"It’s just what?" Princess Isabella prompted.
Halifan’s lips quivered.
In all honesty, since Conferred Queen Isabella seemed to be a High-Level Martial Master Stage, almost a peak Seventh Stage Expert, he believed that she must at least be older than a hundred years old. Even the information they received only said that she was less than two hundred years old.
This wasn’t a piece of accurate information when it pertains to someone’s age, but he believed that there is no way that there could be Seventh Stage Experts below a hundred years old.
So he was quite hesitant to say that she was older and could not participate in the Nine Eastern Territories Young Expert Competition, but he instantly remembered another fact that he forgot to tell!
"Ah! Your magnificence the Conferred Queen cannot participate in the Nine Eastern Territories Young Expert Competition because your origin isn’t from the Nine Eastern Territories. Only people who are born or have a particular relation with the Nine Eastern Territories are able to participate."
"Oh... So it is an enclosed competition for the Nine Small Territories. I was thinking of barging in, but since it’s overseen by nine hegemons of the Nine Eastern Territories, I guess I would be not giving enough face if I do so..." Princess Isabella sighed.
It was as if she lamented not being able to participate, and granted amnesty for the nine hegemons.
Everyone who heard her possessed a complicated expression on their faces. They didn’t know whether to think it it is a given that the Conferred Queen possessed such gall or just recklessness that didn’t fear and looked down on all the nine eastern hegemons.
"However, aren’t you also below a hundred years old and already at Mid-Level Law Manifestation Stage? Haven’t you already gained the qualifications to participate?" Princess Isabella asked with an amused expression on her face.
Halifan’s expression became difficult as he heard the Conferred Queen’s tone, but he still let out an awkward laugh.
"Haha, at a place where experts gather, only top disciples and their external peers are sent to the Nine Eastern Territories Young Expert Competition. If I went the way I am now, I would be too embarrassed to display my strength. Besides, when the competition takes place, I won’t be able to survive since killing is not prohibited."
"After all, fists don’t have eyes."
"Forget embarrassing myself as I would be just losing my life to some random top young expert I don’t know with my measly knowledge. I’m in my eighties, and I still have room for growth before becoming a century old. Still, unfortunately, the Nine Eastern Territories Young Expert Competition is scheduled for this decade, sigh."
Halifan’s expression deflated. He looked as if he lamented his fate on why he hadn’t born a decade sooner as that kept him from becoming a renowned expert in the Nine Eastern Territories Young Expert Competition.
His expression of garnering pity to have the Conferred Queen console him had Davis sneering inwardly.
Who was he trying to fool? He felt that the young experts there probably possessed a younger age than Halifan. Otherwise, why was there a need for Halifan to feel embarrassed about showing his face in the Nine Eastern Territories Young Expert Competition?
"Oh? Do you mean that this competition could start anytime in this decade? Even now? At this moment?" asked Princess Isabella.
"Yes," Halifan nodded his head, "There will be an invitation sent to the nine hegemons anytime in this decade by the Nine Eastern Territories Young Expert Competition overseers."
"Only three people from the nine hegemons hold the seat of the overseers because it is decided that the top three winners from the previous Nine Eastern Territories Young Expert Competition that was conducted a century ago would helm the next Nine Eastern Territories Young Expert Competition."
"The Nine Eastern Territories consists of the Towering Cloud Hall, Falling Snow Sect, Alstreim Family, Tripartite Alliance, Thousand Pill Palace, Flowing Mist Sect, Mystic Ice Sect, Vital Tempering Sect, and Twilight Physician Hall."
"Right now, the three powers which hold the seat of overseers are the Mystic Ice Sect, Vital Tempering Sect, and the Flowing Mist Sect."
"Flowing Mist Sect? Isn’t that the power which vainly tried to set me up against the Alstreim Family?" Princess Isabella possessed an amused expression on her face.
Before Halifan could reply, another voice echoed.
"That’s right!" Elder Havle Alstreim spoke, "The Flowing Mist Sect tried to create a conflict between us. I’m glad that the Conferred Queen is able to see through right and wrong, and tell who the innocent party is..."
"I see..." Princess Isabella nodded her head.
"Yes," Halifan obediently bowed, "Perhaps if one of Conferred Queen’s subordinates below hundred years possesses an origin from the Nine Eastern Territories, then it is possible for them to participate in the competition by obtaining a spot from one of the nine hegemons."
"In any case, I pray to the heavens that the competition occurs at the end of the decade. Otherwise, I would not be able to participate and obtain a position in the top hundred."
Princess Isabella pursed her lips as she looked around, "It seems I have stalled this battle for some time, and the conversation between the young experts had gone on for long. Alchemist Davis, you’re too lazy."
Hearing her admonish, Davis let out a chuckle, "Haha. Young Mistress, there are so many things I don’t know. If I don’t know, will my Young Mistress teach me then?"
"Oh? You can try asking from these fists of mine..." Princess Isabella raised her fist and amicably smirked.
"Hahaha!"
Davis laughed again. He had to admit. Princess Isabella was constantly being corrupted by him, and now, she even knew to act and take pleasure in hoodwinking her opponents.
Perhaps, this is her original heart because when he saw her when he was five years old, she was not restrained. She spoke and joked as she saw fit, but by the time he saw her again, she was no longer joking but was reserved, constrained, and aggressive.
Of course, she had become pleasantly surprised when she saw him in the waterfall cave of the Tyrannical Blue Ape Mountain Range and became a bit close, thinking he was just the same kid she saw in the past but it wasn’t long before distrust brew in her heart right after she heard about Immortal Inheritances from him.
At that time, she became cold and all the amicable relationship that just formed shattered like glass, which resulted in her treating him coldly, even dragging him all the way back to the Grand Sea Continent.
Fortunately, she had apologized and gave a chance for the Loret’s to participate in the Earth Dragon Immortal’s Inheritance Trial. Otherwise, with his narrow mind, Davis was sure that he would’ve still held it against her for dragging him roughly at that time.
Forget him. No prideful man would’ve endured being manhandled like that. It was fine if he had made a mistake, but he was wrongfully taken away.
If he didn’t possess an understanding heart, it would be even difficult for him to hold romantic emotions towards Princess Isabella because all that would exist would be hate and a desire to conquer or kill forcefully.