“Master Reid.” Master Xie answered almost immediately.“I'd reckon you know who Long Tian is?” Alistair asked.“Indeed, Master. He is a member of the delegation of the righteous sects sent to Haven to help the Beggars sect restructuring process and also to keep tabs on the movement of the demonic sects. Though a member of the Heavenly King Martial Sect, he doesn't hold true to the tenets that make the Heavenly King Martial Sect a sect to respect.”“I see. Well, the fool dared to step away from his post and make a trip to the Bolton household where he apparently intended to take Elizabeth Bolton as a dual cultivation partner.” Alistair said.“What?” Master Xie could hardly believe his ears. “This can't be possible, right?”“Even I am surprised. For a disciple of the righteous path to behave like a demonic cultivator… It is telling of the decadence in today's cultivation world. I can only say I am disappointed.”“I'm sorry, Master Reid. I had no idea Long Tian was planning on doing such

"Then we have no choice," declared a harsh voice from the shadows.It was Senior Disciple Lu of the Sword Saint Sect, his hand resting on the hilt of his broadsword. "We cannot strike at Master Xie directly since he is much more powerful than we are but we can definitely go after the mortal woman that he is protecting. That way, once we are questioned, we can say that we dealt with the woman and then get our sect elders to deal with the old bastard Xie.”"Is that wise?" cautioned a female representative from the Ice Queen Palace, her tone cold and analytical. “Clearly, Xie seems to have been the one that attacked Long Tian. Don't you think he might end up attacking us as well if we make a move?” “Tch, damn it, that's true. Fine, we have to wake Long Tian up and ask him about what really happened. Once we have our facts straight, we can then plan our next course of action.”The young representatives gathered around Long Tian’s crumpled form, using their combined spiritual energy to st

Nodding in agreement, the group was about to split up when a voice echoed.“To think there would be a day when I would find supposed members of the righteous sects seeking out a mere mortal, not to grant her gifts, but to kill her. Truly, I must say I am impressed.”Perplexed, the group immediately put up their guard as they were unable to sense who had just spoken.“Who are you? Show yourself this instant!” Zhao Chen bellowed. “There is no need to shout so much. Even if you didn't ask, I would still show myself.” The voice replied.The next second, Alistair stepped out from beneath the shaded overhang, his footfalls silent against the concrete.His simple white t-shirt and jeans remained immaculate, completely unruffled by the breeze.He stopped in the center of the vast, deserted plaza, resting his hands casually in his pockets as he gazed at the twenty three representatives. Zhao Chen frowned as he asked. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”“You may call me Alistair Reid.”

"Master Reid," Elizabeth said, her voice smooth and steady as she pushed herself up to her feet without a single wobble.She looked down at her hands, genuinely astonished by the newfound strength coursing through her body. "I... I feel completely different. The fatigue is gone.""Because you stopped viewing your limits as a wall, and instead treated them as an open door," Alistair said smoothly, checking his pocket watch once more. "Your body has absorbed the energy. That completes the first phase of your physical conditioning."Elizabeth glanced past his shoulder toward the empty, ruined plaza at the south gate.She hadn't seen the confrontation through the array, but the lingering residue of spatial pressure in the air made her hair stand on end."Did... someone come?" she asked tentatively."Just a few minor distractions," Alistair replied indifferently, slipping his watch back into his pocket. "Nothing that concerns you. Your focus remains on your training and your duties."He tu

A quiet, desperate thought flashed through Sara's mind—a sudden, fleeting impulse to reach out to Alistair.But she quickly suppressed it.Alistair had his own path, and she had already made her bed by signing that prenuptial agreement to save her father and brother.Ten minutes later, dressed in a sleek, sapphire-blue evening gown that masked her bandages, Sara stepped out of the hospital alongside her family.A stretch black limousine was parked directly at the entrance, its tinted windows gleaming under the afternoon sun.The uniformed chauffeur stepped out, bowing respectfully as he opened the passenger door.“Miss Sara, Mrs. Connor,” the driver said politely. “Young Master Adrian is expecting you at the manor.”Jocelyn practically floated into the vehicle, followed closely by Patrick and Mira, who were already taking videos of the luxurious leather interior.Sara paused at the door, taking a deep breath of the cool air, feeling as if she were stepping into a gilded cage from whic