The next day...
The night had not yet fully retreated. But dawn was already on its way. A faint golden light had begun to creep over the horizon, gently driving away the darkness that still clung to the world.
The sky above the Smith Villa was painted in soft shades of blue and violet, calm and peaceful.
And yet...
Within the courtyard, the Smith family mbers were already in motion.
Rowan, Daliah, Lilith, and Logan’s parents — Rudeous and Alice were all seated in lotus position, arranged in a loose circle.
Their eyes were closed. Their breathing was steady.
Spiritual energy flowed quietly around them.
This had beco their daily routine. Ever since Logan had returned and personally guided them, cultivation had beco a part of their lives.
Rowan and Daliah had already succeeded.
They had both ford their dantian.
Their foundations were stable, their auras far more solid than before.
Only Lilith remained. But even she was not far behind.
In fact...
Her progress was terrifying. If Rowan and Daliah knew just how fast her spiritual energy was condensing, how close she was to forming her dantian, they would be completely dumbstruck.
Between them, the radiant spirit orb was placed. It pulsed gently. Every now and then, it would fluctuate slightly, releasing a wave of pure, dense spiritual energy that washed over their bodies.
Rudeous and Alice sat a little farther away, also in lotus position.
Their expressions were serious. They were still beginners, but they were trying their best.
This was Logan’s wish. And they wanted to be strong. Strong enough to never beco a burden to their son again.
The courtyard was quiet. Peaceful. Too peaceful.
But unbeknownst to them...
Danger had already arrived.
Outside the Smith Villa...
A group of n stood silently. Twenty. No... closer to twenty-five.
They were dressed in dark combat robes, their presence suppressed, their eyes cold and sharp.
They had surrounded the villa like wolves encircling prey.
At the front of the group stood two n. One was in his sixties, yet his body was still tall and sturdy, his back straight, his presence imposing.
Arthur Stevens. The Duke of Aerundale.
And Lady Mirena’s father.
Beside him stood another man. He was in his forties, with short dark hair and calm, indifferent eyes.
But beneath that calm... Was an aura that made the surrounding n subconsciously keep their distance.
An S-class mage.
He looked at the Smith Villa and spoke in a low voice. "Are you sure that boy has a way to turn people into powerful cultivators quickly?"
Arthur’s eyes were filled with hatred as he stared at the estate. "Yes," he said firmly. "I am sure of it."
He clenched his fists. "If not, then tell — how did he beco this strong this fast? He’s only sixteen. Don’t you think that’s suspicious?"
The S-class mage frowned slightly. "Your words make sense. But what if you’re wrong?"
Arthur turned to him slowly. "Just help rescue my daughter and my grandson," he said coldly. "Then you can torture his family and friends and get whatever you want from them." His eyes flashed with madness. "Trust . The boon you’ll get... You won’t regret it."
After Mirena’s conspiracy had been exposed, she and her son, Darius, had been thrown into the Smith Family’s prison.
Arthur had tried to rescue them before. But Rowan had stopped him.
He had failed.
This ti... He had co prepared.
The man in his forties fell silent, deep in thought. ’King Malrik ordered to accomplish this mission...’ he thought. ’If I can get my hands on those secret techniques, he will reward us handsoly. And I can grow stronger too.’ His eyes hardened. "Alright," he said. "Let’s get to work."
He looked toward the villa. "We must finish this before Logan cos back. Otherwise... we won’t escape with our lives intact."
Though Logan was only sixteen...
Everyone knew what kind of monster he was.
Even an S-class mage like him understood one thing very clearly: Before soone like Logan... His S-rank status ant nothing.
Arthur nodded. And with a cold gesture...
The group moved.
They charged the Smith Villa.
At the main gate, two guards were standing watch. They sensed it imdiately. Sothing was wrong.
A massive group. Hostile intent. Their expressions changed. They were about to shout — about to trigger the alarm.
But before a single sound could escape their throats...
Boom!
Two massive pillars of earth erupted from the ground. They slamd into the guards’ chests with terrifying force.
Crack!
Both n were sent flying, blood spraying from their mouths as they crashed into the walls and fell unconscious.
The gate... It was breached.
In the courtyard...
Rowan’s eyes snapped open. His heart clenched. ’Sothing’s wrong!’
He stood up instantly, about to shout....
But it was already too late. Figures flashed in from all directions. In the blink of an eye...
They were all surrounded. Ten n encircled them directly. The rest rushed into the villa.
Rudeous and Alice stood up in panic. Daliah and Lilith’s faces turned pale.
Rowan stepped forward, his eyes burning with fury.
Then...
He saw a familiar face. "Duke Arthur!?" His voice turned cold.
"What is the aning of this?"
Arthur walked forward slowly, his expression indifferent. "Don’t mind for doing what I need to do, Prince Rowan," he said calmly. "You can’t bla a father for trying to save his daughter and grandson, can you?"
There was no respect in his voice anymore.
No fear.
If it were any other ti, he wouldn’t even dare to raise his voice in front of the third prince.
But now...
He didn’t care.
Rowan’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "You understand what kind of hole you’re digging for yourself by doing this, don’t you, Duke Arthur?"
Arthur sneered. "Do you think I still care about my position as duke?" he said mockingly. "What’s the use of it if I can’t even protect my precious daughter?"
His eyes turned vicious. "But don’t worry. I will return every debt of suffering you people have caused her."
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