The red light was scattered by the shockwave produced from Layla’s spear.

Then, Alex’s figure reappeared about ten meters in front of her.

Layla’s expression immediately turned unpleasant.

"You want to drive me out? I’m afraid your strength isn’t enough," Alex said.

ROAR!

The roar of a dragon echoed from Alex as he charged toward Layla, wrapped in a dragon-shaped crimson light.

"You think you’re stronger than me?" Layla became furious at being underestimated.

She was not weak either—she had cultivated for far longer.

This time, a single swing of her spear produced gigantic phantom spears that swept toward Alex.

BANG!

Their collision shook the courtyard, but in the end, Layla was the one blasted backward.

She looked completely disbelieving.

Alex did not stop attacking. He continued charging toward her relentlessly.

To him, there was clearly no forgiveness for anyone who attacked him.

Watching from outside, Victor could only frown.

This man truly was an anomaly—it would not be easy to bring him down.

Although Layla managed to resist, she was continuously pushed backward until she was forced out of the courtyard.

The moment that happened, she was immediately expelled from this world.

It seemed defeat resulted in expulsion.

That explained why some people came out furious—like Lancelot.

It also removed any chance of searching for treasures elsewhere.

After forcing Layla out, Alex cast a sharp glance at Victor.

But then he simply turned around and headed toward the rear courtyard of the palace.

It seemed he had already finished cultivating on the stone platform.

Alexandra also appeared to be done.

Victor naturally wasn’t afraid to enter even with Alex still inside.

He stepped in and approached Alexandra.

"What?" Victor smiled at her strange gaze.

"Nothing..." the woman shook her head.

"Now that you’re here, how do you feel? Do you sense certain points in this courtyard connected to you? All the treasures here are hidden, but there’s no doubt this place contains more than anywhere else."

"Yes, I can feel them—even several of them..." Victor nodded.

"That’s normal. There isn’t only one treasure suitable for you here. However, we can’t be sure whether what we choose is truly what we desire most. Once we obtain one, we’ll be expelled," Alexandra said.

"I’m not expecting it to be the perfect thing I want most. As long as it suits me and is high quality, I’ll be satisfied," Victor replied.

He had only just arrived yet already gained the chance to choose treasures in the best area—something others struggled desperately for and still failed to achieve.

"By the way, what’s with those Sea Spirits?" Victor asked while glancing at the Sea Spirits observing from outside.

"They simply don’t want to communicate," Alexandra replied.

"Why?"

"According to rumors, they may actually be imprisoned here rather than willingly isolating themselves."

"Imprisoned?" Victor was genuinely surprised.

"By the Heaven Emperor, the founder of our academy. The rumor says something is hidden here. An entire race was forced into isolation, and naturally they continued strengthening the defensive formations protecting their territory. The Sea Spirit Race is the best at this."

"Oh..."

Victor had no comment after hearing that.

He only wondered what exactly was being hidden.

But if it had remained concealed for so long, it meant it was not something just anyone could obtain.

Otherwise, the World Monarchs would have taken it already.

"By the way, can the palace itself not be entered?" Victor asked.

He could actually sense something inside resonating with him—something even more valuable.

Yet the palace remained closed despite lacking guards.

Even its windows were sealed shut.

"The Sea Spirit King isolates himself inside. Even the Sea Spirits themselves cannot enter," Alexandra replied. "However, according to the information I read, entering isn’t impossible. Someone once succeeded."

"Who?"

"Your mother."

"..."

"Are you serious?" Victor laughed slightly in disbelief.

"She succeeded because she likely brought something the King needed. Your mother was extremely clever. Before coming here, she had already thoroughly researched the Sea Spirits. I also tried researching them, but information regarding what the King needs is impossible to find. I simply didn’t have enough time."

"I see..."

After learning all that, Victor walked toward the palace gates.

"Victor, what are you doing?" Alexandra followed in surprise.

"Just trying," Victor answered.

Although doubtful, Alexandra was curious after hearing that.

Perhaps relying on a connection could actually work.

Victor’s actions immediately drew the attention of the Sea Spirits.

It was obvious they were wondering what this human intended to do.

When Victor arrived before the enormous ten-meter-tall palace doors, he could clearly sense an impenetrable defensive force.

"Sea Spirit King, may I enter?" Victor spoke loudly before the doors.

It wasn’t a shout, yet his voice spread throughout the area.

Even Alex heard it and returned to the front courtyard out of curiosity.

Seeing Victor’s actions, he looked as if he were witnessing stupidity.

But a moment later, it was as though his face had been slapped.

The tightly shut palace doors slowly began to open.

They only opened slightly before stopping—barely enough space for a single person to pass through.

It seemed whoever controlled them wanted to indicate that only one person could enter.

Of course, that was merely a guess.

Perhaps the King simply had a habit of opening his palace doors only slightly.

Victor himself was surprised by this success—especially Alexandra.

Her delicate lips parted slightly in shock.

"Looks like it worked," Victor said with a smile.

Though deeply shocked, Alexandra calmed down quickly.

"This is an incredible opportunity," she said.

"Come with me," Victor replied as he grabbed her hand, causing Alex—watching from behind—to look visibly displeased.

"Victor, this invitation is only for you," Alexandra said, resisting slightly while Victor continued walking.

"Not necessarily!" Victor still pulled her along.

Nothing happened.

They successfully entered together, arriving inside a long hall illuminated by yellow crystal lamps lining both walls.

At the very front, Victor saw a throne entirely made of pale blue diamonds.

A man who still appeared young sat upon it with his head resting against one hand.

Like the Sea Spirits, his body seemed made of water. He possessed long pale blue hair and an incredibly handsome face.

He looked only in his twenties.

Yet Victor sensed an unimaginably ancient aura from him.

Looking at him felt like staring at the oldest existence imaginable.

This so-called Sea Spirit King had apparently never changed rulers—and surviving for that long only proved how extraordinary his strength was.

Victor could not help feeling curious about him.

He also wondered why he had been allowed inside.

After all, trying to enter had merely been a gamble.

He never expected it to succeed.

Moreover, when Margaret came here in the past, she had still been young and weak.

Unless this King knew about Margaret’s current situation.

Even then, without a deep connection between them, there would be no reason for him to care about Margaret’s son.

"Sea Spirit King..." Victor greeted with a smile.

He realized he had to initiate the conversation himself.

However, the other party was an ancient senior with an unfathomable identity and strength.

It wasn’t that Victor was incapable of respecting others. It simply depended on who stood before him.

"Hm..." The King suddenly revealed a cold smile.

BANG!

The palace doors suddenly slammed shut with tremendous force.

"If you had remained outside, I would not have done anything to you," he said. "But you insisted on entering and even brought your lover with you."

Victor frowned upon hearing that.

His heart slowly tightened.

This was clearly not what he had expected.

Had Margaret actually angered this man in the past?

But if that were the case, Margaret should not have been fine during her time here.

"Your Majesty, are you planning to harm me?" Victor asked calmly.

"Harm you?" The King maintained his cold smile as he chuckled softly.

"That would be appropriate considering what your mother once did. However, there is no need for me to bully a junior. Still, since you are already here, naturally I will make use of your presence to entertain myself."

As he stood up, Victor’s expression darkened.

He realized his body could no longer move.

Alexandra appeared to be experiencing the same thing.

Buzz!

A wave of water emerged from the King’s hand, engulfing Victor and wrapping around him.

Its purpose, however, was obviously not to drown him.

Victor felt as though he were being examined down to the finest detail.

Afterward, the water withdrew from his body, gathered in front of him, and gradually formed the shape of a human.

When it fully materialized, it had become exactly like him.

Even the figure immediately smiled at him.

Victor could not possibly feel more uncomfortable than he did at this moment.

"You truly possess many extraordinary things," the figure said to Victor.

In truth, it was not only the figure’s appearance that matched him perfectly. Victor could sense that even their auras were completely identical.

Even their strength was the same.

He realized that although the figure was merely a clone, it had copied him entirely, including his talents.

Victor could only marvel at such a technique after witnessing it firsthand.

This was clearly a high-level technique.