Sebastian followed Bartholomew into the house and immediately saw a young man of about 16 or 17 years old. He was grinning foolishly at Sebastian. There was something discomfiting about his smile, although Sebastian couldn't explain what it was about it. There was something strange about it. Lyanna glanced coldly at the young man and said impassively, "He won't live past the end of the year."Both Sebastian and Bartholomew turned to look at her."How do you know?" Sebastian asked in confusion. How could Lyanna tell that the young man would encounter a great disaster that year and even lose his life?"My lord, people like me are very sensitive to the scent of death. He doesn't have much life energy left in him," Lyanna answered very confidently.Sebastian couldn't help eyeing the young man once more. Upon a closer look, Sebastian was startled. Although the young man looked healthy at first glance, it was easy to see that something was wrong once one looked closely. There w
"What is it used for?" Sebastian asked quickly. "Absorbing blood essence!" Lyanna sighed. Among the mystic arts, there were a few kinds of articles which looked ordinary but had very special uses. Cauldrons were one of them, and they could be used to oppress evil beings. The other was emerald, which was used for absorbing people's blood essence.There were over 100 varieties of emerald, and the Soul Severing emeralds were the most efficient at absorption. Not only that, it could replenish blood essence as well. That meant that the blood essence sucked out from someone could be used by someone else. It was a technique called a replenishing source. However, that was all Lyanna knew. She didn't know the details. "Absorbing it?" Sebastian frowned slightly. It sounded very similar to eating supplements in traditional medicine. However, such evil spells were much too diabolical. Using someone else's blood essence as a supplement was a crime that went against humanity. "Mr. B
"Hello, this is Ethan." Ethan's icy voice came from the other end of the phone. Bartholomew immediately put on a smile and said to Ethan, "Mr. Whitehall, I did as you told me to and put a curse on Croydon's soul using the Soul Lure charm. "It's just a pity that Ballard managed to break it, and Croydon is now fine. Luckily, I made preparations in advance and used the idiot I picked up to set a trap for Sebastian…" A vicious look flashed on Ethan's face. Sebastian had managed to break his Soul Lure charm? That Soul Lure charm of his wasn't cheap. A year ago, he had gone to meet a Dainist master with his father and had only persuaded the master to give it to him with great difficulty. That Soul Lure charm hadn't attracted an average spirit, either. Even an expert in the mystic arts would have to pay a heavy price in the face of such a terrifying entity. Had Sebastian also mastered the techniques of the mystic arts? "Haye, I'm warning you. Sword Towers' spies are also in Sart
After Ethan finished, he hung up."Ethan, the Sword Towers is now one of the most prestigious among the Nine Orders, Eighteen Principles and Thirty-Six Sects. Why are you so excited about a little Skypatch pill?" There was a gorgeous woman sitting opposite Ethan. She stretched out a slender hand and stroked an orange cat that was lying in her arms. It was Tessa Lowestoft, the granddaughter of Edmund Lowestoft, who was the deputy leader of the Pinnacle Sect. The Sword Towers had enlisted the Pinnacle Sect for extra strength to oppose the Warrior League. However, the Pinnacle Sect felt that they didn't have the skills necessary to withstand the wrath of the Warrior League, so they didn't have the courage to openly oppose them. However, they still had to show respect to the Sword Towers, so they had sent Edmund's granddaughter Tessa to go with Ethan to Steinberg. Tessa was as beautiful as a flower, but she was known among the 36 sects as a venomous beauty. She was ruthless, a
Lorcan laughed wryly at what Oliver had said. "Well, I'm used to it. No matter where I go, someone is sure to covet what I have. I guess it's unavoidable." Sebastian looked up at Lorcan. Although his demeanor was relaxed, there was still a momentary glint in his eyes. It was clear that he had already sent someone to investigate the incident. As the richest man in Port Isle, it wasn't just outsiders who coveted his wealth. Even his family members wished that he would die quickly so that they could all get their hands on his vast fortune. Sebastian had no right to ask about Lorcan's family affairs, nor did he have any interest in doing so. He just speared a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. He began chewing it slowly."Sebastian, what kind of illness does Mr. Haye's grandson have? Weren't you able to cure it?" Rosalie asked curiously. She was so confident in Sebastian's skills in medicine that it was bordering on superstition. She could hardly be blamed for that. Ever sin
Noticing that Sebastian was looking at him, Lorcan immediately turned to look at the two bodyguards behind him."Mr. Ballard, after Mr. Croydon was taken ill, we did hire some geomancers. However, they were all relatively well known within Sartvale. We couldn't possibly have hired someone like Bartholomew, who's well known in the whole of Dramon for being an expert in geomancy." "He really did come uninvited." Sebastian scoffed. It was clear that something was fishy about Bartholomew. However, his status and influence couldn't compare with Lorcan at all. Even if he had managed to kill Lorcan, how would it benefit him?In other words, Bartholomew was being used as someone else's tool. The real mastermind hadn't appeared yet."Mr. Ballard, Bartholomew may just be a charlatan, but he has many connections. If he wanted to hurt Lorcan, I'm afraid that…" Norman was hinting that he wanted Sebastian to give Lorcan a Life Protection charm. A life protection charm probably wouldn't be
When Belinda, Bertie, and Drake heard that Sebastian wanted to go to the Wraith Market to look for premium medicinal herbs, they all looked delighted. Bertie and Drake both assumed that Sebastian wanted to go to the Wraith Market because he needed ingredients to refine energy replenishing pills. Therefore, before Belinda could say anything, both Bertie and Drake volunteered themselves. "Madam Dragon, we are willing to take Mr. Ballard on a visit to the Wraith Market." Belinda smiled slightly and nodded. She had been intending to let them bring Sebastian there anyway. After all, they were both suitable candidates in terms of their experience and status in the Warrior League. Belinda turned and asked Sebastian, "What do you think, Mr. Ballard?"Sebastian had no objection. If he had two elders from the Warrior League accompanying him, things would go much more smoothly. The three of them discussed it briefly and set out that very night. They would travel overnight to Caelum, wh
Sebastian looked around as he walked along. Before long, he had entered the central area. There were many more varieties of medicinal herbs here, and they were all more aged. However, there were many people who were overselling their goods, like the stalk of Elysses herb that Sebastian picked up. It was very hard to distinguish between an Elysses herb that was ten years old and those that were 100 years old. Even experienced experts could make mistakes.Therefore, getting authentic, rare medicinal herbs there was also a challenge to the ability of discernment of the buyer. After all, there were also rules in the Wraith Market. If someone bought an inferior item due to their own lack of discernment, they would just have to admit to their bad luck. There was no one for them to complain to. Luckily, there were detailed records of more than ten thousand amazing medicines in the Sacred Medicine Secret Annals, and Sebastian had memorized them all. He walked along the street for a
"It all comes back to Uncle Samson," Andreas said. "Great Uncle Arnaud already told you he'd let Uncle Samson have his freedom if you find the other emerald token, but then he brought up the marriage alliance. "It directly affects whether or not Uncle Samson can regain his freedom. So, why don't you think about it?"With a quiet chuckle, Andreas walked toward a grove of peach trees to the west.Realization finally dawned on Sebastian. Arnaud was a shrewd man. He wouldn't slip up like that. Besides, although the Ballards and the Yeomans had established a marriage agreement, they hadn't named specific individuals, only that the Blessed Child of the Ballards would fulfill it.The Blessed Child bore the duty of guiding the Ballards to revival. In other words, the emerald token would be better off falling into the Blessed Child's hands rather than anyone else's.Could it be that the final emerald token was with the Yeomans? If that were true, why hadn't the Ballards used their pow
"I'm sorry, but I have no interest in becoming the head of the Ballard family," Sebastian said impassively. "I only want my father to be freed."Arnaud's expression changed slightly, but his tone remained neutral as he said, "It's Braxton who owes you and your mother, not the entire family. Why must you do this?"Sebastian let out a cold snort. It was true that Braxton had been the one who had kicked them out, but weren't the true culprits the elders of the Ballard Estate?"If there's nothing else, I'd like to see Whitney," Sebastian said, rising slowly to his feet. As soon as he mentioned her name, Arnaud waved a hand at him and said, "Don't be in such a rush, Sebastian. Whitney is safe. The Ballards would never harm a frail woman."He added, "However, there's something I want to ask you. Is Whitney still your wife?"Sebastian frowned. "Whether she is or isn't, what business is that of the Ballards?""Of course it is," Arnaud replied firmly. "The Ballards and the Yeomans of
Arnaud led Sebastian into a secret room deep within the Hall of the Ancestral Dragon. Once inside, Sebastian saw a Cosmic Orbit Diagram. It was exactly the same as the records in the Sacred Medicine Secret Annals.However, the Ballards' Cosmic Orbit Diagram was divided into different sections. It looked even more three-dimensional."This is the Cosmic Orbit Diagram passed down through our family for generations," Arnaud said proudly. "The one that the Sacred Medicine Society has is just a copy."The legacy of the mystic arts in Dramon almost all came from the Ballards.The Ballards had withheld some things back then as well. As a result, all the legacies of the various secular sects only had incomplete Cosmic Orbit Diagrams. It was why there were very few experts at the fifth level of the Eldoria realm and above.Afterward, Arnaud led Sebastian into a library. Thousands of technical legacies lined the shelves. Sebastian flipped through them. The techniques recorded there were
Samson glanced at Sebastian. He took a deep breath and said to Arnaud, "Thank you for sparing me, Uncle Arnaud."He gave Sebastian a few final reminders before leaving the hall with Preston.Once they were gone, Arnaud pointed at Duo and said to Sebastian, "Tell him to leave too."Sebastian waved a hand at Duo."I'll wait for you at the entrance, my lord," Duo said. "If anything happens, I'll be here as soon as you call!"He gave Arnaud a cold look before striding out of the hall.Arnaud watched him leave and smiled approvingly. He beckoned to Sebastian. "Come, sit!"Sebastian didn't hesitate. He crossed the hall and sat in the chair opposite Arnaud."Do you know why I asked Andreas to bring you back here?" Arnaud asked impassively. Sebastian shook his head expressionlessly. He said in a cold voice, "It's probably because of the emerald token in my father's possession."Apart from using him and Whitney as leverage against Samson, he couldn't think of any other reason.Arnau
"The Blessed Child! The Blessed Child has finally come to our family!"The black-robed old man who had been sitting beside Arnaud stood up, looking pleased. He couldn't hide his excitement as he turned to Arnaud and said, "Arnaud, our family is going to prosper!"Only Rexton and Milton looked extremely displeased. Braxton and Roland looked pained, as if they had lost something of great value. They were practically thumping their chests in regret!The Blessed Child had been foretold by one of the heads of the family centuries ago. No matter how far the Ballards declined, the prophecy said that after a few hundred years, a Blessed Child would appear—someone who could lead the family's revival!The only proof of the Blessed Child was for him to enter a master-servant oath with a Devora."Prosper? What a joke!" Hugo scoffed, holding Virtus firmly. "Weren't you all just clamoring about killing the two of them?"At Hugo's words, Arnaud's expression changed slightly. "When did I say tha
"Hugo!"Arnaud, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them wide. He eyed Hugo with a conflicted expression as he asked, "Have you forgotten the agreement the Thornes made with us ten years ago?"Hugo smiled coldly and put one hand behind his back. "That was the agreement you made with the Thornes. I'm only following Ms. Thorne's orders to protect Samson and find the emerald token. If Samson dies in this battle, how am I supposed to explain that to her?"He pointed at Sebastian and added, "He's Ms. Thorne's flesh and blood. Your family has no right to punish him! If the Ballards insist on killing them today, don't blame me for going on a killing spree!"When Hugo had finished, Sebastian finally realized that Hugo was from Isabella's family and that he had stayed at the Ballard Estate to protect Samson.It was clear that Isabella hadn't held a grudge toward Samson. In fact, she had sent an expert to stay behind to protect him in case anything happened.Arnaud's
Sebastian threw his head back in laughter. He strode forward, standing in the center of the hall, and said coldly. "Ungrateful? How could you have the audacity to say such a thing?"Even if I'm surrounded by enemies, you Ballards can forget about making me submit! It's just death, after all. If I even blink, then I won't call myself a man!"Everyone there stared at Sebastian."How dare that brat be so cocky? If he's not punished, it'll be a disgrace to our family rules!""He should be given the death penalty!""It'll be a disaster if we just let him be, and it'll only bring trouble for our family. Please give the order, and we'll kill him at once!"The entire hall was in an uproar. Even Preston, who had been speaking up for Sebastian and Samson, sighed in resignation.Since Sebastian had already made his stance clear, Preston couldn't help even if he wanted to.Sebastian had roused the anger of everyone there, and Arnaud had closed his eyes and wasn't saying anything. He was cl
Sebastian was just about to step forward when Samson hastily waved a hand at him and said, "Sebastian, the grudges of the Ballard family from over ten years ago have nothing to do with you. Don't get involved!""But—"Sebastian's gaze sharpened as he turned to look at Milton. There was an icy glint in his eyes. Samson shook his head slightly at Sebastian. The Ballard Estate had at least ten experts at the eighth level of the Eldoria realm. At Sebastian's current level, trying to fight them would only bring him big trouble."Sebastian, one must learn how to adapt to the situation," Samson whispered into his ear using voice projection. "Today, I will exchange my legs for your and Whitney's freedom. Think of it as a payment for what I owe you and your mother."Sebastian clenched his fists tightly. He hated himself for being too weak. He couldn't even protect his own family in a place like the Ballard Estate, where many experts were gathered.However, he would never allow anyone to
"Do you accept it, Samson?" Arnaud asked harshly when he saw that Preston hadn't said anything else. He turned to look directly at Samson.Samson smiled bitterly and turned to look at Sebastian before raising his head to look at Arnaud, who was sitting high above them. He said, "Uncle Arnaud, I was the reason for everything that happened. I wish to ask you not to trouble Sebastian.""What are you talking about?" Preston was agitated. He stood up again and yelled, "There must still be an investigation about who was right and who was wrong. Why should they break your legs?"As he spoke, his eyes blazed with fury. He looked at the thin old man and said furiously, "Milton, you old bastard! How can you be so shameless at your age? Tell me! Did you embellish the story to Arnaud?""Uncle Preston!" Samson stopped him quickly and sighed slightly. "Forget it. It's my fault for bringing such huge trouble upon our family back then."I admit that I have let our family down. Since imprisoning m