Grey didn't stay for too long, after he told him his request, he left. To his surprise, the leader of the Giants agreed to it without any hesitation, it was almost as if he had been praying for this.

With the Prince gone, Grey knew things will be calmer in the realm now, even if humans and members of the Gnome race would occasionally fight against each other, it was something that was normal here.

Three months passed in a flash.

Grey was still in the secret realm fully focused on cultivation, each of his friends were also doing their best as they tried to increase their cultivation level. Although they were all in the Sage Plane now, they knew that such strength didn't matter much in a place like the Aurora Continent. If they wanted anything, they would have to be strong, even staying alive needed strength.

Grey's parents were still focused on their battle. The war was intensifying, and even with Lucas' name, their opponents were still pushing forward.

Lucas couldn't kill those in lower levels since it was against the rules. Against those in the same Plane as Lucas, the Dawson Family had the advantage because of Lucas, but against those in lower Planes, they were lacking a bit. Take for instance, they had lost some areas in their territory due to the battle, two strategic locations had been occupied by their opponents and they were getting closer to them. He hated to admit it, but he alone could not do everything.

.

The Dawson Family Hall.

A group of people were seated here, all with gloomy expressions.

"Why don't we just stop these unnecessary losses and attack them straight up?" Someone suggested.

They had lost some family members due to the battles, and a few of them were starting to get tired of it.

"Losing a few Overlord Plane Elementalists isn't really that bad, but it's not good either. Even if we're at war with them, we still have to take the overall situation into account. Humans are not the enemies, the Gnomes are. Many don't want to admit it, but there have been more frequent attacks from them." Lucas said softly.

"Correct, the Gnomes are the enemies. However, why are those morons attacking us because of a secret realm we found?" Martha joined in on the conversation.

"Greed. That secret realm is not ordinary, and you can see the improvements it has had on our ranks. Unfortunately, the time has been short so it isn't too obvious yet." An old man sitting by the side said.

Everyone nodded to his statement, Martha on the other hand snorted coldly when the man spoke. This man was the reason Lucas had to return, he was none other than his father, Grey's grandfather, Roche Dawson.

Roche took a glance at Martha but didn't say a word. Lucas tapped her on her leg as if to tell her to mind her manners.

"Has anyone heard of a certain Grey Dawson?" An Elder suddenly asked.

Lucas and Martha turned to look at this Elder, along with the others in the hall.

"We've heard a few of his exploits, what about him?" Roche nodded.

Given Grey's talent, it was natural that they would've heard of him. What made it more appealing was his last name, bearing the same name as them, and also having such a great talent made most people think of him as a member of this Dawson Family.

"Sage Plane members just started to fight, I heard his a talent, and even Conor has said many great things about him. If we can get Conor to bring him here, he would not only be a good addition to the Family, but he would also be vital in this battle of the Sage Plane." The Elder explained his reason for mentioning Grey's name.

Lucas and Martha didn't say a word as they listened attentively. This man was close to Conor, so there might be a time when he might've rambled about Grey to him.

"There's no need, he'll come here when the time is right." Lucas suddenly said.

The room fell silent when they heard this, some of them a little confused while others had already gotten a guess on the matter.

"Care to share the reason behind your statement?" Roche asked, staring at Lucas' eyes.

"He's my son." Lucas' reply was simple and concise, but it shocked the entire room.

Of all the people present, only a few didn't have shocked expressions. One of such people was a middle-aged man. He was the one who was guarding the portal to the horned race the last time. He already knew of Grey's identity.

"You have a son?" Another middle-aged man asked with a strange look.

Lucas nodded.

The middle-aged man smiled but didn't say anything else. He was Lucas' brother, and also the current leader of the Dawson Family. After Lucas vanished, he had no contenders and was easily given the position of the Family Head after some time.

Martha looked at him, her expression was colder than when she was staring at Roche. Of all the people they had to be wary of, this was the most dangerous figure in the family. He was not as powerful as Lucas, but he was a cunning and intelligent man. He would go to any lengths to get what he wants. His only good side was that he made sure whatever he was doing was for the good of the family.

Lucas telling his family about Grey was a little unexpected since he planned to wait a little longer, but he knew there was no difference. Besides, other than himself and those of the Burchard Family, only a few people knew of Grey's current whereabouts. No harm would come to Grey as long as he was in that secret realm, even when he comes out, he would be safe.

The Dawson Family started to plan their strategies on the next round of battles which would be taking place soon. Once those in the Sage Plane started an all-out fight, it would soon be the turn of the Elemental Venerables.

What they all wanted to do was to make sure the most powerful figures didn't die. This was why they were mainly using those of weaker Planes. In such battles, very few geniuses go there since they might be targeted by those in higher Planes from the enemy side.

.

Back in the secret realm.

Grey knew nothing of his father telling others of his identity. He was still in training, trying to get to a higher Plane. His plan when entering this place was to break through to the Elemental Venerable Plane before leaving.

He was already in the Ninth stage after spending over four months here. His gains had been good since he had finally removed the mark from his body and also wiped out a large number of geniuses from the Gnome race.

In the past three months, he had also killed a few more, well, a hundred plus people can't really be called few, but compared to the overall number of those in the realm where the Gnomes were from, it wasn't much.

One night while sitting with Void, Grey stood up and looked in the direction of the east.

"Looks like our peaceful days are coming to an end." He commented.

"You sensed it too?" Void also stared in the same direction.

"Someone is trying to break in from the higher realm." Grey's eyes were serious.

There was only one reason why this was happening, whoever was coming wanted to kill a person here at all costs. Of all the people here, Grey didn't think there was anyone else who had offended people to this extent other than himself.

There was a time when he camped outside the portal for the Gnome race, whenever people stepped in, he would kill them. The people from the Gnome race didn't send anyone in for a month because of it and it caused a huge uproar.

Grey naturally had zero worries about it, it was not like their higher ranks could charge in here. Well, except for those in the Elemental Venerable Plane, no one else could.

One of the good things was that the higher the stage of the Elemental Venerable, the harder it was for them to stay in this lower realm. Since whoever is coming would have to find him, then he guessed it was most likely a First stage Elemental Venerable.

"Should we wait it out or check it out?" He asked Void.

He had never tried to fight against an Elemental Venerable before, and although he would like to try, he knew it was going to be risky.

"Let's check it out, I'm bored." Void replied.

Void was already at the Peak of the Sixth Rank a few months ago, the only reason he hadn't broken through was because he was waiting for Grey. This place was not like any other place, so he had to be careful as well.