'Are you seeing this, Aaron?' the old man thought to himself. 'Now our family has four Innate Grandmasters, all thanks to Theodore. Bet you never expected this! That five-year-old boy of yours has made us proud.' The morning after, Theodore recovered after a night's rest. The harm he suffered from the backlash had completely healed. "Callum Yardley! Today marks the destruction of your family!" That voice startled the entire Yardley family. Inside the secret room, Callum and Theodore's eyes sprang open simultaneously. Sensing the danger in the air, they exchanged glances.They had waited for this moment for nearly thirteen years!The duo walked outside. Liliana, who was standing guard outside, had been woken up too. She had an anxious look on her face.Theodore grabbed his sister's hand. "Let's go! It's time to get our revenge!" The Boltons and the Claytons chose this moment to attack because Joseph Clayton had recently broken into the Advanced Innate Realm after a cultivat
"Postnatal Grandmasters! They have five Postnatal Grandmasters!""Innate… Those are Innate Grandmasters! They… The Yardleys have two Innate Grandmasters all along!" Yardley Manor's strongest men had arrived. There were seven of them in total, including five Postnatal Grandmasters. Yet even with this addition, it was not enough to tip the balance in their favor. The two men leading the group made no effort to conceal their aura. There was no mistake—both of them were Innate Grandmasters! "Isn't that Anthony Yardley? Isn't… Isn't he just a first-class cultivator? When did he become an Innate Grandmaster?!" "That other guy… Wait, isn't he Austin Yardley? Didn't he barely scrape by? How is he an Innate Grandmaster too?!" "Their guards… How is it possible that they have five Postnatal guards?" The moment reinforcements arrived, the attackers were more anxious than surprised.After all, their intelligence report told them that the Yardleys only had one Innate Grandmaster and
Although Liliana had panicked at first, she finally managed to calm down."So what if there are two more Innate Grandmasters?" Simon protested. "They had just broken through. They're definitely not as strong as Callum. You and I, we must kill Callum. After that, we'll be able to turn the tables around!" Simon knew that they couldn't back down now. Yardley Manor had three Innate Grandmasters and a pseudo-Innate Grandmaster. If they retreated now, they would inevitably suffer retaliatory attacks.If both sides were to separate now, they would fall one after the other. They were playing into the Ashcroft family's hands, but they had no choice but to fight this one out. All of a sudden, Richard regained his composure and said, "Not a bad idea. As long as Callum's dead, the rest of them can easily be defeated. Once we capture that little brute, we need not fear the remaining two Innate Grandmasters!" Whether in terms of quality or sheer quantity, they still had the upper hand. Thi
The smile on Simon's face froze. After a moment of silence, his expression changed. "If we are to fight to the death, the Yardleys have only four Innate Grandmasters. You might not walk away from this alive." "You can try to kill us!" Theodore drew the black sword from his waist. At that very moment, Callum charged toward Simon. On the other side, Theodore locked his sights on Richard. "These few days must've been rough for you, old man!" Richard immediately understood what Theodore meant. He had received the tragic news of his grandson's death, and then his eldest son. Both were killed by Theodore before his eyes.If he hadn't been an Innate Grandmaster, he likely would have lost his life, given his age."Die, you brute!" Richard snarled. He charged at Theodore right as Anthony began clashing with the advisor of the Boltons, Mr. Hunt. Meanwhile, Austin found himself facing Joseph. The rest of the guards did not join the fight and fell back to the sidelines instead.
Seeing the shock on Richard's face, Theodore sneered, "You have no right to use a sword if you're fighting me!" As soon as he said that, Theodore focused his internal energy on his left foot, which was pushed against the door frame. For a brief moment, internal energy burst forth. His body exploded with energy that seeped into the sword. Richard was thrown back by the blast with a loud crash. Crash! Without wasting any time, Theodore dashed to Richard's side and swung his sword. The violent sound of metal clashing filled the air, sending shockwaves through Richard's body.With just one strike from Theodore, the Thunder Sword's internal energy was scattered. "Your swordsmanship has too many flaws! While it may be powerful against average warriors, it's not fit to be called a swordsmanship at all if you're facing me! Old man, let me show you what true swordsmanship is!" Theodore roared. Richard was so angered by that statement that he coughed up blood. Before he could utter
Silence fell.The moment Richard's head was seen rolling across the floor, the hall went silent. He was an Advanced Innate grandmaster, one of the three strongest grandmasters in Philodorah. Despite this, he was killed by a rising prodigy. You could tell anyone what happened, and no one would believe it. And yet, this took place before their very eyes. The battle was almost entirely one-sided! "It's over!" cried the guards of the Bolton family. The rest of the Boltons were not only shocked, but also full of despair."Kill them!" Almost immediately, the guards who dropped their weapons picked them back up and charged at the Boltons and Claytons. Caught off guard, dozens of loyal guards were killed by these mutineers. Rather than being decisive, these mutineers had been prepared for this scenario. If Theodore lost the duel with Richard, they would continue to wipe out the Yardleys. Since Theodore killed Richard so easily, they naturally chose to side with the victor.A
Suspecting that the housekeeper was lying, Charles stared at Ben. However, this thought was quickly dispelled. Ben had been in their service for so many years; how and why would he deceive them? Then, all this must be true! Although Charles had no idea how Theodore reached the Advanced Innate Realm, he was hit with a feeling of regret. He should have ordered his men to kill Theodore back then. Now, this son-in-law had grown to become an Advanced Innate Grandmaster, posing a serious threat to their family. No… Theodore was no longer their son-in-law. Vivienne had given him two options—the first was to remain in the dungeon as a prisoner, and the second was to divorce her and leave the Ashcroft family. Theodore chose the second option. "That boy's coming for revenge, especially since he's in power now…" When he recalled the bloodbath in the villa, Charles shuddered. Although he hadn't abused Theodore, he knew what was going on in the villa's dungeon for thirteen years.Y
After the death of Richard Bolton, the two sides were engulfed in heated battle at Yardley Manor. As a whole, it appeared that the odds were on the side of the Yardleys. Simon Clayton was far from weak, and was actually much stronger than Richard. However, Callum was not an easy opponent. Both were evenly matched in terms of strength.Once Theodore joined the battle, however, Simon's will to fight tanked immediately. Theodore swung his sword at Simon while the latter was distracted, causing him injuries that threw him off his fighting rhythm. Mr. Hunt, who was some distance away, witnessed this and began to panic. He pushed Anthony away, and was about to run off when he felt chills run down his spine. Turning around, he was greeted by the sight of Theodore staring at him coldly, sword in hand. Like ants on a hot stove, Mr. Hunt grew desperate. If he chose to run now, Theodore would not hesitate to hack him apart. "I only joined the Boltons as an advisor. I have nothing t
Everyone was left stunned, especially Silas, who was still clinging to the cliffside. Watching Theodore leap into the lava, he had no idea what came over him, but in the next moment, he followed and jumped in too.The two cultivators from the Soaring Dragon Sect turned pale. They didn't dare jump after him and could only watch in horror as Silas plunged into the molten abyss, vanishing in the blink of an eye."What the hell are we supposed to do now? How do we explain this when we get back?" one of them asked, his face ashen."There's nothing to explain," someone said coldly. "We all say the same thing. He lost his footing and fell. End of story."Even Jeffrey hadn't expected the monk to be that reckless."Exactly. Both of them slipped. There's nothing we could do," added Hugh, the Dark Brotherhood disciple.The other three major sect representatives stayed silent. This wasn't exactly good news to them, but it wasn't bad news either.With Jeffrey and Hugh quickly slipping a few
Theodore surveyed the area and realized there was barely enough space to walk along the sides of the tunnel, but they would have to hug the wall. One misstep, and they would fall straight down.That unnatural red glow was clearly coming from the molten lava below, but this wasn't just any lava. No normal magma glowed like that."If I fall in there, I'll be incinerated instantly," Theodore muttered, his expression grim. Even with his body protected by sword force, he wouldn't last a second in that hellfire.Just then, he noticed something on the opposite wall. A figure in a black robe was already carefully inching along the narrow ledge, hugging the rock. The person had made it quite a distance already. Glancing across the gap, Theodore saw another tunnel on the far side."Well, aren't you sneaky," Theodore called out with a smirk."Cut the crap. If you don't want to die, stay back," the robed figure rasped.That voice belonged to Lynette.Naturally, Theodore didn't listen. He tu
As soon as Theodore stepped into the rift, his face was bathed in a strange red glow. Oddly enough, the light didn't spill out past the rift. It was like something was blocking it right at the entrance.Feeling the heat from that red glow, Theodore immediately knew there had to be an Exotic Flame inside. No ordinary fire could emit something this eerie.He had just taken a few steps when he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, he saw Silas following close behind.Theodore shot him an annoyed glare. "You really don't care about dying, do you, kid?""I'm scared," Silas replied quietly, keeping his head down. "But since you had the guts to come in, I figured I should too.""I've barely got ten percent of my spiritual power left. I'm injured and barely hanging on. I've got enough to worry about without looking after you," Theodore muttered as he walked."No need to worry about me," Silas said with a smile. "You just do what you need to do, Senior. I won't hold you back.""I h
That said, Theodore wasn't lying either. If the Cinder Fiend really absorbed the Exotic Flame inside, it would definitely evolve into the Sunbane Fiend. When that happened, the entire Kingdom of Avelon could be reduced to ashes.It was just that the moment wouldn't come quite so soon."So, what do we do now?" Marie was completely at a loss."You stay here. I'll go in with the others," Theodore said. "They're planning to send people in, right? You should recommend me.""Why are you so set on going in?" Marie asked, curious."I want the treasure too," Theodore replied. "What if I'm the chosen one? Wouldn't that be my big break?"Marie rolled her eyes, but she chose to believe him.She immediately took Theodore to the main camp where the major factions were still debating over who to send into the rift.No one was willing to volunteer. After all, they had all seen the Cinder Fiend's power during the day. Against that thing, Energy Refinement Stage cultivators had no chance. They w
Inside the camp, cultivators from the various sects were puzzled by what they had just witnessed. They immediately dispatched several people to investigate. It didn't take long before a report came back."The fissure in the mountain has indeed begun to close, but there's still a gap wide enough to fit three people. There's a faint red glow coming from inside."The leading cultivators from each sect began discussing what to do next. Marie also went to eavesdrop on the meeting and didn't return for nearly an hour."They're planning to head into the mountain to investigate," Marie said when she came back."Idiots. They're throwing their lives away for treasure. If they run into that Cinder Fiend in there, they'll be reduced to ash."Hearing this, Theodore chuckled and said, "Do you know why the Cinder Fiend returned to the mountain after night fell?"Marie blinked, surprised. "You know why?"Theodore stepped out of the tent and pointed up at the moon. "Because of that.""The moon?
The Cinder Fiend was born from absorbing the fire of heaven and earth. If it managed to absorb the Exotic Flame within that fissure, it would evolve into something far more terrifying—a Sunbane Fiend.And once a Sunbane Fiend was unleashed, everything within a hundred miles would be scorched to ashes.Forget Azure Dragon Peak. If that thing emerged, the entire city of Philodorah could be reduced to cinders. The Yardleys wouldn't even need the Dark Brotherhood to wipe them out. This creature alone could do it."This Cinder Fiend seems to be under some kind of restriction. If we can figure out its weakness, we might be able to get inside that fissure," Theodore said, his eyes fixed on the mountain.Marie stared at him in disbelief. "Are you insane?! Didn't you see those cultivators just now? They were vaporized before they could even react!""I saw." Theodore nodded. "If things go south, we leave immediately. I'm not stupid enough to throw my life away."That reassured Marie a litt
From a distance, the entire mountain looked like it was ablaze. Strangely, though, a massive fissure had split the mountain open, and the blinding red light was pouring out from within that crack.The massive beast stood at the summit, letting out a series of thunderous roars. Even though they were over half a mile away, both Theodore and Marie could feel the sheer, overwhelming pressure in those cries.“A Cinder Fiend!”Theodore swallowed hard as he stared at the creature. “With that kind of aura, it's at least a Grade Three beast.”“Grade Three?”Marie’s face turned pale. “That’s basically on par with the Core Ascension Stage, isn’t it?”In the realm of cultivators, becoming an immortal meant ascending beyond the mundane. The growth in stages was Energy Refinement, Foundation Establishment, and Core Ascension.Once someone reached the Core Ascension Stage, they could control an Aetherblade and even kill an enemy a thousand miles away with a single slash. Marie had never even s
"Huh?" Theodore looked at her, puzzled. "You've come to Azure Dragon Peak so many times. Wasn't it all for this treasure? If you miss it now, wouldn't that be a huge waste?""To me, you are the greatest treasure," Marie said softly, her cheeks flushing red again.Theodore gave a wry smile. "Then, I'll go with you. I may be injured, but I can still hold my own. Besides, I've got someone watching over me in secret."Hearing that, Marie suddenly thought of the mysterious cultivator in black. That finally put her mind at ease. "Who was that person, anyway?""I told you. I inherited my ancestor's legacy. That person is its guardian. But unless things get really dire, she won't intervene," Theodore explained.Since Marie had shown enough goodwill, he figured it was only right to be a little more forthcoming. If they were going to keep working together, she deserved some peace of mind."Was that sword technique you used part of the legacy, too?" Marie asked."It was." Theodore nodded.
Marie's expression darkened. If it were the old Vivienne who had said such a thing, she would've brushed it off as immature nonsense. However, the Vivienne standing before her now was a completely different person.She had mastered the Primordial Technique, become the heir to a sect, and held significant influence within the Dark Brotherhood. If she truly rose to the position of sect leader one day, war between the Dark Brotherhood and the Kingdom of Avelon's royal family would be inevitable.Frankly, the royal family wouldn't have the upper hand. Sure, they controlled Heaven's Reach Academy, but if it came down to an all-out war, not every cultivator in the academy would necessarily side with the crown."Three years from now, maybe it'll be the Dark Brotherhood that's wiped off the map," Theodore replied in a steady voice.He was confident that in three years, he would be able to crush Vivienne and perhaps even the entire Dark Brotherhood.The cultivators from Dark Brotherhood fr