My Divine Pet Enables Me To Become The Biggest Winner
Chapter 521 - 370: Rewarding Merit Tower_3

Chapter 521: Chapter 370: Rewarding Merit Tower_3

He wanted to communicate with Brother, but Brother was really tired after dinner and responded very sluggishly. Owen Bertram silently shook his head and withdrew his projection.

As the carriage returned to their lodgings, Bart arrived to report to the master, "All the cultivators have been taken care of. After the second stage of the exam, most of the eliminated cultivators have returned to their hometowns, emptying the inns. Therefore, not much money was spent."

Owen Bertram nodded, "You did well. Where is Evans Graham selling the topics for the third stage of the exam?"

Evans had learned his lesson and didn’t make as much fuss as before. The first time his Spirit Jade for selling the exam topics was robbed, and the second time the real big deal fell through. He became aware that someone was targeting him.

All the incidents in Zombie Cave could be known by inquiring among the Cultivators and then analyzing them, it would be known that Owen Bertram had snatched his business. Evans held a deep grudge against Owen, but for now, he couldn’t do anything to him. He was waiting for the third stage of the exam, and no matter what, he would make Owen fail!

Bart responded, "The topics for the third stage are still being sold at the Amanda Academy, but there are fewer buyers so it does not seem as blatant as previous two times.

But this time, he sold it for 150,000 Spiritual Jade!"

Owen Bertram despised his actions. Evans was trying to fleece the crowd. After the third stage exam, only a thousand people remained, this had to exclude nearly a hundred impoverished cultivators under Owen’s command. These people definitely couldn’t afford it. Even those who weren’t from poorer backgrounds, 150,000 Spiritual Jade wasn’t a sum that could easily be afforded.

Just as Bart left, Andrew Oamond arrived soon after. He secretly said to his master after closing the door, "I guess I know the subject of the third stage assessment."

"What could it be?"

Oamond replied, "Evans, that old thing, has a really good cover! The Eden Cave in the back mountain of Merton Academy has reopened, and he has been hiding this news without announcing it publicly. The third stage assessment should be a sword competition in the Eden Cave!"

"Eden Cave?" Owen Bertram was puzzled, to which Andrew Oamond explained, "Merton Academy is situated outside the capital city on Falling Petal Mountain. It was chosen because of a special place within the mountain, named Eden Cave.

According to the research of the Grandmasters, this place is likely to be the gate leading to the ancient Eden Sword Sect. Inside the Eden Cave, sword energy flows like the wind, and there are many dormant, hidden swords. It can serve both as a test site for the academy students as well as a place of opportunity. There is a very low probability that a student who enters there might gain the recognition of an ancient sword.

About twelve hundred years ago, the Eden Cave was suddenly sealed off for unknown reasons. Despite the efforts of the Imperial Court, they could never break the seal. It was from then on that Merton Academy began to decline.

But recently, the seal of the Eden Cave suddenly opened on its own. Evans has been hiding this secret; even the Horizon Bureau was kept in the dark. We only just received the news.

It might be because of this that His Majesty ultimately chose Evans as the chief examiner of the Dragon and Snake List -- He wants to utilize Eden Cave to choose the final candidates."

Owen Bertram slowly nodded; this was not good news for him.

His five-toothed Flying Sword was not as powerful as it used to be, and he hadn’t started the Flying Sword Object System yet. He feared that once he entered Eden Cave, the likes of Wayne Malvin would take advantage.

Owen was sure that both Colby Dominic and Wayne Malvin must have known the subject of the third stage quite early and have had a long time to prepare. If Wayne got the opportunity to surpass him in the Eden Cave, he would never miss the opportunity to humiliate him.

Owen didn’t blame Wayne. He had been too extreme in Zombie Cave.

However, the thought of being stepped on by Wayne wasn’t pleasant for Owen. He was determined in his heart, "This must not happen!"

"But I wonder if there’s enough time for me to prepare calmly."

After thanking Andrew Oamond, Owen went out immediately. He went to find his branch in the Capital City and had them contact the Essence Collection to purchase a high-level Flying Sword."I’m afraid I’m going to have to bleed heavily on this."

There was no response from Essence Collection for a while, but Owen Bertram couldn’t just sit and wait, he was racking his brain thinking of what other measures he could take. One was through Nick Liam. Regardless of whether it was the North Prison Town Governor’s Office or Nick Liam himself, there must be advanced flying swords in their possession. However, Master Liam, who usually conducts business with loudly ringing abacus beads, would definitely offer them at a high price.

Another way is to ask the Fifth Prince for help. However, the strategy he proposed to the prince hasn’t been effective yet, and it’s uncertain whether the prince would be willing to help. Moreover, even if the Fifth Prince was willing to provide assistance, this path presented its own risks. Owen Bertram was reluctant to get too entangled with a prince and risk getting drawn into the vortex of power struggles.

Just when Owen Bertram was unsure of what to do, a disciple of Ferdinand reported: "Sir, someone is here with Lord Adonis Dunn’s name card seeking an audience."

Owen in the room instinctively shrank his neck, knowing it was too late to avoid the situation.

After dinner, Owen met with Lord Dunn. He waited in a side hall for half a shichen before he finally got to meet the faithful and diligent minister of the Wood Dynasty.

Adonis Dunn was extraordinarily impressive, even if his spirit appeared somewhat weak. Owen, feeling guilty, was somewhat restrained, but Adonis Dunn was completely at ease and waved his hand after sitting down, saying: "Sit down, Mr. Owen. Where has the courage you had when you rebuffed me in the talisman communication gone?"

Owen chuckled and sat down, "I beg your magnanimity, Sir."

Adonis took a sip of tea and glared at him: "I know what you’re thinking. You’ve been in the capital for so long, but you haven’t taken the initiative to visit me, and I had to send someone to invite you. Humph!"

"Hehe." Owen continued to laugh dryly, thinking to himself, "Go ahead and speak, I have no intention of heading to the Southern Border to clean up the mess you left."

Helplessly, Adonis shook his head, "I called you here because there are some things I need to discuss with you..." Seeing Owen visibly tense up, he couldn’t help but be annoyed. Slapping his tea cup, he interjected, "Not giving you more burdensome tasks! Now, tell me, what are your chances in the Dragon and Snake List competition? Do you need my assistance in any way?"

A thought sprang into Owen’s mind. If Adonis Dunn was willing to help, it could solve his predicament ─ this might even work out better than help from Nick Liam or the Fifth Prince. At least he could get some pointers on how to get out of the current situation.

However, Owen restrained himself: "Thank you for your concern, Sir, but I don’t need any help at the moment. If I encounter any difficulties, I won’t hesitate to seek your help."

Adonis waved his hand dismissively, "Well then, let’s leave it at that. I summoned you here to inform you that the delegation from Sang Islands is about to arrive. The delegation this time is of high profile and large in number, so please behave yourself."

Owen instinctively responded, "That doesn’t bode well..."

Adonis’s face was filled with worry, "Indeed, it is ominous. I’ve discussed it with my colleagues and we all agree that Sang Island sending people here most likely signifies that they are no longer willing to remain dormant. Your vigilance against these foreign tribes has always been commendable, and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, deep down, I share your sentiments. However, with the current internal and external problems facing our dynasty, we must endure minor setbacks for the sake of the grand plan. That’s why I’m reminding you in advance to not disrupt the grand plan of the imperial court."

"Yes, I understand and will certainly remember your teachings." Owen responded casually, not taking it to heart.

Adonis waved his hand, "You may leave now." After Owen left, he reached the entrance to the government office’s mansion, where he saw Andrew Oamond waiting for him: "Mr. Oamond?"

Andrew Oamond smiled, took his arm, and walked off, "Come with me. Everything has been arranged by Lord Dunn." Owen was puzzled but followed. Oamond brought him to a solemn government building. There were no placards hanging on the spacious front door. Andrew handed him a golden token, "This is the General Government Office."

Andrew led him inside, where someone was waiting. After Owen displayed the token, he was taken to a tall tower in the backyard. Andrew said: "I can only take you this far. This tower is the Rewarding Merits Tower of the General Government Office. It houses all the documents and books that the Horizon Bureau has confiscated since its establishment, including sword skills on the third floor."

Owen realized what he meant. Andrew continued, "You can browse at will once inside. Such a favor, even a request from Master Lane wouldn’t be able to achieve. This is the grace of Lord Dunn."

Owen smiled bitterly, looking up at the massive tower, feeling somewhat moved. During the meeting, Adonis Dunn had avoided mentioning this matter entirely, which clearly conveyed his intention: Master Dunn wouldn’t use this favor to coerce him into doing anything.