The next morning, the Ravenhart Clan’s central training ground was packed.The tournament arena had been prepared since dawn.A massive circular platform made of reinforced black stone stood at the center of the grounds. Defensive formations surrounded it, preventing stray attacks from damaging the spectators.Hundreds of clan members had gathered around the arena.Some had come to watch the challenge.Others had come simply because they wanted to see Kael Ravenhart fail.After all, everyone knew about the challenge.Kael had disappeared from the clan years ago as a talented young martial artist.Now he had returned.And he had openly challenged one of the Ravenhart Clan’s strongest younger-generation martial artists.The clan members had expected Kael to reach the Qi Refining Realm before the battle.But he had not.Instead, he had only reached the Ninth Stage of Qi Gathering.Many considered that a sign that he had reached his limit.At the edge of the arena, Kael stood quietly.His

Kael crashed heavily onto the arena.BOOM! Dust spread across the stone platform and for several seconds, he didn't move.The crowd stared at the cloud of dust. Then a figure slowly walked out of it.Kael.His robes were torn, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He still held his cracked sword in his hand.Across the arena, the challenger looked at him with a mocking smile."You're still standing?"Kael raised his eyes but challenger laughed."I must say, you're stronger than I expected."He slowly walked forward."Strong enough to defeat some of the younger cultivators from our country, perhaps."His smile widened."But this is the Belmont Clan."His voice became louder."You can't compare yourself to ordinary martial artists."Kael frowned.The challenger raised one hand."Watch carefully."The moment his hand rose, the atmosphere changed.BOOM!An invisible pressure erupted from his body.The space around him began to tremble.The ground beneath his feet cracked.Loose

Kael wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.His cracked sword was gone and his new dark sword rested firmly in his hand, its red markings faintly pulsing as a chilling aura rolled from its blade.Across from him, the Belmont challenger slowly rose.His expression had changed.The arrogance was gone and for the first time since the battle began, he was looking at Kael seriously.Kael's eyes narrowed. He could feel it. The man's spiritual energy had weakened but not by much.But enough. He's consuming too much.Every time the challenger used the Belmont Gale Step, his body exploded forward with tremendous speed.Every Mountain Breaker consumed even more spiritual energy and the sword spirit required an even greater expenditure.Kael had been doing the opposite.He had been using his Celestial Sword Art carefully, relying on movement and spiritual sense instead of trying to overpower every attack.Most importantly, he had only used tiny amounts of Guardian Energy.If this continue

The great hall fell silent.For several seconds, nobody moved.The messenger remained kneeling on the floor, his head lowered as sweat rolled down his forehead.“The head of the Ravenhart Clan and his son…” he repeated carefully. “They have murdered themselves.”Kael's eyes narrowed.“Repeat that.”The messenger swallowed.“The Ravenhart Clan Head and his son are dead. According to the report, both committed suicide inside the clan residence.”A murmur spread through the hall.“That doesn't make sense.”“How could two people kill themselves at the same time?”“Was there a conflict inside the clan?”“Who sent the report?”Kael said nothing.His fingers slowly tightened around the armrest.The Ravenhart Clan.That name carried too many memories.His father's blood.His mother's screams.The night his family had been slaughtered.And Hilbert.The man who had taken everything from him.Yet the news was strange.Too strange.Kael had spent years believing that revenge would come through hi

The moment Kael returned to the Belmont Clan, he realized something was wrong.The main courtyard was filled with people.Elders, clan guards, senior disciples, and several influential family members stood on both sides of the path leading to the main hall.Nobody spoke.They simply watched him approach.Kael slowed his steps.“What happened?”Darius Valen stepped forward.His expression was unusually serious.“Kael, there is something we need to discuss.”Kael glanced around.“About what?”Before Darius could answer, an elderly man stepped forward.He was one of the Belmont Clan's senior elders and had previously been among those who had opposed Darius's return as Clan Head.The old man bowed deeply.“Sir Kael.”Kael raised an eyebrow.The respectful address immediately told him this wasn't going to be an ordinary conversation.The elder took a deep breath.“We would like to ask you to become the patriarch of the Belmont Clan.”Silence.Kael stared at him.Then he looked at Darius.D