From the high skies above, the air rippled.

A moment later, a powerful figure descended like a meteor, destroying the barrier like glass, and landed on the ground, causing a wave of tremor across the platform.

The oppressive weight of a Grand sorcerer filled the courtyard like a mountain pressing down on every soul. Only Kaelan remained completely unaffected. Surprisingly, Qin Wei was also not affected. With a cold gaze, he raised his head to look at the new arrival. However, he didn't move and just stood there.

Staring at the figure, he muttered. "Mikael Fireheart." It's the Duke of Dawnmere, the father of Zion.

Mikhael then swept a single glance over the courtyard and then raised his hand.

Snap.

With nothing more than a flick of his wrist, an invisible force lashed out and severed the glowing bindings that had coiled around his eunuch moments before.

The eunuch gasped, stumbling back and immediately bowing behind his master.

The air grew colder.

Across the platform, Kaelan narrowed his eyes, folding his hands behind his back. His eyes locked onto Mikael Fireheart's with a calm that was sharp as a sword's edge.

The Duke ignored him for a moment and turned to his son, who lay battered with cuts and heavy injuries and was unconscious. The Duke's face, despite its ever calmness, twitched slightly.

He pulled out a bottle of golden liquid and flicked it with his fingers. The liquid flowed out of the vial, and with two fingers raised, Mikael Fireheart guided it with his mana.

Swish!

The potion zipped through the air and entered Zion's mouth.

Golden light radiated from Zion's body. His scorched skin began to repair itself, cracked ribs realigned, and his pale complexion flushed with restored vitality. Faint breathing returned.

Only then did Mikael speak to others, more specifically to one man still standing. "Kaelan Griffin… did you just attack my eunuch?" While his voice was quiet, to the listeners, it felt like an echo of thunder. They could sense his anger in that voice.

The elders who already couldn't move an inch due to the pressure of the Grand sorcerer, drenched in cold sweat, felt as if a battle was about to erupt.

Vanessa clenched her fists, her gaze shifting from Qin Wei's unmoving form to the House Lord, who then gave a disdainful snort while stepping forward.

"Attacking?" he repeated, his voice maintaining its calmness. "That was a befitting punishment for interfering in a fair battle between youths and nearly murdering my son-in-law."

The Duke's gaze sharpened.

Kaelan, meanwhile, continued, "And this isn't your Dawnmere, Duke Mikhael. This is Ashenford, the territory of House Griffin, not your backyard where dogs roam as they please. Not every piece of trash can come here and spill blood as they wish."

That line fell like a hammer.

Mikael Fireheart's face darkened visibly. His killing intent surged ever so slightly. The elders all felt a chill run through their bones as he almost growled. "Watch your tongue, Kaelan Griffin. My cooperation is crucial… it is essential for our mission to find the Divine Temple. If you don't assist me in the expedition, it won't cost me much. But if I don't help you out, it will take forever for you to find the Temple. Running off your mouth like that shows heavy disrespect, which will only come back and bite you later."

It wasn't any secret to the elders that Kaelan was obsessed with finding the location of the Divine Temple. There was also a rumor that the whole reason he even allowed Qin Wei's marriage with his daughter was that Qin Wei's late mother was rumored to have reached the Divine Temple and opened the doors, and Aegis Phoenix knew the path to the Temple, the cradle of civilization. He needed House Phoenix's cooperation to get there.

Unfortunately, House Phoenix was destroyed in the Silver Night's incident. No one knows whether Aegis Phoenix was missing or just burned into cinders that night.

When they saw Kaelan accept Mikael Fireheart's proposal and then even let Qin Wei fight someone like Zion in an unrestricted battle, without interfering until the end, they actually wondered whether Kaelan intended to abandon his son-in-law or something.

But now, the situation has entirely flipped out.

Kaelan seemed like he was on the brink of going to war against Mikael Fireheart for the sake of his son-in-law.

And the House Lord only confirmed their worries by replying. "I don't consider the House Fireheart a reliable ally anymore. Especially after the assassination attempt. But… considering that my son-in-law is still breathing, I'll allow the three of you to leave in peace."

The air crackled in tension as his aura clashed with Mikhael's.

Mikael Fireheart's eyes narrowed. He stepped forward slightly, dismissing his aura. "I don't know what kind of demonic method your son-in-law practiced," he said, his gaze briefly flicking to Qin Wei's standing figure across the platform. "But let me make one thing clear. House Fireheart never forgives those who lay hands on their blood."

He paused for a second and then added.

"Still, as per our previous agreement... we won't retaliate for what happened today. Because of my son's loss, the matter ends here."

Tension began to ease, but only a little.

Then Mikael Fireheart added again, this time with a hint of killing intent in his voice:

"But Qin Wei remains part of House Griffin. And in the future, if any conflict arises between Ashenford and Dawnmere… if he were to be targeted again, then it would be because he serves House Griffin and the son-in-law of its House Lord, not because he is my enemy."

A storm swept through the listeners. The declaration was clear. Mikael Fireheart has declared an unofficial war on House Griffin.

Kaelan let out a cold scoff in response, stepping forward with his hands still folded behind him.

"I see. Then take that trash of a son of yours... and get out of our city. You have thirty breaths to leave."

Mikael Fireheart said nothing. Instead, with a sweep of his hand.

The unconscious Zion and the eunuch lifted from the ground. They floated through the air toward Mikael Fireheart, stopping just beside him.

The Duke of the North gave one final glance, his voice now grim and commanding as his word resounded throughout the entire estate.

"One year from now, we will return to Ashenford again, Kaelan. My son will challenge your son-in-law again, in public, before all guilds and all witnesses for a battle to the death."

He paused, eyes glowing faintly.

"You have 1 Year. After 1 Year, we will meet again."

Then, purple light burst from beneath his feet. A gust of wind erupted outward, and in a flash of purple and black, the Duke of Dawnmere vanished into the skies along with his son and the chief eunuch.

Kaelan stood amidst the shattered platform, shifting his gaze to the center, where Qin Wei stood straight and watched them leave in silence.

"Icarus, you don't have to..." He was about to speak some words… Qin Wei suddenly lost all of his strength and let out a piercing scream out of nowhere, and collapsed to the floor.

*Ding!

[Gate of Echo's time limit is over.]

[Your ligaments are proceeding with the tear, the body is overheating, and Temporary Paralysis is in full effect.]

[The host must wait for 72 hours.]

[New skills have been added.]

[Mission is completed. The Rewards...]

As notifications filled his head, Qin Wei blacked out, losing his consciousness. He lay crumpled on the floor, barely breathing.

A quiet sigh escaped the House Lord's lips.

Vanessa dashed across the broken floor. Falling to her knees beside Qin Wei, she cupped his pale face and felt his chest.

Her eyes widened in horror. "Master, the young master's meridians… they're all damaged! His body is heating up so much. It's beyond high fever. There seems to be some kind of mysterious internal energy running wild."

"What?"

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