Chapter143-Desire
Howard failed to detect the hidden meaning in Shelley Chan's words; he only knew too well the vast disparity in their statuses.
Their parting today likely marked the last intersection of their paths.
He answered with a smile, "As soon as possible."
This place was, after all, someone else's territory, and Howard had no intention of lingering.
Even though he had signed the Soul Blood Pact with the Oriental Divine Dragon.
He wouldn't leave his safety to chance!
"I'll speak to the Great Elder. When it's time, you can use the teleportation array to leave. It will quickly take you back to Adia City."
Shelley Chan nodded, her words, however, took Howard by surprise.
If there was a teleportation array connecting Crimson Dragon City and Adia City, why had they sought Wales to traverse the wastelands and Ruins previously?
If they had used the teleportation array, being within the Alliance's territory, surely those pursuers wouldn't have dared to be so bold?
Noticing Howard's astonishment, Shelley Chan understood his thoughts and sighed, "At that time, the Oriental Divine Dragon had not been born and could not withstand the force of tearing through space. It might have severely affected its vitality!"
"But isn't it said that dragons have incredibly strong physiques? How could it not endure?"
Upon hearing this, Howard's surprise grew.
Without even mentioning anything else, just the Guardian Divine Dragon of the Chan family that he had seen was enough to make him feel an aura as deep and vast as the ocean.
Merely looking at its form was like having a colossal mountain pressing against his chest.
And that was when the Guardian Divine Dragon bore no malice towards him!
"Before birth, a Divine Dragon is very fragile," Shelley Chan said with a sigh. "In the past, it was quite a feat if one in ten eggs laid by a dragon hatched a youngling. At that time, we resorted to special methods and naturally did not dare to take any risks."
"Your words... now, you've completely merged with the Divine Dragon, your fertility must certainly be stronger than that of the Divine Dragon, but there is also the possibility of failure."
Shelley Chan cautioned, "If Ying Chan becomes pregnant, you must take good care of her. It is not only for our sake but also for yours."
"You can rest assured on that," Howard replied with a smile. "I am not a man who forgets favors and betrays kindness. Being able to merge with the Divine Dragon is a great benefit for me, and naturally, I will not forget your Chan family."
"Even if I do not like Ying Chan, as long as I live, no one will be able to harm her!"
"Um..." Shelley Chan nodded, holding back further words.
Howard watched her closely, but whatever she was going to say remained unsaid.
With a resolute expression, she turned and left, leaving only a sigh echoing in Howard's ear.
The Chan family acted quickly, and it wasn't long before an elder arrived in the courtyard.
His attitude towards Howard was not very kind, he simply stated indifferently, "Let's go, the family head is already waiting for you at the gate!"
Howard didn't mind his demeanor; after all, he had already gained too many benefits from the Chan family this time.
When Howard arrived at the entrance of the Chen residence, two carriages were already prepared.
A young girl, her eyes misty with tears, was nestled in the embrace of a middle-aged man, weeping.
It was clear that this girl was Ying Chan, the one designated by her family to wed Howard.
Howard took a careful look at her. The girl was fair of face, and the tracks of tears only seemed to add an extra touch of allure to her appearance.
She was not particularly tall, her figure still undeveloped, a clear sign she was yet to come into her full growth.
Howard couldn't help but question her age, but then he thought better of it.
After all, his marriage to her was only nominal, so he decided not to concern himself with such details.
His duty was to protect Ying Chan until she grew up, to father a child with her who would continue the Chan family bloodline.
Then, his task would be complete.
The middle-aged man whispered some words of advice to Ying Chan before ushering her into one of the carriages.
Then, wiping the tears from his eyes, he approached Howard with a look of hesitation.
After a moment of eye contact, the man spoke, "The marriage arranged by the Great Elder is something our Chan family will not go back on. I hope you will treat Ying well."
"Here is your compensation: 2000 gold coins, along with some medicinal herbs for Draconic use. Consider them a welcome gift from me."
He patted Howard's shoulder and handed him a Storage Bag.
As Howard gazed at the man, he realized that this was one of those who had followed the Great Elder before, a person whose status in the Chan family was undoubtedly high.
That meant Ying Chan's status was not low either.
Howard was taken aback; he had assumed the Chan family would marry off just any girl to him!
Recalling Shelley Chan's reminder, Howard finally paid attention to the words "legitimate daughter of the direct line"'.
So, did that mean his unexpected father-in-law was actually a direct heir of the Chan family?
His future son would not only be the Chan family's enforcer and guardian deity but might also become the ruler of the Chan family.
With this thought, Howard found himself less resistant to the idea of marrying Ying Chan.
If his own son could indeed become the ruler of the Chan family, then wouldn't all the resources of the Chan family effectively become theirs?
A slight smile played at the corners of his mouth as Howard cheerfully said, "I am not a heartless man. As long as I am alive, your precious daughter... my future wife, will not face the slightest danger!"
Unaware of Howard's inner thoughts, Hui Chan felt reassured upon hearing this promise.
Truth be told, if it wasn't for the complete fusion of Howard with the Divine Dragon, and Quin Chan's orders, Hui Chan would never have allowed his treasured daughter to marry so far away!
With little small talk, Howard climbed into the first carriage and, led by the Chan family guards, headed towards the direction of the teleportation array.
Buzz--
After an indeterminate amount of time, Howard felt a strange fluctuation beside him.
Opening his eyes, he saw a figure stealthily appear next to him, materializing inside the carriage.
Almost the instant he appeared, a light screen burst forth, enveloping him and Howard together.
"I knew it, Mr. Wales, you certainly weren't dead," Howard quipped with a smirk. "Now it seems you've been hiding near me all along, haven't you?"
"Indeed, lad, you've hit the jackpot this time!" Wales grinned widely. "At first, I didn't guess Shelley's identity, not until someone called out her surname. Only then did I remember the existence of the Chan family, and after that, I pretended to die in battle, staying hidden by your side."
"Luckily, you successfully merged with the Divine Dragon and even gained the friendship of the Chan family, a leap to the heavens!"
With that, even Wales became sentimental: "With the support of the Chan family, in the future, even if you wanted to become a councilor, it would be a breeze. Right now, the only thing you lack is level! After returning to the academy, you must diligently level up, striving to reach LV90 as soon as possible!"
Upon hearing this, Howard couldn't help but his face darken.
LV90?
It was not so easily attained! How many awakened spent their entire lives without ever reaching LV60!
Yet, this also showed how much Wales cared for Howard, even holding a blind trust in him.
Howard even wondered if Wales knew of his awakening of supreme talent, otherwise, why would he have such faith in him?
Of course, Howard wasn't foolish enough to divulge this point, simply responding with resignation, "I'll do my best."
"Do your best at what?" Wales chuckled. "With your Soul Devouring skill, as long as you slay enough monsters, your leveling and attribute enhancement speed will increase. Once you're back at the academy, I'll arrange more opportunities for you to gain experience outside."
"After all, your strength now surpasses that of an ordinary student. Staying in the academy all the time does you no good, you can't be treated like an ordinary student."
Howard nodded at these words.
"By the way, what do you plan to do about that little girl from the Chan family?"
Wales looked at Howard with a teasing smile.
Howard shrugged and said with a light laugh, "What else can I do? Now that I'm betrothed to her, I'll take responsibility."
"Tsk, tsk, I remember you having a little girlfriend back at the academy," Wales said, tilting his head slightly.
"So what?" Howard replied earnestly. "The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility. I just want to provide a home for all the girls in the world, where did I go wrong?"
"..."
Wales gave a thumbs up: "Shameless enough, not bad, you've got the spirit I had back in the day."
"How come, mentor, you could avoid the Great Elder of the Chan family's detection?" Howard couldn't help but become curious about Wales' capabilities.
It couldn't be helped; Wales' feats were too peculiar.
Surviving an onslaught from many strong beings around LV90 and remaining undetected by the Chan family -- such strength astounded Howard.
"Not quite," Wales shook his head. "Quin Chan, that guy, has been stuck at LV99 for decades. He can see through my Invisibility in a glance. If it weren't for the sake of the laws, he might have already broken through to LV100. His power far exceeds mine."
"Ever since you entered the Chan family, I dared not get close. I've just been waiting here all along."
"After all, if you want to return to Adia City quickly, there's only one way -- through the teleportation array!"
"Hm? We're almost there. I better leave now to avoid being discovered."
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