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
There was a smartphone inside the box. Although phones were not unusual in Martial City, this one stood out. It was a high-end model from a major city, easily distinguishable by its oversized screen. What made Felix's expression darken was not the phone itself but the ominous feeling creeping over him.After hesitating for a while, he carefully picked it up, his hands trembling slightly. He did not unlock it right away but instead flipped it over. The moment he saw the back, his jaw clenched tight.The phone was encased in a transparent plastic cover, and underneath it was a perfectly sized photo of Melissa—his sworn sister. He did not need to power it on to know it was hers. Felix had spent enough time with her to recognize her phone instantly, especially since she never changed that photo, no matter what phone she used. With that, he finally unlocked the phone, which still had over 40% battery. He entered the familiar password and gained access without issue. A few minutes la
"Come on out. Why keep hiding like a coward?" Felix called out, his voice steady but cold. His senses told him someone was lurking behind a massive boulder. Yet, instead of relief, he felt nothing but unease. Sure, the presence did not seem particularly strong. However, there was no way that someone would go through all this trouble if they were weak.As soon as he finished speaking, a figure emerged. Felix's eyes narrowed in surprise as he realized it was Kendrick."Judging by your face, you didn't expect to see me, did you, Felix?" Kendrick grinned broadly, looking far more smug than their last encounter, as though Felix had walked right into his trap."Cut the crap! Get whoever's hiding to come out. There's no way someone as worthless as you could pull off a plan this elaborate. Am I wrong?"Though a flash of anger crossed Kendrick's eyes, he quickly masked it with another grin. He replied, "Sharp as always. It wasn't easy luring you out of the city. "But you're right—neit