Kayden’s eyes narrowed to slits. He had no impression of these hidden sects-he had never heard of them.
On the battlefield, he only fought wars. He paid no attention to the secretive families and sects of Seclela. The name “The Nightshade” was completely foreign to him. If not for Hellblazer killing Flood, he wouldn’t have cared about these sectarian matters at all.
But now, The Nightshade had surfaced, and it was clear Hellblazer had been playing a long and dangerous game. The more Kayden thought about it, the more unsettling it became.
They had come for the John family, wanting them to submit and work under their command. But the question was-what were they planning?
Killing their own subordinates while trying to recruit more followers to build their power. Was this a bid for independence?
The thought struck Kayden like lightning, leaving him momentarily dazed. Hellblazer had existed for a thousand years, hailed as a national guardian sect. If a millennia-old guardian sect like that sought independence, it could spell disaster.
But now that he knew their intentions, there was no way he would let them succeed.
Even if they had prepared meticulously, Kayden would never allow anyone to rampage through Seclela unchecked.
“What does this Nightshade do?” Kayden asked coldly, his face dark.
Before Lucy could answer, Memphis John stepped in. “It’s a hidden sect. Rumor has it that its master is an extraordinary figure-some say he’s lived for over two hundred years.”
Anyone capable of founding their own sect would undoubtedly be at the Master level. If they were merely at the Grand level, their sect would quickly be swallowed by others.
So it wasn’t surprising that The Nightshade’s leader was a Master-level figure.
Memphis John knew so much because his social circle was far removed from that of ordinary people. To regular folk, the mention of names like The Nightshade or Hermit would draw nothing but skepticism and ridicule.
But Memphis John was a man of high status and influence. He had learned a great deal about these hidden practitioners over the years. He knew most of them lived in secrecy, rarely showing themselves. Those who did emerge were often low-level practitioners-but even these were invincible in the mundane world.
Lucy picked up where he left off. “That’s right. The Nightshade’s leader is indeed a reclusive master. But he’s long withdrawn from worldly affairs, living deep in the mountains. Even within The Nightshade, only a handful have ever seen him.”
She paused, her brows furrowing. “However… the sect’s rules are extremely strict. Normally, The Nightshade wouldn’t interfere in worldly matters. I can’t understand why they’d do something like this.”
Lucy spoke with a hint of disbelief, as if she herself couldn’t fully accept the situation.
“How do you know so much?” Kayden’s piercing gaze shifted to Lucy.
She let out a soft sigh, her expression tinged with melancholy. “Because I came from The Nightshade.”
Her words sent a shockwave through the room. Everyone froze, their hearts tightening. No one had expected Lucy to be connected to this almost mythical sect.
Lucy noticed the stunned expressions on Memphis John and the others. “When the old master brought me back, I was covered in wounds-all thanks to The Nightshade. Yes, they are powerful. But they are also terrifying demons.”
“The higher-ups in The Nightshade only know how to drain the lower ranks. To survive there, you must fight your way up. Otherwise, endless darkness awaits you.”
As she finished speaking, her gaze grew sharp and fierce, her eyes brimming with untold stories.
Lucy was only in her early thirties, yet she had reached the Grand level. For a woman of her age to achieve such a rank, the effort she must have put in was unimaginable.
Kayden understood all too well what it took to ascend to the Grand level. It wasn’t just about transformation-it involved enduring pain beyond what most could bear.
Back when his master had trained him, the agony nearly killed him. If not for years of hellish treatment and the memory of his parents’ deaths driving him forward, he might have succumbed.
It was hatred-pure, searing hatred-that had kept him alive.
Kayden’s expression grew complicated as he recalled those days. Lucy, noticing his reaction, continued:
“Dr. Scott, The Nightshade won’t let this go, especially with Mags involved.”
“The four brothers you killed were part of Mags’ forces. She’s ruthless, vengeful, and doesn’t play by the rules. She won’t confront you directly, but she’ll destroy everything you care about.”
Kayden nodded slightly. Then he asked, “This Mags you mentioned-does she wear a red dress? Slender, alluring?”
Lucy nodded repeatedly. “Yes, that’s her. She’s the most beautiful woman in The Nightshade-and the most venomous. She uses her beauty to manipulate and sow chaos within the sect. Everything I’ve endured to get to where I am today-I owe it all to her.”
As she spoke, flames of hatred flickered in her eyes once more.
“So, Dr. Scott, if you have family, you should protect them first. Mags won’t harm you directly, but she’ll stop at nothing to target the people closest to you.”
Kayden nodded again, his voice calm but resolute. “You don’t need to worry about that. I’ll personally destroy The Nightshade.”
Lucy gasped, doubting her ears. Destroy The Nightshade? That sounded far too ambitious.
The Nightshade wasn’t an elite sect, sure-but it wasn’t weak either. For Kayden to claim he’d destroy them outright seemed nearly impossible.
Kayden was strong, yes, but The Nightshade had thousands of disciples-practitioners trained in combat. Even a Master-level Hermit like him couldn’t withstand their sheer numbers.
And then there was their leader, a man who had lived for over two centuries.
Lucy opened her mouth to speak, but before she could, dizziness overtook her. Within seconds, she collapsed to the ground.
“Lucy! Lucy!” Memphis John shouted in alarm, rushing to her side.
“She’s fine,” Kayden said casually. “The medicine is kicking in. Let her rest.”
Memphis John hesitated, then nodded and ordered someone to carry Lucy to another room.
“Dr. Scott, is there a specific reason you’re after that woman?” Memphis John asked once Lucy was gone.
He had his suspicions but didn’t dare voice them.
Kayden nodded. “Yes. She captured one of my subordinates. The Nightshade is no longer what it used to be-they’ve been manipulated, turned into someone else’s pawns.”
As he spoke, Kayden’s eyes burned crimson, his expression feral, as if he were ready to devour his enemies whole.
Then, with chilling finality, he said:
“The Nightshade’s end has come.”