"Don't misunderstand." The Earth Dragon Immortal's tone became dejected as it hurriedly interjected, "I am not forcing you. I'm simply giving you a bit of advice that's beneficial to both you and my clan. However, since you already have a beloved, I will stop advising you on this matter."

Princess Isabella blinked at the Earth Dragon Immortal's words.

She wasn't convinced since how could it be this easy?

"However, know that you are indebted to my Earth Dragon Clan and cannot reject the ultimate purpose that is required of you, and that is, obtaining a candidate seat..."

Princess Isabella narrowed her brows, thinking for a moment as she felt that this was at least expected.

As long as she completed the inheritance, she knew that she would be expected of something, but the term 'candidate' was unknown to her.

The candidacy could be anything. For example, obtaining a remarkable treasure would make even the Immortals tremble or gain the right to become stronger... It could be literally anything as long as she didn't know the purpose of it.

She decided and voiced out her opinion, "As long as this candidacy doesn't have anything to with my womanhood or is something that defiles my virtue, I'll repay the gratitude that is required of me with all I have. Your noble benefactor has made my Ruth Empire stand tall for centuries with your mighty blood and granted me with might."

"Repaying is simply something I should do even without being asked..."

"Very good..." The Earth Dragon Immortal's voice sounded a bit heartened, "You're a kind child. I assure you the candidacy is nothing like that..."

"Nonetheless, beware of the dangers."

"Not everyone in my clan is as magnanimous and understanding as me. As long as you possess our Earth Dragon's bloodline, there will be numerous characters from my clan who will go to any lengths to obtain you. My true blood essence, which I will bestow upon you after you clear the Immortal Grade Trial, is something that is deeply craved by many of my clan members."

Princess Isabella's blinked as she recalled that the Earth Dragon Immortal said that it was a Young Master-like candidate...?

Could it be that that the Earth Dragon Immortal was just a juvenile in its world?

Wait... true blood essence? Is that one of the three final rewards for completing the Immortal Grade Trial?

Princess Isabella felt overwhelmed by these new pieces of information.

Did this mean that the Earth Dragon Immortal was just a little existence in its clan despite being an Immortal?

Princess Isabella's mind trembled as she processed this information.

Nevertheless...

"Thank you for your guidance, noble benefactor. I will watch out for their schemes and escape if I am being threatened." She spoke with confidence.

"Do you think it's that easy? As long as you have my true blood essence within you, my Earth Dragon Clan has countless methods to trace your location once you're out of this sealed world. In reality, I muse that they are constantly searching for my successor to appear over in these countless years."

"If it were a man who became my successor, they would welcome him with a female Immortal-Level Prodigy at the least, and vice versa or a bit grander if it were a woman. After all, the women in our clan have a bit of trouble conceiving, no matter the race."

Princess Isabella's eyes shook. She narrowed her eyes before a smile appeared on her lips, 'Then even if I fail to escape, they would have to go through my beloved man whose mysterious means seem to unendingly grow with his capability...'

Just the fact that he was with her made her feel reassured, not at all scared by the fact that she would be hunted down by an immortal level power that would shake the hearts of many Ninth Stage Powerhouses.

"Moreover, like me, many Earth Dragon Clan members should've already found their successors in the First Layer in the past before having them ascend to the Immortal Layer. Before you become beware of my Earth Dragon Clan, you should beware of the branch that would be present and have grown in the Immortal Layer. In fact, it should be possible for you to find some of their descendants in the First Layer."

"I know my limits..." Princess Isabella simply smiled.

She understood that this entire inheritance and the candidacy seemed to be more than it seems. However, since the one who bestowed her this inheritance didn't threaten or force her, she was willing to participate in the final trial.

"Very well, since you have climbed up this far from being a humble mortal, you are undoubtedly an Emperor-Level Prodigy."

'Emperor-Level Prodigy...?'

Princess Isabella recalled that her counterpart of a successor, a male, would be married to a female Immortal-Level Prodigy.

What did the Earth Dragon Immortal exactly mean by this? She couldn't help but inquire.

"Emperor-Level Prodigy...? Immortal-Level Prodigy? Is that..."

"Yes, any human mortal who reaches the Eighth Stage in the Nine Mortal Stages before reaching sixty years of age will be described an Emperor-Level Prodigy. In the same way, any mortal human who reaches the Immortal Stage within a hundred years will be called an Immortal-Level Prodigy."

"I see..." Princess Isabella mused that she was definitely an Emperor-Level Prodigy since she was less than sixty years old.

"Child, your battle prowess must be incredible that I am indeed content with your progress. In fact, you have no need to take the Immortal Grade Trial since you would easily clear it with your current strength, but rules are rules. I must maintain some form of fairness."

"I will clear the trial without fail." Princess Isabella declared.

"Excellent!" The Earth Dragon Immortal roared, "I will skip the formalities. Let the trial start!"

*Ssh~~*

Princess Isabella was able to see and sense that her gaze blurred before she stood on the summit of a mountain she stood before in a past trial. Her brows creased as she subsequently saw her opponents appear out of thin air, just like the last time. ...

Her black eyes flashed as she punched her other palm.

"It's time I acquired this inheritance for our growth and, in doing so, fulfill the ultimate dream of my Ruth Empire!"

======

A man sat under a big and wide tree in a lotus position in a silent green scenery. He wore black robes and possessed thick black hair that fell to his waist, but his face was covered by a scary mask, blocking his features.

At this moment, the man's eyes shot open as his soul force undulations soared with intensity, making the silent surroundings be struck with immense disturbance as if it had been met with a storm for a short moment before it disappeared, returning to silence.

It was as if nothing happened in the first place as peace returned.

"Belatedly, I reached Peak-Level Supreme Soul Stage..."

A man's handsome and youthful voice echoed, causing the surrounding greenery to shake as a wave of breeze passed by while his black hair also flowed along with the wind.

This person was none other than Davis, in his Solitary Soul Avatar. He stood up, looking into the distance as his expression slowly turned into one of a smile hidden behind the mask.

It was actually three weeks later from the time the main body entered seclusion to absorb and refine soul essences to increase its Soul Forging Cultivation.

Once the main body was near a breakthrough, the Solitary Soul Avatar naturally made the decision to go outside and maintain a safe distance from the Northwest Dual Lotus Abode. This way, he could remain safe without encountering any kind of problems unless one was present in his seclusion spot.

After leaving, he did indeed find a secluded spot, waiting for the main body to breakthrough, and as expected, a few days later, the main body managed to break through, causing the Solitary Soul Avatar to also experience a breakthrough to the Peak-Level Supreme Soul Stage!

Now, he was even a match for Eighth Stage Experts! Although he didn't have Fallen Heaven with him, the Solitary Soul Avatar Technique caused this avatar to possess a pure soul force amplified a few times compared to his original body.

Therefore, as long as Fallen Heaven wasn't taken into account, his Solitary Soul Avatar was slightly stronger than the main body in terms of soul force's prowess.

"Now then... Stupid Drake contacted me a few days back, just a day after I exited the Dual Lotus Abode to enter seclusion..."

Davis murmured in annoyance as he took out a messaging talisman.

'Let's see what he has in store for me... It better be something along the lines of 'I managed to contact Jade Sua...' or else, I'm gonna-'

"Davis! Where were you all this time without contacting me? I thought you were either dead or left the messaging talisman's range."

The messaging talisman lit up as Drake's voice echoed.

Davis responded, "Hush... I'm alive... Didn't I tell you that I'm leaving for an important matter? Anyways, tell me what happened."

"HA!? You didn't say anything and just left! You made me lose face in front of Jade Sua!"

"How dare you!?"

"You're courting death!"

"I will call my elders and break your bones!"

A bunch of curses landed on Davis from the other side of the messaging talisman, causing Davis to wryly yet silently chuckle.

Jade Sua had entered seclusion all this while and seemed to have only come out only after he had left to enter seclusion, missing each other in the process.

How would he explain that he would break through Soul Forging Cultivation again to Drake and his wives? He didn't want them to have a heart attack or make them overly jealous.

"Hmph!" Drake appeared to have let out his frustrations, "She's been depressed about not being able to breakthrough into the Martial Sage Stage for quite a few decades, and now that she has failed again, she is discouraged and pessimistic. Nevertheless, I'll talk her into meeting you again tomorrow, so don't be absent."

"Sure..." Davis replied with confidence, "Just say I have a surefire way for her to break through into the Martial Sage Stage."

"What!? Are you sure?"

"Hehe..." Davis deviously smiled, "This is your chance to completely earn her favor. Don't blame me if you lose this chance..."

"Fuck! I owe you again! I'll go contact her now!" Drake appeared to be excited before the messaging talisman's glow receded.

Davis blinked. No suspicion? Was he trusted that much?

After all, Drake didn't know that the nectar remained useful for Martial Sage Experts but not in low quantities.

Davis looked back in the east direction, smiling a bit, "Now then, shall I return or roam around for some time...?"

Ever since he learned that there might be other races, he became a bit eager to see them. However, he shook his head and shot towards the Dual Lotus Abode.

In any case, he had completely scoured the Passion Library by spending a few more High-Level Spirit Stones but still hadn't finished digesting all the content he memorized since it was impossible for him to not feel exhaustion. He decided to return and continue comprehending it since his soul force was back to its peak!