Chapter 144: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!

"Where are you going so hurriedly?" Tony Clark stopped Academy Master Da Vinci, who was using his movement technique to hurry toward the war jet.

"Tell me fast. I have urgent work." Da Vinci said with a displeased tone.

Tony didn’t care about the irritation on Da Vinci’s face and directly asked, "I need the Night Pool today. I need to prepare for the World Tree Blessing," Tony said in a determined tone.

Da Vinci paused for a second before replying sharply, "It will be ready by tonight."

He immediately turned around to leave again, but Tony stopped him once more.

"Where are you rushing to? Is there something important right now? Can I come with you?" Tony asked with a curious look.

"No. Absolutely not. And I have no time to waste right now," Da Vinci replied coldly. Without even looking back, he directly left afterward.

Tony stood there in surprise as Da Vinci boarded the war jet personally and flew away without even bringing a driver along.

The black war jet disappeared rapidly into the evening sky.

"Where is this fellow going at a time like this?" Tony muttered while narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. There’s a serious discussion happening inside the meeting hall regarding the World Tree Blessing tournament... so why is he rushing away?"

Suddenly, Tony remembered the warning spoken earlier by Supreme Kent Clark.

’Be careful around Da Vinci. He may have connections with the Demonic Sea Tribe.’

Tony fell into deep thought afterward. "Could it really be true?" he muttered inwardly.

"It actually makes sense. That old fox already knew about the World Tree Blessing before everyone else. He even knew there would be limited spots and a tournament among the younger Peak Grandmasters. Seems like Ancestor Kent wasn’t speaking nonsense."

Still... Tony didn’t feel Da Vinci held direct hostility toward him yet. At least for now. Anyway, Da Vinci had already promised to prepare the Night Pool tonight.

Tony immediately began thinking about his own preparations instead. ’This is probably the perfect opportunity to use those thirteen drops of Dragon Blood Essence. There was still the Enlightenment Card remaining... The 30X Body Refinement Card.. And the Heavenly Mirage Steps technique waiting for mastery.

If I combine everything together... I will definitely become much stronger before the tournament begins.

Tony’s thoughts suddenly shifted toward another person entirely. The slender silver-haired girl standing beside Demonic Sea Tribe Leader Luka earlier.

"Why did she feel so strange?" Tony muttered softly. "I felt something very weird from her...’ For some strange reason... Her presence felt unusual.

"What are you thinking about?" Suddenly, Lily Frost appeared beside him and asked with a questioning look.

Tony glanced at her briefly. "Nothing." His tone sounded unusually dry... Then he directly walked away from the place without waiting for her response. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Lily remained standing there silently afterward.

’Seems like he is really still angry about me...’ She quietly watched Tony’s departing back while biting her lower lip softly.

***

Meanwhile...

Inside the massive meeting hall, the emergency gathering finally came to an end.

One by one, the Seven Octopus House Masters left to prepare for the upcoming Golden Heir Tournament.

The atmosphere outside the hall remained tense as countless influential family heads continued discussing the shocking announcement.

At that moment, Imperial Family Head Jamie Smith approached Rion Clark with a wide smile on his face.

"Why does the mighty Clark Family Patriarch seem so nervous?" Jamie asked mockingly. "Are you afraid your sons won’t even secure a single spot for the World Tree Blessing?"

Several nearby family heads immediately turned toward them with interest.

Rion Clark merely looked at Jamie calmly. "Don’t be too proud, Jamie. There are hidden tigers and crouching dragons everywhere. Do you really think your son is guaranteed to win?" Rion replied with a faint mocking smile.

Jamie immediately laughed proudly afterward. "I don’t know about your sons... but my son Mark Smith, the First Prince, is absolutely guaranteed to obtain one of the top three positions during the Golden Heir Tournament."

His confidence sounded overwhelming. Clearly, Jamie trusted Mark completely.

Rion Clark only sneered lightly. "Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Let’s see who gets the last laugh."

After saying those words, Rion directly turned around to leave. He clearly had no interest in continuing a pointless verbal battle with Jamie Smith.

But just as Rion stepped away from the meeting hall... Another familiar figure approached him quickly.

Andrew Frost.

The Frost Family Patriarch smiled warmly while walking beside him.

"What is that Imperial bastard blabbering about now?" Andrew asked casually.

Rion sighed lightly afterward."As always... he’s boasting about his son becoming number one in the tournament."

Then his expression slowly became more complicated. "Honestly... I also feel a little uncomfortable right now."

Andrew looked surprised.

"The Clark Family Patriarch is worried?"

Rion nodded slowly.

"My second son Leo should at least place among the top competitors. But, I’m more worried about my eldest son Tony. If he fails to secure a spot during this World Tree Blessing, he may remain stuck behind others for years. That’s what worries me the most."

Andrew Frost became silent for a few moments. Then he smiled reassuringly afterward. "Don’t worry too much about Tony. We’ll make arrangements if necessary. We’ll make sure he enters the World Tree Blessing somehow."

Rion glanced at him thoughtfully.

Then Andrew hesitated slightly before speaking again. "Actually I have a small request."

"What is it?" Rion asked calmly.

Andrew coughed awkwardly before continuing. "It’s about Lily Frost. Even though my daughter is engaged to your son... the marriage hasn’t officially happened yet."

Rion’s expression immediately became strange.

Andrew hurriedly waved both hands.

"No, no! Don’t misunderstand! I only wanted to ask something simple. My daughter Lily Frost wishes to fight representing the Frost Family during the Golden Heir Tournament. I came to ask your opinion directly. Are you okay with that?" Andrew asked carefully.

Rion Clark almost cursed loudly inside his heart immediately. Lily Frost was practically guaranteed to place among the top competitors. In the best-case scenario, she might even secure one of the top three rankings entirely.

And this old fox still wanted Lily to fight under the Frost Family banner instead of the Clark Family?

Still... Rion could not reject the request openly. After all, Lily remained Andrew’s daughter officially. Right now, maintaining the relationship between Tony and Lily was extremely important for the Clark Family. Reluctantly, Rion nodded his head.

"Yes... She is still your daughter. Naturally, she should represent your family. I have no objections." Rion gave his nod, even though his face looked ugly while saying it.

Andrew Frost immediately became delighted. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"

He repeatedly thanked Rion before quickly leaving the area. Clearly, he feared Rion might change his decision midway.

The moment Andrew disappeared from sight, Rion Clark’s expression instantly darkened. Without wasting another second, he directly sent an emergency command through the Clark Family communication network.

"All Clark Family youngsters at Peak Grandmaster stage must return immediately. The family will begin preparation for the Golden Heir Tournament tonight."

The order spread rapidly throughout the martial network.

However... One particular person completely ignored the command.

Tony Clark.

Because at this moment... He already had entirely different plans of his own.

-

Tq guys for the power-stones!