"Mr. Ballard, things were very rushed the last time we met. I didn't have time to say goodbye to you properly. Since you're here, let's catch up inside," Brett said in a genteel manner.Sebastian shrugged and pulled Whitney along with him. While everyone watched them, they walked into a small lounge with Brett. "I'm very sorry, Mr. Ballard. Ryder deserves to die for offending you in front of so many people, but I can't punish him on the spot for the sake of our family's reputation in the Sartzade Chamber of Commerce. Please understand," Brett said to Sebastian as soon as they sat down. The middle-aged man who had gotten his head smashed in was one of the Dunhills' men, which was why Brett could deal with him as he pleased. However, Ryder was not, so Brett had kept to his boundaries. A slap was neither too harsh nor too lenient. He had expressed the stance of the Dunhills while not being too overbearing."It doesn't matter. He's going to die sooner or later, so letting him live
Sebastian opened the folder. It was filled with yellowed pages containing newspaper cuttings almost 100 years old. Fragments of information were also included. Every single one was related to a Yutarian sword sect called the Divine Swords."Mr. Ballard, decades ago, the Divine Swords engaged in several huge battles with a mysterious sect in Dramon," Brett explained. "That sect is the Sacred Medicine Society, which everyone in the Nine Orders, Eighteen Principles and Thirty-Six Sects is afraid of." He handed another folder to Sebastian. It was a photocopied document that had clearly been stolen from a historical archive. Several decades ago, Sebastian's mentor had once battled against Eduardo, the head of the Divine Swords, in Yutaria. However, the two of them had reached a tie. "The old sect leader of the Sacred Medicine Society is one of the greatest authorities of the mystic martial arts sects in Dramon. A person that even he cannot defeat must be terrifying. "Bianca is on
The feud between the Dunhills and the Beckards was no secret, and the members of the Chamber of Commerce were split into two sides. One side supported the Dunhills, while the other supported the Beckards.This was the first time that there had been an open conflict between them, so each side was eager to see who was stronger."Mr. Dunhill, this has nothing to do with you. You'd better keep quiet, or you'll only embarrass yourself more," Jace said smugly.The men he brought were Supreme Grandmaster level experts. He didn't think anything of the Dunhill bodyguards, which was why Jace was bold enough to insult Brett in front of Sebastian."You—" Brett pointed at Jace, pale with anger. However, there was nothing he could do.He was no match for Jace in a fight, and the Beckards' power was now equal to that of the Dunhills. "Hmph! Move aside, or I'll deal with you today as well!" Jace pushed Brett aside roughly and walked over to Sebastian.He looked him up and down and sneered. "Se
The onlookers stared at Jace and Sebastian in a daze. Had the high and mighty Beckard heir just gotten slapped in the face by a traditional medicine doctor?"How dare you slap me in front of everyone?" Jace was instantly furious. His eyes were bulging out of their sockets, and he raised his fist to punch Sebastian.However, even the experts he had brought along were no match for Sebastian. Sebastian ignored Jace's punch. He slapped Jace in the face again, leaving a stark handprint on his pale skin. "So what if I hit you?" Jace retreated hastily, but no matter how much he tried to dodge, he was slapped again and again. "You—" Another slap hit him."I—" Slaps rained down on him.Sebastian slapped Jace more than 30 times, leaving the latter somewhat dazed.He couldn't understand why he was unable to dodge Sebastian's slaps. It was as if there was a magnetic force between Sebastian's hand and his cheek that drew them inexorably together.In the end, as soon as Sebastian raise
The martial arts experts couldn't hurt Sebastian at all. Anyone who hung around would just be bringing trouble upon themselves!Jace had just lowered his head and was planning on slinking out of the crowd, when a strong hand pulled him back."Why are you in such a rush to leave, Mr. Beckard?" Sebastian asked impassively."Sebastian, don't get smug! If you make me angry—" Before he could finish, Sebastian slapped him. He spat out a mouthful of blood with several teeth."Apologize to Brett!" Sebastian pointed in Brett's direction."Ptui! Even if I die, I will never apologize to any of the Dunhills! If you have the guts to do so, then kill me right now in front of everyone!" Jace yelled, looking crazed."Jace, I came here today to settle the score with you! Since you seem to be so brave, then I'll fulfill your request!" Sebastian said. He raised his foot and kicked Jace in the calf.There was a crack, and both Jace's legs broke. White bone pierced through his pants; it hurt so much
Ryder nodded instinctively. Fear filled his heart. Sebastian was far more frightening than he had ever imagined."There's something I need to warn you about. Frostwave Corporation was never yours to begin with. If you are greedy, you'll only end up bringing trouble upon yourself, and you'll end up dead. I'm sure you know that. "If you still don't understand, then think of Jace. I'm sure everything will become clear to you," Sebastian said coldly as he gave Ryder a gentle pat on the shoulder."Y-Y-Yes, you're right, Mr. Ballard. I… I'll leave Steinberg right now—no, I'll book a ticket straight away and get back to Bretania overnight. I'll never come back to Dramon for as long as I live. As for Frostwave Corporation, I will never covet it again."Ryder took out the transfer agreement that he had forced Trey to sign and held it out to Sebastian, trembling. "This is the deed to the pharmaceutical factory. I will present it back to you."Sebastian looked down at the trembling Ryder an
Sebastian closed his eyes slightly, and the map of constellations slowly rose up in his mind.A tendril of spiritual energy began to move through his meridians under the guidance of the constellation map.The flow of spiritual energy began to grow stronger and faster at every acupuncture point and meridian.It soon began to flood through his body.As Sebastian placed a piece of Snow Moonleaf into his mouth, a feeling of coolness spread through his entire body at once.The fire venom that was hidden inside him burst through at that moment.An intense feeling of burning, as if he was in a sea of fire, came over him instantly. His pale skin immediately became as red as fire. The burning feeling seemed to seep into every cell of his body almost instantly."Rise, Sky Devouring Bottle!" Sebastian called out gently. The Sky Devouring Bottle rose into midair from his hand. A bolt of white light shot out of the mouth of the bottle and enveloped his whole body.A strong suction pulled out
At that moment, Hunter received news of Jace's death."Jace is dead?" Hunter's expression changed drastically when he heard the news, but he became calm very quickly. He wasn't concerned about the death at all. However, with Jace's death, the feud between the Beckards and Sebastian would go beyond the point of no return.Late at night, a strange, extremely thin figure in a burial suit pushed the door open to Hunter's room and entered."Mr. Reynolds, things aren't progressing smoothly at all. All four of the experts sent to protect Jace have fallen, and even Jace himself has died at Sebastian's hand," Hunter said to Elton, looking grim.He didn't feel sad for Jace. It was just that the four martial artists were top experts sent by the Sword Towers to ensure Hunter's safety!They had all just died for nothing at Sebastian's hand. How could Hunter explain this to the Sloanes if he didn't do anything?Elton frowned slightly and said, "Oh? Jace is dead? Mr. Sloane, you aren't going
As the man in the black robe yelled, the entire hall fell silent at once. The thin old man threw the black-robed old man a disgruntled look, but he returned obediently to his seat.Once the noise had died down, Preston stepped forward and swept an icy gaze over the crowd who were present. "You call yourself the elders of the family?"The monument of our ancestral dragon is right in front of you. How could you bully two young members of the family in front of it? Don't you feel any shame?"Besides, how dare you speak before Arnaud does?"After the harsh scolding they received from Preston, no one in the crowd dared to protest. Sebastian nodded involuntarily. It appeared that Preston did have influence in the Ballard family. At least no one had interrupted his scolding, including Arnaud and the man in the black robe.Preston huffed angrily and bowed to Arnaud, who sat in the middle. "Arnaud, I've brought Samson and Sebastian!"Preston went over to the chair next to the black-robe
"Sebastian, I won't be going in. Remember, don't say anything without being spoken to, and don't be impulsive!" Andreas said softly in Sebastian's ear when they reached the door to the hall. He then walked over to the crowd, which was packed on both sides of the hall.Samson and Preston walked into the hall without any change in expression. Sebastian hesitated for a moment before hurrying to catch up.When they reached the entrance, the two old men reached out to stop them and said to Preston, who was in the lead, "Preston, I'm afraid that it wouldn't be a good idea for you to go in. Everyone knows that you're biased toward Samson's family. If you get into an argument with Arnaud, then—""Nonsense!" Preston yelled furiously. He spoke in a menacing tone to the two old men. "Don't try those tricks with me. Today, I'm going to be the voice of reason. Who among you can do anything to me?"With that, he pushed them aside and strode into the hall.The two old men gazed after his ret
The Ballard Estate's resources were unfathomable as it was. Could Isabella's family be even more powerful than theirs?Sebastian clearly remembered that both he and Samson were under the Sacred Medicine Society. They even had the same mentor.The Sacred Medicine Society was above all the other mystic martial arts sects. Even the sect leaders of the Nine Sects were very respectful toward his mentor.If Samson really was from the same sect as Sebastian, then his mentor had clearly been unable to save him. Wouldn't that mean that the Sacred Medicine Society was no match for the Ballards?Wouldn't that mean that Isabella's family was an even greater entity?"If my mother's family is really that powerful, why couldn't they rescue my father? There would also be no reason to let me join the Sacred Medicine Society either, right?" Sebastian asked probingly. It seemed as if Andreas had never even thought about such questions. He smiled and shook his head. "You probably don't know about a
As they stepped out of the courtyard gate, Samson suddenly turned and lowered his voice as he said to Sebastian, "I didn't treat you and your mother well. Please don't hold it against me."Sebastian felt even more conflicted. After everything he had been through, he knew very well that there were times when one really had no choice. When Samson saw that Sebastian was looking at him with a conflicted expression, he patted him on the shoulder and gave him a warm smile. Then he took a token from Preston and walked out of the yard.They followed Preston as he walked toward the east, where there was a majestic-looking building."Why are you helping me?" Sebastian suddenly turned and asked Andreas in a low voice. Andreas glanced at him and gave him a long, cryptic smile. "Do you think I'm helping you? I'm helping myself while doing so!""Oh?" Sebastian looked at Andreas in confusion, his brow knitted. Even Rexton had mentioned that Andreas was in Arnaud's favor. Why would he need t
When Rexton and the others had gone, Preston turned to look at Samson and said irritatedly, "You little rascal. Would I ever hurt you?"Besides, you've been here in isolation for ten years. Why hasn't your temper changed at all? Couldn't you show me some respect in front of all those people?"Samson glanced at Preston but didn't answer.Preston huffed and ignored him. He turned and looked Sebastian up and down instead."Hey, kiddo. Over ten years have passed in just the blink of an eye. You've probably forgotten me. I even gave you candy back then! Come over here and call me Great Uncle Preston!"Sebastian looked at him in surprise. It was true that he didn't have much of an impression of what had happened over ten years ago. However, he could tell from what Preston had said and done that his attitude toward Sebastian's family was completely different from Rexton and the others.Beside Sebastian, Andreas kept shooting him meaningful looks. Sebastian finally smiled and said, "Hell
Although the old man looked as if he was over 60 years old, his expression was sharp and lively, and his skin was smooth as a baby's. It gave him a youthful air.Even the severely injured apprentices all scrambled up from the ground when they saw him. They hastily bowed and said, "Greetings, Great Uncle Preston!"Even Rexton had no choice but to suppress his anger. He bowed sullenly to the old man and said, "Greetings, Uncle Preston."Preston Ballard glanced at Rexton and turned to shout angrily at the apprentices, "If I hadn't come, were you planning to tear the Ballard Estate apart? Look at all of you! Get out of here right now!"Despite the scolding they had been subjected to, none of them dared to protest. They all lowered their heads and slunk out of the yard. Preston glared angrily at them as they went and snorted. "What an embarrassment to the family!"Then he smiled slightly and looked at Samson and Sebastian as he asked, "Samson, do you have anything to say?"Samson lo
Rexton's pupils constricted, and the muscles in his face twitched. He stared at Samson with a wary look in his eyes. He and Samson were two minor stages apart. It was no laughing matter. If the two of them began to fight, Rexton would be sure to die if he didn't have any external assistance."What's the matter? Are you scared?" Samson sneered as he asked in a cold, accusatory tone. That flipped a switch in Rexton's head. His expression changed instantly, and he turned a fierce look on Samson. "Afraid?" he asked through gritted teeth.As he spoke, Rexton seemed to make up his mind. He slowly reached into his pocket and took out a pale blue paper charm, which looked thicker than usual.The paper charm was oppressive to look at. Sebastian instinctively sensed a threatening energy approaching!Even Samson looked wary when he saw the paper charm."Uncle Rexton, this is a Soulcrush Charm. Great Uncle Arnaud has clearly said that no one in the Ballard Estate is allowed to use spiri
Sebastian immediately felt the pressure around him drop. The feeling of being pinned down disappeared as well."How dare you—"Before Rexton could finish, a shadow flashed past him, and Samson popped up right in front of him.Samson stuck out his finger as if it were a sword and tapped him on the chest. Although Samson hadn't used any strength, Rexton could see the murderous look in his eyes. There was a dot of scarlet light that swirled around Samson's finger. A crimson rune was gradually appearing, and there was a chilling, murderous sensation in the air. Sebastian gasped. He had finally realized how the mystic spells should be used, and he was in awe. It wasn't that Sebastian was unable to do it. It was just that up until then, he had only seen the mystic sect apprentices of the secular world. Perhaps their understanding of how to use mystic spells was too superficial, which was why Sebastian's perception had also been affected.Realization only dawned on him when he saw
At Rexton's roar of fury, everyone turned to look at Samson, who was still standing there quietly without moving."A traitor? Murder?"There was finally a flicker of emotion on Samson's face. A sudden glimmer of light flared in his eyes, which had been devoid of life for a long time."Rexton, you know very well how your father died!"As Samson spoke, he walked toward Rexton with a steady step as he said, "I admit that I've wronged Sebastian and his mother. I was just too soft-hearted back then. That's why I believed your lies and tried to keep the big picture in mind for the Ballards, but look at how you've treated me!"There was suddenly a cold glint in Samson's eyes, and he said in a thunderous tone, "You set up a series of traps and tried to kill and torture my wife and son!"You pursued them until the ends of the earth! If my mentor hadn't rescued Sebastian, do you think he'd still be alive today?"Did you just accuse me of murder? Did you ever think of the fact that we're f