Alistair turned his golden eyes toward Violetta. His expression was cold, devoid of the slightest trace of lust, as if he were looking at an inanimate object."I have no interest in women who rely on vulgar charms," Alistair said, his voice quiet yet carrying clearly across the silent plaza, landing like a slap across Violetta's face.Violetta’s cheeks flushed—not from desire, but from sheer humiliation. No man had ever looked at her with such complete, unadulterated disdain."I will, however, take my pick from your vault tonight, Patriarch Ramos," Alistair continued smoothly, turning back to the host. "And as for tomorrow's hunt... I decline the exemption. I will be participating."Patriarch Ramos's eyes flickered with a sudden, sharp light.The fear in his chest briefly gave way to a surge of dark relief.He still intends to enter the valley tomorrow! If he enters the mountain... the blood-sacrifice array will still take him! No matter how pure his Qi is, no cultivator can withstan

"An illusion to ordinary men, perhaps," she whispered, leaning in slightly, her eyes locking onto his. "But you... you possess a force that completely shut down my domain without lifting a finger. What kind of monster are you, Master Reid? Who—or what—stands behind a 'rogue cultivator' capable of shattering ancient obsidian with a mere tap?"Alistair did not retreat from her approach. He stood like an immovable monolith, looking down at her with a faint, detached calm."What I am is of no concern to you," Alistair said softly. "My advice to you, Lady Violetta, is to focus on your own survival. Beverly Island will not remain quiet for long."Before she could process his words, Alistair stepped past her, his coat brushing lightly against her silk gown as he walked out into the moonlit courtyard, leaving her standing under the archway surrounded by her shivering maids.Violetta turned slowly, watching his tall figure disappear into the shadows of the resort path. Her fingers tightened ar

"Charge!"Without waiting another second, several impatient rogue cultivators bolted forward, turning into streaks of light as they surged through the gates, eager to claim the rarest treasures before anyone else."Follow them! Don't let those nameless dogs snatch the high-tier herbs!" shouted a senior disciple from a regional sect.Soon, waves of cultivators poured into the mountain pass like a breaking dam.Yang Kai, surrounded by his fellow Sword Saint Sect disciples, paused near the threshold.He turned and cast a cold, murderous glance toward Alistair, raising two fingers across his throat in a silent, blunt promise of death before vanishing into the misty valley.Alistair remained standing near the back of the crowd, watching the flock of eager cultivators rush headlong into the trap.To the eyes of ordinary practitioners, the valley looked like a paradise of abundant natural wealth.But through Alistair's divine sense, the truth was starkly visible.Beneath the lush canopy of g

"Keep your guards up," the lead disciple warned, resting a heavy hand on his pommel. "The inner valley isn't far. The rogue trash might be easy prey, but the grand sects are already skirmishing for position."Suddenly, the dense fog ahead parted slightly, revealing a tall, shapely figure standing quietly beneath the canopy of an ancient cedar tree.The leader raised his hand, signaling a halt. "Who goes there?!"As the swirling mist cleared, the men gasped in collective astonishment.Standing before them was Lady Violetta.Her long, flowing hair spilled over her shoulders, and her striking violet eyes glowed faintly against the dim, gloomy backdrop of the forest.She stood perfectly still, isolated from any guard or entourage, holding neither weapon nor spiritual talisman."L-Lady Violetta?!" one of the younger disciples stammered, his grip loosening on his spear. "What are you doing deep in the valley alone?"The leader quickly adjusted his posture, stepping forward with a polite, al

Within less than three minutes, the deafening screams and metallic clashes died down.The ground was littered with dismembered limbs, crushed armor, and seventeen lifeless bodies soaking in a lake of dark red blood.Only three men remained standing: Yang Kai, bleeding from several slash wounds; a senior disciple from the Crimson Flame Sect whose stomach had been ripped open; and an inner disciple from the Sword Saint Sect whose left leg was broken."I... I will have her..." the Crimson Flame disciple whimpered, stumbling blindly toward Violetta with his gut hanging out.Before he could take two steps, Yang Kai’s longsword flashed through the air, piercing the man's heart from behind.PFT!"Useless trash..." Yang Kai panted, pulling his blood-stained blade back as the man collapsed into the mud.He then turned his cold, trembling gaze toward the last remaining disciple, running him through the throat without a second thought.THUD.The final disciple fell dead.Silence settled over the