"Off again?"Kendra lounged on the rooftop pavilion, Ashton's head cradled in her lap. The softness of her thighs against his neck was a comfort few could know."Among those I know, you are the strongest. You are my go-to when I am away," Ashton said, eyes half-closed in the warm sunlight, relaxed."You expect me to look after your women? I'm not cut out for that, you know. I'm just a business person. Your rivals won't even blink at me. Heck, sometimes I can barely take care of myself," Kendra said with a sigh. Her fingers lightly brushed Ashton's forehead, straightening his unruly hair.Ashton paused, a moment of silence hanging between them.He should not have asked Kendra that. It was unfair. She was barely in her twenties, not nearly as tough as she pretended. Sharing her beloved with other women was hard enough, but caring for them, too? That was just cruel."I'm sorry.""Sorry? Did my softness startle you? I'm not usually like this, you know." Kendra teased with a playful

Two thin men suddenly appeared in front of the car, hands outstretched to yank Ashton out. In an instant, their arms snapped, grotesquely twisted in a flash, as blood gushed from their wounds, soaking their sleeves and dripping to the ground. Their screams came late, soul-shaking and hellish."I warned you. You've wasted my time. You will deeply regret it if you can't figure out a fix right now. I keep my word," Ashton said calmly.He let go. The men rolled and scrambled on the ground, clutching their mangled arms in agony. Ashton stepped out of the car, surveying the area with a sharp gaze.He was in a parking lot outside a large park that spanned dozens of hectares, dotted with many secluded, boxy buildings. Ashton's spiritual power surged forth, swiftly mapping the entire park's layout in his mind."You're a fighter? That explains the calmness. The usual kidnapped workers either weep for their parents or brag about their wealth, hoping to ransom themselves. However, you're somet

Solax was already in the clearing with a team."Mister Levin, you're ahead of schedule. I've lined up some extra entertainment to keep you occupied while you wait."Solax had rocketed up the Dark Dragon Society since enlisting Ashton. He had grown into an influential boss. No more hustling for recruits—his job was to keep Ashton happy.The guy was a grandmaster from Lindorm Land, a titan that could go toe-to-toe with the West's S-Class Superbeings. In Alara, he was the real titan of ninja strength—a shadow-level powerhouse, the kind of guy people would tip their hats to.About 45 warriors in black stepped forward as one, and with Solax leading the charge, they knelt and saluted. "Mister Levin."The man who escorted Ashton from Lindorm Land's border was so scared he nearly fell. He cursed Rafael for getting him into that mess. The middleman was supposed to trick some regular Joes, but a big fish from Lindorm Land? That was like painting a target on his back.When he realized Ash

Solax scoffed, brutally popping his daydreams like a bubble. "Forget about it. This treasure? It's only for big shots like Mister Levin, not for the likes of us. An average Joe would be a goner just by trying. Stick to making an honest buck, okay?"Matthew grinned at the comment. He had only been making conversation, after all. The idea of searching the icy wilderness for treasure? He would not dare do that.Ten minutes later, Matthew and Janice were settled in the pilot and co-pilot seats, with Ashton and Rosabella sandwiched in between. Solax, knowing his place, had wedged himself into the backseat.The wicked mountain paths were a breeze with a chopper.They ventured deep into the iceberg. Soon, the small town in the rear transformed into a tiny speck and vanished from sight. After several hundred kilometers north, the landscape became desolate—unsuitable for human habitation. Matthew said a remote village in the mountains was 100 kilometers away. The people there lived in isola

Kyler's gaze was like a divine force, stripping one's soul with its blinding light. It left no room for defiance."A cultivator from Lindorm Land beat us to it. He entered just minutes before us," Janice said without thinking."What's his name?""Ashton. He's mighty, with powers that are off the charts. That's all I know." Janice snapped back to reality. Her hand flew to her face as she stared at Kyler, terror-stricken. She had not realized it, but her lips had betrayed her, spilling every secret she held.The power was nightmarish, unfathomable—like the legendary Wolf God from the Quindlen lore, whose mere presence could bend wills, turning free men into devoted servants, their every thought bare."What about you? Speak up, you lowly Alara," Kyler said, turning his attention to Solax.A gleam sparked in Solax's eyes. "Ashton, from Lindorm Land. They say he's a cultivator with powers beyond belief. They call him a grandmaster of martial arts, a force to be reckoned with."Howeve