At that moment, Raymond couldn't help the way he felt. Even though he was disappointed because this wasn’t how he had planned to leave he reminded himself that there was no real reason to feel upset. He had already gotten the full backing of the four clan leaders of Flamefire Mountain, something most people could only dream of. That meant this sacred land wasn’t going anywhere. He could return whenever he wanted, and no one would question him.He had cultivated enough. He had harvested plenty. The herbs, crystals, spiritual cores, and other resources in his backpack alone were worth months of growth. He quietly calculated that the resources in his possession now would be more than enough to last him a month or two, depending on how intense his next phase of cultivation would be.So, Raymond thought to himself, Once these materials are exhausted, I’ll just come back. Flamefire Mountain will still be here. So will its power. But Malisa.....That was what pushed him to move.He still hadn

At that moment, Dahlia’s younger sister nodded slowly, her eyes flickering with a sly kind of excitement. “Yes, Mother,” she said, her voice low but urgent. “I know the plan. And honestly, I think this might be the biggest opportunity we’ve had in a long time. Who doesn’t know Madam Veronica?”She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice as though the shadows around them were listening. “Madam Veronica isn't just any socialite. She belongs to the family of… what do they call them again?” She snapped her fingers softly, trying to recall the name. “Wait, wait... let me remember, I don’t want to get it wrong… Yes! The family of the Three Rings.”She smirked as she said it, a spark of triumph in her tone. “That’s her codename in elite circles—The Three Rings. Because it’s not just one family. It’s three powerful families merged together through marriage, wealth, and influence. The kind of connection that controls industries, politics, and even parts of the military. That’s the kind of

At that moment, hearing what Dahlia’s mother just said, Madam Veronica slowly leaned back into her chair with the air of a woman who had seen empires rise and fall. Her fingers, adorned with delicate rings that glimmered in the restaurant’s dim light, interlocked smoothly over her lap as she crossed her legs. With an icy composure and a voice that carried both authority and elegance, she spoke.“Well,” she began, “I didn’t arrive too long ago either. But you know me I don’t like crowds. I don’t appreciate noise, nor chaos. That’s why I had the entire restaurant cleared out. I don’t permit anyone to intrude on my space, not even for a second.” Her words were calm but sharp, as if each one had been carefully polished before being spoken. “When I call for a meeting, I don’t want distractions. I want clarity.”Then, without lifting her chin, she gestured gracefully toward the two velvet seats across the table. “Sit.”Dahlia’s mother and her younger daughter did not hesitate. With lowered

Upon hearing what Madam Veronica just said, Dahlia's mother adjusted herself properly in her seat. For a moment, she looked stunned she couldn’t believe her ears. All this while, she had been overthinking, her mind spinning in a thousand directions ever since she got the invitation. She imagined that the request would be something impossible—something out of her league, perhaps even humiliating. But now, sitting here, face-to-face with one of the most powerful women in the country, she realized how simple and straightforward the demand was. Loyalty. Absolute loyalty.A tiny smile slowly spread across her face, and she leaned forward a little, her voice calm yet firm. “Madam Veronica,” she said, “with all due respect, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.”She paused for a second, her hands gently resting on the table, then continued, “To be honest with you, I thought you were going to ask me for something very heavy. Something that might take me weeks or months to get done. But

Still outside Flame Fire Mountain, Jefferson’s grandfather stood beside the dark-colored military jeep, arms crossed, face stiff with anxiety. His eyes had not left the mouth of the mountain for nearly two days. The old man’s usual calm demeanor had been replaced by a heavy, impatient tension. His brows were deeply furrowed, and the corners of his mouth kept twitching like he was holding back curses he didn’t want to say out loud.He glanced at the sky it had already turned golden, then deep red, and now it was almost dark again. Forty-eight hours. Two full days had passed, and still no one had come out of that cursed mountain. No cries for help. No movement. No sign. No body. And certainly, no Raymond.Every second that ticked by made his heart beat faster. He wasn't afraid to admit it anymore—something was wrong. Very wrong.“How can a human stay that long inside Flame Fire Mountain and still be alive?” he muttered under his breath, pacing back and forth now, like a caged animal. “I