CHAPTER 768 MAKING USE OF THE DAUGHTER

"Father, the guys who instigated the disturbance seem to be well prepared. They knew how to change

the Ethereal Spirit Pill's properties by using Cyan Sulphur. They could be hired by someone that is not

ordinary," Mary reported while the others listened intently.

"The Qi Clan must be behind this. I heard that they have started fighting with the Cao Clan openly and

in secret in the coming of the Beast Master Contest," Raef said strongly.

The Qi Clan and the Cao Clan were the two most powerful clans in the Timber Deity Empire. They

were neck-and-neck in terms of strength, and they had a lot of outstanding Beast Masters from the

three major professions: beast evaluator, beast tamer, and beast curer. The Timber Deity Empire held a

Beast Master Contest every three years, and they summoned promising Beast Masters from several

big clans of the empire to compete with each other. The clan who would win the title of the Best Beast

Master would receive a great reward, and they could also represent the Timber Deity Empire in bigger

contests where different empires sent their promising Beast Masters.

However, for the top clans of the Timber Deity Empire, the greatest benefit that could be garnered from

the Beast Master Contest was the improvement of their reputation and status in the empire, which

meant that the clan's performance in the contest had a direct bearing on the interests of the whole clan.

This was because the clan that would win in the contest could gain the recognition and favor of the

imperial family of the Timber Deity Empire. Its Beast Masters and highly-skilled spirit manipulators

could be promoted as well. So, all the big clans took the Beast Master Contest seriously.

In the previous years, only two clans stood out: the Qi Clan and the Cao Clan. The Qi Clan had the

strongest beast tamer in the Timber Deity Empire—Samson, whose strength was ranked only second

to Sheridan, the best beast tamer of the Wild Spirit Land. Samson's disciples were well-known and very

powerful. On the other hand, the Cao Clan had the most powerful beast evaluator in the Timber Deity

Empire. He was said to have mastered the eighth level of the beast evaluating power, and his disciples

were also formidable. Of course, the other mediocre clans relied heavily on the two biggest clans, but

sometimes, they would also discover great talents within their ranks.

The Xiao Clan was one of them. They relied on the Cao Clan, who highly valued their Beast Curing

Skill.

Given these details, it was reasonable for Raef to suspect that the Qi Clan was responsible for the

disturbance.

"The Beast Master Contest is coming up. We need to make sure that peace and safety are well-kept.

The Cao Clan allocated three spots for our participants, and we already have Mary and Travis, so we

only need one more. I intend to hold a competition within the Xiao Clan in three days, where we will

select outstanding disciples. Through that, we will let the Cao Clan select the third participant," Raef

announced to the people present.

He left further instructions and arranged all the necessary preparations, as he made sure that the

competition would be ready to commence in three days.

"If you have nothing else to report, you can leave now. Mary, stay for a moment," Raef said as he

gestured for the other disciples to leave.

At once, Harry and the other beast curers left the room, while Mary remained seated, waving the others

goodbye.

Raef also turned to dismiss Travis and said, "Travis, you must be tired too. You can go back to your

room and rest."

Travis nodded wordlessly and left the room. He had barely stepped foot outside when Juey spoke up,

"Father, I'm leaving as well." Then, as soon as Raef nodded his permission, she ran off after her

brother.

She caught up with Travis a few feet away from the room, and hastily snatched his hand. "Travisr!

Thank you for your help earlier."

"I didn't do it for you," said Travis, snatching his hand back roughly. "I helped you out because I didn't

want this tiny matter to bother our father. Fortunately, you've debunked that man's tricks this time. From

now on, make sure you think twice before you act. Don't be foolish," he added further in a very serious

tone and then left swiftly.

Juey frowned to herself, as she watched him leave. She murmured, "It was all that man's fault. How did

he know the formula of the Ethereal Spirit Pill? I went to meet him, but he was nowhere to be found. I

won't let him go easily!"

Meanwhile, only Mary and Raef were left inside the hall of the Xiao Clan's mansion. The two sat close

together, and their voices were quiet and secretive.

"Mary, I have something to tell you," Raef started talking, as he looked at his beloved daughter with a

serious expression on his face.

"What is it, father?" Mary sat close to her father and started massaging his back to relieve the tension

in his body.

"Do you know Prince Woods?" asked Raef.

Mary paused for a moment to think, then she answered, "If I remember correctly, he is the younger

brother of Princess Alyssa."

"Then you must know that the emperor favors Princess Alyssa greatly, and she has gained great power

and influences over the years. Her younger brother, Prince Woods, has built a powerful group with her

help in the Timber Deity Empire, and this group has gained a lot of power and influence too. It's widely

believed that he will become the emperor's heir because of his relationship with Princess Alyssa," Raef

added quietly. It became obvious to Mary now, that her father was planning something.

"Really?" Mary asked, intrigued.

"This isn't good, because the Qi Clan has a good relationship with Princess Alyssa, and Samson is now

working for her as well. I'm afraid that when the day of the Beast Master Contest comes, Princess

Alyssa might back the Qi Clan, and with her support, they will surely get the upper hand over the Cao

Clan," Raef continued concernedly.

"What do you plan to do with Prince Woods, father?" Mary asked smartly.

"It is well known that Princess Alyssa loves her younger brother very much, and it is thanks to her that holds © this.

he has gained so much power today. Thus, we know that Prince Woods is the only one who can

influence Princess Alyssa. Chief Lucilla told me that Prince Woods is still unmarried and he also

doesn't have any concubines. Therefore, if someone from the Cao Clan becomes his spouse, it will be

a great advantage for us," Raef implied.

"Father, do you mean..." Mary's eyes widened in surprise when she understood what Raef was trying

to say.

"During the Beast Master Contest, I will find a way for you and Juey to meet Prince Woods. If either of

you catches Prince Woods' interest, it will be good for both the Cao Clan and the Xiao Clan. Do you

understand what I mean?" Raef explained frankly.

"I understand, father. But shall we tell Juey about this?" Mary asked.

"No, at least, not now. The truth is I don't want it to be you. I want you to lead the Xiao Clan in the

future, so I'm hoping he will fancy Juey instead. Although Travis is also talented, he was not born as a

member of the Xiao Clan. You would be a much better leader. But if Prince Woods doesn't fall for your

sister, or if he prefers you over her, then we'll talk about it later," Raef further explained, but the

expression on his face told Mary that he was planning something dangerous, "But..." Mary started to

speak, but she didn't know what to say. She didn't expect that her father would resort to something like

this.

Someone had said that even a vicious tiger will not eat its cubs. But as she looked at her father's

expression, she feared that whoever said that was wrong. Her mind couldn't conceive how Raef could

stomach using his daughter just to gain Prince Woods' favor.

'What a devious plan!' she thought, as she felt her stomach turn. She breathed deeply to settle herself,

but otherwise, she didn't say anything more, as it was obvious that her father had already made up his

mind.