Chapter 5

"What exactly do you want?" Cassian ground out through clenched teeth.

"To collect a debt, obviously," Aeron said.

"A debt? What debt? My family doesn't owe you anything," Cassian shot back.

Aeron let out a cold snort. "Doesn't owe me anything? Helena stayed in the Black Zenith Order for two years. During that time, she took a vast quantity of spirit herbs from my order.

"Those herbs belonged to my order. I have already traced where they went. They were sent here, to the Lunewell family.

"And that is not even the full extent of it. For the past two years, everything your family has eaten, worn, and spent has come from my order.

"The only reason your family reached its current standing is that the Black Zenith Order lifted you up. Because I, as its Young Lord, allowed it.

"You have been eating my food and drinking my wine, yet you still claim you owe me nothing?"

At those words, Cassian did not dare meet Aeron's gaze. Over the past two years, the Lunewells had risen into the ranks of Rovern City's major families by feeding on the Black Zenith Order's resources. More precisely, they had been feeding on Aeron's support. Without it, where would they have found the means to strengthen themselves?

"The spirit herbs and money Helena brought back were given willingly. We did not force you," Cassian said. "Besides, my daughter stayed with you for two years. With her future potential, you have already benefited far more."

Even after witnessing Aeron's genuine Level 5 Spirit Condensation strength, Cassian still regarded him with disdain. That level of strength was merely above average in the Black Zenith Order. In the Beastmaster Order, it would place him, at best, among ordinary acolytes.

On the other hand, his daughter was Garrick's direct apprentice. Her status stood worlds apart.

"I am not here to waste words with you," Aeron said coldly. "Either return everything your family has taken over the past two years, or I will gather my people and wipe your family out today."

"You dare?" Cassian glared at him. "Our family is already a vassal of the Beastmaster Order. If you touch us, they will not let you off."

Aeron smiled. "If I announce to the outside world that the Lunewells tried to kill me, do you really think the Beastmaster Order will risk war with my order to protect you?

"Cassian, do you truly believe your daughter holds some lofty position in the Beastmaster Order? She is valued only for her potential. She has not yet risen to that height.

"No matter how weak the Black Zenith Order may be, it still stands as the third strongest order within the vast lands around Rovern City.

"Now, do you really believe the Beastmaster Order would go to war with us for your family's sake?"

Cassian's expression darkened. For organizations such as the Beastmaster and Black Zenith Orders, war was not something they would initiate unless forced. There was no chance they would go all out over a family like his.

"How about this?" Aeron proposed, "Hand over every spirit herb in your family's possession. For the sake of our past ties, I will consider the matter settled."

Cassian's expression tightened as he hesitated.

"My patience is limited," Aeron said flatly. "Do not force me to take further action."

With no other choice, Cassian finally yielded. "I will give them. Fine, I will hand them over."

He immediately ordered the family's stored spirit herbs to be brought out, including their most precious treasure, a Grade 9 spirit herb.

When he handed it over, it felt as if his heart were bleeding. The Lunewells had lost several members to obtain it. He had planned to deliver it personally to the Beastmaster Order for Helena's progress. Instead, before he could even keep it for long, Aeron took it away.

Aeron was surprised when he saw the Grade 9 spirit herb. He had not expected Cassian to possess something so valuable. In Rovern City, such an item was rarely seen and almost never available for purchase.

After storing the herbs, Aeron left the Lunewell estate.

…

Within the Black Zenith Order's forbidden grounds, only Elder Ena and a select few had permission to enter. The High Ascendant trained there in seclusion. Anyone who approached without authorization faced severe punishment.

Elder Ena stepped into the restricted area. Deep inside, an elderly man with silver whiskers hovered in midair. He wore a plain robe, and crimson lightning coiled around his body.

Though advanced in age, his gaze remained sharp as a blade.

"High Ascendant." Elder Ena quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

Luceran cast him a calm glance. "It has only been a year, yet you have advanced so little."

"The Mystic power the Grandmaster left in my body has already been exhausted…" Elder Ena said with a bitter smile.

Luceran let out a quiet sigh. "It has been 17 years. It is only natural that the Mystic power would run out. Among everyone in the Black Zenith Order, you endured longer than most."

Hope flickered in Elder Ena's eyes. "I wonder whether the Grandmaster will ever return."

Elder Ena knew little about the Grandmaster's origins. He only knew that the man possessed an utterly heaven-defying Mystic power.

The Grandmaster had arrived in Rovern City carrying an infant 17 years ago. He had gathered a group of scattered rogue realmstriders with nowhere to belong and led them 900 miles to Aerulon City.

There, with a single strike, he annihilated an 800-year-old order far stronger than the Beastmaster Order.

Only later did they learn the truth. That order had been utterly depraved and guilty of every crime imaginable. It had been plundering, violating, and killing without restraint. The Grandmaster had wiped it out without hesitation, then left all of its resources to them and entrusted them with the infant he had carried.

That infant was Aeron, and they were ordered to raise him in the Grandmaster's place.

Before departing, the Grandmaster had also left behind a mysterious Mystic power within each of them. That power enhanced their talent and aptitude.

With these strengthened gifts and the resources they inherited, the Black Zenith Order rose to become the third-ranked order in Rovern City within 17 years.

"The Young Lord has grown. In one month, he will turn 18. When that day comes, our 18-year agreement with the Grandmaster will end. I only wonder whether he will have become someone extraordinary by then…" Luceran said with a soft sigh.

At that moment, a faint sound came from Elder Ena's body. He quickly retrieved a transmission crystal, poured spirit energy into it, and held it to his ear.

His expression changed at once.

"What happened?" Luceran asked.

"Elder Dyo sent an urgent message. The attendants serving the Young Lord reported that after he left his residence this morning, his whereabouts became unknown. He has not been seen since…"

A terrifying aura erupted from Luceran's body. "What did you say?"

Elder Ena's face turned pale, and his body began to tremble uncontrollably.

"I told you before that all of you must ensure the Young Lord's safety," Luceran thundered. "And now he leaves, and none of you even know where he went? If something happens to him, how do you intend to answer to the Grandmaster?"

The crimson lightning around him surged violently in all directions.

"Please calm your anger, High Ascendant. Several elders were injured some time ago, and we have not been able to properly arrange our manpower…" Elder Ena said in haste.

"I do not care about your manpower arrangements. The Young Lord is missing. Mobilize everyone in the Black Zenith Order immediately and send them out to find him. If you cannot find him, then do not bother returning," Luceran growled.

At that moment, the transmission crystal trembled again. Elder Ena quickly channeled spirit energy into it. As he listened, the tightness in his chest eased.

"High Ascendant, Elder Dyo has just sent word. The Young Lord has already returned to the order."

Luceran glared at Elder Ena and let out a cold snort. "It is good that he returned. But consider this your final warning. There must never be a next time."

"There will not be, High Ascendant. Please rest assured. This will never happen again," Elder Ena said quickly.

"Then why are you still standing here? Go and confirm whether the Young Lord has been harmed," Luceran urged.

"Yes, I will go at once." Elder Ena hurried out. Only as he left did he realize his clothes clung coldly to his skin, already soaked through with sweat.