. You are now looking at a Mana Cultivator of the Mortal Grade."
"How?! Did you buy a second cultivation technique?" Thane shook his head, "Apparently me almost dying of poison several times was enough to form a strong connection to base a cultivation technique around."
Annabelle shook her head, "I sometimes wonder if I'm holding you back. I feel like without me. You would end up running an empire."
"Don't say that," Thane looked Annabelle dead in the eyes, "Without you, I would have already been dead. As far as I'm concerned, we are in this together. You've shown me that much."
Annabelle's eyes widened, and she blushed, turning to look away from Thane's intense gaze.
"O-okay." Annabelle responded with a bare whisper before standing, "I assume you have a plan?" Thane shrugged, "I'm more of a plan on the fly kind of guy, but I do have somewhere to start."
---
Xu Feng gritted his teeth as he sat in his private garden, trying to meditate, but all he could think about was the voice of the hidden figure in the auction house. The sound of the sliding door opening caused Xu Feng to turn around with wrath in his eyes when he paused.
"Young Master Xu, your father is waiting for you in the main hall." Xu Feng didn't recognize the servant standing in the doorway, but he felt all his anger melt away at the sight of her.
"Who are you? Where is Be Ling?" Be Ling was his personal assistant. She had been so since he was a child.
The servant bowed, "This one's name is Ling Ma. The Xu Clan hired me only a few days ago. I hope I haven't offended the Young Master." Xu Feng put on his most charming smile and stood up.
"It's hard to be offended when greeted by such beauty." Ling blushed, "The Young Master must jest. I am nothing special." Xu Feng walked closer to Ling and went to touch her cheek when she bowed.
"The Patriarch is waiting. He said it was urgent." Xu Feng wanted to scold her for avoiding his touch, but he stopped himself, "Fine, let's not waste my father's time."
Ling led Xu Feng to the main hall, where he had been countless times as the heir to the Xu Clan. The two guards at the large red door bowed before pushing open gates.
Ling suddenly stopped as it was not her place to enter when Xu Feng turned to her, "Come, I want you by my side."
"B-but the Patriarch's words shouldn't be heard by a lowly servant." Xu Feng waved aside her complaint, "I will hear nothing of it. If my father has something to say, I will defend you."
Ling blushed, "Thank you, Young Master Xu." Together they both entered the hall, the room adorned with six pillars on each side, creating a path to the shrine where Xu Xing sat, the patriarch of the Xu Clan.
Xu Xing turned and frowned when he noticed Ling, "Why is she here?" Xu Feng stepped forward, "Because I wanted her here, you sent her to my room after all."
"Watch your tone, while I will pardon your arrogance this time. I do not appreciate how lenient you are being." Xu Xing scolded.
"Of course, father." Xu Feng responded with a bow hiding the look of displeasure on his face. Standing up straight, he addressed his father, "Is there a reason why you called on me?"
Xu Xing scowled but said nothing about the snide remark, "There is, I have spoken to the elders of the clan on how we should deal with the unknown guest of the auction house."
Xu Feng tried to stay neutral, but his blood boiled every time he remembered the incident, "There is too great a chance that the guest refused our invitation because of one of the other clans."
Xu Feng nodded as he had come to the same conclusion, "But without declaring open war, what can we do?"
"While we can't take any open actions, I have hired someone willing to find out." Xu Xing gestured to his side and out from the shadow of the shrine. All Xu Feng could make out was a billowing red cloak and dark leather armor.
The person's face was concealed by wrappings, only revealing a single emerald green eye. The figure bowed, "You may call me Thane."
Xu Feng's face furrowed at the unusual name, "Father, what is the meaning of this?" Xu Xing glared at his son, "Are you questioning my decision?
A sudden pressure descended on the room, making everyone beside Thane stiffen, "Of course not, father. I only meant to ask if it is wise to acquire help outside the clan."
After a second, the pressure disappeared, and Xu Xing relaxed in his seat, "I put in a request to the Yami. As I believe they are the only faction willing to anger the other clans."
Nodding Xu Feng suddenly saw the reason behind his father's decision, "Still, how can we trust that the result will be worth the price."
"You insult the Chapter by suggesting such ludicrous possibilities," Thane spoke in a plain monotone voice while staring at Xu Feng.
Bristling Xu Feng started to circulate his mana, "Is there a reason why you are still here?" Thane only pointed at Ling, who had been standing in the corner of the room paralyzed, hoping not to draw any attention.
Ling flinched, causing Xu Feng to step in front of her protectively, "She is none of your concern."
"Oh, but she is. A mere servant shouldn't be in this room. You should be thanking your father that he hasn't punished you for your insolence." Thane said in a slew, only causing Xu Feng's temper to rise.
"I will need a vow from her. She will not inform anyone about anything she learned today." Xu Feng was about to protest when Xu Xing waved his hand through the air, "Enough! Thane is right: either she takes the vow, or she will be kept as a prisoner until I see fit to free her."
Xu Feng gritted his teeth when he felt a soothing hand rest on his shoulder, "Young Master Xu shouldn't argue on my behalf. I will take the oath for the sake of the clan."
Ling quickly swore on the Realms that she would not inform anybody of what she learned today. Once Thane was satisfied, he nodded, "If I may take my leave, I have little time to waste."
Xu Xing nodded, "Go then. I am paying good money for your services." Thane bowed before making his way out of the room, making quick eye contact with Ling before leaving.
---
Taking a right, Thane came to a long hallway, and once he was sure no one was around, he jumped, grabbing the edge of the roof and pulling himself onto the wall surrounding the outdoor pavilion.
Jumping to his feet, Thane overlooked the large compound that took up nearly three blocks with houses for all the staff, clan members, and guards of the Xu clan.
Thane's eyes glimmered with joy as he smiled, 'It's been too long since I've felt this much excitement.' Blanking out for a second, Thane stared up into the sky, 'Now which clan should I visit it first? The Xien Clan is the weakest, so they would be desperate, but from what Lilith told me, the Huan Clan is supposed to have a blood feud with the Xu Clan going back a few generations.'
Shrugging Thane turned around and jumped off the roof flying through the air for a brief moment before landing on the ground, "I'll stop by the Xien Clan first, though I think a costume change is necessary."
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