LOGINMiranda's eyes showed a trace of helplessness. She didn't know if Ashton's pride had been hurt, but she knew he shouldn't stay here any longer. If he did, something bad might happen because Aaron and Cyrus were not the kind to show mercy.Men who had gotten close to her before had all disappeared. She didn't want Ashton to meet the same fate. If she had known this would happen, she wouldn't have brought him here."Aren't we here for a blind date?" Ashton asked. "We haven't even gotten to know each other yet. Why would I leave now?"He chuckled, then reached out and wrapped an arm around Miranda's waist, pulling her against him. He didn't react to Aaron's pressure, saying calmly, "Mr. Sterling, I'm the right guy for Miranda. We're seeing each other, and tonight is our date. I'm not leaving."Ashton gave Cyrus a dismissive glance. "As for you… You're the one who is out of your league. Stay away from her. Can't you see she can't stand you? Know your place."His words and the way he
A middle-aged man stepped into the private room, his features sharp and defined. He was Aaron Sterling, the man who controlled a third of Linton Island's criminal underworld and also Miranda's father.A young man followed behind him. He was good-looking, and his aura made it clear he had already stepped into the transformation realm. He wore a faint, arrogant smile. When he noticed Ashton in the room, his brows tightened, and his gaze turned hostile. The young man had already set his sights on Miranda. He didn't like her standing close to another man, and he wanted her all to himself."Dad!"Miranda smiled and made the introductions."This is Ashton Gray. He's the blind date mom arranged for me. And this is Quinn Callahan, my best friend.""Hello, Mr. Sterling." Quinn's body tensed as she spoke, and she sounded slightly nervous. Aaron's attitude was calm and carried no obvious pressure, but the presence of someone in power still made her breathing uneven. She lowered her hea
Ashton smiled and said, "Leave? But we haven't even started yet. We're supposed to check out the Linton Island Tournament, right? Let's go together. We can get to know each other on the way."Miranda was the chosen maiden with the Omni constitution. There was no way he was letting that slip.Before this, he had no real interest in pursuing her. At most, he would have let things play out on their own.But now, things were different. His Drakeborne lineage was already beginning to corrupt him from within. He also needed to grow stronger as soon as possible and step into the otherworldly realm. Thus, he wouldn't miss this chance. Even if it meant using certain methods, Ashton would make sure Miranda engaged in dual cultivation with him."You sure?" Quinn asked.She was taken aback that he didn't back down and instead seemed even more interested in Miranda."Yeah."She leaned in close to Miranda and lowered her voice. "This guy seriously doesn't care if he dies.""Then, let's go
Ashton's resolve hardened. He wasn't going to stand by and watch his family be taken from him again.Moreover, this threat was worse than anything that had come before. The Drake family guarded their bloodline with absolute ruthlessness. If they found him, they would kill him, and nothing would stop them.The moment he thought of his family and his daughter, his expression turned cold, and something dangerous settled in his eyes. He would never let anyone harm them."I must win over Miranda, the chosen maiden. There isn't much time left. I have to break into the otherworldly realm as soon as possible, and I need to expand my power base."With his mind made up, Ashton picked up his pace and headed toward the Skybound Club on Linton Island."Ashton, over here."Miranda had already arrived. She smiled when she saw him and waved him over.He walked toward her. Miranda was dressed in a light blue floral dress that left her shoulders bare, her skin smooth and unblemished. Her dark h
Gwen broke away in a burst of speed and shot out of Javonbury. She heard Queenie behind her, saying, "Step back into this city again, and you die."Her expression stiffened. She had planned to mask her aura and secretly investigate the one carrying that half-breed bloodline. Her instincts told her Queenie was protecting something. But for now, she didn't dare push further."Where the hell is that half-breed?" Gwen muttered with a frown.If she failed this mission, she'd be reprimanded and lose her mentor's trust."Wherever you are, I'll find you," she said coldly. "And when I do, I'll grind your bones to dust. A half-breed of the Drake family like you isn't meant to exist."Once Queenie confirmed Gwen had left Javonbury, she contacted Ashton."Ms. Nolan, what's up?" Ashton asked, caught off guard as he made his way to the Skybound Club in Linton Island. He hadn't expected her to call at a time like this."Are you from the Drake family?" she asked bluntly."What?" His chest ti
Queenie sensed the searing energy and immediately thought of Ashton. She recalled how, in his moments of madness and fury, Ashton had emitted an energy strikingly similar to Gwen's current bloodline energy, though Ashton's felt more suppressed and frightening.She thought to herself, "Is Ashton actually from the Drake family? It makes sense now why Lawrence was so intent on having him lead the Legion."Queenie's mind raced as she processed the connection. She found one aspect especially perplexing, though. Ashton's bloodline energy was far more powerful. She knew that Gwen was a recognized descendant of the Drake family, so her bloodline energy should have been far stronger than Ashton's."M-Ms. Nolan…" Gwen spoke up, noticing that Queenie had drifted off into thought."I haven't seen anyone like that," Queenie stated flatly after snapping back to her senses. She glared at Gwen and added indifferently, "You won't find someone like that in Javonbury. You're not welcome here, so
Deep down, Ashton had already sentenced Maxwell to death.After all, Maxwell had repeatedly tried to kill him, worsened Lawrence's injuries countless times, and now had even allied with the Jalunese Martial Association. Given Ashton's nature, there was no way he would let him off."You?" Leona fro
"H-How are you still alive?" Clay swallowed hard as he stared at Ashton's cold, emotionless face. Then, he gradually became terrified.Clay had fought his way through countless battles to get to where he was today. Yet none of his past opponents had ever unsettled or terrified him as Ashton did.F
The rain stung Clay's wounds, flooding his senses with agonizing pain.He looked absolutely miserable. His white attire had long since been ripped to shreds, while his hair was disheveled. Gritting his teeth, he struggled with all his remaining strength to get up, only for Ashton to kick him back d
The impact boomed like thunder, shaking Apex Arena to its foundations. Shockwaves tore across the platform, with wild currents of energy rippling in every direction.At that instant, a web of fractures spidered across Ashton's black barrier. Through the gaps, razor-edged sword energy forced its way







