Chapter 565 - 359: Refused at the Gate

Chapter 565: Chapter 359: Refused at the Gate

The usually calm Irena’s expression grew extremely agitated. She couldn’t help but take a step forward, attempting to persuade him further.

To her surprise, her movement instantly put the row of Witch Spirit Beastmasters beside Sosma on high alert.

CRACKLE!

Lightning crackled to life.

Dozens of blue and purple Thunder Spears materialized in their palms.

The brilliant, dazzling light of the thunder illuminated their dark Crystal Stone masks, obscuring any hint of expression.

"Marquis Fengling, please watch your conduct. Our race is in a time of precarious crisis. I must ask you to lead by example and refrain from any impulsive actions."

Sosma reached out and clenched his fist, and a gleaming Thunder Spear materialized out of thin air.

"Miss Yelena, what is the meaning of this?"

The rather hot-tempered Bobo Man, having heard the exchange, could no longer hold his tongue.

As he spoke, he cast a cold gaze at Sosma, who was hovering at the forefront, and said icily:

"Sosma, is it? Do you really think we’re desperate to enter the Witch Spirit Race’s territory? I came here thinking we could sit down and have a proper discussion, hoping for a mutually beneficial partnership. But if this is the attitude you’re going to show, then forget it."

As the heir to the Bobo Family—a power whose overall strength was no less than any single elemental branch of the Witch Spirit Race—Bobo Man had his pride.

"His Highness Prince Bobo Man, I have long heard of your esteemed reputation, but I must apologize... Our race is in an extremely critical situation, and we are forced to take this course of action."

Proud as he was, upon seeing Bobo Man’s disappointed expression, Sosma personally leaped down from his Soul Beast and performed a formal bow of the Witch Spirit nobility.

"His Highness Prince Bobo Man, Han Ning... can you all wait for me for a few days? I will go into the Elemental Holy Crystal and find His Highness Prince... perhaps even His Majesty the Controller, and explain the situation..."

If anyone there was in an awkward position, it was undoubtedly Irena.

On one side were her own people; on the other, the friends with whom she had adventured. Her previous composure was gone, replaced by an incredibly complex expression.

Disbelief, dejection, self-blame, and indignation... a whirlwind of emotions revealed her deeply conflicted state.

Irena’s stance had been firm, but upon hearing that the Witch Spirit Race was in the throes of a massive internal conflict, her resolve had unwittingly given way to hesitation.

"Sigh..."

Standing on the turtle’s head, Han Ning, who had been listening silently to the exchange, let out a soft sigh.

He hadn’t expected that Dean Wu’s past worries would truly come to pass right before his eyes.

Seeing Irena’s conflicted expression, Han Ning proactively spoke to her privately using his Spiritual Power:

"How about this, Miss Yelena? You take Sage, Teacher Hom, and the others back first. Find out what’s really going on. Leave dealing with His Highness Prince Bobo Man to me. I’ll talk with him about moving to the vicinity of the Thunder Continent to regroup for now. Once there’s some progress, we can sit down and discuss things properly."

’What else can we do? They won’t let us in. We can’t just throw a tantrum and demand entry like a bunch of shrews.’

Han Ning felt incredibly frustrated as well.

’These Witch Spirit Race nobles are just too unreasonable.’

’It would be one thing if some minor power wanted to enter, but this is Bobo Man, renowned throughout the Celestial Sea! For them to turn him away... it means they either have a secret they can’t speak of, or they’ve simply lost their minds.’

"I suppose that’s our only option..."

Irena nodded. After a quick word with Sosma, she returned with Han Ning and the others to the Yunlan Space.

Sage, Hom, and Dean Wu, who had been waiting, quickly gathered around to ask about the situation.

Seeing the swarm of turtles halted outside the continent and the dozens of Witch Spirit Beastmasters in a tense, confrontational stance, the more perceptive members of the group had already guessed the outcome.

After Irena explained the details, the expressions of most people present didn’t change at all.

Only Sage stared at Irena’s delicate face, snorted, and said coldly, "Irena, you handled this matter incorrectly."

"Senior..." Irena bit her lip, her eyes looking lost.

"You know our group’s situation inside and out. Your mistake was not being firm enough. You didn’t show a decisive stance because you were harboring doubts yourself. If it were me, even under threat of death, I would have charged into the Thunder Continent right then and there to confront the current Princes face-to-face."

Sage’s handsome face, wreathed in fiery light, showed no emotion.

"You go back. I will not enter the Witch Spirit Race’s territory with you until everyone has been granted entry."

Hom said nothing, but she quietly moved to Sage’s side.

"Seniors..." Irena’s body trembled slightly, and for a moment, she was at a loss for words.

Just as the atmosphere turned ice-cold, Han Ning opened his mouth to speak.

But Dean Wu, who was beside him, spoke first:

"Miss Yelena, since the two seniors are unwilling to go back with you, you should return by yourself first and get a clear picture of the situation."

"You know Teacher Sage’s temper. He’s just that straightforward. You didn’t do anything wrong; it’s just that your positions are different."

He sent the second half of his message via Spiritual Power.

"Irena, don’t be so lost. A leader shouldn’t feel this way. Pull yourself together. I’ll be waiting for your news," Hom, soft-hearted after all, comforted her gently.

Han Ning smiled.

"Go on back. Oh, right... after you return to your territory, if you get the chance, find a few Bloody Worm samples. The next time we meet, I can help you find a way to counter them."