Lein stood upright in the middle of the mansion yard full of bodyguards' bodies lying everywhere, his right hand still gripping James's neck tightly.James tried to breathe, but every breath felt like pulling nails. His face was very red, veins in his neck protruding, his eyes watery.But Lein didn't care. With very calm but certain steps, he began walking, dragging James with him, toward the main gate. Toward the place where he hid three black backpacks containing bombs.According to his estimate, there were ten minutes left before those bombs exploded. And that was more than enough to prepare a nice grave for this bastard.James didn't know exactly what Lein was trying to do to him, but his instinct that had rusted from living too often in luxury and power without consequences, finally screamed very loudly in his mind.This would end very badly.With a voice caught, choked by Lein's never-loosening grip, James tried to speak."Ple... please..." he said in a very hoarse, very weak vo

In the afternoon sky, a private jet shot at high speed toward Corholt City. That jet was black with the Blackwood Family logo carved on its wing, a symbol of absolute power and wealth. Inside the cabin, five people sat with very serious faces, sharp eyes, sturdy bodies. Five of the Blackwood Family's best cultivators. They all wore neat black clothing. Not military uniforms, but clothing specially designed for combat, with material that was flexible yet very strong. In the cockpit, the pilot controlling the jet suddenly saw something in the distance. Very thick smoke, billowing high into the sky, clearly visible even from dozens of kilometers away. His face immediately turned pale. "A LARGE EXPLOSION OCCURRED AT THE BLACKWOOD FAMILY RESIDENCE!" he shouted in a voice full of panic through the intercom. In the rear cabin, all five cultivators immediately flinched. Without wasting time, they all rose from their seats and ran toward the cockpit with very quick steps. Thro

In the Grandeur Hotel suite room, Celine sat on the sofa with hands clenched tightly in her lap, eyes looking at the door with an expression full of worry.Beside her, Sarah paced back and forth anxiously, occasionally glancing at her watch, then looking at the door again.It had been half an hour since Lein left.Half an hour that felt like days.And most importantly, no explosion occurred in this hotel.No bomb sound. No chaos. No panic.Did that mean... Lein succeeded?"He must be fine," Sarah murmured in a not-too-confident voice, more like trying to convince herself. "Lein is very strong. He must be able to—"KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.The knock on the door made them both immediately flinch.Then, a very familiar voice was heard from behind the door."It's me, Lein."Celine immediately jumped from the sofa, Sarah also immediately turned. Both ran toward the door with very quick steps, almost slipping.Celine opened the door hurriedly, and her eyes immediately widened.Lein stood in front

On the top floor of The Sovereign Nexus, in a room with panoramic windows directly facing the open sea, an old man sat with a very upright posture behind a large ebony wood desk.General Thaddeus Voss.Supreme General of Arcturus Continent.A man in his seventies with completely white short hair, combed neatly back with perfect precision. His face was full of wrinkles showing decades of experience on battlefields, but his eyes—sharp blue eyes that were still very clear, radiating extraordinary power and intelligence.He wore a dark green military uniform of the finest quality, equipped with various achievement badges on his chest. Medals of honor, service stars, supreme command insignia, all attached neatly and perfectly.In his hand, a cup of strong black tea still emitting thin steam.He sipped that tea with calm, controlled movements, eyes looking toward the large window displaying a very vast ocean view.On his room's walls, various black-and-white photos from military operations

At The Sovereign Nexus, General Thaddeus Voss's room.The door closed behind General Voss with a soft sound. He walked toward the large window, looking toward the open sea with an empty gaze, then sighed long."Dortmund," he murmured softly, as if talking to himself."This might be the last time I see you."He paused for a moment, eyes looking at the horizon with a deep gaze."That man... you can't handle him. He will destroy you."---The next morning.Grandeur Hotel, Celine's Suite Room.The atmosphere inside the room was full of busyness. Suitcases open on the floor, clothes folded hurriedly, personal items packed quickly.Celine stood in front of the wardrobe, looking at the row of her expensive dresses with a tense face. Her hands trembled slightly as she reached for a hanger.Sarah ran back and forth between the bedroom and living room, carrying bags, shoes, cosmetics, everything had to be packed right now.In the corner of the room, Celine's driver, a middle-aged man named Andr