Tobias had taught Aria to guard her emotions against the influence of vengeful spirits in the Earthbound Manifestation. The events within this realm were remnants of the past, and compassion was essential when dismantling the formation.Yet Aria struggled to extend any empathy toward the Krowonians. Her expression remained dark as she stared at the syringes arranged on the trolley.Unaware of the looming threat, the Krowonians continued to laugh heartily.Aria walked to a corner of the laboratory and released the twins. "An eye for an eye," she mumbled.Immediately, the Krowonian who apprehended Bree felt a chill around his neck. It was as if someone was breathing down on him. He asked his colleagues, "Does it feel like the wind is stronger today?""Nope," the person replied while scratching his arm. He seemed unaware of the strength he used.This was until someone reached out. "Hold on. What's that?"Blood? Why would there be blood?The three of them froze instantly, their fac
Aria's eyes darkened as she recalled the unsettling events since her arrival. Meanwhile, the Krowonians in the laboratory were driven to the brink of madness by fear.Aria urgently needed to get Bree out of the laboratory. Bree was in critical condition, teetering on the edge of death from severe blood loss. However, Bree was frightened of Aria because of her white coat and wanted to flee.Aria gently grasped Bree's hand and spoke in a soothing tone. "Your elder sister and mother sent me to rescue you. They are very worried about you."Bree's eyes widened with desperation as she clung to Aria. Noticing that Bree could only whimper, Aria realized she had lost her ability to speak.After a brief pause, Aria asked, "Did you see anyone not wearing a white coat besides the Krowonian soldiers? Nod if you did."Bree hesitated as she sifted through her memories.Just then, Nyx appeared with Riley behind him. "Ms. Carver, we're running out of time."When Bree saw Riley, she gripped onto
After Nyx led Bree away, Aria checked the time on the laboratory clock before picking up an iron rod.As she ventured deeper into the corridor, the metallic tang of blood grew stronger.Riley, visibly shaken, called out to Aria with each step, but she ignored him, her gaze fixed ahead. She flicked on the light switch and said, "Just as I suspected, it's an Eight Trigrams Manifestation."From the moment she arrived, Aria had found the laboratory's layout unusual. It was circular on the outside, with energy converging at a single point. The paintings on the walls were deliberately placed, and the terrain was uneven.Determining the lowest point of the terrain wasn't difficult for Aria. After pouring a solution from a wooden rack and following its path, she discovered a well not far off. Although the water was collecting on the surface, it trapped souls beneath.Aria raised her eyebrows. This was it.Riley grabbed her hand. "Are we really going over there? It looks so scary.""It
Aria chuckled when she heard that. "God's blessing?""I'll overlook your ignorance," Riley replied, her tone cold. "Perhaps you're unaware of my origins. I am a vessel of God from Krowo. People revere me, praying for blessings and peace. And I possess the power to bestow it."She raised her left hand slightly as she spoke, causing the devices around her to lift into the air. Her long hair flowed as if stirred by an unseen breeze, glowing with a soft light.At the same time, Barron, who was drinking with Viktor, seemed to have sensed something amiss and shot up from his seat.Riley! Something happened to Riley!However, Viktor didn't believe anyone in the Carver family could pose a real threat to Riley. He assumed she was simply displeased with the latest batch of children he provided.After straightening his clothes, Viktor said, "You guys keep Mr. Carver Senior company. I'll be back soon."Barron quickly stood up and wanted to stop him. He knew Aria had been discovered, and it
"You're just a Krowonian doll, yet you claim to be a god?" Aria lifted the iron rod, her voice laced with disdain. "I'm sorry, but our mythology textbooks must not align. I don't play with dolls, and I definitely won't be a slave you cherish."Just one question—are you going to spit out the spirits you've swallowed, or do I have to force them out of you?"As she spoke, Aria bit her finger and smeared her blood across the iron rod, imbuing it with her energy.Riley narrowed her eyes at Aria's defiance. Pure malice ignited in her gaze, the resentment palpable."You Farshyans are clueless. Since you won't submit, you can stay and keep me company. Your body is much more suitable for me. The blood of a cultivator has a sweeter scent."Riley licked her lips before she suddenly vanished.She wasn't just a lingering soul—once she left a body, it would decay immediately. The little boy's form from earlier was nothing more than a discarded shell.The entire laboratory echoed with Riley's
A tall figure emerged from the blood mist, standing unaffected by the malevolent spirits that swirled around him.The spirits couldn't even approach him; they recoiled as if repelled by an invisible force. It wasn't due to any protective charm—his very presence instilled fear in all souls.Aria's fuzzy mind cleared up. Not only did the annoying chanting disappear, but the spirits under Riley's control also stopped in their tracks. Though their eyes remained bloodshot and their forms grotesque, they averted their gaze upon seeing the newcomer, even parting to create a path for him.The tall, lean man wore a pure black wool coat. As he moved forward, his graceful, gentlemanly demeanor was reminiscent of a businessman from Ludwiten, perhaps one educated abroad, with a touch of 19th-century elegance.His face, handsome yet cold, was unmistakable. Only Aria's fiancé could possess such a complex spiritual presence.However, it seemed that the version of him 100 years ago didn't have s
The phenomenon known as Hundred Ghosts Weeping usually emerged during times of war when countless ordinary lives were lost. These spirits harbored numerous unfulfilled desires and grievances, making it nearly impossible to resolve the situation. Spirits who had died unnaturally couldn't be exorcised by force.However, Tobias had reassured Aria that Hundred Ghosts Weeping wouldn't appear in times of peace, as the natural cycle of life and death generally prevented such occurrences.Aria once asked Tobias what she should do if she ever encountered one, and Tobias had been blunt—she should run as fast as possible. There was no shame in fleeing when faced with a hundred spirits.Aria looked up and saw Riley hovering mid-air, nearly driven mad, with no intention of running. Riley had summoned the spirits of Farshya, exploiting their grievances against Aria.Aria narrowed her eyes. This was the first time she felt like killing a God.Riley wasn't entirely lying, though. In Krowo, wood
Riley was considered bad luck after the upheavals in Krowo, but she was still an irreplaceable God in her fanatic followers' eyes.They worshipped her, while many influential figures wanted to revive her so that they could use her power to achieve their goals. Riley didn't fear any cultivators either.However, who exactly was the man before her? Why wasn't he affected when her most vengeful long hair pierced into his arm?Plus, why were the dead souls so afraid of him that they returned to the Netherrealm? They didn't even dare to fight with him once when Riley had struck an agreement with them.Riley couldn't understand as things had spiraled out of her expectations. She never expected to meet someone who could hurt her one day.She had experienced Krowo's ups and downs before the Regal family brought her to Farshya. She couldn't just disappear into thin air like this!Riley rolled her eyes, deep in thought. "Perhaps you want a brand-new body. This woman isn't bad! I can give he
Back then, a rumor circulated that everyone desired the Grisham family's daughter. Audriana had thought it was an exaggeration. After all, no matter how beautiful a woman was, she would inevitably age. Fiona, no matter how stunning, would eventually face the same fate.However, Audriana had come to realize that some people could indeed look like fairies. Yet, she couldn't show her envy, as Priscilla was still watching her."Why do I think she looks so average? She's not nearly as ladylike as you, Priscilla," Audriana flattered her.Priscilla merely gave her a passing glance. "You don't have to try to flatter me. I don't care about that. With plastic surgery so common these days, I can have any appearance I want."What's important is for a woman to have her own career. But I have to admit, her face is quite stunning."Otherwise, Fiona wouldn't have remained relevant for so many years. But it didn't matter now. Fiona was already married, with so many children. Once a woman became a
"Who doesn't have a career in this day and age? She's the only one with no achievements to speak of, and she even went crazy. How does she have the nerve to reconcile with the Grisham family? I don't know whether to call her naïve or just plain dumb," Priscilla remarked, her voice dripping with disdain as she spoke to the person behind her. As she spoke, the woman slowly rose, revealing her identity—none other than Audriana."Perhaps she doesn't realize that the Draycott family is almost as influential as the Grisham family in Ludwiten. Especially you, Priscilla. Everyone knows the medispa you operate. "Fiona hasn't kept up with the times. I once thought she was capable, with her title as Ludwiten's Red Rose. But now, it seems she's all show, no substance." Audriana chuckled, clearly taking pleasure in belittling Fiona while subtly praising Priscilla. Priscilla, clearly pleased, took a sip of her coffee. "It's a shame she didn't listen to me and meet Ms. Kent."Audriana raised
Priscilla twirled her long hair and took a sip of her coffee. "I didn't have much confidence back then. I always followed you, never daring to try things on my own. It's only now, after trying for myself, that I've realized some things."She added, "Opening a medispa has always been my dream, and that's how it all started. Now, all the wealthy women in Ludwiten come to me for fillers and anti-aging treatments. If you're interested, you should come by. I can even fix your nose a little."Priscilla smiled. However, her smile was a little off, perhaps from a recent treatment. She pressed her fingers to her eyes. "I can't smile too much, or I'll get wrinkles. I envy your flawless, youthful face, Fiona. What's your secret?""Probably just staying indoors and avoiding the sun," Fiona replied, carefully omitting the fact that her soul had entered a manifestation.Priscilla's expression darkened, her voice tinged with frustration. "It's all Owen's fault! How could he be so cruel? You're no
Leon typed so quickly that Aria suspected it was a result of his experience arguing with his online haters. Aria couldn't get a word in as Leon flooded the entire group chat. She was speechless—his typing was even faster than a hacker like her. Celebrity Carver: "I'm worried about Aria. I should have gone on the train too!"Aria freed one hand to reply, "No need to worry. Fergus is with me."Celebrity Carver: "Fergus has never been in a relationship himself. What does he know?"Boss Carver: "Leon, aren't you getting too full of yourself lately?"Leon kept his head down, continuing to type. He was filled with worry for Aria.Unbeknownst to anyone, a mysterious person watched Leon with intense focus. The gaze was unsettling as if the person were ready to explode with hatred at any moment.The person only looked away when Leon entered the VIP lounge. Then, they went to the washroom, and standing before the mirror, revealed an eerie smile. There was no rush. After all, there wo
Their positions were reversed in an instant.Landon was pinned down, a few stray strands of hair falling over his face. His long, dark eyelashes gave him a somewhat coy expression. Aria, on the other hand, appeared dominant, with one hand pressing down on his wrist and the other on his shoulder. This was the scene the attendant walked in on. She cleared her throat slightly before speaking, "Sir, here are your fruits."The attendant's voice caught the attention of Fergus, who was seated in the last row. He put down his tablet and glanced over. What he saw was Aria playfully pressing down on Landon's wrist. Fergus couldn't help but rub his temples, unsure how to express his current feelings.When Leon mentioned that Aria was pursuing Landon, Fergus hadn't thought much of it. However, seeing for himself, he could only think of ways to keep Landon around for Aria.But Aria couldn't be too forward as they weren't married yet. At the thought of that, Fergus deliberately coughed.
It was the first time Aria had ever felt this way. The sensation made her dizzy, yet she couldn't get enough of it. Every inch of her mouth was filled with Landon's scent, and his fingers felt astonishingly hot. The sounds around them faded, leaving only the rumble of the train as it passed through the tunnel. There was an undeniable closeness between them. His soft kisses and teasing bites on her lips made her feel a little lightheaded. With her eyes covered, Aria instinctively sought something to steady herself. The rhythmic thump of his heartbeat echoed in her ears, its force making escape seem impossible. His kiss, commanding and intense, contrasted sharply with his calm demeanor. It seemed as though he was determined to pull her deeper into his embrace. Yet, despite the overwhelming sensation, Aria couldn't bring herself to resent it. Instead, she found herself surrendering to it. The sounds around them slowly returned as they emerged from the long tunnel, light creepi
Landon raised his hand and spoke calmly before ending the call. "Go and tell your boss that only Farshyans can manage the Chamber of Commerce."When Westin tried calling back, no one answered. For years, foreigners had enjoyed preferential treatment in Farshya. As Westin mentioned, some universities favored foreign students, offering them special care. Foreigners received priority access to events, complimentary ice cream, and exclusive show tickets at car exhibitions. Many Farshyans were thrilled just to exchange a few words with them.Westin's best friend even had a Farshyan girlfriend who was utterly devoted to him. She tolerated their insults with a smile as long as he promised to take her abroad and secure her permanent residency.This sense of entitlement made foreigners like Westin feel superior to the locals. Westin, in particular, had been flattered by Farshyan businessmen for so long that he'd never experienced such outright rejection.Other suppliers and port officia
Despite the shifting tides, some stubborn members of the Chamber of Commerce clung to their cunning ways, refusing to yield.Previously, Westin had assumed that his target, known for being money-obsessed, would agree without much resistance. But upon arriving, he found himself drinking far more than discussing business.Two days and a relentless hangover later, Westin realized he'd been played. That wily old man! Refocusing his attention on the task at hand, Westin addressed the screen with renewed determination. "Mr. York, it's not just Ludwiten's companies interested in partnering with us. Even the Wagner family from Janovin is eager to collaborate. "If there's something holding you back, let me know. But remember, opportunities don't wait. I urge you to reconsider—going solo carries significant risks."As Westin spoke, Landon listened calmly, his expression unchanging. He even shifted slightly to make Aria more comfortable in her seat. Nearby, an attendant whispered with a
Aria lay on her side, with Landon seated on her right. She wondered if the York family would grow uneasy about his prolonged absence from home. Landon was clearly in the middle of a meeting. His deep, pleasant voice carried a hypnotic quality, occasionally interspersed with authentic Nobeetan phrases. He spoke so softly that those further away would struggle to hear him, yet his tone was laced with an understated menace that no one could ignore.The person on the other end of the meeting dared not contradict him. Landon's calm demeanor masked a chilling authority. He wasn't the kind of superior who exploded with anger—those were predictable. The truly terrifying ones were those whose moods were inscrutable and whose actions were ruthlessly decisive."We won't pursue a joint venture then. The York Group will proceed independently." Landon chuckled before continuing politely, "Let me remind you, this is Farshya—not the early days when we were inexperienced and desperate for capital.