When the host saw that no one else dared to step into the arena, he immediately announced, "The match will end here for today. Each side will rest for three days each, and after three days, the matches will resume!"The three days' rest in between had been Phineas' idea.He still didn't feel assured. After all, Dramon only had Sebastian and the others, and today's battle was only the beginning. The really tough battle was yet to come.He had to fight for time so that the Martial Arts Court could send some powerful candidates.When the battle ended, Phineas finally snuck over to Sebastian and said, "Mr. Ballard, please wait."Phineas' passionate speech earlier had genuinely moved Sebastian, so his attitude had softened greatly."Mr. Tuxley, go ahead and say whatever you have to say." Phineas looked around. Upon seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he whispered in Sebastian's ear, "Mr. Ballard, you must be wary of Ezekiel. He is coveting the treasure in your possession.
Technically, this was gross negligence on Phineas' part. However, he had very little authority that he did not have the courage to ask for details.There were probably only very few people who knew Sebastian's real identity. It wasn't as if Phineas could go and ask Belinda. Would he dare to ask the elders of the Warrior League? Of course not!"Let's go to Ventus Estate," Melvin said as he stood up.He had to find out what kind of relationship Sebastian had with the Warrior League. In particular, he had to know whether Sebastian had latched onto the Warrior League or if it had been the other way around.He couldn't let himself make the wrong decision.Phineas hurried out of the lounge after Melvin.…Meanwhile, Belinda and Blake were at Ventus Estate, discussing the martial arts battle that had taken place that day."Madam Dragon, these people were much too ignorant. How could they have expected to do well when fighting against Mr. Ballard?" Blake smiled.Belinda looked at the
Melvin bowed his head and followed Blake into Ventus Estate. On the way there, he kept stealing glances at the black-clad men.The more he looked at them, the more shocked Melvin became. Where had the Warrior League gotten so many experts at the third level of the Celestial realm and above?In any other sect, they would be a deacon at the very least, but they were only fit to be guards for the Warrior League.He didn't know that these men hadn't previously been at such a high level. It was all thanks to Sebastian that they had been able to improve so swiftly.That was why everyone in the Warrior League respected Sebastian so much. Sebastian and the Warrior League relied on each other and helped each other. There was no imbalance in their relationship."Please come in, Mr. Cappell." Blake stood in the doorway to the hall and indicated for Melvin to enter.Despite Blake's politeness, Melvin knew that he had no right to walk in front.The Lucoxes weren't just the family who contr
"Yes. That's right," Melvin answered quickly.Blake nodded slightly and strode to the entrance. He said to Phineas, "Mr. Tuxley, Madam Dragon would like to see you."Phineas immediately puffed up his chest and straightened his clothes. When he finally felt presentable, he followed Blake to the hall.Meeting someone as important as Belinda was a matter of honor for Phineas. Therefore, he prostrated himself as soon as he entered and said to Belinda, "My name is Phineas Tuxley and I'm the head director of the Steinberg Martial Arts Court. Greetings, Madam Dragon."Belinda was startled to see him prostrate as soon as he entered. She suppressed a smile and shook her head slightly. "Mr. Tuxley, a bow like that is an outdated rule from hundreds of years ago. It is no longer appropriate in today's times. Please sit down," she said, pointing at the seat beside her."Thank you, Madam Dragon." Phineas stood up and glanced at the chairs. Where was he supposed to sit? Melvin had already ta
Blake bowed slightly to Belinda before turning and leaving the hall."Please sit for a moment, gentlemen. We'll discuss this matter once Mr. Ballard arrives." Belinda left Melvin and Phineas there on their own after she had finished. She didn't even give them a chance to reply before entering the back room with Elara.Melvin and Phineas sat awkwardly in their seats. It didn't seem right to either leave or stay."Relax, gentlemen. Madam Dragon is discussing some matters with a few elders. Have some tea and wait for Mr. Ballard," a maid said as she carried over a tray of tea. She served both Melvin and Phineas with a cup of fragrant tea.Melvin was pleasantly surprised. He took the teacup from the maid with both hands. Although she was a mere maid, the important thing was who she worked for. Belinda had a close relationship with the head director of Dramon's Martial Arts Court. It could even be said that the Martial Arts Court wouldn't exist without her.Even the national head dir
Blake chuckled as he walked in."Yes! I just jump up and slap people in the face—" When Zane turned and saw that it was Blake, he abruptly stopped speaking.He smiled awkwardly. Boasting in front of Blake was just asking for trouble."Zane, that move where you jump up and slap people was quite interesting to watch," Blake said, grinning.Zane suddenly had a coughing fit. He didn't know if Blake was complimenting him or not."Is Mr. Ballard around? I've come on behalf of Madam Dragon. She would like him to pay a visit," Blake said to Zane. "Yes, yes! He's inside. He's with Ms. Griffin, and they're chatting—" Zane suddenly spotted Sebastian leaning in the doorway, a smile playing about his lips as he stared at him."Uh… he's not chatting." He hastily changed tack and congratulated himself for being quick-witted."Come in, Blake." Sebastian rolled his eyes at Zane. He knew exactly what Zane was going to say whenever he opened his mouth. He was sure that Zane had nothing innocent
When Belinda and Elara heard Sebastian's voice, they walked out of the back room."It's been a while, Mr. Ballard," Belinda said, smiling.Upon seeing her expression had changed from how it had been when she greeted him, Melvin was even more astounded by Sebastian's identity.Belinda always smiled when she met Sebastian, but it was a rare event for any other person to see her smile."It's been a while, Madam Dragon," Sebastian said with a bow. "Please sit down, Mr. Ballard." Elara hurried toward him and pulled him down beside the main seat. Melvin and Phineas returned to their seats, looking rather awkward."Mr. Ballard, I hear from Mr. Tuxley that Ezekiel is plotting something against you. That's why I sent Blake to bring you here. I'd like to hear your opinion," Belinda said, smiling.Everyone noticed that Belinda had spoken respectfully twice. They all turned to look at Sebastian."Madam Dragon, I wasn't concerned about Ezekiel at first, but now so many sects from the mar
Sebastian shook his head slightly and said, "Thank you for your kind thoughts, Madam Dragon. Even if the entire martial arts community treats me as an enemy because of this, I'll accept it."How could Sebastian be an elder in the Warrior League when he was the successor of the Sacred Medicine Society?Everyone looked at Sebastian in slight surprise. He would be willing to make an enemy of the entire martial arts community?Belinda was also surprised. She hadn't expected Sebastian to be so firm."Mr. Ballard, are you afraid that your mentor will be against it?" she asked, frowning.No one would refuse the conditions that she had just made. Besides, joining the Warrior League in the current circumstances would be great for Sebastian.With the Warrior League as his ally, the Sapientia wouldn't dare to do anything to him. She hadn't expected Sebastian to refuse outright."Mr. Ballard, do you have a mentor?" Elara asked, puzzled. Hadn't Sebastian always said that he didn't have one?
"Isabella, our son is all grown up now," Samson whispered. "I wonder when our family can reunite…"His eyes misted over."Is Mom really in the Holy Grandia?" Sebastian's voice suddenly came from behind him. Samson hastily wiped away the tears in the corners of his eyes. He turned to look at Sebastian and exhaled as he smiled bitterly. "I don't know either," he replied. "After I kicked you and your mother out of the family back then, I was brought here. From that day on, this little area became my whole world."Hugo had been the one who had brought him the news of Isabella attacking the Ballard Estate with experts from the Thorne family. In the end, the condition of the truce between the Ballards and the Thornes was that Hugo would be allowed to stay at the Ballard Estate and ensure Samson's safety.Apart from that, Samson had no other news of Isabella. Sebastian walked over and sat down in the chair opposite Samson. He picked up the teapot and poured a cup of fragrant tea f
Sebastian exhaled softly and pointed at the technique he had just handed to Whitney. He said, "If you can memorize this technique within three days, I can teach you."The technique Sebastian had given her was a basic introduction to the martial arts. It was also a basic technique for mystic arts practitioners, but it would let someone of Whitney's disposition become a sage even more quickly.That meant that Whitney had the advantage over ordinary Warriors. It was Sebastian's final favor to her."Alright! I'll recite it to you tomorrow morning!" Whitney said firmly, clenching her fists tightly. Sebastian smiled and nodded. He stood up and said, "It's getting late. You should get to bed soon. I'll get going now."Upon seeing that Sebastian was leaving, Whitney got up quickly and grabbed hold of him. "Can't you stay?" she asked.After their divorce, Whitney had never spent any time alone with Sebastian. Even at the convenience store, Rosalie had always been with them.It was a r
Whitney smiled bitterly, but tears spilled down her cheeks. She said to Sebastian, her voice choking up with emotion, "I see that I was in the wrong all along. But… but it wasn't that I didn't trust you, it's just that—"Sebastian took out a handkerchief from his pocket and gave it to her. He said calmly, "Actually, you were just blinded by the false fame and power of the world."In your heart, you feel that only money can prove a person's worth. In terms of wealth, I'm just a lazy and complacent dolt when compared with those so-called successful people."Sebastian's words seemed to cut Whitney like a knife. It wasn't all her fault. After all, historically, most people used money to measure the success of a person. Otherwise, why would there be the saying of how no one remembered the poor, but everyone showed up for the rich?"The truth is that all those wealthy heirs are worth even less than a dog to the Warriors and the mystic sects. "I don't fight with the people of the worl
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