Silvercrest Road, located near Thornridge Martial Hall, was one of the most exclusive residential areas in Highsea Province. Detached villas lined the quiet street, each with its own enclosed courtyard. Most of the residents were upper-class figures and influential elites of the Highriver Ward. Many maintained close business ties with Thornridge Martial Hall, and a large escort agency base operated nearby.No. 22, Silvercrest Road.The two-story villa stood quietly behind its gates. Its exterior was not overly ornate, yet it carried a refined elegance that set it apart from ordinary residences.The property had originally been gifted by Master Rowan Whitestone to Alaric Vale. The deed had already been transferred, officially registering the villa under Alaric Vale’s name.After the Three Schools Martial Arts Competition, Master Rowan Whitestone arranged for Melody Vale to remain at the martial hall for safety reasons. Half a month later, once the villa was fully prepared, she moved in

The basic conditioning and striking methods of the Stormpine Martial Hall progressed at a steady but unremarkable pace. Even with Arcane Elixirs as support, the results were only considered decent for disciples blessed with strong natural foundations. For someone like Alaric Vale, relying on those methods alone would never be enough.Even with his abnormal digestive ability and a full daily supply of Essence Catalysts, it would take at least half a year before he could truly step into the horizontal training realm through orthodox means.That was why his breakthrough had never depended on the martial hall’s standard system.It came from the additional cultivation he carried out during his supposed rest periods.The Beastforce Ascension Gate.Under its relentless tempering, the skin and membranes across his entire body were reshaped bit by bit. They did not merely harden. They developed a distinct structure unique to horizontal training cultivated through that method.His sense of touc

The realization struck Darius Ironvein like a hammer to the chest.It was him.A boy who had only just stepped into the Body Tempering stage. Not even eighteen. And yet this was the one who had slipped alone into the Jinmar warehouse, straight into his private quarters, aiming to take his head.Absurd. Completely absurd.And yet the cold sting still lingering at his throat told him the truth. The strike just now had come terrifyingly close to killing him. One misstep, one fraction slower, and he would already be a corpse cooling on the floor.Had Windshadow Hall been pretending all this time? Had their silence been nothing but a mask?Darius steadied his breathing, forcing down the surge of disbelief and anger. The most dangerous moment had passed. He had avoided the killing blow.That meant the assassination had failed.In a direct confrontation, there was no reason for him to lose.Even Lucian Stormwind of Stormpine Martial Hall had been unable to kill him one on one.Boom.Bloodfor

The black wooden chest sat open in front of Alaric Vale, its contents quietly radiating the weight of opportunity.Ten bamboo tubes lay neatly arranged inside, holding five full pounds of Mythic Beast Crimson Essence Powder. Even without opening them, he could sense the dense vitality sealed within. Alongside them were oil paper packets containing dark red strips of dried Mythic Beast meat, close to two pounds in total. The last items were several medicine bottles filled with a pale white powder, finely ground Mythic Beast bone powder, also weighing around two pounds.For Jinmar Trading Company, a force backed by the Aurelion Empire with the Jinmar warehouse as its core reserve, such resources were merely part of its vast hoard. Yet Alaric had only taken thirty percent of the total stock, and even that modest fraction amounted to a harvest beyond expectations.Just the Crimson Essence Powder alone was enough to refine nearly a hundred portions of Six Flavor Blood Melting Powder. And t

Hearing Alaric Vale’s words, Ashen Crowe’s expression turned ugly.The meaning was obvious. He was being told he was not qualified.Earlier, he had been outplayed in a single exchange. The humiliation still burned in his chest. Yet deep down, Ashen understood the truth. If that strike had been meant to kill, he would not have survived.Alaric Vale did not care about his pride. After saying what he needed to say, he turned and walked toward the study, his steps calm and unhurried, as if the entire place belonged to him.Ashen clenched his fists, forcing himself to remain silent.He lowered his voice toward the man beside him.“Lionel Wrenford… this man is extremely arrogant and extremely dangerous.”He paused.“If he truly decides to kill, I’m afraid I won’t be able to protect you.”Lionel Wrenford showed no fear. His gaze remained steady as he watched Alaric’s retreating back.“This man is indeed remarkable,” Lionel said quietly. “And precisely because of that, we must speak with him.