While the Warlord Saints from the Goldwyn family and Ashbourne family stood at daggers drawn, Nick Crane was suffering somewhere else entirely. His internal organs felt like they were being shaken loose and ready to spill out.He hadn't expected the two Nine-Fanged Mites to possess such monstrous strength.The larger one had clamped its jaws around his body and dragged him through mountains and valleys, weaving through the Thousand Arrows Forest without pause. With Nick dangling from its mouth like prey, it carried him deep into the forest's innermost reaches.The heart of the Thousand Arrows Forest turned out to contain countless caves, all of them the lairs these two Mites had made.By now, Nick's head was spinning from being jostled around. He'd been too careless. Roderick Lawson's ambush had caught him completely off guard, and before he could react, the Nine-Fanged Mite had seized him. Fighting both creatures alone was impossible. Even when the entire group

Everett Goldwyn stared greedily at the roiling mass of flame in Elder Corbin's hand. "Elder Corbin, leave the Thunderfire Blaze to me."Now that the Goldwyn family had successfully seized the Heavenly Flame, he was eager to test its power firsthand.Elder Corbin had no objections. After all, his sole purpose in coming here had been to help the Goldwyn family claim the Heavenly Flame. Handing it over to Everett Goldwyn now meant his mission was complete."Young master, be careful," Elder Corbin cautioned. "The Thunderfire Blaze hasn't truly unleashed its fury yet."Roderick Lawson watched with undisguised envy as the flickering fire sprite danced across Everett's palm like a tiny living creature. The Thunderfire Blaze moved with an almost playful energy, weaving between Everett's fingers. A flicker of longing stirred in Roderick's chest, but he quickly suppressed it.He knew better than to make any sudden moves. The moment he did, the Goldwyn family's Warlord

Elder Corbin's expression changed violently the moment he witnessed what had just occurred.No one from the Goldwyn family had anticipated that Nick Crane would actually strike."He... he killed Young Master Goldwyn!"Everyone from the Ashbourne family stood frozen in shock. They had never imagined Nick would be bold enough to go this far. This was the young master of the Northeast Goldwyns!"You animal! I'll kill you!" Elder Corbin roared in fury.Everett Goldwyn lay dead, his eyes still open, warm blood continuing to pour from his throat in steady pulses. The sight made every member of the Goldwyn family grind their teeth in hatred.They were finished. It was completely finished.Having failed to protect Everett, they knew that upon their return, Lord Goldwyn would never spare them. The only thing they could do now was kill Nick Crane immediately. Perhaps, just perhaps, that might quell the Goldwyn family's wrath."Everyone, attack! I want t

Elder Benedict steadied himself and spoke carefully."Young Master Ashford, this matter is a private grievance between us and the Goldwyn family. For the Ashford family to involve themselves... surely that's inappropriate?"The Heavenly Flame had manifested here in the Northeast Territories. Over it, the Ashbourne family and the Goldwyn family had clashed multiple times already, each skirmish bloodier than the last.Damon Ashford regarded Elder Benedict with mild interest, as though examining an insect that had learned to speak."Whether your two families slaughter each other to the last man is no concern of mine," he said lazily. "But let me be perfectly clear about why I'm here today."He let the silence stretch, savoring their discomfort."If you don't hand over the Heavenly Flame, none of you are leaving this forest alive."Elder Benedict's brow furrowed. He hadn't expected this young master to disregard everyone's dignity so completely.N

Damon Ashford watched the Ashbourne family members cooperate so readily, and only then did he rein in the oppressive aura radiating from his body.This Nick Crane might be ignorant of his own good fortune, but the Ashbournes were not fools. There was no need to make enemies of them unnecessarily. As long as they were willing to hand over the Heavenly Flame, he would have nothing more to say."How your Ashbourne family handles this internally is none of my concern," Damon said coldly. "All I want is the Heavenly Flame."The Goldwyn family members bristled at seeing Damon's anger subside so easily. They had hoped for more."Young Master Ashford, how can you let the Ashbournes off so lightly?" one of them protested. "They showed you disrespect! A family like this doesn't deserve to continue existing."Damon turned his icy gaze on them, his eyes narrowing with contempt."You think I don't see through your schemes?" His voice dropped to a dangerous murmur. "