Lionel and the others were all watching this unfold, finding this absolutely bizarre. However, they would all forget everything after the manifestation disappeared.This was why Aria wasn't worried about any negative consequences. She didn't stop walking until she reached the intersection between the manifestation and the real world. The Cerulean Dragon suddenly said, "There's something underground. It contains boundless evil, but it's relevant to you."Something relevant to her? Aria was confused, but she didn't waste any more time and started digging. She moved fast, digging about eight inches into the ground within a short time—until she caught sight of a talisman. It wasn't one of the commonly seen ones, but one used to subdue souls. This seemed to be a recurring theme. Aria dug further down. She was no longer inside the manifestation. This item seemed to be buried in the yard, around the drainage system. Aria continued, unearthing stones along the way. Under three ta
The other spirits were disappearing as well. They stood ramrod straight, disheveled uniforms hanging off their backs, as sharp and unrelenting as knives and axes slicing through all the injustice in this world.Their eyes showed no indignant reluctance, only longing for the future. Aria felt emotions coming over her as she watched them. Lionel knew that Aria was feeling reluctant to part with them. Aria was great, but she was also easily troubled. She was also one of their own now, so Lionel said some reassuring words to her before his departure. "I'm not as gullible as you think, my child."He touched the top of his head as he looked at her, and he laughed heartily before continuing, "You're all from the future, which proves that we're all dead at this point.""One's soul is sure to disappear when he passes. If some linger in this world, they aren't doing so by any legitimate means." Lionel was accepting of his fate as always. "I would dream of a time when my company owned a
Marek appeared lost. The arcane seekers laughed as they gradually dissipated in the air. They depleted their spiritual energy to put the remnants of those souls within the manifestation at ease. Their souls shone as bright as stars as they surged up toward the sky from the ground. Darkness blanketed them, and everything around Aria started to fade. She knew that the manifestation was about to collapse, but the students didn't, so they were consumed by shock. Marek's hands were starting to disappear as well. He said, "Mr. Garrison told me to listen to you. They—""Okay, old man, time's running short. I'm Aria Carver. Remember to seek me out in the future and take me in as your mentee." Aria had to take Simon with him before the manifestation collapsed. She glanced at its entrance, saying, "This time round, I'll study fortune telling and the esoteric arts properly under you. If you want to ascend to another realm, I'll also lend you a hand."Marek was befuddled. "Me, take you i
Ian's attention immediately shifted at those words. Edwin raised his lantern a little. "Mr. Ian, I'm worried that Richard still isn't on our side. He was quite cold toward Ms. Summers today." "That's true." Ian narrowed his eyes. "Unlike his father, we'll need to test where his loyalties lie." Test? Elijah had been patient long enough. He knew he could not reveal too much yet, as he needed to give Aria time. But Aria had also told him to follow his heart. Now, they just had to wait for her. Elijah was curious to know too. What secrets could someone so perfect, who even saved Ian's life, possibly be concealing?Meanwhile, a crow descended in the Carver residence's backyard. Being sent here on orders, it was hiding in the dark mist where no one could see. Its master could not enter this manifestation, but it could. However… "Sir, perhaps we should investigate Ms. Carver's past life." The crow could see the reflections within the manifestation. "It makes sense that the heroic s
Simon was not sure either. "I think so." "This is interesting." Aria lifted the crow to meet its eyes. "You're a friend of the Cerulean Dragon and also a primordial beast. Do ancient creatures now prefer following humans around?" The crow wanted to protest and caw, "I'm not! That's not true! Don't make assumptions!" Aria did not torment it further. She tossed it to Simon. "Since you know each other, find a place to chat." The crow could not figure out Aria's intentions anymore. But Aria had no hidden agenda. She simply did not have time to deal with all these mythical creatures. Her goal was to make this public and force everything into the open. Only then would Barron stop getting upset. Besides, she still needed to keep her ability to enter the manifestation a secret. Aria buried a copper coin in the spot, then turned her gaze to the crow. As a beast of fortune, the crow suddenly had a very bad feeling. "They say a crow's call means a human is going to die," Aria smirke
Something felt off, but Aria had no time to dwell on it now. Sam must be safe if he was at Mount Dracotigris. Breathing a slight sigh of relief, Aria's mood lifted. She glanced at the messages again and typed back a simple "Thanks." The reply came quickly. "I was about to file a missing person report, my dear fiancée." His cool tone barely masked his resentment. Just as Aria considered calling him, he beat her to it with a video call. She could not decline, especially since he was looking after Sam. His breathtaking face appeared on her screen soon after. He seemed to be in the mountain as there were misty trees swaying behind him. His striking features stood out against the backdrop. Aria's gaze lingered. She was having that strange feeling again. She thought he would look better in a fine brocade coat than his suit, especially in deep crimson. Such beauty deserved elegant clothes. But this was not the time to think about such things. She needed to ask about important matt
Having just experienced such an Earthbound Manifestation, the realm within became connected to the present world. And everything tied back to Barron. Aria needed to think clearly. That master in the manifestation was too mysterious. Though she had never met him, he clearly still received offerings in the present world. Who could he be? She had discussed this with the fortune teller in the manifestation. Logically speaking, he could not have lived this long. Even if alive, he should be bedridden with age. No one around them fit that description, yet her experiences suggested this person was close by. Aria suspected he used some secret technique, perhaps... soul transfer! At this thought, her expression changed. She looked at her phone, remembering he was also in that manifestation in Ludwiten as his past life self. She sensed a connection but was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. "What are you thinking about?" The deep, mesmerizing voice from her phone brought her back.
Amongst everyone else, Owen hated Aria the most. His life had become unbearable. He was met with suspicious glances wherever he went, all thanks to that wretched girl! The fortune teller had warned she would bring disaster to the family, but Warren would not listen. Now that he'd finally seen her for the catastrophe she was, he surely would not miss this spectacle. He had even used his remaining connections to invite a master from Mount Dracotigris. Tomorrow, he would make her pay for everything he had suffered.That night, no one in Janovin slept peacefully. Every household buzzed with talk of Aria's departure. Deep in the mansion, Daemon coughed blood onto the wall with his back trembling. He seemed to be talking to his reflection in the mirror. "Find her... You're right, I must find her. Her image was blurred in the manifestation, but someone must have seen her clearly among those we chose." Though the remnant spirit in the Earthbound Manifestation had vanished willingly, s
Landon's sudden appearance wasn't just a coincidence. With Aria's intelligence, she would figure something out soon—he knew that. He hadn't planned on revealing himself like this. But something that belonged to him was here, and the demonic energy in this place… Aria couldn't face it alone.She studied him from head to toe, her hand still in his. His grip was firm, protective."There's a lot of mist ahead," he said quietly. "We'll need to tread carefully."Aria tilted her head. "You speak like you know this place well.""I do," Landon replied with a calm honesty. "I was deathly ill once. My soul wandered into a place just like this. Homer pulled me back."His voice made it sound like a distant memory, and Aria gave a soft laugh, tightening her hold on his hand. "You really are full of surprises. I guess it's true—handsome men are the most dangerous."But Aria's thoughts were racing. Why had he come after her like this, knowing it would reveal parts of himself he'd tried to keep h
Landon was still handling the stragglers behind Aria when he paused, his gaze flicking upward. Cameras were mounted in every corner—too many eyes. Vanishing without a trace wasn't an option.He glanced in Aria's direction, then lowered his head. His lips moved in a whisper, but the sounds were incomprehensible—something rhythmic, otherworldly. It was less like a speech and more like a chant—an exorcism.Meanwhile, Dave descended into the underground, calm and unrushed. That place reeked of foul energy, dense and suffocating. His master had cast a spell over it—one designed to kill anyone who dared to enter, no matter their strength. Dave wasn't afraid. He had more pressing priorities—destroying documents, erasing traces, minimizing damage.His bodyguard stayed close, watching for anyone who might try to stop them.Aria, moving swiftly, reached the lower floor—only to halt. Mist curled along the ground, thickening with every step. The air turned icy. And the corridor behind her…
"Why would there be people outside?" asked Dave. He had been disguising himself as a doctor for years, and that was the first time he looked so anxious. After all, if someone did approach their building, the villagers would have informed them about it. However, they received no news this time.Dave wondered what was going on."Dr. Dave, what should we do now? I think we're surrounded!"He was still in his coat as he slightly clenched his fists. "Let's move out. Bring the girls in the basement with us.""T-They're not in the basement."When Dave heard that, he looked furious. "What do you mean they're not in the basement?""Someone took them away, and I'm guessing it was her fault!" The bodyguard pointed at Aria, who was standing on the highest point, showing off her skills. With swift, lethal kicks and a taser turned weapon, no one dared get close.Whoever touched Aria would die, and no one dared to approach her at all.As for Landon, he still had his mask on as he stood behind
Chaos erupted at the auction. For all their pride and arrogance, the wealthy clients' expressions had twisted into pure panic the moment something went wrong.So, their first reaction was to seek a staff member."The power's unstable!" Dave spoke into the microphone, trying to project calm. "Everyone, stay calm. There's scheduled maintenance in town—it's just affecting the electricity. Nothing's wrong."He genuinely believed that. It was what he'd been told.But Aria knew better. The blackout wasn't random. It was a signal. Sam had tracked down the source of the call. With the exits sealed off, Aria had everything she needed to act.A faint smirk curled on her lips. Without hesitation, she grabbed Landon and swiftly took Aliya hostage. Her movements were sharp, practiced, so fast that no one around her even had time to react.Then came the needles.Aria flicked her wrist, sending a series of acupuncture needles flying. The rich guests closest to her froze in place, locked in stu
Tony's accusation stirred a ripple through the room, and it didn't escape Dave's attention. With a subtle flick of his wrist, he signaled to someone nearby.Aria caught the movement. Her fingers tensed, ready to slip free of the rope she had already loosened. But before she could act, she heard a smooth, composed voice glide through the air."I need her to boost my luck," the man said coolly. "I've done my research. She's the ideal bride for someone like me."Dave stopped in his tracks, and it seemed like he was telling someone else to verify what Landon had said."Sir, it checks out," one of the staff murmured after a brief consultation. "Mr. Crow's fate is complicated. The master said only a spiritual match could extend his life. Otherwise, he won't make it past his next birthday."Dave let out a low chuckle, visibly relaxing. "Well then, Mr. Crow, it seems you've come to the right place. Please—carry on, everyone."Aria listened in stunned silence. Landon hadn't lied. His life
Aria couldn't tear her eyes away from Dave.He was still quietly speaking to the man on the screen, their exchange shrouded in secrecy. No one nearby could hear what they were saying—but Aria could guess. It had to be a deal of some sort, something about her. Everything about Dave's posture, the glint in his eyes, told her this wasn't just business. It was personal.She glanced up at the clock again, nerves coiling in her chest. Something was wrong. Sam was taking longer than usual. That wasn't like him.The auction was nearing its close. They couldn't miss the chance to strike. Sasha, glowing with excitement, clapped her hands and declared, "Six million! It looks like no one else is bidding—congratulations to our newest member, Mr. Tiger—""Ten million dollars."The voice sliced clean through the noise, calm, clear, and cold.Everyone turned toward it.A man stood at the edge of the crowd, dressed in a sleek tuxedo dusted with black feathers, his mask intricate and dark.T
Aria had once told Sam to avoid chaos if he could—but she'd also said that when desperation knocked, rules could bend.Now was one of those moments.Sam hesitated only briefly before diving in.He had to know who was behind this. Who kept targeting Aria? Who was pulling the strings in the dark? And once Sam decided on something, there was no turning back.Without Aria by his side, he breached the system, knowing full well the other side had already alerted the police.The firewall he faced wasn't just tough—it was nearly impenetrable. It filtered everything, controlling access with surgical precision. But Sam wasn't interested in the broader network. He narrowed his focus and cut straight to the source, filtering out all the noise to lock onto the actual IP.The auction raged on aboveground. The man behind the screen, confident in his usual routine, remained calm and unaware that the mask he'd worn for years was finally slipping. He'd always stayed out of sight, appearing only
While Aria discreetly signaled to move, the auction hall was buzzing with excitement. Laughter echoed, wine glasses clinked, and the room pulsed with greed.Sasha's voice came through the mic, smooth and cheerful. "While everyone's enjoying themselves, let's welcome our latest arrival of the evening."She glanced at the man beside her—her bodyguard—who immediately stiffened under her gaze.To the crowd, it looked like he was escorting Aria to the stage under control. In truth, Aria's hand was already pressed lightly against his chest, right over a poisoned pressure point. He knew better than to resist—he'd seen what she was capable of.And she'd made her warning crystal clear—if she was exposed or captured, he wouldn't live to see morning.The guests didn't notice a thing. All eyes were on Aria, their expressions hungry. They saw value in her—fresh, young, healthy. To them, she wasn't a person. She was premium merchandise.She was brought to stand beside a young woman who had alr
Eamon and Waymond had just been thrown out of the Chamber of Commerce. Waymond's face was flushed with fury, his eyes red. "Eamon, why didn't you let me speak earlier? Mr. Lincoln was being unreasonable!"Eamon, ever perceptive, shook his head. "Mr. Lincoln's been bribed. He was never going to take our side."Wise and strategic, Eamon had always been top of his class—but now, he was even sharper when it came to reading a room."I'm guessing Aria found something during her investigation that made them nervous," he continued. "Durand couldn't have controlled Lincoln on his own. There's more to it."Waymond frowned, still struggling to piece things together. "But who could bribe Mr. Lincoln? Not even the mayor has that kind of sway. He's—""What if it's someone from the state?" Eamon cut in, eyes flicking back toward the building. "We need to tell Dad. There's no point in staying here, but there is someone we can talk to.""Who?" Waymond asked quickly. "Lucas Murray—the new secr