Cohen looked rather troubled as he said, "I'm not sure how to say this, Mr. Ballard. Please come to the Martial Arts Court, and you'll understand!"Sebastian nodded slightly and said to Unus, "Let's go!"As Candy watched Sebastian walk off, she felt as if her heart had been torn apart.Sebastian was so powerful! Why hadn't he said so earlier?Didn't men like showing off their strength and power in front of women? Why had he kept hiding his powers from her?If she had known earlier about how strong Sebastian was, she wouldn't have thought twice about giving herself completely to him."What should we do, Ms. Candy?" one of her bodyguards asked. They could no longer live in that villa when over 100 people had died in the yard. They had to move as soon as possible. Clearly, the villa was now a cursed place.Candy hesitated for a moment before calling one of her best friends. …When Sebastian was invited into the Martial Arts Court, he saw over a dozen corpses at the entrance an
Cohen bowed deeply to Sebastian as he spoke.Sebastian waved a hand dismissively and said, "It's alright, Mr. Gabbard. Mount Quiln is very dangerous, and that expert from a mystic sect has disappeared without a trace. "If you don't want to let more people become desiccated corpses, it'll be better to seal off the entrance to Mount Quiln and prevent anyone from entering!" Joaquin immediately said to Cohen, "Did you hear that? Starting today, Mount Acorn Martial Arts Court must send someone to seal off the entrance. No one is allowed to go in or out!""Yes, sir!" Cohen nodded vigorously.Joaquin was already being very lenient in not pursuing the matter further. The crimes that Cohen had committed were worthy of the death penalty. "Mr. Ballard, I've arranged for a hotel in Acorn City's central area. You should go and have a shower," Joaquin said ingratiatingly. He took Sebastian to the Aequor, a five-star hotel. The moment they entered, the attendants stood in two rows and bowe
Back in Klane City, Javier had already heard one of Joaquin's attendants mention Sebastian, so he knew that Sebastian was someone even Joaquin had to show respect to. That person was now in Acorn City.It wouldn't be very suitable for someone of Javier's age to try and approach Sebastian, and they wouldn't have many common topics either. It was different for Kayden. They were both young men, and Kayden had a wide variety of interests. He knew what young people were interested in, which would make it easier for him to strike up a friendship. If they could get into the good books of someone as influential as Sebastian, they would gain an advantage over Joaquin. In the future, the Berkeleys could even have the ultimate authority in the whole of Boren. "Acorn City is in such a remote area. What kind of important figure would come here?" Kayden asked dismissively. Javier thought for a moment before asking, "Don't you think that someone who can make Joaquin humble himself is an im
Sebastian and Nina arrived at the hotel restaurant for a meal, accompanied by Rocco."Mr. Ballard, please sit here," Rocco said, leading Sebastian to the best seat in the restaurant and shooting the waiter a look.He had instructed the chefs to prepare the food specially for Sebastian before they even arrived. Moments later, a dozen waiters served up beautifully plated dishes of food."Mr. Ballard, this was made specially for you and Ms. Nina by a top chef whom our hotel brought in from Janover. Please enjoy." Sebastian and Nina picked up their cutlery and put some food into their mouths. Nina nodded in satisfaction. "This poached fish is delicious!"Sebastian pointed to a plate of salad opposite him and said, "This salad is also very good!"At that moment, the restaurant doors opened and a large group of people streamed in.Kayden was at the head of the group, with Candy following closely behind him as they entered. The moment Sebastian had returned to Acorn City, someone
Kayden might seem generous, but anyone could tell that he had been targeting Sebastian since coming in."Well! After all my years in Acorn City, this is the first time someone has refused to let me pick up the tab! You're pretty bold, aren't you?"Kayden went over to Sebastian's table and pulled up a chair, staring scornfully at him."You're just as bold." Sebastian put his knife and fork down and glanced fleetingly at Kayden."Want to know something, brat? There was once a very arrogant young guy who offended me with what he said. He's currently still in the ICU!" Kayden said threateningly."Like you said, that was in the past. It's got nothing to do with the present," Sebastian replied, grinning. "I admire how calm you are, brat. You bullied my woman, and now I'm sitting right in front of you, yet you're still so calm. Impressive! Maybe you don't know who I am."There was a fierce glint in Kayden's eyes as he spoke.Sebastian scoffed. "Whoever you are, what does it have to d
"Mr. Berkeley, is it? It doesn't matter whether you're an heir, all adults must take responsibility for their words and actions," Sebastian said icily."Kill him!" Kayden shouted.He was convulsing with pain. Although the wounds on his shoulders weren't fatal, it was also the spot on the body with the least amount of flesh and the thinnest skin.Sebastian had pieced through his bones with that move, and it wasn't the kind of pain that an ordinary person could withstand. It was surprising that Kayden hadn't fainted from the pain.A few deacons from the Martial Arts Court immediately rushed in Sebastian's direction, but they were sent packing faster than they had come. One of the deacons was sent sailing through the air in Kayden's direction and landed heavily on top of him. In less than ten seconds, all five of the deacons were sprawled out on the floor, writhing. Kayden was pinned below the first deacon, unable to move at all. Sebastian stood up and walked slowly over to him.
However, Kayden's rage was futile. Even the deacons beside him advised him in low voices not to try and issue a challenge. Otherwise, he was sure to end up in an even worse state.After settling the bill, the deacons helped Kayden into the elevator.Kayden was badly injured. Not only was he now disfigured, but he also had fractures of varying degrees in his shoulders and ribs. When he was brought to the hospital, despite being given three times the usual dose of anesthetic, he still let out bloodcurdling yells from inside the operating room. Amidst his screams, he swore inwardly that he would use all the connections of the Berkeleys to crush Sebastian completely!…Back at the restaurant, Candy sneered as her gaze swept over Sebastian. She had been with Kayden the entire time. Beating up Kayden was different from destroying the Lynches. The Lynches were also an elite martial arts family in Acorn City, but their status couldn't be compared to the Berkeleys at all.The Berke
In the process of the investigation, the police had discovered that some of the houses in the village still had their lights on and that there was still food cooking on the stoves. However, the people in the houses seemed to have all disappeared into thin air.From then on, Flemin Village had become a deserted place that no one dared to live in.As for the villas, no one knew when they had been built, nor did anyone know who the owners of the villas were. However, the sound of ghostly wails and screams could often be heard inside. Even the deacons from the local Martial Arts Court wouldn't go near them if they could help it. It was rumored that all the wronged spirits of the villagers were in those villas. Someone had once looked in the windows of the villas in the middle of the night, and they had been filled with fearful human faces. However, during the day, the villas were unusually quiet. There was no sign of human activity in any of them."Mr. Gabbard, you seem to be ve
"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