Chapter 7

At this moment, Clyde finally came to his senses, his face darkening to an extreme.

Theodore continued with a cold gaze, "I never figured it out back then. The fact that I possessed the Solarborn Physique was kept a strict secret within the family. Aside from Grandpa and my parents, no one else knew about it! And yet, when I was five years old, suddenly all of Philodorah knew!"

"Nonsense!" Clyde shot to his feet and looked around at the others present. "Don't listen to this little brute! He's slandering me!"

"Are you sure that I'm slandering you?" Theodore chuckled. "Then tell me, how do you know the words 'Seraphic Swordplay'? Did Grandpa tell you about it?"

"Yes, yes! I heard it from Callum," Clyde quickly responded. "Callum told me about the sword technique."

"Then, do you know why I married into the Ashcrofts? And why did I come back?" Theodore sneered. "Because… I brought the Seraphic Swordplay with me when I joined the Ashcrofts. Grandpa said that if I master it one day, I should return to the family, restore our honor, and avenge my father. So, aside from Grandpa and me, no one in the family should have known about the Seraphic Swordplay… unless—"

"Unless he heard about it from an outsider!" Anthony immediately cut in.

"Don't listen to him! This little brute is framing me! He’s causing trouble just to take revenge for being abandoned by the family for thirteen years!" Clyde shouted, "Guards, Theodore has no respect for his elders and has assaulted an elder of the family! According to the familial rules, he should have his bones broken and be expelled immediately!"

The Yardleys' guards glanced at Clyde, then at Theodore, but none of them moved.

"Are you all rebelling against me?" Clyde swept his gaze across the crowd, but no one paid him any attention. Their eyes weren't just filled with shock but also with disappointment.

"Clyde, I can’t believe you're this kind of person. So it was you who betrayed the family back then!" Carson's expression was filled with disappointment.

"Well, if you don't act, then I will!"

As soon as Clyde finished speaking, a surge of overwhelming energy erupted from his body.

"He's at Peak Postnatal Realm!"

The Yardleys were stunned. His aura was even stronger than Jayden's.

"No… judging by his internal energy, he's already half a step into the Innate Realm!"

Anthony coughed and called out, "Theodore, be careful!"

Clang!

Clyde unsheathed his sword and attacked Theodore. His internal energy condensed and took form. It was nearing the threshold of the Innate Realm.

However, just as his sword came down, Theodore raised his sword and blocked it. Sparks illuminated the dimly lit grand hall as the two blades clashed.

"You're right. I was the one who leaked the news of your Solarborn Physique back then. But, I didn’t know that we possess a sword technique as close to immortality as the Seraphic Swordplay. If it weren't for a few noble families who told me about it, I would've never known! Now that you're back, you can join your father in hell!" Clyde admitted in a low voice.

"You treacherous dog!" Theodore gripped his sword tightly and roared, "What did they offer you to betray your family?"

Clyde smirked. "The noble families promised to make me the patriarch of the Yardleys. They've gone to great lengths for this. As long as I kill you and hand over the sword technique, the Yardleys will be mine to rule today! Your grandfather? Hah! He won't be coming out of seclusion."

Theodore's eyes turned red with fury. "What did you do to Grandpa?"

"He'll tell you himself when you meet him in hell!" Clyde laughed as his internal energy surged even more violently.

Swoosh!

When his immense internal energy was channeled into his sword, Theodore was sent staggering five steps back. The powerful shockwave caused a thin trickle of blood to seep from the corner of his mouth.

"As long as this boy is killed today, and I am supported as the patriarch of the Yardleys, if we hand over his head along with the Seraphic Swordplay to the noble families, we will not only be spared from destruction but will also secure a firm foothold in Philodorah!" Clyde’s cold gaze swept across the hall as he tightened his grip on his sword. "Otherwise, you guys can all join him in hell!"

Hesitation flickered across the faces of the elders in the grand hall as they heard those words.

"Clyde already has one foot in the Innate Realm..."

"If what he says is true, we should preserve the family by..."

"So it really was you!" Anthony clutched his chest as he glared daggers at Clyde.

"I'm only doing this to protect the family!" Clyde retorted coldly. "You all better think carefully. Side with him and the family will perish. By standing with me, not only will we survive, but—"

"I don't want to die!"

At those words, several guest elders immediately moved behind Clyde. After hesitating momentarily, a few Yardley elders followed suit.

Even Carson, who had just criticized him, moved toward Clyde in small steps.

"You shameless cowards!" Anthony exclaimed.

"Anthony, don't blame us for being heartless. Theodore killed Sebastian—this is a disaster for the family. Besides, Clyde is already half a step into the Innate Realm. If he becomes an Innate Realm cultivator..." Carson muttered.

Theodore scanned the crowd. Not everyone had chosen a side yet—most were still undecided.

Behind him, Liliana tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Theodore, you should run."

"And what about you?"

Theodore tightened his grip on the sword and turned to her. "Don't be afraid. No matter what happens, I've got you."

Liliana instantly teared up. Just as she was about to speak, Theodore looked at her and said, "Trust me."

"Okay." She nodded instinctively and added, "If you die, I'll die with you."

"Hush! He's not an Innate Realm cultivator yet!"

Theodore turned to the crowd and said, "If you're choosing sides, you'd better decide soon—because there won't be a choice left in a moment."

Everyone was stunned. Given Theodore's display of strength earlier, Clyde might not be able to stop him. However, no one had expected him to stay put and remain so calm.

"You’re as stubborn as your damned father. Very well, I'll be sending you to join him in hell today!"

Clyde's expression darkened as his internal energy surged into his sword.

"It's his sword force! Clyde can actually manifest sword force! It's something only Innate Grandmasters can do!"

As he slashed down, his sword radiated an overwhelming aura. A faint glow flickered along the blade, striking fear into everyone present.

"Go to hell!" Clyde roared.

Theodore frowned slightly as he clutched his black sword. Then, he focused on the sword intent he had spent thirteen years comprehending.

The moment Clyde's attack fell, Theodore raised his blade and channeled his internal energy into it. The sword swept through the air, forming a crescent arc.

Whoosh!

Clyde’s attack landed, and a thin line of blood appeared on Theodore’s forehead.

"It's over!"

No one was surprised at the outcome. Death was inevitable against an Innate Grandmaster with sword force. Even though Theodore was at Peak Postnatal Realm, he was doomed to fail.

"What a pity. If you hadn't been born into the family's direct lineage, perhaps—" Clyde withdrew his sword and looked at him pitifully.

Before he could finish, Theodore wiped the blood from his forehead.

"Perhaps what?"

"No way!"

Everyone was stunned. They saw Theodore being engulfed by Clyde's sword force.

Clyde's face twisted in disbelief as that was his killing strike. "How did you manage to dodge my sword force—"

Before he could say another word, he felt a sharp pain in his throat. Theodore had flashed forward and ripped Clyde's head clean from his shoulders.

"I don't need to dodge. I just need to be faster than you."

Holding Clyde's severed head, Theodore walked to the main seat at the front of the hall and sat down.

"Is there anyone else who's not satisfied with me?"