Tiffanya was burning with rage as she recalled the events in the Aurora Town. She would never forget them. No one had ever dared to be rude to her face, let alone humiliate her in front of a crowd. Until now, she still couldn't accept that someone like Finn, a member of an ordinary clan, would openly defy and embarrass her. A freezing aura surrounded the room, and Guhen could clearly feel its intensity.
"Young Miss, we still have a small problem to deal with right now," Guhen pointed out while Tiffanya continued seething in anger.
Tiffanya came to her senses and calmed down. She looked intently at Guhen and spoke with a frown, "You're referring to the Golden Lion Family, aren't you? Hmph! They're merely an Aristocrat Clan and no match for us. Just leave that overstepping clan to the Black Tiger Family. I doubt it would be hard for them to suppress the Golden Lion Family."
Tiffanya didn't consider the Golden Lion Family a threat since, to her knowledge, they were just an Aristocrat Clan with their strongest member only at 9th Level Scarlet Gold Rank. Meanwhile, their own Noble Clan had numerous Profound Rank experts.
"I almost forgot. The Black Tiger Family also reported that their clan leader, Frederick, has finally advanced to 1st Level Profound Rank. He's currently at the Royal Clan to process their title as a Noble Clan," Guhen reported with a smile.
"Hm. Looks like I'll have to return to the Ice Feather Sect soon since Sect Mistress Sheeha has something important to announce to all the core members. As for stirring trouble for the Azure Wood Family, I'm leaving that to you," Tiffanya said coldly.
When Guhen heard Tiffanya's command, he forced a smile. He was an Elder, but now he was reduced to being the errand boy of this young lady. Even so, he was willing to do everything he could to stay close to her, because in the future, this girl was bound to wield great influence—not just within the Nine Ice Family, but throughout the Sacred Dragon Kingdom.
--
Aurora Town, Azure Wood Family Territory
That night, at the front gate of the Azure Wood Family territory, ten figures stood facing a young man.
The young man, dressed in pure white, had golden eyes filled with determination.
He bowed slightly before the ten figures and spoke respectfully, "Father, Mother, Elders, I will be leaving now. Please take care of yourselves while I'm away."
The Family Head and the Elders of the Azure Wood Family all nodded. His mother wiped her tears while sadly watching her son.
Finn Doria turned to three elderly men in yellow uniforms and handed one of them an interspatial ring, "Elder Caesar, this is a simple gift to the Golden Lion Family. Inside that ring are around a hundred soul-enhancing pills. I also included five Advanced Profound Pills and several Top-tier Rare Armaments that your clan can use. Please accept them as my heartfelt thanks."
The two Elders behind Caesar couldn't hide their shock, their eyes wide. They hadn't expected to receive such a generous gift! They had just received rare treasures earlier, and now they were receiving even more.
Caesar accepted the ring with a grateful smile and carefully placed it in his pocket. An ordinary interspatial item couldn't be stored inside another, as that might cause a dangerous explosion. With the ring safely tucked away, a look of great joy appeared on his face. It was a good thing they had accepted Finn's offer—otherwise, they wouldn't have reached this point.
The reason Finn gave such a gift was to strengthen the Golden Lion Family. The stronger his allies were, the more secure he felt about the safety of his clan.
Finn knew that the current Black Tiger Family was no longer on par with the Golden Lion Family. He preferred the latter to grow stronger, to temporarily protect the Azure Wood Family until he could gain recognition and protection from the Cloud Soaring Sect.
Finn bowed again to the ten figures and was about to leave when a little girl stopped him.
The little girl held her favorite wooden toy, looking up at her brother.
"Brother! Come back soon, okay?" she said with a wide, cheerful smile.
Seeing his little sister's radiant smile, Finn bent down until they were eye level. He gently brushed her hair and smiled, "That's a promise. Listen to Father and Mother, okay? Be good while I'm gone."
The girl nodded eagerly until Olivia, their mother, took her into her arms.
Finn quietly turned and walked away. He pulled out a simple black cloak from his interspatial ring and immediately quickened his pace.
With his speed, he would surely reach Heavenly Sky City before morning. As agreed, he and Kiden would meet at the Adventurers' Guild, where a representative from the Cloud Soaring Sect would pick him up.
--
Time passed quickly. Finn Doria arrived at Heavenly Sky City and headed straight to the Adventurers' Guild. Upon arriving, he was led by the Guild's manager to a private room for VIP guests, where he found Kiden waiting.
"Institution Master," Finn greeted with a slight smile.
Kiden looked at the newly arrived youth and nodded. "You're right on time. The representative from the Cloud Soaring Sect should be arriving soon. While we wait, join me for some tea."
Finn sat across from Kiden and looked directly at him. "Institution Master, I deeply thank you for your help. I promise that one day, I'll repay your kindness."
Kiden smiled and shook his head. "If you really want to repay me, just tell me your true level and rank."
Finn forced a smile. For now, he had to keep his true level and rank hidden.
Kiden noticed Finn had no intention of answering, and he quietly shook his head. He knew the young man before him was no mere 9th Level Gold Rank. If he truly was just that, how could Kiden have sensed the pressure of a 9th Level Profound Rank coming from him?
That mystery weighed heavily on Kiden. In fact, he believed Finn's strength wasn't below Profound Rank.
Sixteen years old and already a Profound Rank Adventurer? What kind of monster was this boy?
"Finn, I heard about the broken agreement between your father and Cleo Frois. It seems you've only made things worse, though I understand. As a man, it's a huge slap in the face to be rejected by a woman you've been engaged to since childhood. But you've taken on a powerful enemy, boy. It's not just the Nine Ice Family—you might end up facing the Ice Feather Sect too," Kiden said, changing the subject.
Finn was reminded that Kiden had been the one to give him that information in the first place. He didn't know how much influence Kiden wielded in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, but even if he wanted to ask, he knew Kiden wouldn't tell him.
"When I finally earn the recognition of the Cloud Soaring Sect, I'll request protection for my clan. Then I can devote myself fully to getting stronger. And once my strength is enough, I will take revenge and make all those responsible for my family's suffering pay," Finn said, solemnly but resolutely.
Kiden couldn't hide his serious expression. "Revenge..."
He looked at Finn and spoke gravely, "You can't take on an entire clan by yourself. Even if you're Profound Rank, you won't be able to win. That's because of the Ice Feather Sect and the Royal Clan. They won't allow a Noble Clan to weaken. That would have wide-reaching effects across the entire Sacred Dragon Kingdom."
Finn reflected on those words. Kiden was right. With his current strength, he couldn't take on a whole clan, especially one protected by the Royal Clan. The kingdom wouldn't allow any of its clans to be wiped out—especially a Noble Clan. That meant the Azure Wood Family was at a severe disadvantage.
Even though he had left behind wealth and treasures, it still wasn't enough to match the authority of an established Noble Clan. What they truly needed was time and influence.
If only they were given enough time, they could rival not just a Noble Clan, but even the Royal Clan.
But of course, Finn had no intention of challenging the Royal Clan for power. He was sure the Azure Wood Family higher-ups didn't want that either.
As far as Finn knew, the Sacred Dragon Family ruled the kingdom fairly. There was no reason to take their place.
All he really wanted was peace and safety for his family and his clan. But even he knew such peace would be difficult to achieve in a world full of chaos and war.
"Our clan only seeks the justice we've long been denied, Institution Master. We've done nothing wrong to them, yet they continue to oppress us. It's all because they're too greedy for power. They've even set aside their morals for it. As a member of the Azure Wood Family, it's my duty to protect and preserve my clan," Finn explained with conviction.
Kiden stared at Finn. With a sigh, he said, "The Azure Wood Family is truly fortunate to have you. But now, I'm just curious... how did the Golden Lion Family form an alliance with your clan?"
"I'm the one fortunate to have them," Finn replied with a smile.
Their conversation halted abruptly when they both sensed new presences.
"They're here," Kiden said seriously.
Finn also felt it—four presences. One was 8th Level Profound Rank, another was 3rd Level Scarlet Gold Rank, and the other two had unusual auras.
'Vicious Beasts!' Finn thought in shock.
The two exited the Adventurers' Guild and were met with the sight of two figures riding massive eagles known as Agile Eagles.
One was an elderly man in a purple uniform, standing on the eagle's wide back. His expression was solemn, and a powerful aura surrounded him. He looked directly at Kiden as if recalling something important.
But what truly caught both Kiden and Finn's attention was the second figure—a young woman whose beauty stood out immediately. She had long red hair and crimson eyes. She wore a red dress that highlighted her flawless skin and striking appearance.
As Finn observed her, he realized only one other woman could rival her beauty—Tiffanya Frois.
If Tiffanya was the ice-cold beauty of the frozen north, then this girl was the blazing flame of the south. And their strength was identical.
Both Tiffanya and this girl were at 3rd Level Scarlet Gold Rank.
Kiden studied the girl, and a name instinctively escaped his lips as he saw her face.
"Vella…"