Chapter 5: The Desert Prince

After leaving the Bear Clan's royal capital, Mels and his group headed straight for the western checkpoint. Because the Bear Clan's royal capital was located in the center of their territory, it would take Mels and the others more than three days to reach the border even while driving their combat vehicle. Originally, before reaching the border, they would have had to pass through inspections at four border fortresses, but due to their actions in the royal capital, which had drawn attention across the Bear Clan, and Duke Mast's repeated instructions to the border guards not to cause trouble, their journey proceeded very smoothly. On the afternoon of the third day after leaving the royal capital, they arrived at the last fortress checkpoint within the Bear Clan's territory. Although the Sub-Humans world was much more stable than the human world, with far less frequent wars between races, the sites they chose for their fortresses were just as strategically selected. This fortress, named "One-Line Sky," was built at a mountain pass between the territories of the Bear Clan and the Eagle Clan. Once they passed through this checkpoint, they would enter Eagle Clan territory—an endless expanse of desert terrain.

Speaking of the Eagle Clan, their technological capabilities were the most advanced among all Sub-Humans, and their population was second only to the Lion-Tiger Clan, making them the second-largest race in the Sub-Humans world. Unfortunately, the land where the Eagle Clan lived was quite barren. Only twelve percent of their territory was covered in vegetation, while nearly seventy percent was desert terrain. Fortunately, Sub-Humans technology was advanced enough that food no longer relied entirely on farming. With certain raw materials, machines could synthesize enough food to meet the needs of the entire Eagle Clan.

However, although the Eagle Clan could meet their own food requirements, the barren land still left them with some regrets. As a result, the Eagle Clan maintained the most powerful military in the entire Sub-Humans world, always eager to use these forces to conquer other Sub-Humans races and acquire better living areas. Yet, over the centuries, the Eagle Clan's numerous expeditions had either been met with fierce resistance from other races or sabotaged by mysterious organizations like the Five Clouds Cave. Thus, to this day, apart from controlling most of the uninhabited deserts on the western side of the continent, they had never been able to expand eastward beyond the mountains. This was perhaps the greatest regret of the Eagle Clan's successive rulers.

Today, as Mels and the others drove their combat vehicle out of the Bear Clan's border, they immediately got a firsthand feel for the hardships of the Eagle Clan's people. In the desert, daytime temperatures could soar to dozens of degrees, while nights could drop below zero. If not for the advanced combat vehicle that served as both a resting place and transportation, Mels and the others could hardly imagine what condition they would be in by the time they reached the Eagle Clan's royal capital.

Unfortunately, Mels and the others' good luck did not last long. On the fourth day after leaving the checkpoint, just as they were about to reach the easternmost city of the Eagle Clan, the combat vehicle they were driving finally succumbed to the dual torment of extreme heat and cold, suffering a severe mechanical breakdown and becoming unable to continue. Although Mels and the others had learned some technological knowledge, the few short months they had spent studying only allowed them to learn how to operate the machinery, not truly understand its principles, let alone repair it. Green Hair understood the principles and knew how to fix it, but he lacked hands and feet, unable to act on his own.

Under Green Hair's guidance, they toiled under the scorching sun for an entire day but achieved nothing. Eventually, Mels and the others gave up on repairing the combat vehicle. They gathered essential supplies and prepared to cross the desert on foot, heading toward the city over a hundred kilometers away.

However, the desert sun was incredibly punishing. While Mels and the others, as martial artists, could endure it for a while, the physically weak Sol quickly found it unbearable, loudly demanding rest. With Sol repeatedly crying out, Mels and the others had to stop frequently, making their progress painfully slow.

In a single day, they had traveled less than thirty kilometers. Watching the sun gradually set, Mels knew that if they didn't find a place to rest soon, Sol might freeze to death in the desert. Left with no choice, they selected a spot sheltered by sand dunes on three sides and set up the travel tent they had brought from the Bear Clan, planning to spend the night there.

As the sun slowly disappeared, Mels and the others settled in. Advanced technology indeed provided them with great convenience: an electronic stove that required no firewood cooked delicious food, and the tent, warm as spring, spared them the harsh cold outside. Only when they lay down comfortably to rest did Mels feel a deep sense of gratitude toward Mast. If not for his thoughtfulness, Mels might have been worrying about how to keep Sol warm.

Night gradually fell, and the exhausted youths sank into a deep sleep, seeking a moment of warmth and comfort. However, just then, the sharp sounds of fighting, carried by the howling evening wind, drifted into Mels and the others' ears.

"Boss!" Akafir, Sha Luo, and Kaslo sprang up simultaneously, alertly looking at Mels, now also awake.

"Yes, I heard it too. There's a fight nearby. Kaslo, Sha Luo, you two stay here and protect Sol and Green Hair. Akafir and I will go check it out. If there's danger, I'll signal you with a long shout," Mels immediately said.

After hearing Mels' command, Akafir sprang up excitedly and grabbed the particle light sword Mast had prepared for him. Although Sha Luo and Kaslo showed some regret, they nodded solemnly, agreeing to follow Mels' instructions. Seeing no objections, Mels grabbed his preferred Soft Sword and, with a wave, led Akafir out of the tent. Braving the cold outside, they rushed toward the direction of the fighting sounds.

Mels and Akafir, one after the other, crouched low and sprinted about a kilometer northwest until they saw several figures leaping up and down under the moonlight, engaged in fierce combat. Seeing this, Mels quickly pulled Akafir aside, hiding behind a sand dune to quietly observe the battle.

Since arriving in the Sub-Humans world, most of the Sub-Humans Mels had encountered knew no martial arts. Even the soldiers of various races only knew how to operate complex machines in combat. After his battle with the Dharma King, he understood that those who practiced martial arts in the Sub-Humans world were mostly not from the various races but members of mysterious organizations. Therefore, when he realized that this fight was not a bandit attack but a clash between martial artists, he immediately decided not to intervene.

Although Akafir didn't know what Mels was thinking, as long as Mels didn't order him to attack, he wouldn't take the initiative. So, he carefully observed the life-and-death struggle. In the field, there were five people: three Sub-Humans dressed in luxurious clothing, with wings on their backs, heads like eagles, and limbs like humans—clearly members of the Eagle Clan. The other two had their heads covered in black cloth, making it impossible to tell their race. Additionally, over a dozen Eagle Clan soldiers lay dead on the ground. Not far away in the desert, several hover combat vehicles were parked, likely belonging to the Eagle Clan based on their numbers.

Among the three Eagle Clan youths in the field, two were fighting a tall, slender black-clad Sub-Human, while the other was dealing with another mysterious assassin alone. However, although the Eagle Clan had the numerical advantage, their martial skills were clearly far inferior to those of the two black-clad men. If the black-clad men hadn't held back from delivering fatal blows, the three Eagle Clan youths would likely already be dead.

"You bastards! It's you Five Clouds Cave scum who keep the Sub-Humans races from living in harmony. Today, you dare to assassinate us? Aren't you afraid our clan will muster all its strength to wipe you out?" The Eagle Clan Sub-Human fighting alone was struck on the arm by his opponent's sword, staggering back a few steps. Although his skills were far inferior, he showed no intention of retreating and continued to curse his opponent loudly.

"Hehe, Crown Prince, I'm absolutely terrified! So scared, haha, I'm so scared!" The black-clad man stopped attacking, waved his long sword, and swaggered forward. Then, pretending to suddenly realize something, he said, "But wait, I just remembered something. That's right! If I send all three of you brats to hell, then no one will know who killed you, right? Do you think your foolish old king would pin the blame on us? Hahaha!"

"How dare you insult my father! I'll kill you!" Enraged by the insult to his father, the Eagle Clan Crown Prince flew into a rage. Ignoring the gap in strength between him and his opponent, he lunged forward. However, his attack, though powerful, was no match for the black-clad man. Without even touching his opponent's clothes, he was forced back again.

Hearing this, Mels had a basic understanding: the three Eagle Clan youths were likely members of the Eagle Clan royal family, while the two black-clad men were assassins from the Five Clouds Cave. Mels already had no fondness for the Five Clouds Cave, and moved by the Crown Prince's bravery, he immediately decided to intervene and save them. However, Mels knew that the assassins' goal was to kill the three Eagle Clan princes. If he rushed in recklessly, they might kill the princes before he could even act. So, he quietly said to Akafir, "Sneak around to the right. Once you're close, make some noise to distract them. I'll take that chance to rescue them. The shorter one is yours, and the taller one is mine." Mels had already observed that the assassin fighting two opponents was much more composed than the other, so he assigned Akafir to deal with the latter.

Akafir always obeyed Mels without question. Upon hearing the new command, he nodded and quickly disappeared into the desert. Meanwhile, Mels quietly took out a few gold coins from his pocket, gathering his Qi energy into his palm, ready to seize the best opportunity to strike.

Akafir acted swiftly. Within a minute, he had crept to a position directly in front of the two black-clad men. His movements were stealthy and fast, so the two assassins, engrossed in combat, didn't notice him. Perhaps realizing that his opponents weren't highly skilled and might not detect him if he remained hidden, Akafir suddenly stood up, exposing himself to the two black-clad men.

Suddenly seeing a Lion-Tiger Clan youth appear in the desert about a hundred meters away, the two black-clad men were clearly startled. But before they could shout questions or take defensive stances, several gold coins from Mels' hand shot toward the backs of their heads with a sharp whistling sound.

Realizing they had encountered formidable opponents, the two black-clad men almost simultaneously dodged the powerful "hidden weapons" with movements twice as fast as before. Seizing this opportunity, Akafir pounced on the assassin fighting the Eagle Clan Crown Prince, while Mels, merging with his sword, charged at the other assassin.

Although the two assassins were skilled, they were no match for Mels and Akafir. Just as they realized the situation was turning against them and tried to deliver fatal blows to the three Eagle Clan youths, Mels and Akafir's weapons were already upon them.

Forced to defend themselves, the two black-clad assassins couldn't continue their attacks. Mels and Akafir used this chance to quickly engage them. After their first exchange of blows, the two assassins knew they were outmatched. Stepping back in unison, the shorter one angrily said, "Who are you? How dare you interfere with Five Clouds Cave business? If you know what's good for you, get lost now, or else—"

Before he could finish, Mels interrupted with an angry shout, "Shut up! Five Clouds Cave? What kind of thing is the Five Clouds Cave? A few days ago, you tried to kill this Young Master without a word. Today, you suddenly attack the Eagle Clan. Do you think you're the most powerful in the world? If you think you're stronger than the Mad Lion Dharma King, then come fight me. Otherwise, get lost obediently. This Young Master doesn't want to spill blood today!"

Hearing Mels' words, the black-clad assassin gasped, saying with a hint of fear, "You're the Mels who injured the Dharma King in the Bear Clan's royal capital?"

"That's right, it's this Young Master! Any objections?" Mels glared and said loudly.

"Fine, kid, you're tough. We admit we're no match for you, but the Five Clouds Cave will never let you off! Brother, let's go!" Once confirming Mels' identity, the taller assassin immediately knew they couldn't gain any advantage today. After leaving a threatening remark, he quickly fled into the desert with the other assassin.

Seeing the two assassins had been driven off, Mels didn't give chase. He sheathed his weapon and walked over to the Eagle Clan youths, smiling at the one who appeared oldest. "Are you all right? Those guys won't dare come back for now."

"Are you really Mr. Mels, who single-handedly defeated the Five Clouds Dharma King in three moves in the Bear Clan's royal capital?" The youth looked at Mels' face, his expression filled with excitement.

"It's true I fought the Dharma King once, but it was a hard-won victory, not just three moves!" Mels laughed.

"So it really is you. I am Ying Feiyu, representing my second brother Ying Xunlei and third brother Ying Jidian, thanking you, Senior, for saving our lives!" The youth calling himself Ying Feiyu clasped his hands and knelt to bow to Mels. The other two youths behind him also knelt simultaneously. This took Mels aback, and he could only release a surge of Qi energy to prevent them from kneeling.

"What are you doing? We just happened to pass by and didn't like what the Five Clouds Cave was doing, so we intervened. There's no merit in it. Please get up, get up." Mels said while releasing his Qi energy.

Seeing that they seemed immobilized and couldn't kneel, Ying Feiyu realized Mels was doing this intentionally and felt even more admiration for him. Helpless, Ying Feiyu could only bow deeply instead of forcing the kneeling. Knowing they were sincere people, Mels didn't stop them further, accepting their bow with a bitter smile and a shake of his head.

"Everyone, it's too cold in the desert. Our camp is nearby. Why don't you come back with us?" Seeing the three Eagle Clan youths carried few supplies, Mels immediately invited them to return to his camp. The three Eagle Clan members were also eager to stay with Mels, so the five of them immediately headed back to the camp.

Along the way, through conversation, Mels learned that the three were princes of the Eagle Clan. They had come here hoping to meet Mels, who was said to rival the Five Clouds Dharma King. But they never expected to be suddenly attacked by two Five Clouds Cave subordinates. The dozens of Eagle Clan warriors escorting them were no match for the assassins. If Mels hadn't arrived in time and intervened, the Eagle Clan might have lost its royal bloodline.

Back at the camp, Sol and Green Hair were already awake. Everyone was delighted to see Mels safe and sound and having befriended the Eagle Clan princes. After exchanging pleasantries and having Sha Luo prepare some food for a quick meal, Mels began inquiring about the Eagle Clan's situation.

"It's really strange. Earlier, I thought it was a fight between Sub-Humans martial artists, but I never expected you to be princes. By the way! In the Bear Clan, I hardly saw anyone using martial arts. Why do you know it? Is the Eagle Clan very different from the Bear Clan?" Mels was still very curious about the three princes' martial skills and couldn't help asking immediately.

"Brother Mels, you may not know, but our Eagle Clan is actually exactly like the Bear Clan. Not just our Eagle Clan, but even in your Lion-Tiger Clan, very few can truly rival the Five Clouds Cave. In fact, after our ancestors fled to this continent, those who could use martial arts gradually left and established various armed organizations. Originally, they were the only warriors in the entire Sub-Humans world, but as peace arrived, these people began to disappear.

Many years later, when we went to war with the Federation again, the descendants of those warriors suddenly reappeared and helped us turn the tide of battle. From then on, we knew these warriors hadn't abandoned us but had sought secluded places to focus on training the next generation of warriors, preparing for the Federal humans' potential invasion. These matters are secrets among the royal families, unknown to ordinary civilians.

But now things are starting to change. Since the Five Clouds Cave suddenly appeared two hundred years ago, they have swept across the continent's organizations with their profound martial arts and numerous warriors. Within a century, they completely unified all organizations, forming an exceptionally powerful force. Originally, this had nothing to do with us royal families, and the Five Clouds Cave didn't interfere in our internal affairs. But in recent years, things have become increasingly problematic. The Five Clouds Cave not only broke from their tradition of staying out of continental affairs but also began causing trouble for our various races. Over thirty years ago, the Eastern Fierce Wolf Clan refused to pay their exorbitant 'protection fees,' and as a result, the Five Clouds Cave wiped them out overnight, dividing their territory among the Bear Clan, who submitted to them. Since then, our Eagle Clan knew the Five Clouds Cave was not as simple as imagined—their ambitions were surely great.

In recent years, the Five Clouds Cave has become even more outrageous, demanding one-fifth of our Eagle Clan's crystal ore as 'protection fees.' As you know, crystal ore is not only the power source for mechanical products but also essential for the livelihood of our people. Our Eagle Clan has a large population, but our arable land is extremely limited. Therefore, a significant amount of food must be produced using machines powered by crystal ore. Giving up that much crystal ore would mean letting five percent of our people starve.

Sigh... It's just that our father has always been timid and fearful, worried that refusing them would lead to the same fate as the Wolf Clan, so he agreed to their demands. Because of this, our Eagle Clan has been forced to control population growth, preventing us from maintaining our status as the continent's largest race. These are the Eagle Clan's highest secrets, unknown to outsiders.

We three brothers, though not born of the same mother, share the same ideals and detest the Five Clouds Cave's actions. So, we spent a fortune to buy a few secret manuals from the Lion-Tiger Clan, the only race on the continent that still practices martial arts. The reason we could hold out until you arrived today is thanks to these manuals!" Ying Feiyu said to Mels with a worried expression.

"I never imagined the Five Clouds Cave people were not only arrogant and rude but also committed so many evil deeds!" Kaslo said angrily.

"If that's the case, why don't the various races unite to resist the Five Clouds Cave?" Mels continued to ask.

"Of course we've thought of that, but most of the races are filled with cowards who only care about enjoyment. Moreover, the Five Clouds Cave's power is indeed strong. With their exceptional martial arts, they can easily bypass any defenses and assassinate those who oppose them, so fewer dare to resist. Today, the reason we were attacked is likely because we've been actively promoting unity among the races in recent years, angering these butchers. Hmph, but they underestimate us. Even if we die, we won't let them off easily!" Ying Feiyu said loudly.

Seeing the expression on this Eagle Clan Crown Prince's face, Mels felt a sudden surge of emotion. After all, he was the Eagle Clan's Crown Prince; no matter how harsh the Five Clouds Cave's demands, his own life wouldn't be affected. Yet, for the sake of his race's strength and his people's better lives, he was willing to risk death to fight back. How could this be called reckless?

However, Mels also understood clearly that the conflict between the Sub-Humans races and the Five Clouds Cave wasn't a matter of a day or two, and resolving it would take more than a year or two. Even if he wanted to help, his strength alone was too limited. Moreover, a single Dharma King from the Five Clouds Cave possessed combat power on par with his own. If they truly became enemies, Mels and the others might be completely wiped out.

Just as Mels was considering whether to get involved in this mess, Ying Xunlei suddenly said, "Brother Mels, having you here now is wonderful. Do you know? Those two earlier were the infamous executioners of the Five Clouds Cave, the Thunder and Lightning Generals. Their hands are stained with the blood of too many of our clan's warriors. When we heard you could rival the Five Clouds Dharma King, we thought it might be an exaggeration, so Big Brother wanted to take us to meet you and confirm your true abilities. But after seeing you and Brother Akafir force them back with just one move, all our doubts vanished. With you here, and Big Brother rallying everyone, I believe the entire Sub-Humans world will unite to destroy the Five Clouds Cave!"

Hearing Ying Xunlei's words and seeing the eager, hopeful looks in Ying Feiyu and Ying Jidian's eyes, Mels could only smile bitterly and say, "Three princes, you're giving me too much credit. Although I can rival one of the Five Clouds Dharma Kings, if two more show up, we'd be dead. Moreover, this matter can't be rushed; it requires long-term planning. Besides, we have urgent business to attend to in the Western Desert. If we don't reach there within six months, many people might be slaughtered."

"Brother Mels, are you just going to watch the Five Clouds Cave scum torment us?" Ying Jidian, hearing that Mels had no intention of helping, stood up and said loudly.

"Third Brother, don't be rude! Whether Brother Mels helps us or not is his right. He has already made it clear that he has unavoidable difficulties. We shouldn't pressure him." After scolding Ying Jidian, Ying Feiyu turned and clasped his hands, apologizing to Mels. "My third brother is impulsive. Please don't blame him, Big Brother. Since you have urgent matters, we won't trouble you further." If Ying Feiyu had angrily accused Mels, Mels might have felt more at ease. But the more polite he was, the more uncomfortable Mels felt, leaving him momentarily speechless.

"Boss, actually, dealing with those bastards isn't that hard. If we could just remove these rings, with Little One and the others, why should we fear them? Moreover, the Eagle Clan controls the entire west. With their help, I believe finding the Space-Time Gate wouldn't take more than a month. Why don't we help them solve their immediate troubles?" Kaslo suddenly spoke up.

Although Mels found it strange that Kaslo, who usually showed little interest in anything, would say such a thing, he still explained helplessly, "I know the method you mentioned, but to remove these rings, we've tried every possible way. Duke Mast almost exhausted all feasible methods, and we still couldn't get them off!"

"Brother Mels, is this what troubles you? If you trust me, why not come back to the royal capital with me and give it a try? Our Eagle Clan's technology is the most advanced among all Sub-Humans races. If even we can't remove them, I believe you won't find anyone on the entire continent who can." Seeing a possible solution, Ying Feiyu immediately said to Mels.

Looking into Ying Feiyu's eager eyes and carefully considering Kaslo's words, Mels realized they still had ample time left. Thus, he couldn't bring himself to refuse Ying Feiyu's goodwill. In truth, Mels himself knew that once they reached the Federation, unknown enemies might be waiting. If they kept wearing these bracelets and couldn't release their Summoned Beasts, their fighting strength in future dangers would be even lower. After all, the Federation continent wasn't the Sub-Humans world; experts and Summoned Beasts were likely everywhere there. Moreover, Mels genuinely admired the brave three Eagle Clan princes and was even more unwilling to pass up the chance to befriend them.

Seeing that Mels had agreed, Ying Feiyu and the other two were overjoyed. After discussion, they decided to take the float car the three princes had arrived in early the next morning, then transfer to an aircraft at the nearest city to head for the Eagle Clan capital.

On the other hand, while Mels was rushing day and night toward the Eagle Clan capital, curses and shouts echoed through the Five Clouds Cave...

"Trash! All of you are useless trash!" Upon hearing the news that the Thunder and Lightning Generals' assassination attempt had failed, the Master of Five Clouds Cave erupted in fury, cursing the two men. At this moment, the Thunder and Lightning Generals knelt on the ground, trembling all over, not daring to make a sound.

"Aren't you usually so arrogant, thinking you're invincible? Don't you boast that aside from a few of my top generals, no one in the world is your match? How come this time you couldn't even handle three measly Eagle Clan princes?" the Master of Five Clouds Cave mocked loudly.

"Cave Master, those three Eagle Clan brats somehow learned some martial arts. Although we brothers were a cut above them, we couldn't kill them within a few moves. Just as we were about to succeed, that Mels—who once fought the Dharma King to a draw in the Bear Clan—suddenly appeared with a few subordinates. We brothers fought desperately, but we were no match for him in the end. It was he who took the three brats away." The Thunder General cautiously shifted all the blame onto Mels.

"Mels? Well, well, it's that bastard again! I originally didn't want to deal with you so soon, but I never expected you'd ruin my plans! It seems I must teach you a lesson!" the Master of Five Clouds Cave said viciously.

"Dark Guardian, go to the Eagle Clan immediately and bring me the heads of Mels and those three Eagle Clan brats! Remember, this must be done as quickly as possible, and the Eagle Clan must not know it was us. I don't want to lose the Eagle Clan's power just yet." The Cave Master raised his voice, addressing the empty hall.

"Yes, I will depart at once. Please await good news, Cave Master." Strangely, a response came from the surroundings without anyone appearing. Moments later, as the candle flames in the hall flickered briefly, a black shadow shot out swiftly from the main entrance.

The Five Clouds Cave had finally dispatched a top-tier expert to deal with Mels. Yet, at this moment, Mels remained completely unaware, entering the Eagle Clan capital accompanied by the three Eagle Clan princes. Although both the Eagle Clan and the Bear Clan were Sub-Humans, their taste in architecture was completely different. In the Bear Clan, most buildings were circular and generally no taller than three stories. But the Eagle Clan was entirely different—their buildings resembled human lighthouses. Each house was built high atop a steel pillar as thick as a wagon wheel, at least three meters above the ground. The entire structure took on a "T" shape, like a platform in the sky.

When Mels first entered an Eagle Clan city, he was captivated by this architectural style. If not for the urgency of their journey, he would have wanted to stay a night in such unique buildings back then. Now, after rushing day and night to return to the capital, he finally had the chance to fulfill that wish.

The Eagle Clan's technological level was indeed more advanced than the Bear Clan's. Aircraft, rarely used by the Bear Clan, were quite common in Eagle Clan territory. It was precisely because Mels and the others took such aircraft that they could reach the Eagle Clan capital in just three days. However, from Ying Feiyu's words, Mels also learned that aircraft consumed a massive amount of crystal energy. To pay the enormous crystal payments to the Five Clouds Cave, the Eagle Clan had drastically reduced the number of aircraft in recent years and raised their prices, forcing citizens to use Float Cars more often.

Although Float Cars were much slower, their energy consumption was far lower, which indirectly saved more crystal energy. However, even though aircraft were fast and unrestricted by terrain, they could only be used within the clan itself. This was because each clan feared other races might use aircraft to launch surprise attacks on their military and political centers. Therefore, unless granted permission by the destination or for major diplomatic visits, aircraft were not permitted to travel between nations.

Upon entering the capital, Mels quickly noticed that the three Eagle Clan princes were highly popular. Along the way, almost all the citizens, regardless of age, greeted them with friendly smiles. Seeing this, Mels became even more convinced that saving them was the right thing to do and grew more determined to help the Eagle Clan break free from the Five Clouds Cave's control.

After leading Mels and the others to stay in the guesthouse, Mels once again observed that the Eagle Clan's royal family differed greatly from the Bear Clan's. Just the scale and decoration of the guesthouse showed that the Eagle Clan valued frugality, unlike the Bear Clan, which placed more emphasis on appearances.

"Everyone, our Eagle Clan doesn't have much to offer in terms of hospitality. Please bear with staying here for a few days. If you need anything, feel free to notify me at any time. No matter what, I will fulfill your requests." Ying Feiyu said with a smile.

"Haha, this place is great! The transparent glass windows on all sides are the best decoration, offering a view of the entire city." Knowing Ying Feiyu was worried he might misunderstand any neglect, Mels didn't point it out, instead offering kind reassurance.

"Brother Mels, I'm glad you don't mind." Ying Feiyu smiled gratefully before continuing, "Brother, please rest here for a while. We three brothers need to return to the palace to report to our father about the Five Clouds Cave's shameless attack on us. Later this afternoon, I'll take you to the Academy of Sciences. I believe the senior scholars there will help you remove the bracelets."

"Your Highness, forgive me for speaking bluntly. Regarding the recent Five Clouds Cave ambush on you three princes, I think it would be better not to mention it." Hearing the three princes' plans, Mels suddenly spoke up to stop them.

Ying Feiyu seemed surprised by Mels' words. After exchanging a glance with his brothers, he asked, "What do you mean?"

"Your Highness, think about it. Your trip to the Bear Clan this time should have been a secret mission, right? If there were no Five Clouds Cave spies within the Eagle Clan, how could they have dispatched assassins so quickly? Currently, from the Five Clouds Cave's perspective, you three are their only enemies. Once you report the matter to the clan leader, regardless of what decision he makes, to minimize exposure, their targets would inevitably include your father. With your martial skills, you might hold out for a while, but the clan leader is elderly and cannot withstand any shock. If the enemy launches an attack, then..." Mels explained tactfully.

"Brother, you are absolutely right! We three were foolish, almost putting our father in danger." Ying Feiyu clapped his hands in realization. He then continued, "In that case, we'll set this matter aside for now. We brothers will return to the palace and order the border patrol troops to help you search for the so-called Space-Time Gate. Additionally, I will gather the best scholars from across the Eagle Clan to help you remove the bracelets this afternoon."

"Then I'll leave it to you. Be careful yourselves. I believe the Five Clouds Cave won't let this go." Mels said with a smile.

"Hehe, how could the Five Clouds Cave possibly let you brats live freely and happily?" Suddenly, a cold voice echoed in the room. Hearing his words, Mels knew immediately that this must be an envoy from the Five Clouds Cave, and his purpose here was clear—to kill me and the three princes.