"Mr. Ghost, do you know about the Skeletal Demon?" Felix asked suddenly during the drive, remembering how he had asked Deborah before without learning much. Shepherd laughed and said, "Why are you asking about that one?" "A friend mentioned him once and said he was ruthless and terrifying. It just made me curious." Shepherd glanced at Deborah with an odd expression. "Your mentor really does focus solely on alchemy, doesn't she? The Skeletal Demon has been Harmony Clinic's target for years. Obviously, you haven't heard much from Madam Goddard, have you?" he teased.Deborah frowned. "Teaching him alchemy is enough. Should I keep up with every bit of gossip? Out with it, you old man! You're getting more insufferable with age." Shepherd chuckled before continuing, "The Skeletal Demon is at the late stage of Transcendent Realm. His combat ability is mediocre at best—he'd lose to any serious fighter at his level. But his cultivation technique is strange."He's terrifyingly good at
"Well, how could I not take a gamble after a pitch like that?" Shepherd said.Soon after, Shepherd sent Felix a private message about finding the Skeletal Demon. He was so cautious that he would not even let Deborah hear it. "Now you know. It's up to you whenever you want to tell Dickson about this." "Thank you, Mr. Ghost." Deborah did not think much of it. After spending over a month with Felix, she knew he was an upright person. If he said he wanted to repay Dickson's kindness, he meant it. She would not mention anything to Dickson since this was Felix's decision. In Martial City, every car leaving town carried two gas cans in the trunk. Fuel was only available within city limits, and running out on long trips would be disastrous.Especially with gas-guzzlers like the Brabus. By the time they reached Westville the next day, they had already stopped twice to refuel. Westville had its own Harmony Clinic branch, where they were staying. Felix made his request as soon as th
Felix froze in surprise. He never expected to run into Janet so soon after arriving in Westville. That's the very same woman who would soon be the center of the upcoming Battle of the Bride. Her lively presence reminded him of their first meeting in the capital, which felt like only yesterday. "Someone get him out of here! He's an eyesore!" Janet instructedColin's followers had been furious at first. But upon recognizing Janet, they fled without a word while carrying Colin away."Fighting isn't allowed in the city," Felix stated. Hearing Felix's words, Janet's smile grew sweeter. "That was self-defense! He struck first, and everyone saw it. So, it's fine." Good grief. Colin was nearly knocked out cold, and she called that self-defense? Janet giggled. "When did you get here? It must have taken you a while to find Westville, right?" With that casual conversation, she had confirmed Felix's identity. "Let's find somewhere more private to talk." They then entered a restau
After chatting a while longer and getting Felix's number, Janet left. A few minutes later, Barry appeared. He entered cautiously. "Wow, this is one of Westville's high-end restaurants! A meal here costs at least 500 emeralds. You really know how to pick a place." Felix laughed and said, "Come on! You're an Intermediate-grade alchemist now. Can't you afford this much?" Barry gave a bitter smile. "Felix, I may have succeeded, but my pill-forming rate is low. So, I'm barely hanging on at Harmony Clinic. Do you think all Intermediate grades are doing well?"Those of us with average talent spend most of our time making basic pills just to meet requirements, or we'd be kicked out." Felix understood this well. As an Intermediate-grade alchemist, if he could not deliver the required monthly quota of intermediate pills, he had to make up for it with basic ones. If he failed a few times, he would be expelled from Harmony Clinic.This created a vicious cycle. With low pill-forming rates
Barry rushed to the Xavier residence at top speed, only to be stopped at the gate. "Please let me in. I'm Barry Lufter. My father's inside!" No matter how humbly he begged, the guards wouldn't budge. Annoyed, they threatened him, "You little punk! We're already being nice by warning you. Here, then. We'll step aside. Try breaking in and see what happens."When the two guards moved away, Barry backed down instead. One step across that gate would mean instant death."Well, well! If it isn't Barry Lufter! I heard you became an Intermediate-grade alchemist at Harmony Clinic. Have you come to show off at our house?"A young man emerged, and Barry quickly greeted him with respect, "Mr. Jace." The newcomer was Jace Xavier. He was from the main family line and was also Nerissa's cousin."Please, Mr. Jace, let me in. There must be some misunderstanding about my father trespassing."Jace looked down at Barry with contempt. "If there's a misunderstanding, are you suggesting we Xaviers
Jace was losing his patience and was just about to strike. He pointed a finger at Felix, his voice ice-cold as he shouted, "In all these years, I've never met someone who could brag like you. Let me tell you now—your dad's never getting out, not now, not ever!"Jace barely finished his sentence before the back of his head took a solid slap."You idiot, what nonsense are you spouting?"As Jace heard that familiar voice, his rage instantly evaporated. He spun around, a nervous, sheepish smile spreading across his face. "Janet, what are you doing out here?"Sure enough, the one who slapped him was his own sister. She might not have been the strongest among the Xavier family's younger generation, but her temper was legendary. The only one who could keep her in check was her older sister, Nerissa. Everyone else? They did not stand a chance."Mr. Lufter, take it easy," Janet called out, ignoring the rest of the Xavier family as she gently helped an elderly man walk forward."Dad!" Ba
Felix hastily left a parting comment as he made his escape. "I'm not ready to meet Nerissa yet. I'm outta here!"Janet covered her mouth, laughing so hard that she did not bother to stop him. She found Felix absolutely adorable.The Porsche came to a halt, and the driver's door opened. Then, a woman stepped out, wearing flowy lavender-and-white wide-leg pants paired with a sheer gray top. Her hair was neatly styled up, her skin radiant and flawlessly fair, and her features seemed almost too perfect, like they had been sculpted by an artist. However, what stood out most were her eyes—cold and sharp yet brimming with life—so captivating that anyone who looked into them might find themselves lost.If Felix had been there, he would have been stunned by her beauty. While she might not surpass Zara, she could certainly rival his senior apprentices when it came to looks."Janet, what are you laughing about? Who was that guy just now?" asked the woman, who happened to be none other tha
Kendrick chuckled darkly and replied, "You're being pretty considerate, leaving Felix with something intact. But hey, do whatever you want with his head. We're planning to rip the rest of him to pieces anyway."Since the Dragonspines were inside Felix's body and not connected to his head, there was nothing to be worried about."Good. Tell Dean that the plan starts tomorrow," the voice commanded."Yes, sir!"As Kendrick left, he could not help but feel puzzled. Felix had only just arrived in Martial City, yet he already had so many powerful enemies. It was almost as if fate itself had decided that such an arrogant man was doomed to die....Later that night, Barry showed up, and he and Felix shared a meal at Harmony Clinic's dining hall. Barry was overflowing with gratitude."Felix, I can't thank you enough. If it weren't for you, my dad would be dead by now, and I probably wouldn't have survived, either."Felix smiled casually. "No need to thank me. I only did what I could. If