"They found it, but couldn't take it, rather, it was stolen by a group." The man said in a serious tone.

Quinn's father looked at the man, indicating for him to continue speaking.

"When the young lord and his group found the Great Earth Essence Liquid, it was being protected by elemental warriors" The man told Quinn's father what happened in the trial land, it was almost like he was present there when everything unfolded.

He told Quinn's father about how Quinn's group fought against Grey's group before he was later killed by Grey.

"How do you know all this?" Quinn's father couldn't help but ask.

The man's story was so detailed that it looked like he was there at the time it was happening, he had a hard time not believing it.

"While I was waiting for the young lord to come out, a youth from the Stellar empire came out. I happened to overhear him when he was speaking to the leader in his empire's camp, not just me, even the other empires are aware of this fact." The man said.

"Hmm, where's the boy who took it now?" asked Quinn's father.

"The Qilin empire, I've sent people to retrieve him, but none of them have been successful." The man said with a serious expression, before adding, "Neither has any of them returned."

"What? You mean that they've all been killed?" Quinn's father was left dumbfounded by this discovery.

"I'm not sure, but it seems to be the case." The man answered with uncertainty.

After finding out about Grey, he did a little research about him and found out he was from a small city. This was why he sent people to search for him, who would've thought that they would all be killed?

"We must retrieve the treasure at all cost, send word to the Crowned Prince, he would know what to do." Quinn's father said.

"Yes, my lord." The man bowed before leaving the office.

Quinn's father stood up from his seat, and a tear unconsciously dropped down his face, "It's a sacrifice worth paying for the future of the family,"

He walked towards the bookshelf in the office, after pushing a book, a secret passage opened behind it. He wanted to report this to the elders of the family, as well as his father. The loss of Quinn was a great loss, given how talented he was, but the appearance of the treasure outweighed it since it involved years of planning.

_____

The next day.

Qilin empire, the Royal Palace.

The Emperor and the Crowned Prince were currently walking in a garden in the palace discussing.

"You mean to say that a young man from my empire brought out such a treasure?" The Emperor asked in surprise.

"Yes father, I believe you'll hear of this soon from those stationed at the exit." replied the Crowned Prince.

"How did you find out so early?" The Emperor couldn't help but ask.

"I'm the Crowned Prince, it's only normal for me to have my own people who bring me information at the fastest speed." The Crowned Prince answered in a cool and collected manner.

"Hmm, that's understandable. So who's the boy? Summon him to the palace this instant," The Emperor ordered.

"That's where the problem lies, he's a student in the Lunar Academy." The Crowned Prince said.

"Since when has the Lunar Academy been a problem? Have you forgotten I'll be taking over in a few days' time?" The Emperor asked.

"The fact that he's a student of the Lunar Academy isn't the problem, the problem is that his personal Teacher is Chris. You should know who I'm talking about."

"You mean that"

"Yes, it's him. The young man was the reason Chris killed an Instructor from the Starlight Academy during the time of the competition."

"Hmm, what do you suggest we do then?"

"The other empires have gotten wind of this as well, so we need to act quickly. It's still unknown if Chris is in the Academy or not. Oliver and Blake have been very cautious when talking about him. But I have a plan, and given Chris' personality, he would appear if it works."

"Okay good Do you know if your brother made it?"

"He's dead."

The last batch of people who left the trial land still hadn't gotten to their destinations, but Neil had already returned, and the Crowned Prince questioned him, when he found out about the Twelfth Prince's stupidity, he gave up on him making it out alive. Who in their right minds would go and attack a dragon?

"Okay, act according to your plan, I'll wait for your good news. If we can't have it, then no one should, especially someone related to that unruly bastard."

"What if he has already used them?"

"Then kill him,"

"And his friends?'

"What about them?"

"It is said he took nine drops of the Great Earth Essence Liquid, I think he might share it with them."

"Get the boy first, kill the others later."

"Okay, father."

A few days later, the Crowned Prince heard of Oliver officially stepping down from his position as the Principal and Mayor of Lunar Academy and City respectively. He sent people to spread the rumor of them being scared of joining the war and tagging them cowards. Oliver would not be bothered with the rumor, Chris on the other hand would not only bother about it, but he would also want to kill people.

After a day of peace, the Crowned Prince speculated that their guess for the past months has been true, Chris was not in the Academy. This meant they could technically do whatever they wanted with the Academy, unfortunately, Oliver had stepped down, as well as the major powers in the Academy.

This gave the Emperor a headache, but the Crowned Prince wasn't too concerned about it. Now with Chris and even Oliver out of the picture, he could take care of Grey without any problems. The only issue now was how he could get Klaus since he would be with his father.