The helicopter's door slid open, commanding everyone's attention. I narrowed my eyes against the whipping wind as a young man stepped out, his movents deliberate and unhurried.
He couldn't have been older than twenty-five, with sharp features and an air of absolute entitlent. His tailored black suit looked obscenely out of place among our weather-worn cultivation gear. Behind him followed two elderly n, both radiating the unmistakable aura of Third Rank Grandmasters.
"That's impossible," Conrad whispered beside .
I knew what had shocked him. Despite his youth, the newcor's energy signature clearly marked him as an Inner Strength Master—a level that typically took decades to achieve.
"Who is he?" I asked Evelyn, keeping my voice low.
She frowned slightly. "lvin Blackthorne. He's from a branch of the Blackthorne Family of Veridia City."
My stomach tightened at the na. The Blackthorne Family was legendary—and not in a good way. Even in Havenwood City, their reputation for ruthlessness was well-known.
"Branch family?" I clarified.
"Yes," Evelyn nodded. "But don't be fooled. Even their branch mbers command more resources than most main families in smaller cities."
lvin surveyed the crowd with obvious disdain, his gaze sweeping over us like we were insects beneath his notice. The rotors of the helicopter slowed to a stop, allowing his voice to carry easily across the clearing.
"I see we have quite the gathering of..." He paused, lips curling into a smirk. "...aspirants."
The word dripped with condescension.
"Let be direct," he continued. "I'm here for the Divine dicine. The Blackthorne Family has claid it."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. A young man near the front—barely more than a boy—stepped forward.
"You can't just claim it," he protested. "We all have equal right to compete—"
He never finished his sentence.
One of the elderly Grandmasters moved with blinding speed. A flash of energy, a spray of blood, and the young man collapsed, his chest caved in.
"Anyone else wish to dispute the Blackthorne Family's claim?" lvin asked casually, as if discussing the weather rather than standing over a cooling corpse.
Silence fell like a shroud.
I clenched my fists, disgusted by the casual brutality and the crowd's imdiate submission. These were supposedly powerful cultivators, yet they cowered before a family na.
"Pathetic," I muttered to Conrad.
"Careful," he warned. "The Blackthornes aren't to be trifled with."
Before I could respond, Dirk Buchanan pushed his way forward, bowing deeply to lvin. My V&irtu-a l* L!ibrary# E-m.pi%r%e (*) h.o@s ts the or%i$gin^a@l$.
"Young Master Blackthorne," he gushed, "what an honor to have you join us. I'm Dirk Buchanan of the Northern Cultivation Alliance."
lvin barely glanced at him. "And?"
Dirk's smile faltered only slightly. "And I wanted to assure you of our complete cooperation. We would never stand against the illustrious Blackthorne Family's interests."
I nearly vomited at the display. But Dirk wasn't done.
"In fact," he continued eagerly, "many of us would be honored to assist you in securing the Divine dicine."
Others quickly followed his lead, offering their services, pledging allegiance, betraying their own ambitions in the face of greater power.
"Are they serious?" I whispered to Conrad. "After all the preparation, they're just going to hand it over?"
"That's how it works when a major family gets involved," Conrad replied grimly. "Better to curry favor than make enemies."
I shook my head. "Not for ."
lvin seed satisfied with the show of subservience. "Very good. At least so of you understand your place." His eyes scanned the crowd again. "Now, I'm looking for soone in particular. I believe he's here."
My instincts flared a warning.
"A man nad Liam Knight," lvin announced.
The blood in my veins turned to ice.
Dirk's face lit up with malicious glee. He imdiately pointed in my direction. "He's right there, Young Master Blackthorne! That's Liam Knight!"
All eyes turned to . I kept my expression neutral despite the fury building in my chest.
"Stay calm," Evelyn whispered beside . "Rember who you're dealing with."
lvin approached, his two Grandmaster shadows following closely behind. The crowd parted before him like water.
"So, you're Liam Knight," he said, looking up and down with obvious disappointnt. "Hardly impressive."
I t his gaze without flinching. "And you're lvin Blackthorne. Equally unimpressive."
The crowd gasped. One of the Grandmasters took a threatening step forward, but lvin held up a hand to stop him.
"Bold words from a man in your position," he said, smiling thinly. "I've heard interesting things about you, Knight."
"All good, I hope," I replied coolly.
His smile widened. "Not particularly. But what intrigues most is your relationship with Isabelle Ashworth of the Ashworth Family."
The ntion of Isabelle's na sent a jolt through . I kept my face carefully blank, but my heart hamred against my ribs.
"You seem surprised that I know," lvin continued. "Did you think your little romance was a secret? My cousin Dashiell has been quite... vocal about his interest in Miss Ashworth. And about the commoner who dares to stand in his way."
So that was it. Dashiell Blackthorne—whoever he was—had his sights set on Isabelle. And now his family was targeting .
"Dashiell has been pursuing Isabelle for so ti now," lvin added casually. "He doesn't appreciate the competition."
The threat was unmistakable. The Blackthorne Family viewed as an obstacle—one they intended to remove.
I felt Conrad tensing beside , ready to act if necessary. Evelyn remained still, but I could sense her gathering her power, prepared for whatever might co next.
The crowd watched with morbid fascination. Many seed pleased to see in trouble, especially after my earlier display of "weakness" had convinced them I was no threat.
I thought of Isabelle—her smile, her strength, her unwavering faith in —and found the calm I needed.
"I'm aware of that," I replied evenly, eting lvin's gaze directly. "But what the hell does that have to do with ?"
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