There was no way the Cerulean Dragon would change its master without Landon's permission. He was not like Chaos, who would obey anyone who fed him. The Cerulean Dragon was the smartest among the Four Perils. It was proud, and thus, it was difficult for him to yield to any human. Although the Cerulean Dragon might have swapped owners willingly, it had to endure a thunderstrike from the heavens as a punishment. However, there was no thunderstrike or punishments of any sort. It seemed like the heavens were celebrating—the Divine Clouds shimmered brilliantly.The crow circled above, observing the extraordinary scene. After all, it wasn't every day that such joyous celebrations occurred in both the Heavens and the Netherrealm.The crow decided it was better than Landon being hot-headed and hosting a grand wedding. Compared to that, gifting a beast of fortune and invoking divine fortune seemed perfectly reasonable.In the depths of the Netherrealm, the air stirred with the crow's fl
There were no surveillance cameras in this era, so Aria didn't have to worry about being discovered. At the heart of the camp, the patrolling guards were far more alert.Snipers were usually stationed at high points, lying in wait, so Aria needed to identify every blind spot carefully.This required careful observation, but Aria had a solid grasp of the soldiers' routines. Those with a keen understanding of military operations knew that patrolling schedules, though predictable, adhered to a strict schedule. By cracking their routine, Aria spotted her opportunity to infiltrate the team during the handover.Aria moved discreetly as the soldiers exchanged their covert signals, pulling the last soldier out of the line without drawing attention.The darkening sky made it easy for her to take action. She quickly changed into his uniform and blended into the squad without anyone noticing.She even left behind a Krowonian traditional outfit beside the young soldier. Aria didn't leav
The soldier was clearly a traitor who had studied abroad. He followed Viktor closely, speaking respectfully in accented Krowonian and fanning him as he talked.Although Aria couldn't see his face, his voice sounded familiar. She felt certain she had heard it somewhere before.As Aria lagged behind, her slow pace drew attention."You, there! What are you doing?" the squad leader barked. Instantly, all eyes turned to Aria—including those of the traitor.Aria was fluent in Krowonian, but disguising her voice was a challenge. Lowering it to a gruff tone, she replied, "Yes, sir! There seems to be a fire over there."Everyone immediately looked in the direction she pointed. Viktor's expression darkened. "Damn it! Our food supplies!"The dining area and food storage were ablaze. No one understood how the fire had started, and panic erupted among the soldiers.In his frustration, Viktor kicked the traitor—Eddy Caldwell—to the ground. Yet Eddy scrambled to his feet, unfazed, and offered
However, Viktor failed to find anything. His expression darkened as he whipped the person over and over again."Some Farshyan bastards must have sneaked inside!"Viktor turned abruptly, pointing the whip at Eddy. "You! Didn't you say the Farshyans' weaponry is limited and outdated? How the hell did they set fire from outside?"Eddy was at a loss. Desperately trying to piece together an explanation, he ventured, "Maybe... one of them studied abroad in Krowo and became familiar with our weaponry?""Studied abroad…" Viktor suddenly looked up. "Apart from our soldiers, are there any outsiders in our camp?"The deputy officer immediately replied, "There are some dancers and musicians here to entertain the troop.""Investigate them immediately!" Viktor ordered, his teeth clenched as his gaze fell on the scorched remains of their food supplies.At first, Viktor hadn't been too worried. He had dismissed the Farshyans as incompetent fools, incapable of such sabotage. After all, the Krowo
Since the soldier reminded Aria of the time, it meant that there would be a new code after 7:00 am.There was no way Aria would know the new code. However, if she showed any signs of hesitation, the other soldiers would start to suspect her. Worse still, she noticed the soldier reaching for the back of his gun.It was too late. Aria narrowed her eyes and replied. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't look at the time. Let's go over it again."The soldier kept his hand on the gun and was about to speak when Aria unleashed several silver needles with a swift flick of her hand. The needles shot out with a sharp whoosh, striking all 12 members of the two squads.In an instant, the soldiers stood frozen. Their acupuncture points had been precisely targeted. Though fully conscious, they were now incapable of speech or movement.However, leaving all 12 soldiers standing there would be too conspicuous. Anyone passing by would immediately notice something was wrong.Fortunately, the Krowonian soldiers
Aria's heart skipped a beat. A tremor ran through her as she touched the plaque, causing the black mist surrounding it to evaporate. The plaque, once at the center of the Soul Lock Manifestation, now rested in her hands."Isn't this too easy?" Aria muttered, lowering her gaze.As she held the plaque in her hand, fragmented scenes suddenly flooded her mind. The chaotic, turbulent images seemed to emanate from the plaque itself.In the visions, a sect was preparing for a wedding. Clouds gathered ominously, and heavenly trials loomed overhead. Aria, wearing a traditional wedding dress, observed as sect members from different clans gathered.Another scene showed her standing atop a mountain stream, her sleeves billowing in the strong wind. Before her stood numerous arcane seekers, accusing her of being a demon who had corrupted their minds.Aria raised an eyebrow at their accusations. "What nonsense," she thought. She didn't even practice the Decatorian arts, let alone involve herself
"They all know what our lineage practices. Our senior just can't receive arcane ascension.""It's because you're all too talented. Some people are afraid you'll gain an unfair advantage and ascend.""Don't just focus on us. I saw you fighting that lizard on the mountain just to catch some fish for her.""Our mentor told us to influence other creatures without using brute force. Don't let her see you behaving like that—I'm afraid she might follow your example.""We can't afford to be lazy either. Now that she's here, we need to work harder.""You're right. I've never liked the people from Mount Dracotigris. Why don't we confront them?""They wouldn't stand a chance if you got involved. But let's not be so harsh on the younger ones. And don't forget to keep your fortune-telling skills under wraps. Your bluntness has caused trouble before—why did you perform a divination on her marriage?""She rarely asks me for divinations. I was worried she might end up with someone unworthy of h
"It was my poor judgment that led me to take in a traitor to my sect," Brian said, his voice heavy with regret. "Because of my mistake, my apprentices and I have been trapped here for hundreds of years." Resentment flickered in his eyes, but he struggled to suppress it."I don't know where he learned the Decatorian Way," he continued. "You and I are both arcane seekers, so you must understand—the resentment lingers even after Decator energy dissipates. He deliberately stoked our bitterness to ensure an Earthbound Manifestation would form after our deaths."Aria regarded him intently. "I thought his manipulation of souls would reveal his motives to you. Wouldn't that realization free you from his control?""The plaque you carry plays a significant role," Brian admitted after a pause. "But that's only part of the reason. As you said, we can't let go of our resentment."His candid words made Aria lift her gaze."He knew exactly what we cared about—our regrets—and used them to provoke
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
Earlier, Aria had really wanted to keep some family ties for Georgina. After all, Georgina had given Aria all the love meant for her granddaughter, Lily. When the Kents drove her out, Aria had seen Georgina staring at a pair of handmade baby booties. She had made them herself and wanted to give them to Lily. But Karen had scorned them and did not even allow her to see the child. Aria knew Georgina still yearned to see Lily. Blood ties were different. Aria could approach everything else with logic, but not Georgina. When everyone else abandoned her, Georgina stayed. She always said, "We can't let Aria go hungry. Of course, she needs school. Whatever Aria wants, we'll save up for it. The same goes for Sam." Everyone had their weak spots, and for those they loved, anyone would surely lower their defenses. After all, they still held on to hope. Though Georgina never said it, Aria understood she'd held hope for Lily. That was why Aria had not been harsh enough with Lily. But tha
Lily definitely had not learned her mistake—there must be more to it. Though Aria had investigated, nothing turned up. Now she understood why Lily kept coming here. Aside from using Georgina's connections, she was after what was in the box. "Grandma, the first layer wasn't locked. Do you know what was inside?" Of course Georgina knew. "When the old priest gave me the box, he said anyone could read the books about medicine and the arcane in the first layer, especially you. They were all rare copies." Everything suddenly connected in Aria's mind. No wonder Lily's skills seemed endless; this explained it. Aria turned to Georgina. She preferred to be direct, so she said, "Grandma, I think I know who took them. Recently, a few people visited your place, but there was one you knew well—Lily. She's been using these medical texts to treat people. "Her medical skills are fine, but I worry she's misusing the arcane books for personal gain." Georgina swayed slightly at these words. Li