Chapter one hundred and fifty five; Ancient blades As Chris sat down to study the first of the two ancient books Sinclair had given him, he felt a sense of anticipation. The book was bound in dark, weathered leather, its edges worn smooth by the passage of time. The cover bore intricate designs—swirling patterns that seemed to shimmer faintly in the light, hinting at the secrets within. The title, written in an ancient script, was barely legible, but Chris could make out the words: ‘Ancient Blades: A Compendium of Historical Swords and Weapons' He opened the book carefully, the pages brittle with age. The first few pages were filled with dense text, written in the same ancient script. As he read, he realized the book was a comprehensive guide to cultivation weapons, there are artifacts imbued with powerful energies that grew stronger with their wielder. These weapons were not merely tools; they were extensions of the cultivator's soul, evolving as their master did, unlocking n
Chapter One hundred and Fifty Six, Aegis; the guardians blade. The second book that Chris opened was slightly smaller than the first, but no less imposing. It was bound in a deep, midnight blue leather, with silver inlays tracing out symbols of protection and power. The title, embossed in a metallic sheen, read 'Enchanted Arms: Mystical and Cursed Weapons Through the Ages.'Although there were a lot of other swords, Chris glanced through them until he came to a page that interested him. It read, ‘The Chronicles of the Sword of Aegis: The Guardian's Blade.’Chris felt a strange sense of familiarity as he turned the cover, as if the book itself held some hidden connection to him. That page of the book was filled with lore, describing the origin of the Sword of Aegis. Forged in the celestial fires of a dying star by the ancient Guardians, the sword was said to be a relic of immense power, designed to protect its wielder and those they swore to defend. Unlike other cultivation weapo
Chapter one hundred and fifty seven; Disgracing your wife. The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Chris descended the staircase, heading for the door to start his day. He had his usual calm demeanor, his mind already buzzing with the tasks that awaited him at work. As he reached the bottom of the stairs, however, Eleanor was waiting for him, her arms crossed and a critical look on her face. It was clear from her expression that she had something on her mind, and Chris braced himself for whatever she was about to say. "Chris, we need to talk," Eleanor began, her voice firm but laced with the kind of concern that only a mother could muster. “You cannot keep going out in public dressed like this. It's embarrassing, not just for you, but for Stephnay as well, it’s disgraceful for her.” Chris looked down at his outfit. He was dressed in his a plain button down shirt that he had bought from a convenient store the other day and a pair of slacks that, while comfortable, were f
Chapter one hundred and fifty nine; shopping for her husband Stephnay stood at the top of the staircase, her hand resting on the polished wooden railing as she listened to her mother's voice echo through the house. Eleanor was berating Chris about his clothes again, particularly urging him to buy something suitable for the upcoming elite barbecue getaway. Stephnay felt a pang of guilt as she realized the truth behind her mother’s words. Chris had used nearly all the money he’d earned from his new job and probably his credit score to buy her designer dresses, and now he might not have enough left to buy anything for himself. Her heart ached at the thought of Chris sacrificing so much for her, especially when it came to something as simple as clothes. She knew how much appearances mattered in their world, and the idea that Chris might be struggling to keep up with those expectations because of her made her feel terrible. She wanted to do something for him, something special. An
Chapter one hundred and fifty nine; her husband’s mannequin Stephnay’s eyes drifted to the left side of the boutique, and she spotted a young man who seemed to be in his early to late twenties. He had a similar build to Chris—neither too slim nor too bulky, a balanced physique that spoke of strength without excess. The man’s body had a subtle, athletic shape, as if he worked out just enough to maintain a toned appearance without overdoing it. His clothes fit him well, highlighting his broad shoulders and trim waist, much like how Chris’s clothes would fit when he wasn’t in his usual thrifted attire. The main difference between this man and Chris, however, was in their faces. While Chris had a clean-shaven, almost boyish look, this man sported a neatly trimmed beard that added a touch of ruggedness to his features. His facial structure was different too, with a slightly sharper jawline and more angular cheekbones. But in terms of height, build, and general physique, they were st
Chapter one hundred and sixty; Stephnay surprised Chris The evening air was cool and comforting as Chris arrived home, his body weary from a long day at work. The hustle and bustle of the office and the financial institute had drained him, but as soon as he stepped through the front door, a wave of warmth and happiness washed over him. The house was filled with the aroma of a hearty meal, and he could hear Stephnay humming softly in the kitchen. He dropped his briefcase by the door and made his way to the living room, where he was greeted by Stephnay’s radiant smile. She looked up from where she was arranging the dining table, her eyes twinkling with a mix of excitement and nervousness. “Welcome home,” she said, her voice soft but full of affection. “I’m glad you’re back.” Chris returned her smile, feeling a surge of gratitude for her presence. “Thanks, Stephnay. It’s been a long day.” Without missing a beat, Stephnay walked over to him and took his hand, leading him towar
Chapter one hundred and sixty one; launching of Sterling horizon capital The day had arrived, and Sterling Horizon Capital’s grand launch was the talk of the town. As the sun bathed the city in a golden glow, the event promised to be nothing short of spectacular. The venue was a lavish ballroom, exquisitely decorated to reflect the grandeur of the occasion. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft, shimmering light over the sea of elegantly dressed guests.Sandra Philips was the star of the show. Her entrance had turned heads and drawn admiring glances from everyone in the room. She wore a stunning deep navy blue gown that flowed effortlessly as she moved. The dress was a masterpiece of design, with intricate beadwork that sparkled under the lights and a sleek silhouette that accentuated her graceful figure. The gown’s off-the-shoulder neckline and tailored bodice highlighted her poise and confidence. Her hair was styled in soft waves, cascading down her back, an
Chapter one hundred and sixty two; Jerry snubbed by Sandra. The days following the launch of Sterling Horizon Capital were a whirlwind of activity. Sandra Philips found herself in the center of a maelstrom of attention. The success of the new financial institution had surpassed all expectations, and the buzz surrounding it had brought a flood of new opportunities. Investors, entrepreneurs, and high-profile figures from various industries were all clamoring to meet her, eager to establish connections and explore potential partnerships.Sandra handled it all with the grace and professionalism that had become her hallmark. Each day, she met with influential individuals and carefully navigated the complex web of business dealings that came with her newfound position. However, behind the scenes, there was more to her decision-making process than anyone realized. Despite the outward appearance of autonomy, Sandra was not operating alone. Every major decision, every potential partnershi