Riley suddenly clutched his head, tears welling up in his eyes. He remembered his mother pushing him into a closet, shielding him as armed men stormed into the room. Her clothes were torn from the struggle, and blood was everywhere.His father, a reporter, lay on the ground with his glasses askew. The study room was in shambles.In the end, the principal found Riley and pulled him out of the closet. He could still hear his mother's frantic screams echoing behind him.With a pale face, the boy muttered, "Mom, n-no!"Nyx covered the Riley's mouth. "Ms. Carver, there's something wrong with him."Aria tapped Riley's forehead, silencing him. Her eyes darkened as she said, "If you have any humanity left, take me to the detention room to find Bree."Riley, gritting his teeth in pain, nodded. Aria remained cautious, making him lead the way as she followed close behind.The detention room was somewhere none of the children wanted to go. The principal made it clear that only those who m
Aria's eyes flicked to the marks on the wall, which abruptly ended at the corner."These marks are weird." She tapped her left hand lightly on the ground, and a hollow sound echoed in response. The floor beneath was hollow!"Ms. Carver, what is it?" Nyx asked curiously.Aria was searching for the switch to open the door. "There's a hidden chamber."A hidden chamber?Just as Nyx was pondering, Aria noticed several books on the shelf. She adjusted them back and forth according to the marks. When the final book was in place, a click was heard.The wooden floor revealed an opening, and a chilly gust of wind emanated from it.Aria wasted no time lifting the wooden panel and gesturing for the duo to enter first.It was important for her to go last as this was the heart of the manifestation. Even if one tried hard to conceal the location, it was almost impossible for them to get rid of the smell.Aria had left a Charm Coin outside the panel to ensure a retreat path for the Earthboun
Tobias had taught Aria to guard her emotions against the influence of vengeful spirits in the Earthbound Manifestation. The events within this realm were remnants of the past, and compassion was essential when dismantling the formation.Yet Aria struggled to extend any empathy toward the Krowonians. Her expression remained dark as she stared at the syringes arranged on the trolley.Unaware of the looming threat, the Krowonians continued to laugh heartily.Aria walked to a corner of the laboratory and released the twins. "An eye for an eye," she mumbled.Immediately, the Krowonian who apprehended Bree felt a chill around his neck. It was as if someone was breathing down on him. He asked his colleagues, "Does it feel like the wind is stronger today?""Nope," the person replied while scratching his arm. He seemed unaware of the strength he used.This was until someone reached out. "Hold on. What's that?"Blood? Why would there be blood?The three of them froze instantly, their fac
Aria's eyes darkened as she recalled the unsettling events since her arrival. Meanwhile, the Krowonians in the laboratory were driven to the brink of madness by fear.Aria urgently needed to get Bree out of the laboratory. Bree was in critical condition, teetering on the edge of death from severe blood loss. However, Bree was frightened of Aria because of her white coat and wanted to flee.Aria gently grasped Bree's hand and spoke in a soothing tone. "Your elder sister and mother sent me to rescue you. They are very worried about you."Bree's eyes widened with desperation as she clung to Aria. Noticing that Bree could only whimper, Aria realized she had lost her ability to speak.After a brief pause, Aria asked, "Did you see anyone not wearing a white coat besides the Krowonian soldiers? Nod if you did."Bree hesitated as she sifted through her memories.Just then, Nyx appeared with Riley behind him. "Ms. Carver, we're running out of time."When Bree saw Riley, she gripped onto
After Nyx led Bree away, Aria checked the time on the laboratory clock before picking up an iron rod.As she ventured deeper into the corridor, the metallic tang of blood grew stronger.Riley, visibly shaken, called out to Aria with each step, but she ignored him, her gaze fixed ahead. She flicked on the light switch and said, "Just as I suspected, it's an Eight Trigrams Manifestation."From the moment she arrived, Aria had found the laboratory's layout unusual. It was circular on the outside, with energy converging at a single point. The paintings on the walls were deliberately placed, and the terrain was uneven.Determining the lowest point of the terrain wasn't difficult for Aria. After pouring a solution from a wooden rack and following its path, she discovered a well not far off. Although the water was collecting on the surface, it trapped souls beneath.Aria raised her eyebrows. This was it.Riley grabbed her hand. "Are we really going over there? It looks so scary.""It
Aria chuckled when she heard that. "God's blessing?""I'll overlook your ignorance," Riley replied, her tone cold. "Perhaps you're unaware of my origins. I am a vessel of God from Krowo. People revere me, praying for blessings and peace. And I possess the power to bestow it."She raised her left hand slightly as she spoke, causing the devices around her to lift into the air. Her long hair flowed as if stirred by an unseen breeze, glowing with a soft light.At the same time, Barron, who was drinking with Viktor, seemed to have sensed something amiss and shot up from his seat.Riley! Something happened to Riley!However, Viktor didn't believe anyone in the Carver family could pose a real threat to Riley. He assumed she was simply displeased with the latest batch of children he provided.After straightening his clothes, Viktor said, "You guys keep Mr. Carver Senior company. I'll be back soon."Barron quickly stood up and wanted to stop him. He knew Aria had been discovered, and it
"You're just a Krowonian doll, yet you claim to be a god?" Aria lifted the iron rod, her voice laced with disdain. "I'm sorry, but our mythology textbooks must not align. I don't play with dolls, and I definitely won't be a slave you cherish."Just one question—are you going to spit out the spirits you've swallowed, or do I have to force them out of you?"As she spoke, Aria bit her finger and smeared her blood across the iron rod, imbuing it with her energy.Riley narrowed her eyes at Aria's defiance. Pure malice ignited in her gaze, the resentment palpable."You Farshyans are clueless. Since you won't submit, you can stay and keep me company. Your body is much more suitable for me. The blood of a cultivator has a sweeter scent."Riley licked her lips before she suddenly vanished.She wasn't just a lingering soul—once she left a body, it would decay immediately. The little boy's form from earlier was nothing more than a discarded shell.The entire laboratory echoed with Riley's
A tall figure emerged from the blood mist, standing unaffected by the malevolent spirits that swirled around him.The spirits couldn't even approach him; they recoiled as if repelled by an invisible force. It wasn't due to any protective charm—his very presence instilled fear in all souls.Aria's fuzzy mind cleared up. Not only did the annoying chanting disappear, but the spirits under Riley's control also stopped in their tracks. Though their eyes remained bloodshot and their forms grotesque, they averted their gaze upon seeing the newcomer, even parting to create a path for him.The tall, lean man wore a pure black wool coat. As he moved forward, his graceful, gentlemanly demeanor was reminiscent of a businessman from Ludwiten, perhaps one educated abroad, with a touch of 19th-century elegance.His face, handsome yet cold, was unmistakable. Only Aria's fiancé could possess such a complex spiritual presence.However, it seemed that the version of him 100 years ago didn't have s
Aliya squinted at the unmasked man beside Aria. Now that his face was fully visible, something about him sparked a flicker of recognition. She lowered her gaze, trying to recall where she'd seen him before.Then a sharp gasp cut through the air."He's from the York family… Janovin's York family! Wait—was he Mr. Crow? Were they working together the whole time?"Even though they were all wealthy people, they weren't in the same ranks. No one dared to mess with the York family at all.If the circumstances were different, the arrogant, wealthy people from earlier would've tried to exchange contacts with Landon. That way, they could've partnered up in the future. However, with what had happened that day, those people were in a daze.Meanwhile, Aria knew those people still had no idea what was going on. So, she just removed her disguise and showed them who she really was.Aliya was stunned by what Aria had done. When she saw who the latter truly was, her gaze was filled with jealousy.
The wealthy clients that were left behind at the auction had connections to powerful people, and Dave didn't think Aria was capable enough to deal with every one of them. Although Farshya was well-developed, it had always been a country that focused on connections.Power meant everything, and Dave wanted to see how Aria and her team would deal with his guests. If he remembered correctly, Aliya was the daughter of a great leader in the state. She wanted a womb from a young lady because she wanted to have children.Before the clients got what they wanted, Aria had offended a lot of big shots. Dave thought about it for a second and hoped Aria would suffer as much as he did.Dave was right about one thing. Aliya wasn't anxious at all when someone infiltrated the auction and took control of the event. She was only stunned for a moment at first. Once everything had settled down, she calmed down and even looked a little proud."I suggest you talk to your leader first before deciding to cu
Dave had escaped, but just barely.He'd saved his life, nothing more. The documents he needed to destroy were still intact. Everything had gone completely off script.Every exit had been sealed. If he hadn't killed a villager and disguised himself with a spell, he would've died at the auction. He didn't receive any news about the ambush and was caught entirely off guard.He wasn't in Janovin, and security was that tight there. With his connections, he could've found out what was going to happen in advance. However, that wasn't the case at all.Slipping into a grimy back alley, Dave cursed his luck. Most of his men had been rounded up in the village. He could only hope a few had managed to slip through. But with sirens wailing in the distance, he knew hope was thin."Who the hell was that?" he muttered, wiping dirt off his face with a shaking hand. Normally a stickler for cleanliness, Dave was too rattled to care. "And where's the real Eden?"His mind snapped into action. The scho
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