When Demontae strode back into the villa bedroom, Naviya fixed him with a sharp look. "Tell me you didn't off that good-for-nothing. His death would stir up unnecessary trouble."Demontae waved a dismissive hand. "Dead men tell no tales. What's there to worry about? Even if he's gone, I'd make it disappear without a trace."Naviya gave a curt nod. She knew it was true—with the Connors' iron grip on Herbshire's underworld, one more corpse meant nothing.……Outside the Logan Family villa, Eldric lay motionless on the pavement. Suddenly, a sleek blacked-out RV sporting Aetherdale's elite license plates pulled up to the entrance.The doors hissed open, revealing a breathtaking young woman flanked by stone-faced bodyguards and a fidgeting assistant. Her radiance was so dazzling that even Herbshire's famed beauty Naviya would seem plain in comparison.This was Lirael of the Veyra Family—scion of Herbaea's most powerful clan. She'd come to Herbshire with dual purposes: business negotiations.

This energy was true qi—a power only those who walked the Martial Dao could wield.Earlier, when Eldric was injured, his blood had dripped onto the jade pendant he always carried. The stone flared to life, awakening the ancient legacy sealed within.The inheritance contained unrivaled healing arts and profound cultivation methods, along with a single purified wisp of qi left by Eldric's father.This gift was meant to anchor Eldric's first steps on the path of cultivation and steady his foundation.Eldric's father had been extraordinarily powerful. Though just a trace remained, this refined energy pulsed with staggering potency.Not only did it mend Eldric's wounds, but it forged him into a true cultivator. Now a vortex of qi churned in his dantian—containing the last fading embers of that precious gift.And now, as Eldric treated Lirael's agony, it was this very energy he channeled.Time blurred as the treatment continued.Eldric's palm remained pressed against Lirael's stomach. New t

Through treating Lirael's condition, Eldric came to understand the true power of his father's legacy.Having just inherited these abilities, he could already cure chronic gastritis—a condition known for being stubbornly difficult to treat. Had he not experienced it firsthand, Eldric would have doubted such a thing was possible.Nechemya didn't dare say another word, sensing Lirael's growing displeasure with his recent behavior.His actions today had particularly irritated her. For the first time, she seriously considered replacing him as her assistant.If she were still in Aetherdale with trusted staff available, she would have dismissed him immediately. But here in unfamiliar Herbshire, where Nechemya handled all her arrangements, suddenly firing him would cause more complications than it solved.After some hesitation, Lirael put the thought aside—for now. She'd wait until finding a suitable replacement.Though Nechemya's behavior had annoyed her, overall her spirits were lifted.The

Night had fallen by the time Lirael sent Eldric to a sprawling villa in Herbshire's suburbs—a property the Veyra Family had purchased years ago.The mansion was vast and lavishly decorated, yet had stood empty for years. With the Veyras' main operations based in Aetherdale, Herbshire was just a smaller city they rarely visited.Lirael had come to oversee a new local project as its lead executive. She planned to establish a Veyra branch office here while finding partners to co-develop the venture.Yet there was more to her trip than business. Old Man Veyra had entrusted her with another task: find Eldric and bring him back to Aetherdale if possible.She'd already made progress—not only locating him but exchanging contacts. To her surprise, the more time she spent with Eldric, the more intriguing he became. She found herself wanting to get to know him better.If he could win her heart in time... well, perhaps Grandfather's arrangement might not be so bad after all.Originally, Lirael in

For years, Eldric had been nothing but a frail weakling—so feeble he could barely wring a chicken's neck. Yet here he was, sending Demontae flying with a single kick. If Naviya hadn't witnessed it herself, she'd never have believed it possible.Even now, the sight left her stunned. How had he suddenly become so strong?It made no sense, but it didn't matter. So what if Eldric had improved? He'd never measure up to Demontae. The gap between them was too wide. And now that he'd dared strike a Connor? The family would never let this slide. He'd be dead meat.No, sticking with Demontae was the smart choice. Only he could give her the life she wanted."Eldric," she sneered, "don't flatter yourself thinking I have second thoughts about this marriage. Dream on. Wait here—I'm getting the divorce papers."She stormed inside and returned moments later, clutching documents and a pen. She'd already signed them. "Whatever changed you," she spat, "don't think you're in Demontae's league. You're not