Layla stared at the yellowed medical book wrapped in sheepskin, her face a mixture of astonishment and disbelief.
She understood now.
Finally, she understood why the Clark family father and son had come to Niarak, why they wanted Flynn to return to the Clark family.
It was all for this book!
Had Flynn agreed to reconcile?
Was this Flynn’s trump card, the thing he relied on to defeat her in the medical competition?
Layla’s emotions grew turbulent.
It was impossible not to envy or desire it.
Who wouldn’t want this book?
Especially Layla-if she could decipher its entire contents, she could stand shoulder to shoulder with her master.
Perhaps even surpass him!
Her cultivation would also skyrocket.
Flynn’s mother truly was a remarkable woman.
Unfortunately, her origins were obscure, her personality cold, and her principles unyielding, making her unpopular with the Clark family.
Paxton noticed the longing in Layla’s eyes and exchanged a glance with his son, smiling confidently.
They had the upper hand.
Victory was assured.
“Mr. Clark, Flynn offered you this medical book in exchange for the opportunity to return to the Clark family?” Layla suddenly asked.
Paxton was momentarily stunned. “Yes, that’s correct. Why?”
He had already discussed this matter within the Kaur family. Flynn, acting aloof, had Matteo return the book on his behalf.
“Oh, I see now!”
“Layla, are you worried that Flynn’s return would make things awkward for you and Vicente?” Paxton teased.
“There’s no need for that. That pest is nothing more than an ant. Why concern yourself with his feelings?”
“Besides, I won’t allow that disgrace to rejoin the Clark family. He’s the family’s shame!”
“His very existence taints the Clark family’s bloodline!” Paxton’s expression turned cold, even showing a hint of disgust.
Years ago, despite his pleading, Adrianna refused to hand over the book.
She wasted six years of Paxton’s life and even bore a bastard child. How could he not hate her?
It was like royalty producing an offspring with a commoner-Flynn’s existence was Paxton’s blemish!
Hearing Paxton’s words, Layla couldn’t help but shake her head.
She had overestimated Flynn.
She remembered how furious and arrogant Flynn had been when their engagement was annulled.
He had sworn to bring the Clark family to ruin.
Promised to deliver a grand gift at Tessa Watson’s birthday party.
He had spoken with such conviction, so vividly.
And yet, in just three months, he had caved.
He even wanted to use the medical book to negotiate his way back into the Clark family.
How pitiful.
But who could he blame?
A man’s most important trait was his backbone.
You could be poor, but you couldn’t be spineless!
Did he think that excelling in the business world would make the Clark family respect him?
Did he not understand where the Clark family’s priorities lay?
It wasn’t about making money-it was about cultivation!
How could they ever value him?
Flynn lacked this awareness and was bound to endure such humiliation.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Clark. My heart’s been in disarray lately, and I have no interest in such matters for now,” Layla said with a faint smile, politely refusing.
Her words were half true.
Her mood had indeed been terrible-her closest friend of over a decade had betrayed her, her attempt to apprentice under Lord Valerian Nox had failed, and her business had suffered losses in the billions.
It was a disaster.
But the main reason was her deep distrust of the Clark family’s character.
Ability was important, but character mattered more.
Paxton had abandoned his wife for a medical book, earning Layla’s disdain.
Vicente Clark, on the other hand, didn’t seem to have many flaws.
Just two days ago, he had returned from the West Haralu Desert, carrying the aura of a Greater Sovereign, shaking Slatin and astonishing all of Ostrad.
For a time, all the praise in the world had been heaped upon him: a superhuman, a future member of the Dragon Ranking’s top ten, and so on.
If not for Lord Valerian Nox, Vicente Clark’s impact on Layla would have been even greater.
But after witnessing the might of Lord Valerian Nox, that awe had diminished.
It was like seeing one god after already having met another-the emotional impact just wasn’t as strong anymore.
“Why?” Vicente Clark frowned deeply, his smile stiffening.
In his mind, Layla had no reason to refuse.
In Ostrad, no woman could resist him.
The gathered nobles were equally stunned.
Layla was too proud, wasn’t she?
In Ostrad, where strength reigned supreme, Vicente Clark was, in some ways, even stronger than Layla.
And cultivation had a higher ceiling than medicine!
No matter how skilled you were in medicine, you couldn’t control the rules.
Even if she was in a bad mood, wasn’t her response a bit too blunt? Refusing on the spot?
Layla frowned slightly, her expression turning unpleasant.
Why? She had already said-she was in a bad mood and wasn’t interested in romance.
Paxton noticed Layla’s discomfort and quickly smiled. “That’s my fault for being too hasty. How about this, Layla-you can think it over.”
“We can wait and give you time!”
Even he had been surprised.
He hadn’t expected Layla to refuse outright. Even a moment of consideration would have sufficed.
But it didn’t matter. In aristocratic families, such matters were often decided by the parents.
Layla wouldn’t be an exception.
Once they returned to Slatin, they would have a proper discussion with the Woods family elders.
Faced with a superhuman ranked third on the Dragon Ranking, would the Woods family let this opportunity slip away?
Absolutely not!
When the Woods family pressured her into marriage, Layla would have no choice but to agree.
“Thank you for understanding,” Layla said with a faint smile, then asked, “Mr. Clark, are you leaving today? Why not stay for a couple more days? I’d like to extend my hospitality.”
Paxton chuckled. “Layla, we’re heading to Pelens tomorrow. We won’t be staying in Niarak any longer.”
“However, we appreciate your kindness. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future.”
“To Pelens?” Layla asked curiously.
The Clark family seemed to have no industries in Pelens, nor did they care for its nobles.
“Yes, Dario Bragg is returning to the country and has issued a challenge. He’s arranged to duel Lord Valerian Nox at Swordgate Peak in Pelens,” Paxton explained with a genial smile.
They had only just learned of this news themselves.
It was monumental.
Dario Bragg!
Half-human, half-demon-who wouldn’t want to witness the might of a Semi Earthly Sovereign?
Paxton’s son was also aiming for that realm.
Dario Bragg’s present was Vicente Clark’s future. Naturally, Paxton was eager.
He wanted to see just how powerful a Semi Earthly Sovereign could be!
Layla’s heart quivered slightly, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Clark, who do you think will win?”
The room erupted in laughter.
The question was too childish to warrant an answer.
Vicente Clark said, “Layla, have you heard of Albert Werden? Semi Greater Sovereign. Yesterday, Dario Bragg crushed him with a single slap.”
“What?!” Layla’s beautiful eyes trembled, waves of shock surging within. “Albert Werden-his strength rivaled that of a Medicine Greater Sovereign!”
“And Dario Bragg killed him with one slap?”
Vicente nodded, adding, “From ten meters away.”
“News came from the Arctic last night-Dario Bragg is now a Semi Earthly Sovereign.”
“The strongest body cultivator beneath the Earthly Sovereign!”
“They say he’s half-human, half-demon. Incredibly powerful!”
“A Semi Earthly Sovereign?!” Layla’s heart skipped a beat, disbelief washing over her.
Albert Werden’s strength rivaled that of a Medicine Greater Sovereign.
This meant Dario Bragg must have reached the peak of the Greater Sovereign realm.
Otherwise, the disparity in power wouldn’t have been so great!
“Exactly!” Vicente Clark nodded, his eyes tinged with fear.
“Dario Bragg is invincible beneath the Earthly Sovereign realm.”
“And his temperament is explosive. Albert Werden was merely late in delivering a message, and Dario Bragg killed him without a second thought. He’s completely unpredictable!”
“Rumors suggest Lord Valerian Nox is a Medicine Greater Sovereign, with strength comparable to mine.”
“But against Dario Bragg, he’s as good as dead.”
Layla drew in a sharp breath.
Her bright eyes dimmed.
Invincible beneath the Earthly Sovereign realm.
With such terrifying strength, what could Lord Valerian Nox possibly use to oppose him?