CHAPTER 72:The underground duel room was vast, an open space carved deep beneath Kael's villa, reinforced with steel and stone. But what made it truly remarkable was the spell that coated every surface.A witch's containment spell.It shimmered faintly in the air, almost invisible, but those with supernatural senses could feel it, a barrier designed to contain any power unleashed within, ensuring that no matter how devastating the fight became, the people watching and the house above would remain untouched.The room was packed.On one side, a hundred Valerio men sat in tiered seating, all dressed in black tactical gear, their expressions tense and focused. They were silent, disciplined, watching their young master with a mixture of pride and concern.On the other side, Kael's men, at least 150 of them, filled the seats. They wore robes similar to their master's, their faces calm and confident. They'd seen Kael fight before. They knew what he was capable of.This wouldn't be a fight.

CHAPTER 74:ROUND 4Kael rose into the air, his body floating effortlessly as golden energy swirled around him.He raised the Cultivation Sword above his head, the blade glowing brighter and brighter.Then he launched himself downward, the sword aimed directly at Adrian's heart.The crowd gasped.Adrian didn't move.He just stood there, his glowing red eyes locked onto the descending blade.At the last possible secondAdrian moved.He shifted his body just inches to the side.The sword passed within a hair's breadth of his skin.And then Adrian's hand shot up.He caught the blade.With his bare hand.The crowd went silent.Kael's eyes went wide. "What..."He tried to pull the sword free, to drive it through Adrian's palm, butIt didn't cut.The blade pressed against Adrian's skin, but it didn't pierce. Didn't draw blood.Adrian's eyes glowed brighter.His fangs extended fully, gleaming white and sharp.And then, with a slow, deliberate motion. He bent the sword.CRACK.The Cultivation

CHAPTER 76:Adrian’s eyes snapped open.His chest rose slowly as he stared into the darkness, disoriented for a brief second. Something had pulled him awake, not noise, not a dream… but a strange internal pull that felt almost like instinct.He turned his head toward the clock.3:07 a.m.His brows slowly knitted together.The exact same time Kael had woken him yesterday.A quiet realization settled over him, heavy and undeniable.So this was what Kael meant.If he focused on his energy…If he allowed the energy to lead him…his body would wake exactly when it needed to.Not when he wanted.Adrian exhaled slowly, running a hand down his face. The more he learned about cultivation, the more it unsettled him. It was as if something inside him was slowly taking control… reshaping him from within.Yet instead of fearHis blood stirred with anticipation.Today was the D-day.Any normal person in his position would be reviewing documents, rehearsing presentations, double-checking strategies

CHAPTER 78:The driver glanced back through the rearview mirror. "Yes, Don Rafael? Is everything alright?""Turn the car around," Rafael said curtly. "We need to go somewhere before heading to Syndicate Group."The driver hesitated. "But Don Rafael, we're already fifteen minutes behind schedule. If we deviate now, we'll be late for the bid.""I said turn the car around," Rafael repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.The driver swallowed hard. "Understood, sir."The convoy began to slow, then executed a synchronized turn, heading in the opposite direction.The alter ego watched the entire exchange with a smirk. "No matter what you do, you can't get rid of me. Because getting rid of me means getting rid of Adrian. And I'm sure you wouldn't want that."Rafael glared at him but said nothing.Instead, he reached into his jacket and pulled out a black face mask, simple, sleek, designed to cover the lower half of someone's face.He held it out toward Adrian."Put this on," Rafael s

CHAPTER 80:The alter ego's eyebrows rose slightly, a smirk playing at his lips. "Well," he said, his voice dropping to something almost amused, "this is forward."Lyra ignored him, her expression clinical as she pulled the shirt open wider.Rafael's voice exploded through the room. "What do you think you're doing?!"He moved forward as if to intervene, but Kael grabbed his arm, holding him back."Wait," Kael said quietly. "Let her work."Lyra's hands traced along the alter ego's chest, not sexually, but analytically, like a doctor examining a patient.Her fingers mapped the contours of muscle that shouldn't be there.The alter ego's smirk widened. "You know, usually people buy me dinner first."Lyra's eyes narrowed. "Shut up."She pressed her palm flat against his sternum, closing her eyes. Golden light flickered briefly beneath her hand.Then she stepped back, her expression grave."Look," she said, gesturing to his exposed torso.Everyone's eyes followed.The alter ego's body was..