After the maid left, Adrian took a long look around at the rows of books stretching out in every direction. Every shelf was filled with countless neatly arranged volumes. Some covers were boldly marked with words like Fighting Techniques, Rune Arts, and Alchemy.
His gaze fell on a corner where thick tomes were stacked, each labeled in red—History and Geography. Adrian quietly walked over. There were so many books piled there that counting them seemed impossible—thousands of volumes, layered one atop another.
He picked up an old, leather-bound book. The moment he opened it, a fine layer of dust scattered into the air. Adrian held the book in both hands and began to read carefully.
Meanwhile, Victor sat in the dining area with both his wives—Selena and Evelyn. The room had fallen into a heavy silence. For a while, no one spoke. Finally, Victor took a deep breath and looked intently at them.
"Don't you see any changes in Adrian?" His voice was serious.
Selena offered a small, thoughtful smile.
"There are changes, Victor. But to me, they all seem…good. He isn't the same withdrawn, frail boy anymore. Now he carries himself with confidence."
Evelyn nodded in agreement.
"Yes, I feel the same," she said softly.
Victor let out a quiet sigh at their replies.
"I'm not talking about his behavior," he said, lowering his gaze. "Neither of you have cultivated to the King Rank, so perhaps you couldn't sense it. But the day Adrian woke up… I felt something in his soul—something I've never sensed before."
Both Selena and Evelyn turned sharply to look at him, confusion and worry clear in their eyes.
Evelyn asked hesitantly, "What are you trying to say, Victor?"
Victor closed his eyes for a moment, as if searching for the right words.
"I can't be completely certain…but for a few brief seconds, it felt as though…someone else's soul was inside my son's body."
Shock spread over Selena's face, quickly followed by anger. Her eyes glinted with indignation.
"What are you saying, Victor?" she demanded. "Adrian is our son. I don't see anything strange in him."
Victor slowly raised a hand, trying to calm her.
"Selena, I know this is hard to hear. But if my suspicion is right, we deserve to know the truth. That's why I'm thinking of taking him to the Patriarch Hall. The soul examination techniques there can confirm everything."
Selena's voice rose sharply in protest, filled with fear only a mother could feel.
"Absolutely not! You will not take him there. If he goes into the Patriarch Hall unprepared, who knows what might happen? I will never allow Adrian to be subjected to that."
Evelyn stepped forward, siding firmly with Selena.
"She's right, Victor," she said with resolve. "You're imagining too much. Adrian is our son—no one else."
Victor didn't reply. He knew neither of them would ever let Adrian be exposed to any danger. But in his heart, unease still churned. As a King Rank cultivator, Victor understood all too well—changes in a soul were not a trivial matter, something that could simply be ignored.
After a while, Victor took a deep breath and said quietly,
"Alright… I won't take Adrian to the Patriarch Hall."
Both Selena and Evelyn let out long sighs of relief upon hearing his words.
Selena spoke up,
"Husband, why don't you try to procure a Saint Grade Healing Pill for Adrian now? He already seems much stronger than before. If his dantian could fully heal, maybe he'd be able to take over the clan. Then the three of us could finally be free from some of our burdens…"
Victor looked at his wife seriously, then replied in a low voice,
"Even a low-quality Saint Grade Pill will cost at least one million low-grade spirit stones. And we'd have to contact a Saint Alchemist to craft it—someone like that will only be found in the Core Region. Only there might we find an alchemist willing to prepare a Dantian Healing Pill for Adrian."
He paused, then continued gravely,
"And you both already know the state of the clan. At best, we have about three hundred thousand spirit stones left. Even if we gather support from the elders, we might be able to collect another hundred thousand at most. Four hundred thousand wouldn't even cover half the cost…"
Hearing that, both Selena and Evelyn fell silent. The room sank into a heavy stillness.
Evelyn tapped her fingers softly on the table, her gaze thoughtful. Finally, she spoke in a quiet voice,
"…I could try speaking to my father. Maybe he would help us. Once things improve, we could repay the debt."
Selena immediately shook her head.
"You know your father, Evelyn. He cut all ties with us long ago. He would never offer this kind of help. To him, this clan means nothing anymore…"
Victor nodded as well. He knew Selena was right. But before he could say more, Evelyn spoke again in a tentative tone,
"…There's something I heard. I'm not entirely sure whether it's true or just a rumor—but it might be connected to Adrian."
Her words made Victor and Selena both look at her in surprise. Evelyn cleared her throat and continued,
"I heard…that Alina possesses a Dragon Heart Lotus. And that she's planning to auction it."
Victor raised his brows, astonished.
"Alina…that girl's fortune truly is extraordinary. But Evelyn—what does this auction have to do with Adrian?"
Before he could finish, Evelyn shot him a look that clearly said, If you'd just let me finish, you'd understand. Seeing her expression, Victor wisely decided to keep quiet.
Evelyn went on, her voice calm but carrying a note of hope,
"I heard…that Alina intends to use the spirit stones from the auction to buy the Dantian Healing Pill for Adrian."
The moment she said it, Victor and Selena were both struck speechless. A Dragon Heart Lotus by itself could easily be worth three or four hundred thousand spirit stones. If auctioned, its price could rise to seven or eight hundred thousand—perhaps even cross the million mark if fate was kind.
Victor exhaled slowly. Though his tone was still serious, there was the faintest trace of hope in it now.
"…If this is true…then one of you should go meet Alina's mother. Speak to her openly. Find out exactly what she and Alina intend."
Evelyn and Selena both nodded in agreement. For a while, the three of them continued discussing their concerns and hopes. Gradually, the tension in the room gave way to a calm silence.
Meanwhile, Adrian had spent nearly an hour inside the library. He had gathered a wealth of information regarding the city's history and its geographical layout. Now, only the final part of his mission remained—understanding the city's current situation.
He gently returned the book in his hand back to the shelf, then walked out of the library with a composed and steady gait. His eyes held a cool determination, as if he had already decided that whatever needed to be done—he would see it through.
Without wasting time, he headed straight toward the Main Hall. Upon reaching, he glanced around the vast chamber, but saw neither Victor, nor Selena, nor Evelyn. After waiting for a moment, his gaze landed on a maid who was sweeping near one of the marble walls.
In a calm voice, Adrian asked,
"Do you know where my parents are?"
The maid bowed respectfully and replied,
"Young Master, the Master and both Madams are currently in the Assembly Hall."
Adrian gave a slight nod and said with a faint smile,
"I need to go there. Show me the way."
The maid bowed again, set her broom aside in a corner, and said,
"Please follow me."
Adrian followed her quietly all the way to the Assembly Hall. As they arrived just outside, two guards immediately stepped forward to block the entrance. They were dressed in dark armor, and the pressure of their cultivation—clearly that of Mortal Experts—was unmistakable.
One of the guards spoke in a firm tone,
"Apologies, Young Master. The Master and Elders are engaged in a very important meeting. We've been ordered not to let anyone enter."
Adrian narrowed his brows slightly. His cold gaze fixed on the two guards.
"I need to speak with my father. Open the gate," he said in a clear, unwavering tone.
The guards exchanged uncertain glances. A hint of nervousness flickered in their eyes, but they began to repeat themselves,
"The Master has instructed that—"
But before they could finish their sentence, Adrian stepped forward and pushed open the gate with one hand.
The heavy wooden doors creaked loudly as they swung open with a deep thud.
His cool, determined gaze swept across the grand hall.
Inside, all eyes turned toward him—Victor, Selena, Evelyn, and a few Elders had all fallen silent mid-discussion. For a moment, an eerie stillness filled the hall as every gaze fixed on the figure now standing boldly in the doorway.