“Grandmother… Mother… are you both all right?”“We’re fine, Kael,” Evelina Drake said at once. “Just… be careful.”She had known he would come. She didn’t know how—only that she never doubted it. Standing beside her own mother, Evelina Drake squeezed her hand tightly as they both watched Kael Draven. Relief washed over them, but fear lingered just beneath the surface.After all, this wasn’t some minor force standing before them.This was the Golden Sun Sect—the strongest power in Celestia.If Kael Draven hadn’t shown up when he did, the Drake Family would have been erased. Completely. No second chances.“Kael Draven,” Andrew Anderson sneered, his eyes cold. “You’re the one courting death. If you die today, don’t blame anyone but yourself.”“Andrew Anderson,” Jack Holden said sharply, “are you really planning to overwhelm him with numbers?”The moment Kael Draven stepped forward, a trace of relief flashed across Jack Holden’s face. It vanished just as quickly, replaced by his usual icy

Zeric Jasper and Jack Holden didn’t leave Emberfall Town.They stayed.Not just nearby, either—they moved straight into the Draven Family residence.Kael Draven felt it deeply. Gratitude, relief, and a little guilt, too. Friends who were willing to stay when trouble was knocking at the door were rare. The kind you didn’t forget, no matter how far life dragged you later on.When it came to Andrew Anderson’s death, Kael Draven didn’t hold anything back. He went straight to his grandfather and laid everything out, piece by piece, from start to finish. By the time he was done, Ardyn Draven’s expression had darkened completely.The Golden Sun Sect.Just thinking about it felt like standing beneath a mountain—huge, silent, and ready to crush anything in its way.“Kael,” Ardyn Draven said at last, calm but heavy, “what are you planning to do?”Kael Draven drew in a slow breath. “Grandfather, it’s obvious what’s going on. Someone framed me. Deliberately. But whoever it is, the Golden Sun Sect

Ghost King Sect — Grand Hall“What’s your name?”“Kiera Thane.”“Kiera Thane?”Arden Thane suddenly laughed. Loud. Sharp. “Hahaha—good. Very good.”At that moment, he barely seemed human anymore. A bone-deep chill spread from him, thick with dark energy, like death itself had settled on his shoulders. Whatever warmth the hall once had vanished instantly, swallowed by something cold and suffocating—something that felt dragged straight out of hell.“Brother Thane,” George Holden said evenly, unfazed, “this Kiera Thane was chosen from thousands and refined through countless methods. I can say this with certainty—even if Kael Draven stood right here, he wouldn’t be able to tell she’s fake.”“Perfect,” Arden Thane replied without pause. “Then we proceed as agreed. Kael Draven dies. The two treasures—one for you, one for me. As for the other four great sects, we split them down the middle.”“Deal.”“Once spoken,” Arden Thane said coldly, “even four-horse chariots can’t take it back.”With t

By the time Kael Draven reacted, it was already done.The body lay motionless on the ground, the warmth gone. His expression darkened—not out of pity, but frustration. The chance he needed had slipped away.He never got to ask the real question.Who was she?And why risk everything just to impersonate Kiera Thane?“Kael Draven,” George Holden said quietly, breaking the silence. “I killed her. Are you blaming me?”The moment had passed. Even if Kael Draven wanted to blame him, it wouldn’t change a thing. He shook his head once.“No.”George Holden let out a small breath and smiled. “That’s good. Don’t worry—when Robert Anderson comes knocking, Brother Thane and I will stand as witnesses. The Blood Sea Sect is shameless to the core, trying to pin this on you.”“Thank you,” Kael Draven replied.Still, the unease didn’t fade. It clung to him like a shadow he couldn’t shake. After seeing the two sect masters off, he returned straight to his room, hoping the rest would calm his thoughts.Th

Zeric Jasper had always lived by a single creed: mercy toward an enemy was cruelty toward oneself.No matter the time or place, when it came to killing one’s foes, hesitation was a sin. Decisiveness and ruthlessness were the only paths forward.Celestia lay extremely far from Dawnvale. Even at the speed of three powerful warriors traveling together, the journey should have taken at least half a month.Yet in just seven days, Kael Draven, Jack Holden, and Zeric Jasper had already left Celestia behind and entered the lawless borderlands between Celestia and Dawnvale.The Nine Provinces were all connected, merely divided into separate territories. These border regions, however, belonged to none of them.“Brother Draven, Jack Holden, stay alert,” Zeric Jasper said in a low voice. “The borderlands between the Nine Provinces are notoriously chaotic. No province claims this land, so every criminal, murderer, and fugitive gathers here to hide.”Kael Draven nodded. He had heard rumors before—e