“Finished.”
After another hour, Billy got up from the bed and began removing the silver needles from Casey’s body one by one.
“Thanks, boss!” Casey opened his eyes and spoke gratefully. With Billy’s help, Casey’s injuries were already about 70-80% healed. Aside from a slightly irregular breathing pattern, there were no other abnormalities left.
“You and Felicia go freshen up. We’ll be waiting outside,” Billy nodded slightly and led the group out. After several tens of minutes, Casey and Felicia walked hand in hand into the council chamber. Judging from their appearance, it was clear that their relationship had taken a big step forward.
“Tsk tsk, Casey, you’re really flaunting it, huh?” Soul Chaser clicked his tongue in jest.
“Soul Chaser, are you just jealous?” Felicia playfully retorted.
“Casey, have you already broken through to the fourth rank?” Azure Fang asked with a hint of surprise. He himself was currently at the third rank, but he couldn’t sense any martial aura from Casey, indicating that Casey was above him.
“Yeah!” Casey smiled faintly. “A few days ago, while I was cultivating at home, I luckily seized an opportunity.”
“Tsk tsk, Casey, you’re incredible! Going back home and breaking through a rank in just a short time!” Judge remarked with emotion.
“Casey, Felicia, how do you both feel?” Harleen asked, concerned about their physical conditions.
“Harleen, we’re fine!” Felicia shook her head and then looked at Billy, saying, “Thank you, Billy!”
“Alright, spill the beans! What’s the whole story?” After nodding slightly, Billy turned to Casey and asked. As for Casey’s breakthrough to the fourth rank, he had already discovered it when he was helping Casey heal earlier. Billy wasn’t surprised at all. Given the resources of Casey’s family, it was a piece of cake for him to break through a rank in just a few days.
“Let me explain!” Felicia spoke up. She then proceeded to describe the whole situation in detail. After listening to her, Billy and the others finally understood. Casey had been betrothed to a girl from an ancient hidden sect since he was a child, when he was around five or six years old. However, as Casey grew up, he had always been resistant to this arrangement because he didn’t have feelings for the girl. But due to family pressure, he couldn’t cancel the engagement for the time being. That was also the reason why he couldn’t wholeheartedly accept Felicia before this. This time, he decided to bring Felicia home to confront his family. Coincidentally, they encountered the girl’s entourage from the family at the Kimmons residence, who had come to discuss the marriage.
The girl left in anger, leaving behind harsh words, making it clear that Casey and Felicia wouldn’t have it easy. After staying at home for a few days, Casey and Felicia returned to Ozin. But as soon as they arrived this morning, they were ambushed. The attackers were two elderly men in their sixties and seventies, both with formidable skills. One was a seventh-rank Sovereign, and the other was a late-stage sixth-rank. A conflict ensued between the two sides.
The attackers had a clear objective: to take Felicia’s life.
Due to the huge difference in cultivation levels, Casey and Felicia couldn’t hold on for more than a few minutes before they were both injured. In the end, when the attackers were about to strike a fatal blow at Felicia, Casey took the hit for her, resulting in his severe injuries and unconsciousness. At that moment, a group of SHADOW brothers, who happened to be patrolling nearby, arrived. Perhaps it was because they accidentally inflicted serious injuries on Casey, or maybe there were other reasons, when the SHADOW brothers arrived, the attackers didn’t stay any longer and quickly fled.
“Casey, so you actually have a betrothed?” Stout looked at Casey and asked, “Who’s the young lady from the prestigious family?”
“Meskill.” Casey uttered a word, catching everyone’s attention.
“What… what do you mean?” Stout seemed a bit confused.
Azure Dragon couldn’t help but exclaim, “Casey, you’re not telling us that your betrothed is the daughter of the Meskill family, right?”
Upon hearing Azure Dragon’s words, a gasp filled the hall, and several people wore expressions of shock.
“Darling, is the Meskill family a prestigious ancient martial arts family? Are they powerful?” Harleen turned to Billy and asked.
Rakshasa, Judge, and Soul Chaser, who were not very familiar with the martial arts world, also looked over, as they had never heard of the Meskill family before.
“Ms Knight, you must have heard of the Ravenwood family, right? The ancient lineage that Boss inherited?” Without waiting for Billy to respond, Stout chimed in.
“I heard about it when we were at Ether Mountain!” Harleen nodded and continued, “They say the Ravenwood family is one of the oldest families in Glavale, with a lineage that dates back to the beginning of Glavale!”
“That’s right!” Stout nodded and added, “The Meskill family’s lineage is no less than that of Ravenwood.”
“Like the Ravenwood family, the Meskill family mostly leads a secluded life, almost completely detached from the mundane world. Even in the martial arts world, their interactions are limited, so they are not well-known to outsiders. But anyone who knows of their existence wouldn’t dare to overlook them!”
“Stout, how powerful are these ancient families? Are they really strong?” Rakshasa asked.
“I don’t know the specifics.” Stout shook his head and added, “But my grandfather once mentioned that true ancient families likely surpass even the super sects in terms of power.”
“That impressive?” Rakshasa was slightly surprised.
Harleen and the others also wore expressions of astonishment, clearly not expecting Casey’s betrothed to come from such a prominent family.
“Casey, is it true that your betrothed is really the daughter of the Feng family?” Vermilion Bird looked at Casey and asked.
“The head of the Meskill family has a pair of twin daughters, and it’s the younger sister that I’m betrothed to.” Casey replied, shaking his head.
“Casey, I’m curious, if even the second miss of the Meskill family is betrothed to you, then what kind of background does your family have?” Stout spoke up again. Having only been with Billy for a short time, Stout wasn’t familiar with Casey’s background. But he knew that ancient families like the Meskill family had an inherent sense of superiority and often limited their choices of marriage partners to families of the same status, looking down upon others. Especially for young women, it was difficult for them to find suitable partners and many would rather stay single than marry into a weaker family or faction. So, in such an ancient family, for Casey to be betrothed to the second miss of the Meskill family, there was no doubt that Casey’s background was extraordinary.
“Casey, could it be that you’re also from an ancient family?” Rakshasa’s face was filled with curiosity.