Matilda left the hotel in a huff, only to see patrol cars filling the streets.Realizing that something significant had occurred in Bloomington, she learned from the conversations around her that Ryan's son had been kidnapped.She finally understood why Ryan was acting the way he did then.In a panic, Matilda called Ayo and told her that Mr. Chase's son had been kidnapped. "Do you know about it?"Matilda spoke in a hurry, but Ayo seemed to talk casually. "I know. What about it? Do you think my people did it?"Matilda was stunned by those words. After a while, she replied, "No, I just thought it was a good chance. We could try to find his son—"Ayo interrupted Matilda, saying mockingly, "What if we do? Do you think he'll agree to demolish Temple Road out of gratitude? Don't be naive. He would never do that!"Ayo hung up, and Matilda returned to the car in a daze.She was beginning to understand why Chad offered that advice, but Lumigen was a global brand. Would they do that?"T
"King Edward's ghost for sale.""Compass from the Renaissance, 98,000 dollars.""A 200-year-old grape wine. It's an essential ingredient for making spiritual herbs."Chad had just begun talking when he heard shouting from the streets.The old man's compass could be the same one he used the week before.Chad had been shopping at night markets since he was young. There were many fakes for sale, and one needed to have the ability to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit items.The items sold there were used by Mystic practitioners.The 200-year-old wine might simply be an ordinary bottle of wine.Chad learned from his grandfather that the night markets were not the same as a century ago.Over the last century, the earth's precious materials had become scarce, resulting in the emerging phenomenon.Chad could not imagine having genuine items all over the market a century ago.The few spiritual herbs that he previously alchemized into Elixir of Life cost up to 14 million dol
The silence only lasted briefly. The night market returned to bustling with noise.People casually joking could be heard among the hustle and bustle."I was wondering who said that. Looks like it's just a few Saffronesian slaves.""Two years ago, a Saffronesian slave came. He messed with the people of Karamon and got murdered!""That guy overestimated himself. Why would he go against the Karamon?"Kenji's expression darkened as he listened to the discussions.Three years ago, Lumigen Pharmaceutical and Chad wanted to invest in two Western medicine production lines in Shotham.Back then, the coordinator's name was Jouzen. The negotiations alone took a year.Eventually, the project failed, and Jouzen died in Hacniane.Kenji vividly remembered Jouzen plotting the assassination of a Rivervale VIP.However, the VIP who died returned to life.After that, Jouzen went to Shotham, and his plan got interrupted again. Consequently, Jouzen died.They eventually discovered the truth af
Chad said without looking back, "I just want your familiar to take a walk with me. If you allow that, I'll give you the Blood Ganoderma Lucidum."Chad was furious. A sorcerer from Saffronesia dared to kidnap Morgan in public just to make him his familiar!Why would the Saffronesian do that?Confused, Yondu asked, "You just want to take a walk with him?"Chad said, "Of course!""Okay, then. Here's a check for 420,000 dollars. I'll keep it with my familiar," Yondu said as he waved to Morgan.When Morgan approached him, he placed the cheque in Morgan's pocket."After you're done, take the check and give the Blood Ganoderma Lucidum to my familiar. He'll bring it back."Chad was surprised that Yondu agreed to let Morgan accompany him without concern.Yondu saw Chad's expression and laughed. "Once a familiar recognizes his master, he will never be disloyal. This is my ultimate technique as a sorcerer from Saffronesia."As they talked, Morgan approached Chad. He resembled a puppet w
Shuten laughed. "You're indeed the best tactician in Saffronesia's business world."Ayo sneered. "That's just a name with no value. I want to take over Templer Road and complete Neuf Chrys Club's mission, allowing Mr. Yamamoto to increase his investment in Lumigen Pharmaceutical."She then approached the couch in the living room, picked up a kimono, and put it on.The kimono's print had brightly colored cherry blossom motifs. With Ayo's graceful figure, any man would be unable to resist her.She smiled at Shuten as she looked at her own kimono. "Bring Ms. Sachs here. The show tonight should start soon. Just watch how I take down Templer Road!"Shuten grinned and bowed. "I'm on it now!"Esther trapped Yondu and the others in the shop, preventing them from going to the backyard.Without the door, the bustling Templer Road could be seen.There were many Mystic practitioners on the street, and they would look at the Hall of Herbs with curiosity.Yondu played tricks with his hand f
What shocked Chad the most was that Morgan created a gust of wind with his pocket knife.People without a basic understanding of martial arts would not be able to do that.Morgan continued to speak in Yondu's voice. "Let me introduce you to Yondu Hinata, a top-class sorcerer from Neuf Chrys Club, a Karate Black Belt Grandmaster!"Morgan suddenly punched his fist and charged at Chad.When Chad dodged sideways, Morgan kicked his lower abdomen, smashing him against the wall.Chad felt an overwhelming energy rush through his body as though overturning the insides of his body.If Chad had not been transformed, he might have fainted.He was not the same person back then. Despite receiving a severe blow, he could still stand on his own two feet.Morgan was horrified, but Chad suffered greatly.He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smirked. "Is that it? Too bad. You've messed with the wrong guy!"Chad stood up and grabbed Morgan's feet. Soon after, the sound of bones cr
Matilda arrived at the Cloud Nine Tower, frazzled. She contemplated how to explain it to Ayo.After all, Ryan had stated it clearly—Templer Road could only be renovated, not demolished.She believed Chad was behind Ryan's decision.Matilda's parents had been admitted to Bloomington Hospital at midnight.However, the hospital's diagnosis was that her elderly parents had suffered severe shock and were in poor health.Additionally, Matilda's brother, John, had broken both of his arms. It became a huge challenge for him to take care of himself.Matilda blamed it all on Chad. She thought Chad was getting on her case and causing all that."Welcome, Ms. Sachs. Today, you'll witness how we'll take over Templer Road."Ayo was dressed in a kimono with cherry blossom motifs. When she saw Matilda, she raised her glass and chugged the wine.Matilda was perplexed and asked softly, "Has Chief Magistrate Chase agreed to demolish Templer Road?"Ayo shook her head. "Nope. He hasn't, but he wil
The plan had started smoothly. Yondu would then gather all his familiars, including Morgan, and set Templer Road on fire.Perhaps Yondu had planned to massacre everyone on Templer Road.After that, Yondu would leave Bloomington immediately. He would take the earliest flight possible, leaving Hacniane for Saffronesia.Morgan, his familiar, would be left alone on Templer Road.When a familiar lost its master, it would become deranged, much like a puppet without strings.Morgan would not be able to defend himself or identify the actual perpetrator while in that state.Even if the Bloomington Security Department discovered Yondu, he would have already returned to Saffronesia, and Hacniane would not be able to pursue legal action against him.That was only the worst-case scenario. After learning that his son had murdered someone, Ayo expected Chief Magistrate Chase to do everything in his power to cover it up.Eventually, Chief Magistrate Chase would have no choice but to agree to d
As Chad sat in meditation on Decaying Peaks, a faint, glowing white immortal crown slowly appeared behind his head. When that immortal crown manifested, a quake occurred everywhere outside Mount Causabour. The frequency of those tremors was extremely high, and everyone could clearly feel them. The vast area they covered included the entire Hacniane. It was as if some ancient seal in the vast sky had been triggered.Chad opened his eyes in shock amid his breakthrough, realizing that the impending heavenly punishment seemed to be directed at him and the millions of mystical beings beneath Mount Causabour.Suddenly, a thunderous voice erupted in the sky, as loud as a bolt of lightning:"Cut off the road to the heavens, seal the underworld; a red banner halts a million immortals, and a red star exterminates ghosts and demons!"Sever Yggdrasil, raise the grand array; a handful of Evergrow blocks the celestial river, and the vast multiverse bows to humanity!"By decree, this is a real
Sir Holt anxiously looked up at the sky as the tribulation clouds suddenly began to churn violently.Crack! Crack! Crack!At that moment, the first bolt of heavenly punishment finally struck.However, that bolt of divine lightning fell upon the mirage of the Mystic Archive, where it disappeared without a trace. The entire Mount Causabour shook a few times, and everyone could feel a soothing sensation within the mountain.Anyone who felt this would experience a surge of confidence deep within, and any discomfort they felt in their bodies seemed to improve significantly.On Decaying Peaks, that sensation was even more pronounced, and more and more people began to manifest the immortal crown behind their heads. In just a few minutes, nearly everyone on Decaying Peaks, hundreds of people in total, had an immortal crown appear behind them.That included Flynn and Harvey, who were sitting on the outskirts of Decaying Peaks. They, too, had immortal crowns appear behind their heads.How
Sir Holt and Zayan looked up at the sky with expressionless faces, though their hearts were in turmoil. Within the rolling clouds, faint traces of multicolored light shimmered.As time passed, the colorful lights appeared more frequently, as if gradually consuming the clouds."Such intense ascension light—there must be tens of thousands ascending!""There are probably more. The latest statistics show that 264,777 people have entered Mount Causabour!""Over 260,000? How did so many people get here?"Zayan looked at Sir Holt in shock, and Sir Holt turned his gaze toward the winding mountain road leading into the area."There are still many more people outside trying to get in, but the place is already so crowded that they can't fit."Zayan looked with concern toward the entrance to the mountain. "Won't those stuck on the road cause a disturbance?""They won't!" Sir Holt said with certainty. "Unless they're fools, they've probably already started meditating where they are. Even if
Among the 250,000 people, quite a few were not actually autistic patients. After sleeping for two full days, Chad woke up and realized that possibility. He carefully considered the potential issues that might arise during the process and decided to issue an announcement."The treatment will begin shortly. Non-autistic patients are advised to leave the Mount Causabour area to avoid unnecessary complications."That announcement was broadcast three times through loudspeakers positioned throughout Mount Causabour. Finally, the loudspeaker voice declared, "The treatment will officially begin in one hour!"At the same time, Chad made his way to the Decaying Peaks, the summit of Mount Causabour, where an over-century-old pavilion stood.Entering the pavilion, Chad sat down in a meditative position. Soon, he noticed a dense crowd gathering around the pavilion, all sitting in meditation poses around him.As Chad glanced over those people, he recognized several familiar faces. The people ar
Mount Causabour Medical Center, built halfway up Mount Causabour, was a sizable palace-style complex with three courtyards. The center was constructed along the mountain's slope, extending all the way to the base of the Decaying Peaks. Flynn and Harvey were placed in the innermost courtyard, suggesting that their grandfather, Fenton Cooper, likely knew some inside information but had not shared it with his grandsons.On that day, the Hacniane Cabinet issued several announcements. First, they created separate legislation for ability users and cultivators to regulate their powers. Second, they planned to designate special zones in each city for ability users and Mystics, separating them from ordinary people. Lastly, they urgently introduced the Sixteen Temporary Rules for Ability Users and Mystic Practitioners to regulate their behavior.Those announcements seemed like they were aimed at restricting ability users, but in reality, they were meant to reassure ordinary people, ensurin
A massive leap in the realm could bring unimaginable fortune to the dragon vein, potentially altering Hacniane's fate.That was also Chad's grand gift to the two elders, using the sudden surge in the dragon vein's power to help Hacniane avoid the impending catastrophe triggered by the nuclear explosion of the firmament.Earlier that day, through Chad's Clairvoyant Eye, he saw Kennington shrouded in a faint gray-black mist. Chad did not know what it was but felt it resembled Evergrow, yet not quite the same.However, Chad was certain that accidents would surely happen if ordinary people were exposed to it in large quantities. As a Mystic, he could already feel its effects on his body.At that moment, Sir Holt got into the car, looking at Chad with a solemn expression. "Kid, give me the bottom line!"After careful consideration, Chad laid out his thoughts. Upon hearing them, Sir Holt began to tremble. According to Chad, he would need to mobilize at least 100,000 troops to ensure the
Having a Mystic Archive and unlocking a Mystic Archive were two different matters. Only a handful of people were recorded to have a Mystic Archive throughout history. There were only two earliest verifiable individuals with documented works still in existence.The first was Hugo Gerant, a renowned physician from an ancient empire, a practitioner of Mystic Therapeutics, and an alchemist. His surviving medical works include The Hundred Letters, Gerant's Emergency Treatments, and the famous Embracing Simplicity.After his death, several notable physicians throughout history have inadvertently inherited his Mystic Archive, but none have fully inherited it. It was said that Mystics knew the method to obtain Gerant's Mystic Archive a thousand years ago, but that knowledge had since been lost.The second individual is Damian Lotin, a figure from another ancient dynasty. He left behind many works, including one titled The Whisper of the Blue Plant.Aside from them, other people who possess
Chad gave them a cold smile. "Extract the immortal bone to cure the illness.""No! Absolutely not! I won't allow it!""Me neither. There's no way we can let that happen!"The entire room erupted into panic. Some even tried to attack Chad, but they were quickly subdued.Chad looked at them and said, "Then tell me the truth.""I'll speak! I failed my tribulation and fell from the celestial realm. I used to have nine crowns, but now I'm down to five...""And me! I also fell from the celestial realm after failing my tribulation. Now I only have three crowns...""I disguised myself as one of the wounded soldiers and was brought here. After losing all my cultivation, I've since regained two crowns!""I was brought back from the firmament by my husband. After we arrived here, I lost all my cultivation and never practiced again. We had a child later, and he was perfectly normal, but I never expected my grandson to..."As those people spoke, Zayan and Sir Holt were stunned! Those peopl
"You know the cause of the illness?"Zayan was shocked, almost in disbelief."Do you realize this child is the same age as you? Even your master examined him but couldn't find the cause!"Chad nodded and said, "But I do know, and I have a bold theory—that the cause of autism in all these children might be the same..."As he spoke, some thoughts suddenly flashed through Chad's mind, shocking even him, leading him to say, "And I suspect this might be related to the increasing number of ability users and cultivators over the past century!""Really?!"Zayan grabbed Chad's arm, hardly believing what he was hearing.However, Chad spoke with firm conviction, "It's very likely true, but I need to see more children with autism.""Wait here; I'll make arrangements right away!"Soon, Chad and his group arrived at the largest hospital in Kennington, the Ninth Military District Hospital, and Xyder was also brought along. Chad saw hundreds of children with autism there!Before entering the