"Heartbound Hall? Got it!" Faith ended the call hurriedly. She then muttered to herself, "Report this to the police first, and then extract proof…"As time passed, some viewers in the stream became antsy."Can someone tell us what's going on here?""Is the streamer not here? What's going on?""This streamer's so cool. So many people are in this stream despite her absence, and the stream is third on the Super Hot Trending List now!"As the stream continued to gain popularity, the moderator grew increasingly anxious. The platform had strict regulations in place, including a warning system that would disable a streamer's account after 20 minutes of inactivity.With the streamer absent for an extended period, anxiety spread among the viewers; they wondered why she was not back yet.Only after dealing with everything did Aria notice that she had received two system notifications. "The system has determined that this is a fraudulent account. A warning is issued.""Please return to
The young boy on the screen paused briefly before sniffing in disdain. Behind him was a massive study that made the wealth of TheHandsomeMrLowe clear to everyone watching.GrandeinSouthbury: "Oh… He's so cute, and his skin is so pale!"WannaDate: "Look at me! Please, young master!"Aria recognized the face on the screen. She said blandly, "Aren't you Cameron Lowe, the third son of the Lowe family?"HappyLife: "She doesn't seem that enthused. Has he misunderstood her?"Cameron sneered. "Yes, it's me. Let me tell you something here, Aria. You should stop wasting your energy. You're inferior compared to Lily. Not only would you fail to marry into the Short family, but you'd also never marry into my family. You're not worthy of that!""Oh, okay." Aria's reply sounded way too perfunctory. Cameron opened his mouth, his face reddening. "You better heed your promise, or else…"Aria didn't bother talking to him. "Where's your brother?"Cameron yelled loudly at someone behind him. As i
Before Aria could reply, the comments erupted into laughter. NewbieMochi: "Yes, Grandpa Lowe, all of us can see you!"Immersed: "This stream is amazing! LMAO. This is absolutely hilarious!"LikeYouLots: "I just saw the principal on the screen. What the heck?"GettingAJob: "He's not just a principal, is he? He's a very famous doctor too!"ForgetaboutLove: "A famous doctor?"GettingAJob: "He's the head of the neurology department in the First Affiliated Hospital. He's a really famous professional. You guys can look his name up."GonnaGetRich: "I just looked him up, and wow, he's amazing! So many people have registered for an appointment with him that you can only book one in the next year!"LikeYouLots: "You guys know what I'm feeling now, right?"Handsome: "Didn't you say that the streamer was a quack doctor? Even your principal said that she's a prodigy!"LikeYouLots: "That's why I'm completely convinced now." The viewers who had tuned into the stream initially perceived h
NewbieMochi: "OMG! It's really a Holy Emperor!"…In St. Peter Castle in Angladus, Landon's meeting had just ended. He sat on the couch and pulled on his tie while scrolling his phone with his right hand. In contrast to his demeanor back in his home country, he seemed more uninhibited yet relaxed. This, coupled with his regal bearing, was why Barry Smith, who arrived after him, dared not utter a word.Solo noticed that Landon's phone screen had gone dark. He said helpfully, "Dr. Genius probably didn't notice you, Mr. Landon."Landon looked up at him, his gaze dark. Solo recoiled from him. "If you want to give her gifts, you can wait till tomorrow."Only then did Landon tuck his phone back into his pocket and turn his gaze toward Barry. "Go on."Barry exhaled deeply in relief before he commenced his report to Landon, his voice quivering with apprehension at the thought of facing consequences.…Aria had noticed those two comments as well. Nonetheless, they didn't stop her fr
"This alley is so decrepit and narrow! As expected of someone who lives in poverty!"The woman who had spoken was Dorothy, whom Aria had encountered at the hotel. Holding Mindy close, she spoke with a slight frown. "You didn't have to come all the way here yourself, Ms. Carver. It's not like someone who lives here would be that skilled of a doctor!""Stop, Dorothy," Mindy intervened, her long skirt trailing behind her and her high heels making walking on the cobblestone roads quite difficult. "I'm doing this for Mr. Levin's sake."Dorothy sighed. "You're the adopted daughter of the Carver family, and the company's stock will all be yours in the future. Do you really need to do this for his sake when he's just a manager?""Dorothy." Mindy stopped her from continuing with a frown. "Don't forget about my brothers. The company will be theirs."Dorothy realized that she'd said too much. She gave the bodyguards following after them a look before saying, "You're right, Ms. Carver. What I
As Dorothy's feet left the ground, she was so scared that her face went pale. Sam was about to put force behind his grip when Aria said, "Toss the stuff, not her."Dorothy was so shocked that her mind went blank. She slumped onto the ground, her limbs as cold as ice.Sarah knew that Sam was quite strong, but she'd never seen him lose his temper. "Aria, uh…""Don't worry, Ms. Johnson," Aria said blandly. "Sam knows what he should and shouldn't do."Sam did nothing else, proving Aria right. He stood in front of the entrance, his gaze sharp. When Mindy approached him, he fanned the air in front of his nose, as if he had nothing but disdain for her. Mindy finally couldn't stand it anymore. She felt as if something were lodged in her chest. If not for Frank, she wouldn't have come here. "I have no idea why you're so stubborn. We gave you all those gifts, but you refuse to take them."Aria smiled. "It doesn't look like you're giving me gifts; it feels more like an unwarranted dona
Sam was a boy of many secrets. For example, his sense of smell was abnormally sharp, and he could pick up scents that the average person could not.For him to say that Mindy smelled bad, she must've smelled like poison. Aria tapped her fingers on the tripod intermittently. She was wondering if she should tell young Mr. York that the fumes coming out of the aromatherapy diffuser in his study smelled exactly the same as Mindy Carver. She'd only thought about this question for two seconds when Georgina called for her. "Is what Ms. Johnson said true, Aria? Did Heartbound Hall blow up on the Internet?"Aria didn't need to answer that question. Their neighbors visited in throngs during the afternoon, clamoring around Georgina and asking her questions. What had happened during the livestream was still a hot topic of discussion. Joel shared Aria's post on Facebook, and someone asked, "Who is she, Mr. Hayes?"Joel answered, "She's a young friend who treats her patients with compassion an
Cyrus tried to picture a scene where all those certified powerful figures gave new streamer gifts. The mere thought of such an occurrence becoming headline news sent shivers down his spine; it was a scenario that must never, ever come to pass.Joel said quickly, "Dr. Genius said before that she won't let you pay whenever you visit her for a consultation, so you shouldn't give her any gifts. You know as well as I that she prefers to keep a low profile and doesn't want any attention."Kenneth contemplated it. "You're very thoughtful, Joel. Very well, we understand. We'll watch her live streams and won't do anything else." Cyrus was in charge of promotion, so he suggested, "Preferably with alternative accounts."Even from the other end of the call, Kenneth recognized the voice immediately. "Cyrus."Cyrus said, "Yes, sir. I'm listening."Kenneth was intimidating despite his calm voice. "When it comes to some matters, you shouldn't judge them by what you see on the surface. You shoul
"I'll ask Boss if she needs a bellboy!"Harry hadn't changed a bit. With his flashy gold chains and oversized watch, he was always quick to jump at any opportunity to make money. If Aria invited him to meet other businessmen, he'd be on board without hesitation.Everyone who did business with Aria shared a common trait—they would get addicted. Every entrepreneur dreamed of growth. The longer they toil in the market, the stronger their desire to expand. It was a universal truth among business leaders.For these dreamers, an investor like Aria was a godsend. She thrived on improvement, making her an ideal partner.Harry, as enthusiastic as ever, bombarded Aria with messages. Aria had planned to visit Ludwiten before, but things kept happening, delaying her trip. Her frequent nightmares and the unresolved tension between her mother and uncles weighed on her mind. Now, with Barron leaving some important items for her in Ludwiten, she had no choice but to go. Sneaking there was neve
"Honestly, you shouldn't let Boss go to Ludwiten. If she insists on going, at least send me along! It's not as if you're unaware of how messy their business circle can be. This isn't Janovin we're talking about!"Harry's voice rang loud and clear as he slammed his palm on the CEO's desk, a bold move no one else at Grand Construction Corp would dare attempt. The employees outside exchanged curious glances, whispering among themselves. What could have dragged Harry back from his vacation in such a state?Harry was worried. "We have plenty of employees. How could you let a lady like her go over there by herself? What if she gets harassed? At least here, our influence can protect her. People would think twice once they know who she is. Stop sipping that coffee and answer me already!"Tavian Montague, the vice-CEO, sighed and powered off his computer. He removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Harry, calm down. Do you really think Aria got this far on luck? Don't let her lo
The eight figures sat together, ostensibly discussing Aria's arrival. In truth, their agenda was far less noble—they were determined to keep the items they had long appropriated, refusing to return what rightfully belonged to others. After holding onto these possessions for so long, they had convinced themselves they were entitled to them.Their plan was to maintain a façade of respect toward the Carver family to avoid public scrutiny. However, they were equally resolute in protecting their own interests. They intended to demonstrate the influence of Ludwiten's business elite on Aria. It would be much better if she could be persuaded to invest billions in their ventures.It was a strategy they'd employed before, notably with Owen, and found it amusing.Yet Percy, despite his youth, was not so easily deceived. His calm demeanor and precise legal arguments left little room for manipulation. The Carver family's resilience, after all, stemmed largely from their grandchildren.Sti
Tobias once said that Aria was the most gifted person in the Decatorian way. Yet, for all her supposed talent, she couldn't use the Emperor Coins just by casually throwing them on her first attempt. She had to study them before she could wield them effectively.Thankfully, Leon chose the entertainment industry. If he had chosen to be inducted in the Decatorian way, the disciples of Mount Dracotigris would have been disheartened. "Leon, have you ever considered going into another industry?" Aria asked. Leon shook his head, a rebellious smirk on his face. "Aria, look at me. This face was born to be a celebrity. It'd be a crime to waste it."Aria sighed, accustomed to his narcissism. It was hard to argue—Leon's rebellious charm and striking looks had won over both women and men. Yet, his popularity brought challenges of its own."I still have Emperor Coins with me," Aria said, pulling out a beaded bracelet adorned with the coins and securing it around Leon's wrist. "Take it. For yo
Warren's eyes reddened as he gazed at Fergus, the grandson he had once hoped to raise personally. In that moment, he felt his life had been worthwhile. As one grew older, they came to understand a fundamental truth—if their descendants could grasp their thoughts, rather than dismissing the ways of the past as irrelevant, it was something to celebrate. Warren could now pass on everything to his grandchildren, finally feeling worthy within the Carver family.…Meanwhile, Leon furrowed his brows in the second-floor bedroom. "What are they talking about?""It's probably about Ludwiten. They have some business to settle. Why?" Aria had intentionally given Fergus and Warren some time to talk. As for her, she stayed with Leon in his room, playing games and snacking.When she heard his question, she smiled. "Are you interested as well, Leon?""I'm not cut out for business." Leon couldn't sit still and kept pacing back and forth. His silver hair, falling perfectly, made him look like a
That night, Warren stood before the memorial hall and spoke to his ancestors."Aria will be returning to Ludwiten tonight. Things will be different this time. There will be many obstacles ahead of her, but we must return eventually. Aria will finish what I couldn't. Please protect her."The Carver family was forced to shift their business from Ludwiten to Janovin at the time. And back then, they believed they could return at any moment. Yet, over 70 years had passed since then.Both Warren and Stephen were sentimental individuals, always hoping to return to Ludwiten. However, circumstances had shifted over the years. Moreover, the business landscape in Ludwiten had grown increasingly complex, with rising foreign investments. Their commitments in Janovin, especially after Owen married Fiona, kept them from returning.Warren had expected Owen to stay in Ludwiten, as he had promised the Grisham family. But Owen broke that promise.Warren's greatest wish had always been to return to
Although the crow was unsure of its owner's thoughts, it was indeed afraid of the dagger made out of Oracle bones.In fact, it wasn't made of ordinary animal bones. It was from the Oracle, one of the Four Perils. Most importantly, it carried spiritual energy from heaven and earth.Back then, the crow didn't expect the insignificant sect, which was consistently at the bottom of each tournament, to have the purest spiritual energy. Plus, all of their members were not to be underestimated. The crow would have never believed it if it hadn't come to live in the mountains with Landon. After all, Landon was bewitched to become the woman's boy toy. He stayed behind only because he liked the sect's spiritual energy. At that, the crow shifted its body and didn't continue to disturb Landon. Since Landon mentioned he needed the knife sheath, the crow would go and get it. Apart from the curved dagger in the wooden box, there was also a somewhat inconspicuous emerald and a turtle shell-lik
The box included a protective membrane. Carrying bones around would raise questions in modern days. Even Aria worried about inspections. Sometimes, Tobias acted just like those arcane seekers from Mount Dracotigris. When her fingertips touched it, heat surged through her bloodline. The blade felt like it belonged in her hands; even its tassel was exquisitely crafted. But she remembered something when she entered the manifestation and got the Soul-Summoning Plaque. She had been an arcane seeker in her past life, hadn't she? Could an arcane seeker use a blade? She had mostly seen them wielding swords, just like those TV shows with flying swordsmen. Perhaps she had to use a blade because she came from a smaller guild. As Aria traced the bone blade, her initial attraction grew into fascination. Tobias wouldn't leave her just any blade. Since she'd encountered it in the manifestation, it must be connected to her. "Do you like it?" Suddenly, Landon's voice came close. It was low,
Breaking the Eight Trigrams Manifestation required precision instead of force. The path led from the East Gate of Life through the Southwest Gate of Rest, finally striking through the North Gate of Opening. But this was not just about breaking a manifestation. The lock had eight marks—Life, Rest, Harm, Block, Vision, Death, Awakening, and Opening. These were the eight gates within the manifestation. As Aria studied the corresponding numbers, she was suddenly struck with inspiration. Following the sequence, she pressed them. The lock then opened with a click. She raised an eyebrow, recognizing the familiar combination. "0715, my birthday." Aria casually opened the box. "Typical of Mr. Revelare to choose that date." She knew she was born on Twilight Hallows, a day when parents would urge children home early. Owen had always believed Aria's birth signs were not the best, and he thought this was likely because of this day. People considered it the Day of Spirits. On this day, a