"Mr. Ballard, let me make the introductions. This is Rupert Lannister. He's the CEO of Astro International in Sunway, and he's also the richest man in Sartvale."The middle-aged man looked rather proud when he heard Leopold's introduction. As the richest man in Sartvale, he was always the center of attention no matter where he went. He was the person whom people always tried to curry favor with.He felt that although he had a favor to ask of Leopold, Sebastian would behave obsequiously to him just like all the other geomancers did.However, unexpectedly, Sebastian only gave him an impassive nod. He didn't even shake hands with Rupert before sitting down in the seat opposite him.Rupert's brow furrowed, and he looked at Sebastian in displeasure.Was Sebastian expecting Rupert to take the initiative in greeting him?Leopold turned quickly and gestured toward Sebastian. He looked reverential as he said, "Mr. Lannister, this is the man I mentioned to you yesterday. "He's Mr. Ballar
Sebastian had just left the room when he heard Rupert's roar of fury behind him.Leopold's gaze swept coldly over Rupert. He huffed quietly and turned to rush out of the room and go after Sebastian.As Rupert watched Sebastian and Leopold walk off, he clenched his fists tightly and ground his teeth.Those two charlatans had just left him there! He could not endure such treatment!At that thought, Rupert turned and said to a black-clad bodyguard behind him, "Send someone to investigate that Ballard's background. I'd like to see if that cocky young brat can withstand my wrath!""Yes, sir!" The black-clad bodyguard answered before going off to carry out his orders.…Leopold soon caught up with Sebastian. "Mr. Ballard, please don't misunderstand. I didn't accept the Astro International case for money. It's just that people kept dying on that construction site. I couldn't stand seeing any more innocent workmen die tragically, so I—"Sebastian nodded slightly. From the way Leopold h
Sebastian took less than 30 minutes to complete the interview. The middle-aged man who had come to apply for the job of factory director was named Brock Harley. He had extensive experience in management and had also brought up several constructive suggestions of his own. After Sebastian studied the proposals that Brock had submitted, he immediately made a decision and told Brock to start work at the factory that very afternoon. Brock thanked Sebastian profusely and tidied his things up before rushing over to the Northside pharmaceutical factory at once.Before Sebastian left, he called Seth Friar at the factory and told him briefly about Brock before heading to the convenience store.The moment he entered, Whitney hurried up to him and asked, "Sebastian, how did the interview go? Does Brock have the qualifications of a director?"Sebastian handed Brock's résumé to Whitney and said, "He used to manage a large pharmaceutical company in another state, and he also suggested a few
Upon seeing Whitney staring nervously at him, Sebastian told her everything that Drew had said.When she heard that Shannon was still missing, Whitney breathed out a long sigh of relief. For Sally and her family, no news was good news. At least it was better than hearing that Shannon had been one of the dried corpses."Sebastian, I think I need to tell Uncle Nelson the news personally. I won't stay over tonight," Whitney said, watching Sebastian's reaction closely. When Sebastian only nodded impassively, Whitney smiled wryly and turned to go and pack her things inside the room.In the past, Sebastian would definitely have asked if she needed him to go with her. At the very least, he would have shown her more concern. However, he really only treated her like a business partner now, being all aloof and impassive.After watching Whitney's car drive off, Sebastian exhaled and turned to go to his inner room. "My lord…" Nina suddenly called out hesitantly to him.Sebastian turne
"Who the hell are you calling a country bumpkin?" Hans was furious. He pointed at Jensen and shouted, "You must have a death wish!"Jensen ignored him and went straight to Ethan. He hugged him affectionately and said, "I congratulate you in advance for your success, Mr. Whitehall."Ethan burst into laughter and said, "Thank you for those kind words, Jensen."Realizing that he had been ignored completely, Hans balled up his fists and gritted his teeth. "If it wasn't for the fact that I don't want to affect Mr. Ballard's reputation, I'd bring my men over to chop him into pieces right now!"Beside him, Theodore rolled his eyes. His brow furrowed as he asked, "Hans, do you know who he is?""Who?"Theodore looked somber as he said, "He's the notorious Jensen Donovan, known for being bold enough to trick even the Rothblends! It's said that his riches are equal to that of a nation, and the Donovans actually have several world-renowned assassin organizations on their payroll."Hans brok
"Mr. Ballard got here in advance and snuck quietly into the audience seats because he didn't want to attract too much attention," Eugene said to Hans. "If we mess things up for him, can you bear the responsibility?"Hans pursed his lips awkwardly and lowered his head as he followed the others into the venue.…Sebastian and Rosalie were seated in the audience. They ate popcorn as they watched Ethan and his cronies.Elara was seated in the row behind Sebastian and Rosalie. She leaned over to Sebastian and pointed to Emil, who was following behind Ethan. "Sebastian, the guy with the Yutarian saber is Emil," she said. 'I heard from my mother that he's killed many of Dramon's martial arts practitioners over the past few years. Even Mr. Lombart of the Zen Sect was almost killed by him.""Oh? That's him?" Sebastian narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Emil.He had chosen to sit unnoticed in the audience because he wanted to get to know the opponents that he was about to face.Although
Grant shook his gleaming sword at Emil. "I'm Grant Lake from the Warrior League!"Emil looked sideways at him and smiled stiffly as he said, "I see that it's an abandoned dog!"Grant's expression darkened at once. He had once been one of the elders of the Summit Sword Sect.However, the Summit Sword Sect had been destroyed 20 years ago through the joint efforts of the Martial Arts Association and over ten other sects.After that, Grant had become lost without a sect. He had only been brought to the Warrior League after he met Derek.Emil was pouring salt into his wound! How could Grant not be angry?"You Yutarian rat! I can cut off your head with just one hand!" Grant shouted and glared angrily at Emil."With one hand?" Emil laughed loudly. He fondled the hilt of his saber and scoffed as he shook his head slightly. "How dare an abandoned dog like you speak so arrogantly?"Emil's figure flashed at an unnatural speed as he shot toward Grant. He moved so fast that his shadow seeme
Soon, Emil was forced into the corner of the arena. Just as everyone thought that he was sure to die, his voice suddenly traveled through space."Dramon's sword techniques are much too showy. Today is the day you die, Grant Lake!"When he finished, Emil suddenly seemed to split into several versions of himself. Over ten flickering shadows surrounded Grant in an instant.Grant's heart sank, feeling like death was approaching.Before he could recover his senses, the shadows merged into one once more. This time, Emil appeared behind Grant.Before Grant could turn, Emil had thrust his saber into his back!Grant's heart sank. At the same time, he flung his sword backward instinctively to shield his vulnerable back.The sound of metal colliding echoed in the arena, and the furious energy formed a gigantic shock wave that exploded behind Grant!Grant spat out a huge mouthful of blood, and the shock wave sent him flying out of the arena!One could have heard a pin drop in the silence
Whitney perked up at Sebastian's question. "It's all because you ran into the two monsters that day," she said. "I saw it on the surveillance footage. That was when I realized that the two women living in the store don't have that kind of relationship with you…"Whitney had never asked, and Sebastian hadn't bothered to explain who Nina and Lyanna were. That was why she had mistakenly thought that both of them were Sebastian's lovers as well.Realization had only dawned on her when she heard Nina address Sebastian as her master, even in her dying breath. Whitney had seen how powerful Nina was that day and how she had been willing to die in order to protect Sebastian.Nina and Lyanna weren't Sebastian's lovers. They were his servants. Not only that, Nina was a thousand-year-old giant snake!That had completely changed Whitney's view of the world. Although there had always been legends of mystical beings and ghosts, Whitney was an accomplished businesswoman who believed firmly in sc
Sebastian laughed wryly and shook his head. "I'm not from the Ballard Estate," he said. "My name is Sebastian, and it's better if my cousin weren't seen around me too much.""Oh, you're Sebastian."The two young women breathed a long sigh of relief. They looked him up and down for a long time before exchanging a glance. Then, they covered their faces and giggled.One of them stepped forward and said, "Come with me. Honestly… you seem pretty normal. I don't get why Ms. Sutton is yearning for you so much."Sebastian cleared his throat awkwardly and said nothing.The young woman led Sebastian into the house, where Whitney was sitting and reading a book intently. She said, "Ms. Sutton, look who's here."Whitney put down her book and looked up. When she saw Sebastian behind the young woman, she was both surprised and delighted. She got up and threw herself into Sebastian's arms."Sebastian, is it really you?"The young woman covered her face and chuckled before leaving the room sile
Sebastian watched Andreas leave and exhaled deeply. Preston wasn't the only one he didn't trust. No one in the Ballard Estate was worthy of his trust, including Andreas.Once Andreas had completely disappeared, Sebastian beckoned to the woods in the distance and said, "Come out!"In a flash, Duo appeared at his side. "My lord, why didn't you wipe out those people in the hall today?" he asked.Duo clenched his fists tightly, and there was a murderous look simmering in his eyes. Although he hadn't been in the hall, he had clearly heard everything the Ballards had said.Anyone who disrespected his master deserved death!Besides, neither Sebastian nor Duo would have had to lift a finger to kill them. All they had to do was to crush the Tribulation Avoidance Charm and trigger the divine tribulation. Once it descended, no one in the hall would have lived to tell the tale, including Arnaud."If we become hostile with the Ballards, it'll be almost impossible for us to leave in peace. Now
"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