As the eting concluded, each individual rose from their seat and silently departed.
After hours of deliberation, the resources had finally been distributed.
Eager to return and comnce their seclusion, they wasted no ti in departing.
Before Mitchelle, a portal materialized, its swirling energy casting an ethereal glow.
Without hesitation, she stepped through, accompanied by the rest of the Null family.
In an instant, the portal sealed shut, leaving nothing but a fleeting shimr in its wake.
The Null Estate had remained silent for quite so ti.
In truth, their absence was nothing unusual.
The family had always spent most of their ti at the military base, so their sudden disappearance did not co as a surprise to the servants, they had long grown accustod to it.
During their absence, the grand castle-like estate was left in the care of the butler, who managed its affairs with unwavering diligence.
Each day, he ticulously maintained the residence, personally ensuring that every surface remained spotless, even though not a single speck of dust ever dared to settle.
At this mont, the butler was engaged in his usual routine when, without warning, his hand stilled mid-motion, his gaze sharpening as if sensing sothing amiss.
He had sensed a disturbance in space.
In an instant, he vanished.
A mont later, he reappeared on the upper floor of the grand estate, his sharp gaze fixed ahead as a swirling portal unraveled before him.
From within its depths, Anthony erged, followed by his parents and grandparents, their presence commanding an air of quiet authority.
With practiced elegance, the butler, Patrick, bowed deeply.
"Greetings, Patriarch, Matriarch, Young Master, Grand Patriarch, Grand Matriarch"
He intoned with unwavering respect.
Raising his head slightly, he continued, his voice smooth and asured.
"I trust your journey has not been too taxing?"
"Patrick, we aren't old. What taxing are you talking about?"
Mitchelle's voice carried a sharp edge, her expression unreadable, though the slight narrowing of her eyes betrayed her displeasure.
Age was always a sensitive topic, especially for won of her caliber.
Patrick rely bowed his head slightly, neither flustered nor apologetic.
Before the mont could stretch, Anthony stepped forward, his voice warm with familiarity.
"Uncle, it's been a while"
A rare smile touched Patrick's lips as he inclined his head.
"Indeed, Young Master"
His gaze swept over Anthony, assessing him with the trained eye of soone who had watched him grow.
"How was the battle?"
He already knew the details of the Starborn Tournant.
His heart had plumted when Anthony was nominated for the Bloodbath, and it had sunk even further when he erged victorious.
The Bloodbath and the Starborn Tournant were two vastly different battlegrounds, one a proving ground for prodigies, the other a ruthless slaughterhouse.
He had been torn, caught between pride and fear.
What if the Young Master had never returned?
But in the end, his worries had been aningless.
He had been powerless to change anything.
Now, seeing Anthony standing before him, unhard and very much alive, relief washed over him.
A genuine smile softened Patrick's usually composed features.
"Uncle Patrick, it was fun. But honestly, they were just too weak for a protagonist like "
Anthony declared, his tone playful yet unmistakably boastful.
Patrick chuckled, shaking his head.
"Young Master, lying isn't a good habit"
He replied with an amused smile, his knowing gaze settling on Anthony.
Before Anthony could fire back a retort, Michael's voice cut through the conversation.
"Follow , Patrick"
The weight of authority in his tone left no room for discussion.
Patrick's deanor shifted instantly, his playful ease replaced by professional composure.
"Yes, Patriarch"
He responded smoothly, bowing slightly before stepping forward to follow Michael without hesitation.
Michael intended to entrust Patrick with the distribution of the rewards to the people of the Human Domain.
Matters of logistics and distribution did not concern him, such details were far beneath his attention.
anwhile, Irene had not subjected Anthony to any healing sessions this ti.
There was no need.
Klaus had personally ensured that everyone was fully restored, his mastery over healing leaving no room for lingering wounds or fatigue.
With their work complete, Irene and her husband, Collins, departed without further delay.
Anthony, unconcerned by the affairs of the others, simply made his way to his own room, his mind already shifting toward his next course of action.
In a brightly lit room where Collins and Irene resided, the tension was sowhat 'palpable'.
Without warning, Irene's fist shot toward Collins' face.
He dodged effortlessly, his expression unreadable.
"How dare you leave
behind!"
Irene's voice rang with fury, her strikes relentless.
"What if all of you had died? The Null family would have been wiped out in an instant!"
Collins sighed, sidestepping another attack with practiced ease.
"You heard the Phoenix's words. If you had co, you would have died"
His tone was calm, but Irene was far from appeased.
"You didn't even call or send a ssage! I was in the dark the entire ti!"
She snapped, her frustration boiling over.
This ti, she didn't throw another punch.
"How was I supposed to send a ssage from light-years away?"
Collins countered, his tone laced with exasperation.
"I don't care"
Irene snapped, crossing her arms with a huff.
Collins sighed internally.
'Won are unreasonable'
Realizing there was no winning this argunt, he let out a weary breath.
"I'm sorry"
He admitted, his voice softer this ti.
"But I couldn't risk it… What am I supposed to do without you?"
His gaze t hers, and for a mont.
"Hmph… I know you'd remarry the mont I die"
Irene retorted, narrowing her eyes.
Collins chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"Calm down, calm down. I'll make it up to you tonight"
He said, a teasing smile playing on his lips.
"You better put in more effort"
Irene huffed, though her irritation vanished in an instant.
Not that she had been truly angry to begin with.
Deep down, she knew Collins had made the right choice.
But that didn't an she'd let him off easily.
"Is there anything that Phoenix omitted during his explanation?"
Irene asked as she gracefully took a seat, her gaze sharp with curiosity.
"Nothing significant"
Collins replied, settling beside her.
"They simply tried to pressure us for secrets regarding our sudden surge in strength. I warned them, there won't be a next ti"
As he spoke, he gently lifted her legs onto his lap, his hands moving with practiced ease as he began massaging her feet and calves.
Irene exhaled softly, allowing herself to relax.
"Do you think the others will make a move?"
She mused, falling into thought.
"It doesn't matter"
Collins said, his voice steady, yet laced with a chilling undertone.
"Whatever they plan… they'd best be prepared for sothing far worse from "
A faint but unmistakable trace of killing intent seeped into his words, a silent promise of devastation to any who dared challenge them.
"Stop showing off. You were nearly killed by that Eclipsian"
Irene said, amusent flickering in her eyes.
Collins scoffed.
"I won with minimal injuries. That Phoenix was just jealous he nearly died trying"
Irene rely shook her head, choosing to ignore his boasting.
"But that Klaus… I wonder how far his power truly extends"
She mused, her voice tinged with curiosity.
Collins' expression grew more serious.
"I don't really know"
He admitted.
"But I'd rather stay clear of him. I heard he lowered the cultivation ranks of the Academy professors just by releasing a fraction of his aura. That alone is an insane feat"
His eyes narrowed slightly as his thoughts drifted, lingering on the sheer terror such power could instill.
People could kill those far weaker than them simply by releasing their aura.
But forcefully lowering soone's cultivation rank, that was an entirely different level of power.
At most, experts could destroy a person's core, crippling their cultivation.
But to suppress an entire realm with re presence?
That was unheard of.
"We shouldn't offend him"
Irene concluded, her tone firm.
"At least not until we're strong enough"
Collins simply nodded in agreent, the weight of her words settling between them.
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