184 Entering the Second Floor (1/2)

Seven days quietly passed in the blink of an eye, before an awe-inspiring silver gate stood erected with towering height in place of the sealed entrance.

Leon and Lilith did not leave the area, nor did they stay idle during this time. Two new tents were erected to accommodate them while they cultivated.

Leon had made leaps and bounds in his awakening cultivation thanks to the help of the heavenly crystals. He had successfully raised all his elemental abilities to one star, except his lightning attribute.

He never felt it before, but after raising his fire, metal and ice abilities to the same level, he had a feeling he could merge the three elemental seeds into one.

However, he refrained himself from doing so. He hadn't obtained all five elements yet. He didn't know if prematurely merging three elements would cause irreversible and detrimental effects or not.

”Your Highness, the hunting team has been assembled and ready to enter the second floor. Will you be tagging along? A deep voice was heard from outside his tent, informing him.

Exiting the tent, Leon gazed upon a palace guard with powerful aura exuding from his body.

”You are…?”

”I am Zorbek Haynes, Captain of the south, your Highness.” Zorbek introduced.

”Captain of the… south?” Leon asked doubtfully, before he immediately understood. Four directions, four captains.

”I see. Notify the men to ready themselves. I will be joining them shortly.” Leon ordered.

”Yes, your Highness.” Zorbek answered and left, but not after flashing a few furtive glances at the tent adjacent to his.

Shortly after, His voice could be heard loudly in the distance. Every member of the hunting team knew what they were signing up for. They were already instructed that they weren't required to protect the prince at every moment. This trip was considered part of the prince's training. He could take care of himself.

But who were they kidding? Who was the prince? He was the Queen's darling baby. If he dies on their trip, they can also say goodbye to their heads!

Leon withdrew the black spear from his Worldspace and prepared to call Lilith out from her tent, but he before he could, she already exited her tent on her own accord.

Leon was quite curious how the beasts and beastkins cultivate. Could it be a body cultivation method? Unfortunately, Lilith did not give him any chances to find out from her during the time they were cultivating.

”Let's go.” Leon said.

”Alright.” Lilith nodded.

It didn't take long before the two arrived at the assembling point located in front of the silver gate.

The hunting team consists of 20 palace guards and Captain Zorbek. Each palace guard exuded an aura that not inferior to Leon and some was even stronger.

Leon swept his glances through the surroundings and noticed there were no longer any shadowguards around. Old man Kasif was also gone. It was apparent that after the completion of the silver gate, they had been given a new mission elsewhere that utilized the skills they trained.

”Your Highness, the men are ready. Shall we begin?” Zorbek asked respectfully.

Leon nodded.

”Open the gates!” Zorbek barked.

Several palace guards began rotating some gears before the heavy silver gate began to open vertically.

Leon couldn't fathom how much the silver gate weighed, but his thoughts did not linger on the topic for long as the darkness behind the gate had grasped his attention.

Light shined into the darkness and illuminated the empty descending spiral pathway leading to the second floor. The pathway that connects the first and second floor was not exactly short.

According to the information provided by Don, it was a two-mile walk. By the time they reach the second floor, they would have already descended more than 500 fts.

When the silver gate fully opened, cool air began escaping from the pathway.

”Interesting.”

Leon was immediately intrigued. Why would air escape from the pathway instead of the other way around? Nevertheless, it seems that they won't be encountering any breathing problems as they head deeper underground.

”Move out!”

”Yes!”

Half down the spiral path, the group encountered their first soldier ant roaming alone.

SCREEE!

The Soldier ant immediately spotted their presence and issued a battle cry.

”Leave it for me!”

Gripping his black spear, Leon dashed ahead of the group and straight into charging soldier ant with its powerful mandibles ready to take a big bite.

”Your Highness!”

The palace guards widened their eyes in shocked with their hearts almost leaping out.

Oh no! It's over. The prince was going to get killed straight from the start of their trip.

Charging head on into an enemy's attack was an extreme stupid move! The prince is going to get snapped in half!

However, just as Leon was about to be snapped in half by the powerful mandibles, his speed increased explosively and got underneath the mandibles before snapped shut.

Snap!