"What do you know! I recently received word that a new Saint King has risen in the Divine Realm. A hundred years ago, it was the Saint King of the Divine Realm who was responsible for awakening the divine beast. Now that a new Saint King has ascended, the awakening of the divine beast is no longer an impossibility. As I understand it, the Four Houses of Wyrm have already begun preparations to invite the Saint King to intervene," Arcanus Starling said coldly.
"What!" A wave of shock rippled through the crowd. This meant that one among them might have the chance to win the loyalty of Bennu!
The tranquil Bennu household was suddenly thrown into a tumultuous storm.
Vance Starling secretly rejoiced. When he had just turned sixteen, he was supposed to find a powerful monster partner to form a contract with, but his father had delayed, and now, though he was already a three-star swordsman, he still lacked a monster partner. Everyone could only form a contract with one monster partner in their lifetime, which meant that only he, along with Seraphina Starling and Phoenix Starling, the siblings, had a chance to gain Bennu's favor?
Seraphina Starling and Phoenix Starling had talent, but compared to him, who was hailed as a genius, they were far from being real competitors!
It was as if Bennu was being delivered into his arms; how could he not be delighted?
Vladimir Starling's complexion darkened even more. The issue that Vance Starling had thought of naturally occurred to him as well, but his own children were hardly a match for Vance Starling. The prospect of contending for Bennu was indeed daunting.
"Should we take action as well? Let's not allow the other four houses to take the lead," Firene Starling said restlessly, confident in her son's victory.
Arcanus Starling sneered, "Do I need you to tell me such things? I have already sent word to the Divine Realm. The Saint King has agreed to come to the Dragon Pavilion Empire to assist, but he has one condition: he will only set forth if an eighth-tier Snow Spirit Fox is presented as a gift, and it just so happens that the one we captured is being held in our dungeon."
"All is prepared at your command, Lord Starling!"
Arcanus Starling's face bore no trace of a smile.
"Do you realize the toll our Bennu household has suffered to capture the Snow Spirit Fox? And what have you lot of fools done!"
Arcanus Starling's sudden fury bewildered everyone. The loss of capturing the Snow Spirit Fox was something they could all guess at. The Snow Spirit Fox was an eighth-tier high-level monster partner, not as ferocious as other monster partners, but its agility was unmatched by any other, making its capture no simple task.
Arcanus Starling's gaze fell upon Aurora Starling, looking at this estranged granddaughter with an unreadable expression.
"On the day the dungeon was breached, the Snow Spirit Fox was slaughtered. Without the Snow Spirit Fox, how are we to entice the Saint King to make the journey!"
The Snow Spirit Fox is dead!
A collective gasp filled the main hall.
Vladimir Starling's face turned pale, and Seraphina Starling and Phoenix Starling nearly fell to the ground.
They had never imagined that a moment of curiosity could destroy the Bennu household's chance to return to its former glory.
All hearts sank like lead. The Snow Spirit Fox was incredibly precious, and to have captured one, the Bennu household had already expended immense effort. To capture another would likely damage their very foundation.
All eyes turned to Aurora Starling, no one expecting that such a fool could cause such a catastrophe simply by entering the dungeon.
An eighth-tier monster partner had mysteriously died in the dungeon, and besides the slaughtered Snow Spirit Fox, only this useless seventh daughter was there!
Aurora Starling was stunned; how had the conversation turned back to her again?
What was this about Bennu? What Snow Spirit Fox? She knew nothing about it.
Her mind was a blank about what had happened in the dungeon, but Aurora Starling felt that after the news of the Snow Spirit Fox's death was announced, the gazes upon her were like a multitude of blades, threatening to pierce through her.
If not for the presence of Arcanus Starling, they would have pounced on her and torn her to shreds!
How innocent she was…
Just as Aurora Starling was feeling the weight of becoming the target of everyone's wrath, Heron's voice echoed in her mind.
'A mere eighth-tier monster partner, and these foolish humans have made such a mess. Truly worthless.'
Aurora Starling was speechless. Although she had never seen the mysterious eighth-tier monster partner, from her understanding of this world, the Bennu household's might and ferocity meant that only Arcanus Starling himself possessed an eighth-tier monster partner. For others, having a sixth or seventh-tier partner was considered exceptional, and most would be grateful to have a third or fourth-tier one.
This unique eighth-tier high-level monster partner of the Bennu household was casually dismissed by Heron as a "mere eighth-tier monster partner"...
If Arcanus Starling were to learn that the Snow Spirit Fox, for which the Bennu household sacrificed a hundred of their elite, was spoken of in such a manner, he might very well have fainted from anger.
Suddenly, Aurora Starling had a dreadful thought.
Could it be that this grand sir was the one who...?
"Accidentally squashed it." Heron seemed to guess what Aurora Starling was thinking and spoke nonchalantly.
Squashed... it...
Aurora Starling couldn't even begin to express her current emotions. It was as if someone told her that they had accidentally stepped on a heavy tank with their toe and reduced it to mush...
She wanted to say, "Heron, sir, please don't squish me!"
Unfortunately, only she could hear Heron's voice, otherwise she could have thrown this almighty deity in the faces of the Bennu household members and watched them prostrate themselves in worship.
But for now...
Aurora Starling could only silently bear the blade-like glares directed at her.
Her heart ached, and she felt as if she could never love again.
Arcanus Starling took a deep breath. He had summoned the key members of the family today to inform them of this matter, as for punishment...
Looking at the face that bore no resemblance to his youngest son, Arcanus Starling could only sigh in his heart.
If only Westley Starling were still here...
"Aurora Starling! You have committed a grave mistake, nearly destroying the foundation of the Bennu household! It's despicable!" Vladimir Starling glared furiously at Aurora Starling. He knew that once the matter involved Bennu, it became extraordinarily serious. He now just wanted to distance his own children from this.
Vance Starling, who had once been inclined to help defend Aurora Starling, upon learning that his own chances of gaining Bennu's favor might be thwarted by this idiot, thought twice about offering any assistance. Not attacking her himself could be considered generous.
"It's utter madness! The main household pitied this child for being alone and without support, but who would have thought she would repay kindness with malice, causing such a disaster? This waste, a blight upon us all, cannot be allowed to stay! Lord Starling, please deal with her!" Firene Starling's chest heaved with suppressed anger, his son's imminent rise to power and the inheritance of Bennu thwarted by this fool. He could barely contain his desire to choke the life out of her and was eager for Arcanus Starling to dispose of this waste as soon as possible.