Chapter 106

Chapter 106: The Boiling Blood Beast

Hopeland, Nisos Family.

In a small hall within the manor, Finleton was receiving two guests.

A beautifully crafted brass chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting bright hues throughout the room. The edges of the red velvet seats were adorned with mahogany armrests. On the table stood several small cups and a transparent glass decanter filled with amber liquid that shimmered slightly under the candlelight—Nisos family’s exclusive Cointreau wine.

“Lord Finleton, the distillery is on fire,” reported a butler as he entered after knocking.

“Hmm, I see. Send a team to put out the fire,” Finleton waved his hand dismissively, ordering casually. In the past, this might have been a significant matter, but today, discussing matters with these two guests was of paramount importance. A fire was not so critical; they had plenty of distilleries anyway.

One of the guests heard this news and formed a new idea.

“Do you know the cause of the fire?”

“It seems like one of the workers was dissatisfied and deliberately set it.”

“Oh, now this gets interesting,” he drawled out the words.

“Young Master Finleton, I think seizing the day is better than waiting. Why don’t we do it today?”

“Today? So suddenly?” Finleton was somewhat surprised.

“Yes, although everything isn’t fully prepared, it’s almost ready. Besides, acting sooner can catch them off guard.”

Finleton did not answer immediately. He placed his hand under his chin, rubbing it repeatedly, showing signs of wavering and indecision. The butler beside him was bewildered and could only stand by and wait.

The guests were not in a rush. One of them picked up the decanter, pouring the orange liquid into three cups with a gentle stream, filling them to the brim.

Finleton took a deep breath, looking up at the chandelier.

Candles nearly half-burnt stood in their holders, illuminating the colorful murals around the ceiling’s edges. These murals depicted the rise and prosperity of the Nisos family.

The scenes began with a fruit vendor driving a carriage, followed by him consulting a farmer in the countryside. Next was an image of him sitting in front of a house with his wife and child. Then came a scene of that child, grown up, frolicking with friends.

After that, a young man stood in a flourishing orchard, dense trellises holding crates of grapes beneath a vivid blue sky.

The second-to-last mural showed the young man sitting sadly in a room, opening a clay jug filled with rotten grapes, surrounded by more jugs and scattered grapes.

The final scene depicted him raising a wine glass, with several good friends beside him.

Friends, they wore different clothes; some looked like alchemists, others like priests, farmers, nobles, or laboring workers. These people stood beside that young man, each holding a wine glass, watching him with a smile.

“Meeting friends with wine, regardless of status.”

This was the maxim left by Nisos family’s first patriarch, but over time, only the first half of the saying had been valued by the family, while the latter half had long been forgotten.

Fenthalon closed his eyes and after a long moment, he opened them again and spoke.

“It’s too hasty; the old patriarch won’t agree.”

“But the old patriarch has grown old and deserves rest. If you can’t make up your mind, who in the Nisos family could take charge?”

Fenthalon took a deep breath, picked up the wine glass before him, and drank it all down.

“Alright, then let it be today!” The empty glass clinked on the table.

The two across from him smiled and also picked up their glasses, drinking down the contents in one go.

Fenthalon stood up, put on his coat, and instructed the butler.

“Gather all the household guards in the courtyard. Also, notify the members of the city branch to gather at the main house.”

The butler responded in surprise and prepared to leave, but another voice came just as he did.

“Make sure the old patriarch is well taken care of, and don’t let any outsiders near him.”

“Yes, Lord Falton.”

The butler quickly left the small hall, and immediately afterward, the large clock in the Nisos商会 rang out, its sound urgent and heavy.

Falton stood by the window, watching the bustling crowd below in the mansion, then turned around.

“Now the Nisos family will fulfill our alliance. When will I see your commitment, Messrs. Tesifone?”

Under the bright candlelight, the two young men also stood up.

“Lord Falton, please rest assured. Just now, Master Zenep sent us word that ‘the Great God’ has already been activated. Aneemy has long reached an agreement, and thanks to your blessings, we in the Tesifone family have obtained the last piece of the puzzle and are ready to act at any time.”

In the light, the shadow cast by his disheveled black hair covered his face, while a carefree smile appeared at the corner of his mouth—this was Edley of the Tesifone family.

—

On the other side of Hope Lane, at a secluded little bridge,

Bard stared blankly at the silver-haired girl in front of him. Under the cold moonlight, her crimson, clear eyes and ethereal beauty gave him an impact he would never forget in his lifetime.

The more something is lacking, the more one yearns for it.

Because of his poor looks, he often faced ridicule and had always felt inferior. He increasingly envied and even worshiped those who were good-looking.

Lolan Hill looked at the youth before her, and a mechanical voice echoed in her mind.

Task: Answer Bard’s questions, rewards will be given according to the completion degree, at least 60%. (Current progress: 20%)

Rewards: For every 20% progress achieved, one chance for a draw. Upon reaching 100%, obtain a recipe for an Exemplary Creation.

This time, it was much easier than Pulman’s case. The young lady felt a slight relief in her heart; after all, personal issues were easier to resolve compared to Pulman’s carefree attitude.

Ninety-nine percent of the problems in one’s life were simply due to insufficient power (or money). What was meant by breaking through with strength was to become strong enough.

“Then, do you want to gain strength?”

The gentle voice of the young lady echoed, complemented by her silver hair and red eyes, like a demon god from the netherworld, enticing mortals to drink forbidden wine.

Bard gazed into those red eyes that seemed capable of sucking in souls, his throat moving as he hesitantly replied.

“Yes.”

“But you must pay the corresponding price and make an unbreakable vow.”

“I am willing.”

The silver-haired girl slowly floated upward, red particles beginning to materialize in the air, gathering into a piece of amber fruit in her palm.

If one were to ask which Exemplary Sequence had the strongest attack power and was easiest to quickly master, it would undoubtedly be the Demon Sequence.

This dangerous sequence inherited from the now-extinct Crimson Empire was born for indiscriminate slaughter, terrifying both to others and oneself.

The fruit of the Exemplary Maple tree had stable characteristics, being a versatile panacea suitable for many applications. It was perfect for neutralizing this dangerous magic.

The fruit turned a deep crimson, crystal clear, flying towards the youth before him. He extended his hands to hold it, then swallowed it whole. Scorching magic began to flow through his body.

A pain starting from the tips of his blood vessels began to spread throughout his body, the intense pain almost making him lose consciousness.

“Focus your mind and follow my instructions.” His mind echoed with the soft voice of the young lady, instantly alleviating much of the pain, allowing him to start concentrating.

Although Bard had never studied Exemplary knowledge or had any experience practicing Exemplary powers, under the guidance of Lolan Hill, a Mythical-level player, he just needed to follow the magic’s guidance and do as instructed.

In Lolan Hill’s Exemplary perception, a blood-red gem began forming within Bard’s body, slowly pulsating like a giant beast’s heart.

Finally, Demon Sequence 4 – Boiling Blood Beast, achieved.

Thank you to Deep Sea Bubble v for the tip ~

Last night, I failed to go to bed early >.<, my biological clock can't adjust.

End of Chapter