The room was filled with a collective gasp, and despair flickered in everyone’s eyes.
They had hoped for a chance to connect with Titan Holdings, even if it was just through an introduction by Mr. Clark.
But this was the Duffy family’s heiress they were dealing with!
Setting aside her position among Asura Palace’s top brass and her connection to The Raven King, the sheer weight of the Duffy family’s legacy alone was enough to overshadow the Clark family.
After all, the Clark family had only risen to prominence in the past twenty years. Before that, they were just an ordinary family in Slatin.
Even with two deputy commanders and a Greater Sovereign son in their ranks, Lila Duffy wasn’t someone who could be swayed by their influence.
Why?
Because the Duffy family’s history stretched back over a thousand years. Their ancestors had followed the emperor in relocating the capital to the south, building a legacy that few could rival today.
Titan Holdings had always operated overseas, and all anyone knew about them were the legends circulating in whispers.
Lila Duffy’s position at Asura Palace was a testament to its unrivaled strength and further proof of The Raven King’s terrifying influence.
And it made sense. The Raven King was a Blademaster Semi Earthly Sovereign, capable of holding his own against an Adept Earthly Sovereign. It was only natural for someone like Lila Duffy to work under him.
“Honestly, I was just thinking of using their representative to get closer to The Raven King,” someone sighed.
“Now it seems absolutely impossible!”
“Forget meeting The Raven King-I’d be lucky to even catch a glimpse of Lila Duffy. Only someone at General Yves Yancey’s level could hope to have a conversation with The Raven King…”
Ryland Ambrose shook his head with a bitter smile.
Paxton said nothing, but the sentiment was clear.
Even someone like Dario Bragg struggled to reach such heights, and Semi Earthly Sovereigns were as rare as phoenix feathers.
Paxton had discussed this with many prominent figures in the cultivation world. They all agreed that even someone as exceptionally gifted as Vicente Clark would need twenty years-and the aid of rare, body-tempering elixirs-to reach The Raven King’s level.
Otherwise, it might never happen in his lifetime.
The path of cultivation became exponentially harder the higher one climbed.
This was why Paxton had swallowed his pride for the sake of obtaining the medical tome from Flynn.
Still, Vicente Clark’s accomplishments at the age of just twenty-six were enough to fill him with pride.
One step at a time, he thought, his eyes brimming with both expectation and wistfulness.
Abandoning Adrianna, that lowly, mysterious woman, had been a wise decision.
He shuddered at the thought of what his life would have been like if Flynn had been his legitimate son. It would have been a disgraceful mess.
The Clark family’s reputation would have been utterly ruined!
On the way to the Grand Elysium Hotel, Vicente Clark had told him plainly that Flynn was nothing but a waste of space.
Even with the medical tome in his possession, he had barely reached the Grandmaster level.
Useless! Completely useless!
This only further proved how lowly Adrianna was. It was only by combining her bloodline with the noble lineage of the Clark family that such a failure of a child could be born.
Tessa Watson, on the other hand, was a true match. A life partner, even in death.
Adrianna? She wasn’t even worthy of being buried in the Clark family’s ancestral tomb.
“Mr. Ambrose,” Paxton said with a patronizing tone, “don’t aim too high. Be content with what you have. Your family is already in Slatin’s top ten. Focus on managing your own domain, and things will naturally improve over time.”
“You’re absolutely right, Mr. Clark,” Ryland Ambrose replied awkwardly, forcing a smile. He admitted to himself that his ambitions might have been too grand.
Still, he couldn’t help but sigh. “I just feel that if Titan Holdings establishes a foothold in Slatin, it would be an incredible opportunity to align with them.”
“After all, these past few days, so many forces have been pouring into Slatin. Even companies from small places like Niarak are coming here to try their luck.”
“It’s got me itching to make a move as well.”
“Niarak?” Layla frowned. “Mr. Ambrose, which company are you referring to?”
Ryland chuckled, his eyes gleaming with disdain. “The one making all the noise recently-Sharp’s Group.”
“They even contacted my secretary last night, trying to buy one of my pharmaceutical companies.”
“I didn’t even bother taking the call.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
“Ah, the CEOs of small-town companies really haven’t seen the world, have they?”
“Exactly. They make a billion or two in some business deal and suddenly think they can aim for the stars? Rose has a long way to go!”
“This world isn’t just about money. If you want to earn respect, you need connections and status.”
Heads shook all around. Rose’s ambitions seemed even bigger than Ryland Ambrose’s.
In this room, who didn’t surpass Rose in wealth or connections?
She thought she could just buy whatever she wanted?
Did she think she was Titan Holdings?
If people refused to sell to her, what could she do?
She’d better stay put in Niarak instead of dreaming of competing in Slatin. Did she even have what it took?
Layla shook her head too.
Being from Slatin herself, she knew how deep its waters ran. Everyone here worked in tight-knit circles, just like the people in this room-vassals of the Clark family who would never allow outsiders to intrude.
Of course, Titan Holdings was an exception.
They couldn’t stop them.
But as for Rose? She didn’t stand a chance.
…
After leaving the Kaur family, Flynn returned to Thodell Mansion for a meal. He loaded the iron meteorite and the Dragonsfire Cauldron onto his truck, grabbed a reclining chair, and headed straight for Jade Dragon Mountain.
Today, he planned to refine the iron meteorite.
Just as he set off, Callie Pearce called him.
Flynn chuckled. “Found more information about my mother?”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, followed by a disappointed voice. “Mr. Clark, can’t I call you without having news to share?”
Hearing the hurt in her voice, Flynn hesitated before quickly softening his tone.
“Of course you can. What’s the matter?”
“Well, my father has taken the Blades to the West Haralu Desert,” she explained.
“The military district competition is about to start, and he’d like you to give a motivational speech to boost their morale.”
“Even Clayton and the others begged me to ask you for some encouragement.”
Flynn paused, remembering the military district competition.
“Oh… Right. Time flies. It’s finally time to see how much progress those boys have made.”
“Do they really still need my encouragement? Are they that nervous?”
Callie’s voice turned playful. “It’s not about that. They want you to witness this moment of glory with them.”
“With your support, they’ll feel even more confident.”
“Alright,” Flynn agreed. “I’m heading to Jade Dragon Mountain. Let’s meet at the summit.”
The last time he’d visited The Edge Facility, Mr. Davies had mentioned a military exercise taking place in three days and had even begged him to join.
Flynn had declined, especially since Lyra would also be attending. He wanted no part of it.
Still, as their mentor, he felt a responsibility to check in on The Edge’s team.
Upon arriving at the mountain’s base, Flynn gathered some firewood and carried it up the trail.
Halfway up, his phone buzzed-it was Nathan.
Flynn had texted him earlier while at the Kaur family, asking about Isaac Smith and Zion Watson’s movements.
He’d been surprised when Nathan didn’t immediately call back, as he usually did.
The delay had made Flynn cautious about reaching out directly, fearing Nathan might be near Isaac Smith or Zion Watson and risk giving away their surveillance.
But now that Nathan was calling, it had to be important.
Flynn quickly answered.