lvin's face contorted with rage at my dismissive tone. The veins on his forehead bulged prominently as he stepped closer to , his aura flaring dangerously.
"You dare speak to this way?" he hissed through clenched teeth. "Do you have any idea who I am?"
I t his gaze steadily. "A man hiding behind his family na."
The two Grandmasters flanking him bristled, their energy signatures fluctuating with anger. One of them took a nacing step forward, but lvin raised his hand again to stop him.
"I'll deal with this peasant myself," lvin declared, his voice dripping with venom. "Knight, I'll make you regret every word—"
A sudden, brilliant flash of light interrupted him. We all turned to see a shimring barrier materializing around the deeper section of the mountains. The air humd with energy as translucent patterns spread across the sky.
"The Divine dicine!" soone shouted. "It's revealing itself!"
The crowd's attention imdiately shifted. Everyone, including lvin and his guards, stared in awe at the spectacle unfolding before us. The barrier pulsed with ancient power, creating ripples of ethereal light that cascaded down the mountainside.
lvin's face twisted with frustration before settling into cold determination. "This isn't over," he warned . "We'll continue our discussion after I claim what's rightfully mine."
He turned to Dirk Beaumont, who had been hovering nearby throughout our exchange. "Keep an eye on him. Don't let him escape."
Dirk's face lit up with malicious delight. "With pleasure, Young Master Blackthorne. I have my own score to settle with Knight."
As the crowd surged toward the barrier, I exhaled slowly, relief washing over . The Divine dicine's appearance had bought precious ti.
"That was incredibly stupid," Conrad muttered beside . "Antagonizing a Blackthorne? Have you lost your mind?"
"Probably," I admitted with a slight smile.
Evelyn stepped closer, concern evident in her eyes. "Liam, you need to be careful. The Blackthornes aren't known for forgiveness."
I nodded, acknowledging her warning. "I know. But I'm tired of cowering before family nas."
We moved with the crowd toward the barrier, staying slightly behind to avoid drawing further attention. As we approached, I felt a strange pull from within my jade pendant. The sensation was different from anything I'd experienced before—almost like recognition.
While everyone else was focused on the spectacle ahead, I discreetly examined the pendant. The jade seed to resonate with the barrier's energy, glowing faintly against my chest.
"What's happening?" I whispered to myself.
The pendant grew warr against my skin. Suddenly, information flooded my mind—knowledge unlocking itself from the depths of my father's inheritance. My eyes widened as I realized what I was receiving.
"The Heaven Swallowing Skill," I breathed, barely audible.
This wasn't just any technique—it was legendary, a thod to absorb and redirect energy that had been thought lost for centuries. My father had sohow possessed it, and now it was revealing itself to at the perfect mont.
Joy surged through . With this skill, I could potentially withstand even lvin's attacks. More importantly, it represented another piece of my mysterious heritage—another connection to the father I'd never known. Spоt аn еrrоr? Visit thе оriginаl pоst оn
As we neared the barrier, Reginald Talbot appeared beside us, looking sowhat haggard.
"Knight," he acknowledged with a nod. "Quite the scene you caused back there."
I shrugged. "Not intentionally."
He snorted. "Intentional or not, you've made yourself a very prominent target."
"So I've been told," I replied dryly.
The barrier ahead began to shimr more intensely. Small openings appeared at various points, large enough for people to pass through individually.
"It's selecting," Evelyn explained quietly. "The barrier will only allow those it deems worthy to enter."
The crowd pushed forward eagerly. So approached the openings only to be violently repelled, while others passed through without incident. I watched, fascinated by the ancient magic at work.
When our turn ca, I approached cautiously. The barrier pulsed as I neared it, and for a mont, I feared rejection. Then, to my surprise, the opening widened slightly, as if inviting specifically.
I stepped through, feeling a gentle warmth wash over . Conrad and Evelyn followed, both expressing surprise at the ease of our passage.
"That's unusual," Evelyn comnted. "The barrier rarely shows preference."
Inside, the environnt transford dramatically. What had appeared to be ordinary mountain terrain from outside was revealed as a lush hidden valley, filled with rare dicinal plants and bathed in soft, golden light.
"Incredible," Conrad whispered beside .
I nodded in agreent, drinking in the sight. Throughout the valley, various cultivators were already searching frantically, racing to locate the Divine dicine before others. In the distance, I could see lvin Blackthorne and his guards pushing others aside as they moved purposefully toward what appeared to be the center of the valley.
"We should spread out," I suggested to my companions. "Cover more ground."
Before they could respond, a familiar, unwelco voice cut through the air.
"Going sowhere, Knight?"
I turned to find lvin blocking our path, his expression cold and calculating. Behind him stood his two Grandmaster guards, looking eager for conflict.
"I think we have unfinished business," lvin continued. "The Divine dicine can wait a few monts while I teach you the proper respect."
I straightened my posture, feeling surprisingly calm. The Heaven Swallowing Skill humd within , ready to be tested. "What exactly do you want from , Blackthorne?"
lvin's lips curled into a cruel smile. "It's simple, really. Kneel. Apologize for your disrespect. And swear that you'll stay away from Isabelle Ashworth forever."
The demands hung in the air between us. Around us, other cultivators slowed their search, eager to witness the confrontation.
I looked at him for a long mont before laughing softly. "No."
"No?" lvin repeated incredulously. "You refuse?"
"Let be clear," I said, my voice carrying across the now-silent valley. "I won't kneel to you. I won't apologize for speaking the truth. And I certainly won't stay away from Isabelle because your cousin feels threatened by ."
lvin's face darkened with fury. "You're making a grave mistake."
"Am I?" I stepped closer, emboldened by my newly acquired skill. "Tell , lvin, with all your family's resources and connections, why is your cultivation level still so diocre? Why does your cousin need his family to fight his battles? Is talent so lacking in the great Blackthorne bloodline?"
I'd struck a nerve. lvin's face went from red to purple, his entire body trembling with rage.
"You know nothing about or my family," he snarled. "I'll kill you where you stand!"
"lvin," one of the Grandmasters cautioned, "rember your father's instructions. No unnecessary bloodshed until after we secure the Divine dicine."
For a mont, lvin seed torn between his rage and his orders. Finally, he took a deep breath, regaining so composure.
"You're right," he said to the Grandmaster. He turned to with a cold smile. "The Divine dicine takes priority. But don't worry, Knight. Your death is rely postponed."
He gestured to soone behind . "Dirk, since you're so eager to prove your loyalty, why don't you handle this insect for ? I have more important matters to attend to."
I turned to see Dirk Beaumont step forward, cracking his knuckles with obvious anticipation.
"With pleasure, Young Master Blackthorne," Dirk replied, his eyes gleaming with malice. "This ant has been irritating for far too long."
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