“Paxton, trespassing on the forbidden hill will only add to your crimes!”
“Boom!”
Carter Landford’s aura erupted like a tidal wave, sweeping across the land with devastating force. The terrifying gusts of wind sent everyone around flying.
“Utter nonsense!” Paxton shouted as he ran, glancing back. “You twist the truth! You’re the one adding crimes upon crimes!”
Vicente Clark, accompanied by several Lesser Sovereign bodyguards from the Clark family, approached Carter Landford. Though they were no match for the Greater Sovereign, their goal was to buy time for Vicente’s father to reach the mountain peak and meet Lord Valerian Nox.
A battle was on the brink of erupting. The crowd collectively held their breath.
No one had expected things to escalate this far. Even Layla frowned deeply.
But upon reflection, it wasn’t surprising. The Langford family was far too selfish. To monopolize the favor of Lord Valerian Nox, they had gone so far as to block others from meeting him!
“This is getting more and more interesting!” Scott Chilton exclaimed, downing another cup of wine, already tipsy.
Olive snatched the wine jar from him, her face filled with anger. “That’s enough! No more drinking!”
“You-woman!” Scott growled, slamming the table in frustration. “I should’ve never brought you along!”
Olive’s face darkened. Her voice trembled as she retorted, “You’ve been yelling at me for forty years! My sister’s dying wish was for you to take care of me, and you’ve never listened!”
“You… you…” Scott sighed heavily, his anger fading. “Fine! I was wrong, alright?”
“No more drinking! Let’s just watch!”
At that moment, the rumble of approaching engines broke the tension. A convoy of luxury cars drove toward the Langford estate.
Seven elderly men, dressed in luxurious attire, stepped out of the vehicles with the assistance of bodyguards.
Gifts were unloaded from the cars-though fewer in quantity than those of the Slatin aristocracy, each item was a priceless treasure. Any one of them could buy an island!
The heads of the Slatin families were stunned, their jaws dropping. They had never seen such rare and valuable items before.
“Eahta Stormchaser family has come to meet Lord Valerian Nox. We hope Lord Valerian Nox will become an ally to the Stormchaser family and share in all our resources!”
“Windmere Winterfell family has come to meet Lord Valerian Nox. We wish to offer our granddaughter’s hand in marriage to him!”
“Chillridge Ashby family has come to meet Lord Valerian Nox. We hope to form an equal alliance with him!”
“Eahta Carrow family has come to…”
One after another, voices of reverence and invitation echoed.
The Slatin aristocrats were frozen in place, overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what they were witnessing.
These seven were the patriarchs of the northern noble families! Though slightly less influential than the top ten super-clans of Ostrad, they were leagues above the Slatin families. Even the Clark family paled in comparison.
Three centuries of heritage backed each of these families!
Paxton, who had been running in desperation, came to a halt.
“Aren’t they the elders from Carter Hillridge?”
Vicente Clark also stopped, his brows furrowing in thought.
Layla’s gaze dimmed.
The Winterfell family was offering their granddaughter?
The woman in question was a renowned business queen from the north, on par with Lila in both beauty and status. Her social circle spanned the global financial elite, and she was acquainted with countless powerful figures.
Though the Winterfell family wasn’t as prominent as the Duffy family, a Haralu giant, their granddaughter’s impeccable lineage ensured she stood above Layla.
Even if Layla matched her in skill, the Winterfell heir’s noble background would be the deciding factor.
If Lord Valerian Nox accepted, the Winterfell granddaughter would undoubtedly become his main wife. Layla’s hopes would be crushed-defeated by lineage alone.
Her heart clenched painfully.
The Winterfell granddaughter was a perfect match for Lord Valerian Nox.
Paxton’s despair deepened.
Seven patriarchs from noble families had traveled to Slatin, all for Lord Valerian Nox.
By comparison, the Slatin aristocrats were utterly insignificant. Even the Clark family fell short.
In Ostrad, family heritage was everything.
If he were Lord Valerian Nox, Paxton thought bitterly, he too would choose the noble clans without hesitation.
Becoming an honored guest of an ancient noble family carried immense prestige.
But just as the Clark family and Paxton were drowning in hopelessness, an even more shocking scene unfolded.
A black Audi, bearing military plates, pulled up. Two elderly men stepped out.
“Mr. Everett? Mr. Gray?” Tessa Watson immediately recognized them.
They had left Indigo Grove Estate that morning. Weren’t they supposed to be resting at their hotel? Why were they here?
Her confusion deepened.
Arthur Everett ignored the crowd and addressed Carter Landford directly. “Call Lord Valerian Nox down. We need to speak with him.”
His tone was arrogant, his words cold and commanding.
“My master is drinking on the mountaintop. He does not wish to be disturbed,” Carter replied evenly, showing no deference.
Milton Gray raised a brow but didn’t grow angry. Standing tall with his hands behind his back, he declared, “What if we were to invite Lord Valerian Nox to join Sleeve? Would he still refuse?”
They represented Sleeve and the will of Talon Emberhart. Unlike others, they had no need to grovel or fawn, even before the noble families.
Extending an invitation to Lord Valerian Nox was a gift in itself.
“An invitation to join Sleeve!”
The crowd gasped in unison.
Sleeve-the legendary organization of Ostrad!
Though little was known about its inner workings, its name alone inspired awe.
Whenever a national-level crisis arose, Sleeve would dispatch Dragonguard to resolve it.
“Sleeve enters the world, resolving all crises.”
That single phrase was enough to convey the terrifying power of Sleeve.
Who wouldn’t dream of joining? It was an honor beyond imagination.
Even Vicente Clark was rattled.
While others knew little of Sleeve, Vicente’s master was a member. Though Sleeve’s secrets were never shared, Vicente knew his master to be a Semi Heavenly Sovereign.
And yet, his master wasn’t even at Sleeve’s pinnacle!
What’s more, his master was on the verge of breaking through to Heavenly Sovereign-closed off in seclusion, focused on this monumental task.
If not for this, Vicente wouldn’t have sought out Lord Valerian Nox as a godfather. His need to unravel the ancient medical book was urgent.
Now, however, all seemed lost.
Not even the noble patriarchs could compete. Lord Valerian Nox would surely join Sleeve.
Every practitioner dreamed of entering Sleeve, the ultimate sanctuary for cultivation.
Yet Carter Landford merely smirked. “Lord Valerian Nox isn’t interested,” he replied firmly.
The crowd erupted in disbelief.
Milton Gray’s face darkened. Fixing his gaze on Carter, he growled, “Do you realize what you’re saying?”
Arthur Everett, however, raised his voice toward the Langford estate. “Lord Valerian Nox, Sleeve invites you to join us!”
Time seemed to freeze.
The world fell silent.
Everyone waited for Lord Valerian Nox’s response.
But none came.
“How dare you!” Milton Gray roared, his voice echoing like thunder. “Lord Valerian Nox, come out and speak immediately!”
Their patience was wearing thin. This felt like an insult.
No one had ever refused Sleeve’s invitation; most would accept without hesitation.
Yet, after a full minute, there was still no response-not even a rejection.
The two men seethed with fury.
And then, a thunderous voice shattered the stillness.
“What is Sleeve to me? Get lost!”
A deafening explosion of energy erupted from the mountaintop.
A terrifying pressure spread across dozens of miles, enveloping everyone present.
High above, a colossal, golden hand formed in the heavens, pressing down with godlike might.
Even Semi Heavenly Sovereigns like Arthur Everett and Milton Gray felt their hearts tremble.
It was as if the galaxy was collapsing, meteors were raining down, and the world itself was turning upside down…