Cole don't have a reason to deny Master Timber's request. Only, he would have to wait until all of his subordinates finish their own tribulation.

However, Master Timber's approach gave him an idea. A big idea could give his faction a force that could threaten and intimidate the human powerhouses of whole Azure Territory. An idea that could make a boomlike growth for his force.

Cole hesitate for a moment before he call Dian and commands, "Dian, release a news that in exchange for 10 years of service, the Rising Phoenix Spirit Tree Nation is willing to assist a peak Nascent Soul stage when they face their Heavenly Tribulation."

When it comes to matters of expert, it was already out of Dian's expertise. The latter didn't question nor said his opinion and just execute the command.

After Dian leave, Cole already think about the consequences of his decision.

The very first thing he have to solve is the security of Towering Tree City and its surrounding village.

With the mentality of every expert in this world, it could be expected that those peak Nascent Soul stage that'll flood the territory after they heard the news won't put the commoners in their eyes. They'll act all mighty and powerful than all of their actions won't consider if they accidentally kill an 'ant' in their surrounding.

Therefore, the very first thing he have to address is the security of his territory. As for his martial force, it even have yet to take shape, much less protect them from external expert.

Without a choice, Cole could only shift his attention to his own force.

Fernan and Fernando is already a Void Sensing expert and they were more than enough to ensure the security of small Towering Tree City. But what worry Cole is those scattered village.

He need to add another manpower in his side.

And there is one thing that could do this.

Immediately, Cole call all of his subordinates and brought them inside the [Inner World] and he bring them in front of shrine that seem to be eaten by an old tree as it was embedded in the very tree's trunk.

To ensure the security in the outside, Cole only brought Fernan, Fernand, Fernando and his brother-in-law.

And the shrine in their front is exactly the Beast Gate Shrine.

"This is the place where all of you will summon your companion beast. For the meantime, only Fernan and Fernando can summon their companion beast. As for Fernand, you could only spectate." Cole said.

As for his brother-in-law, he already have a plan to make him contract a Golden Bee since it was a bonafide Divine-Rank beast.

However, his initial plan for his brother-in-law is great and all but it wasn't without a flaw since Golden Bee's greatest strength is number. He have to talk about this matter to his brother-in-law and he'll make a decision on his own.

"You only need to stand in front of the shrine and wish for your companion beast. Make sure that inside your heart and mind, you'll treat your companion beast a true companion and not just a tool or otherwise, you won't be able to summon a beast." Cole stated the restriction of the shrine.

However, he don't need to remind them of that. The other four have envied Cole everytime they dungeon dive since most of the works were usually done by his contracted beast. Deep in their hearts, a sprout of wanting have already appear and they knew that despite to what they know, beast is not just a enemy and a tool of cultivators but also a trusted companion and family.

"Don't worry, young master Cole. Perhaps the others won't treat their companion beast as equal but not us." Fernan stated.

No kidding. Don't forget that they were controlled through parasitic medium of Cole's companion beast. This means that their companion beast is on the same status, in name at the least, to the one that holds their life. If don't treat their companion beast just like their own ancestor, their ruthless true master won't hesitate to claim their lives.

Their true master is a divine dragon that don't put them into her eyes. In fact, they knew that the reason why they're still alive until now is because they have a use to their young master Cole.

Cole don't have an idea about the inner struggles of his subordinates and said contendedly, "Good. Fernan, you go first."

With solemn steps, Fernan step forward in front of the shrine and wish for his companion beast.

In the next second, the tree that covers the shrine rustle despite the lack of wind pressure and a summoning circle appear in front of the shrine, in the middle of it and Fernan. At the same time, a sacred, divine aura permeate the air.

Five second after, the summoning circle turn more brighter and a beast have appear.

Cole read the information his [Heavenly Eyes] provide regarding the summoned beast.

Thriving Forest Ancient Mammoth [Emperor-Rank] Level : First-level Tier-5 Affinity : Earth, Wood Potential : Holy [Introduction : An ancient species of beast with mild temperament. A herd of Thriving Forest Mammoth is always in migration and one of their main hobby is to change the environment of dessert into thriving forest.]

The companion beast that Fernan summoned is by no means small but under the effect of Beast Gate Shrine, the massive mammoth currently on the same size as normal elephant.

Cole was kind of interested to the beast Fernan summoned.

Just like its name, the beast is truly a mammoth but instead of having a wool like hide, its hide were actually a crisscrossed roots of the small forest on its back. It looks frail and weak to fire.

However, the trees on its back that made a small forest is composed of different kind and not just normal trees but spiritual trees with average grade of Heaven-Rank.

For Cole and his subordinate, Heaven-Rank Spiritual Tree is not particularly precious since they mostly encounter Monarch, Emperor and even Holy-Rank spiritual tree in Forgotten Garden Dungeon. The [Inner World] were also infested with it since Cole won't spare any particular resource.

However, those Heaven-Rank spiritual trees might cause a commotion in Azure Territory. Some of those Heaven-Rank spiritual trees have a significant strategic value and some even bore resources. Heaven-Rank resources are meant for Void Sensing stage expert to be used and this level is one of the pinnacle power of Azure Territory.

The small forest at the back of Thriving Forest Ancient Mammoth have taken roots on its body. Its roots have formed a wool like armor and those trees are even considered as part of its body.

And since it was part of its body, the beast itself will inherit a part of the ability of the tree on its back. For instance, the current amount of tree on its back gave the Thriving Forest Ancient Mammoth an ability to survive through photosynthesis. It was a great news since its size means that it needs to consume huge amount of food for the energy it needs to operate normally but the sun is the only thing it need now.

The small forest is part of the beast's body but if one thought that it became the beast's weakness, it was completely wrong. That is because the Thriving Forest Ancient Mammoth have the ability to share the characteristics of the trees to all of its kind. This means that if one spiritual tree is fire-type resource, this means that all the spiritual trees will acquire a strong fire elemental resistance.

And this ability is one of the scary ability of the Thriving Forest Ancient Mammoth beast because this innate ability means that one can cover all the weakness of the beast through spiritual tree.

And this is only the ability Cole was able to tell through his [Heavenly Eyes] and other innate ability.

Through the mediation of Beast Gate Shrine, Fernan and Thriving Forest Ancient Mammoth made a contract to each other. After doing so, the beast figure vanish and the magical effect in the surrounding vanish.

Fernan walk towards Cole and stated, "Young master Cole, I successfully contracted my companion beast. I will ensure that I'll perform my duties more efficient."

Cole nodded his head in satisfaction, "That's good to hear. Make sure to treat your companion beast with sincerity. Don't worry, I'll help you on nurturing it."

After Fernan, it was then Fernando's turn.

It wasn't before long and a beast came out of summoning circle.

Flowing Water Valiant Thunder Unicorn [Holy-Rank] Level : First-level Tier-5 Affinity : Water, Lightning Potential : ∅ [Introduction : A rare beast with gentle nature but destructive and powerful when angry. It is capable of living in water and land and is famed for its speed.]

The companion beast Fernando summon is more impressive than Fernan. Although it lacks potential, it already has Holy-Rank bloodline. This level of beast bloodline means a sure win ticket to Sainthood Realm, not only for the beasts but also for Fernando who is its master.

Thriving Forest Ancient Mammoth is a beast that excel on defense and was considered as good defensive beast while Flowing Water Valiant Thunder Unicorn is a pure offensive type beast.

The Flowing Water Valiant Thunder Unicorn is a horned horse with blue water body that seem to be flowing steadily. It looks spiritual, extraordinary and mild.

However, its blue horn were flickering with continuous lightning. It seem to be full of lightning that is capable of annihilating any creature that'll destroy its serene appearance.

After the successful summoning of their companion beast, Cole smile in satisfaction for a long time. They only spend several minutes inside the [Inner World] and two additional Void Sensing stage expert were added in his arsenal.

This means that as long as the other two, Fernand and his brother-in-law, make their breakthrough, he'll have another four Void Sensing expert that will be added in his line up.

Although it wasn't ideal to reveal the existence of their companion beast since it might arouse the greed of other forces, it could still be considered as hidden weapon, and it was a powerful and deadly one at that.

The additional companion beast might mean additional need for resources but resources is something that Cole didn't have to worry about. They could just challenge the Dungeon Monolith and they could harvest resources that could be used for their companion beast.

Unfortunately, he wasn't given more time to stay inside the [Inner World] as another important guest visit him.

Cole commanded Fernan and Fernando not to show their companion beast's existence in the outside world. Their companion beast need to be stored inside their own pet space if the tamer is on the outside world or leave them inside the [Inner World].

It was only then he brought them outside as they have important matters to address to.

Unexpectedly, the one that visit his mansion is someone familiar. It was Pirro, the Prime Minister of Heavenly Flame Empire.

After greeting one another and brought inside a private space, Pirro didn't beat around the bush and immediately stated his purpose;

"The Heavenly Flame Empire wish to purchase the Rising Phoenix Spirit Tree Nation's method for assisting in Void Transcendence' Heavenly Tribulation. If not possible, the Heavenly Flame Empire ask the Rising Phoenix Spirit Tree Nation's to share the method to us in exchange for benefit and protection from us." Pirro stated this long sentence with steady tone as though he was saying a normal conversation but Cole could tell that the other were already pressuring his side.

Basically, the Empire were asking for him to surrender the method for assisting in Heavenly Tribulation breakthrough challenge but perhaps because of his last favor of giving an item of life extending to current Emperor, there is a second option that gave him the choice to share the method instead. Unlike the first one, this was considered a good will since he'd still be able to use the so called method while also protecting him from attempt of other forces to take the method from him.

However, even if he wanted to, Cole doesn't have any method to share unless he give them Blue and there is no way in hell he'll abandon his family member who he also raise from infancy and is considered his own child.

Oh, he could give them the formation he get from Chaotic Thunder Pool Ruins through his [Heavenly Eyes] but this means that the empire would expend countless resources to build a Divine-Rank Formation which is something that a small human empire won't be able to achieved. In the end, this method would still make him antagonize the empire since they'll definitely occupy the one he use, which there is nothing at all.

Therefore, unless he's willing to give up Blue and the divine artifact, Cole don't have a choice but to deny the Heavenly Flame Empire.

The empire is something he need to wary the most since it exist for hundred of years and have already established a strong foundation. The empire definitely have hidden experts.

Still, he's not someone without remaining method after all. He don't want to make an enemy with the Heavenly Flame Empire, not for now at the least, but he won't lower himself without a fight.

Beside, the Heavenly Flame Empire might have disregard the oath they have made in exchange of the Water of Life. More than anything, he's excited for them to attack him and experience the consequences of breaking a sacred oath.

"Prime Minister Pirro, I wish to continue a peaceful connection with the Heavenly Flame Empire and I'm more than willing to assist a cultivator of your empire to successfully face their Heavenly Tribulation. However, I won't be able to share or give the method to your empire due to very special reason."

Although Prime Minister Pirro literally just underestimated him affrontly, Cole still try to be neutral and humble when he spoke.

However, the moment he made his stand, Prime Minister Pirro's eyes change entirely into empathetic gaze. He looks like he was looking at someone beneath.

Cole definitely don't like it but he still remain his neutral expression.

"That's a pity... I won't stay here for long." After saying that, Pirro didn't wait for Cole to reply as he arrogantly leave the city lord mansion and flew back into the Heavenly Flame City.