"At last, I have found you." A deep voice from behind interrupted the manager mid-sentence.The restaurant went quiet when he arrived.The manager's face went pale. "Evil Wolf?"She knew him, and the fear in her eyes was unmistakable.Evil Wolf shot her a look. "Ah, someone I know? Don't sweat it. I'm not here for you. You're not on my radar, so stay cool. Just don't get in my way."The manager was quick to agree. "Lord Wolf, you have my word. I'll turn a blind eye to whatever happens.""Good girl," Evil Wolf said and gave her a thumbs up.His eyes locked onto Ashton as if he was worried he might slip away again."You need something from me?" Ashton asked. He vaguely remembered the guy—he had been jeering when he helped that old man. However, Ashton did not care enough to remember him well.Evil Wolf rubbed his chin. His eyes gleamed with greed as he looked at Kendra and Cassia."Seeing the company you keep, with their soft, smooth skin, you must be loaded, huh?" he asked."
After all, the information exchange would offend no one. As for the gold nugget? Champions Village's peak season was worth two months of work. The elder and the two youngsters went upstairs and knocked on Ashton's door."Enter," someone said in a deep voice.The old man entered politely, his eyes briefly registering surprise. The young man and two women before him were so beautiful they seemed otherworldly. It seemed unlikely that one of those youths had sent a man plummeting into the earth."And who might you be?" Ashton asked casually. He continued to enjoy his meal as he turned to greet the newcomers at the door.The elder's face broke into a wide grin. "Greetings, sir. Allow me to introduce myself. I hail from Alara, and my name is Solax. These two are my apprentices, Kevar and Kelma.""People from Alara?" Kendra frowned, indicating a negative first impression of the people from that country.Cassia remained nonchalant.Ashton casually asked, "What brings you here?"Solax s
"Welcome to the Green Vine Club's finest offerings, Mister Levin. Please, enjoy to your heart's content," Solax said, beaming.His two young apprentices knelt at the side, unfazed by the scene, as if it was just another day at the office.Alara had a clear hierarchy—the strong ruled and enjoyed their power, and no one dared criticize them. Thus, whatever happened in public was accepted as normal."Where's the manager?"Ashton was not interested in the women."Just a moment, Mister Levin. We have a bit of a queue, and we need to serve everyone in turn. Make yourself comfortable, and I'll bring the manager once he's finished with the other cultivators," Solax said, then signaled his apprentices to hurry out.Ashton was left in the room with the two scantily clad maids."Sir, I am Snow Aerwynn, and this is my sister, Blossom Aerwynn. We are at your service, untouched and pure," the woman in the flowing white robe said with a hint of an accent.Her sister in the soft pink robe nodd
Fajar's smile slowly faded, replaced by a stern, icy aura."Are all Lindorm cultivators so proud? You should expect some surprises if you want to test your skills. You don't agree? Or is your vision too narrow to see that? What's the big deal about the killing? Commoners' lives are disposable. Every cultivator has hundreds or thousands of body counts. You've never killed anyone?"Fajar sneered. "You have a candidate right next to you. Why not use her for a little target practice?"He meant Snow Aerwynn.Snow's face was blank, her fear gone. Her spark faded as she stared at her sister's corpse.Without parents, the sisters had only each other. Their bond and reliance were beyond what most could fathom."Practicing on mere mortals? That's just dull," Ashton said as he looked at Fajar."Really?" Fajar's eyebrows lifted in mock surprise."Why don't I spar with your warrior? He seems skilled with his blade, quick on his feet," Ashton said with a hint of a smirk.The warrior's grip
Suprone was the Guardian Choplain's revered disciple, their nation's and order's shining Golden Warrior, destined to challenge for the Sword Saint's title.Yet, a simple snap of the fingers killed him?"Killing him was no different from swatting a fly. So why act like you're all-powerful when you're not? Always talking about ordinary people as if you're some deity in charge of the cosmos, blind to the fact that to others, you're just another bug." Ashton shook his head, his tone dismissive, as if he had merely brushed away a speck of dust."Grandmaster! It looks like we are in the presence of a grandmaster. We were blind to your greatness. Our ignorance is unforgivable. Grandmaster, please, your wrath is not needed. We will provide a resolution that will meet your approval." Fajar, ever the adaptable leader, quickly assessed his opponent's strength. He apologized to avert any further loss of control over the situation."Absolutely! We have offended a grandmaster. I'll report this a
Snow Aerwynn's heart leaped to her throat, and she almost shrieked. Her hand flew to her mouth to stifle the sound. Her cheeks blazed with color as she stood there, a picture of startled grace."Mister Levin, are you okay?"Madam Keira took care of my sister's last rites. Life is as fleeting as a dandelion in the wind for folks like us. We never imagined someone would stand up for us, especially in death. You have a golden heart, Mister Levin. I used to call you Mister Gentleman in my head."Her cheeks deepened to a shade of crimson at the confession."I've always known that my sister and I could be gone in the blink of an eye. But when the moment hit, I could not face it. But I found peace when you defeated that warrior. I will live my best life, and for my sister, too."Mister Gentleman? You—"Snow Aerwynn noticed his inaction.Ashton was petrified. It was as if his spirit had left him unable to speak, move, or summon strength. A primal fear gripped him.At a time like that,
"He gave you that cultivator?" Alora's face showed shock and disbelief."Ashton knew I was looking for a cultivator, so he sent one my way. It's really that simple," Ophelia said casually.She was deeply grateful. She was surprised that Ashton sent a cultivator to her so easily. His action had put the Latham family in third place. She owed him and knew she had to make amends, probably through Yanne.It was just a deal, right? She owed him nothing more.Ophelia reassured herself with those thoughts."Okay, Alora, I have to head back."As Ophelia turned to leave, Alora grabbed her from behind."Ow, Alora! What's the big idea? That hurts." Ophelia winced."Where's Ashton? I need to talk to him." Alora demanded; her breaths were quick and uneven."How should I know? His phone is off. I can't track him down," Ophelia said as she pulled away.He was unreachable when she tried to call to thank the mysterious powerhouse who had elevated the Latham family. She could not read minds, so
Ashton stared at her, dumbfounded. Then, a sly smirk crept across his face. "You're not serious, are you?""What?"Alora stared at Ashton silently; her forehead pulsed with frustration."Ophelia is Yanne's good friend. She has been a huge help to Yanne lately, and I owed her one. So, I helped her. What's the big deal? You think I want to get under your skin? You think you're worth that kind of effort? I don't waste my time on pointless things. You should know that by now."Alora gaped. "All this just because she was there for Yanne?""What else? I'm always there for my friends and family," Ashton said, his smile easy and unfazed."What about me?" Alora's face froze in shock. "Was I not the one you cherished above all others?""Yes, you were," Ashton replied, his voice steady. "Can you honestly say I didn't treat you kindly and fairly back then?"Alora was speechless; her arguments slipped away.After a tense pause, she found her voice again. "You're so powerful, yet you kept e