“Evelina Drake, take everyone and leave the Drake Family.”“Mother—”Margaret Drake lifted her hand, stopping her mid-sentence. She didn’t raise her voice; she didn’t need to. Her back was straight, her eyes steady, the kind of calm that left no room for argument.“As the head of the Drake Family, I stand with it,” she said. “Whether it survives or is wiped out, I don’t step aside. But you’re different. You’re the future. Nothing can happen to you.”At that instant, it felt like the years finally caught up to her. The lines on her face deepened, her shoulders looked heavier, and she seemed to age right before Evelina Drake’s eyes. Her heart clenched.“Evelina Drake,” Margaret Drake said more quietly, “take them to the Draven Family. Tell Kael… tell him this old woman asks only one thing in her entire life. Let him take you in.”She didn’t wait for an answer.Margaret Drake stood, turned, and walked out of the main hall. Her steps were firm as she headed toward the outskirts of Thunder

A Supreme Warrior.Rob Maddox had never imagined it would come to this.Everyone knew Ghost King Arden Thane as a Venerable—just like the other sect masters among the Six Great Sects. That was a settled fact. Everyone accepted it.And yet…Supreme Warrior.The truth hit like a thunderclap.Arden Thane didn’t waste a second. His aura surged like a storm, twisting the air itself, and before Rob Maddox could react, a single palm slammed down onto the crown of his head.It was over before it even began.No struggle.No resistance.Ghost King Arden Thane chuckled—soft, cold, and unsettling. He glanced at Andrew Anderson’s lifeless form nearby.“Unlucky,” he murmured.As for all of this… Kael Draven had no idea.Emberfall Town — Draven Family Main Hall“Brother Jasper… Brother Holden,” Kael Draven said, studying their expressions. “You didn’t come all this way just to visit, did you?”The two exchanged a quick look, hesitation written across their faces.Only five days had passed since they

In this world, strength decides everything. Always had.“Kael,” someone said quietly, “Senior Ghost King has arrived.”The Ghost King?Kael Draven froze for a moment. He hadn’t expected that name—least of all now. The last time they’d met, things had gone badly. Really badly. Still, after a brief pause, he stepped out to meet him.There was only one reason.No matter how tense things were, the Ghost King was still Kiera Thane’s father.They met in a secluded courtyard.A stone table sat between them, plain and cold. Steam curled lazily from their teacups as Kael Draven and Arden Thane faced each other in silence. After a while, Arden Thane lifted his cup, took a measured sip, and smiled faintly.“Kael Draven,” he asked, almost like it was an idle conversation, “do you hate me?”Kael Draven caught the weight behind the words. His reply was calm, distant.“I wouldn’t say that.”Arden Thane nodded, unsurprised. “I know you’re unhappy with me. But you should understand something. I have m

“Eldric,” Kael Draven asked, rubbing his brow, “what should I do now?”“It’s simple, Master,” Eldric replied without hesitation. “Refine the spirit stone.”Kael Draven raised an eyebrow. “But doesn’t the Dragon Seal Space need spirit stones to recover?”Truth be told, he wasn’t all that surprised. The spirit stones he’d obtained earlier were packed with dense heaven-and-earth spiritual energy. If he refined them, they’d more than cover what he needed right now.“This one won’t be enough to fully restore the Dragon Seal Space,” Eldric said calmly. “I’ve calculated it already. At most, you’ll only need a quarter.”Under normal circumstances, Kael Draven would never do something like this. Refining a spirit stone so directly was wasteful—borderline painful. These things were rare, priceless, and usually saved for critical moments down the road.But this was a critical moment.Too many variables. Too many unknowns. And not enough time.He needed strength. Now.Eldric didn’t wait for furth