Free Web NovelChapter 18: The Weight of a Patriarch (Part 2)
The Weight of a Patriarch (Part 2)
"Yes!"
Nux’s eyes blazed with determination.
His voice echoed through the quiet courtyard without the slightest hesitation.
Holding the jade box with both hands, he treated it as though it contained the greatest treasure in existence.
His heart pounded violently.
This wasn’t simply a cultivation technique.
It was the Patriarch’s recognition.
It was his uncle’s trust.
To Nux, that trust was worth far more than any heavenly treasure.
Victor nodded with satisfaction before gently patting his shoulder.
"Cultivate well."
There was no long lecture.
No unnecessary words.
Just three simple words.
Yet they carried more weight than a thousand promises.
Victor turned around and walked toward the Salvatore Family Hall.
His black robe embroidered with golden dragons swayed gently in the morning breeze. Every step he took was calm and measured, yet his mere presence naturally inspired reverence.
Nux stood where he was, silently watching Victor’s retreating figure.
His crimson eyes gradually became firmer.
"I won’t disappoint you..."
"I swear it."
Just before Victor disappeared around the corridor, his calm voice drifted back.
"There’s also an Ancient Lotus Pill inside the jade box."
"It can accelerate your True Spiritual Power refinement."
Nux froze.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
The Ancient Lotus Pill.
A Peak Profound-Rank medicinal pill capable of dramatically increasing the speed at which Arcane Meridian Realm cultivators refined their True Spiritual Power.
Although it was only a Profound-Rank pill, its value was astonishing.
Countless small families could exhaust generations of accumulated wealth and still fail to purchase one.
Its greatest value wasn’t merely improving cultivation.
More importantly, it stimulated the body’s Celestial Gates, greatly increasing the probability of breaking through bottlenecks.
Nux remembered clearly.
The Salvatore Family possessed only a single Ancient Lotus Pill.
It had been won years ago by Victor after defeating every genius in the Aurelia Grand Tournament.
That pill was no ordinary treasure. freeweɓnøvel.com
It symbolized glory.
It symbolized inheritance.
It symbolized the rise of the Salvatore Family.
Yet today...
Victor had casually handed it to him without even blinking.
Nux lowered his head, gripping the jade box tightly until his knuckles turned white.
His breathing grew heavier.
A warmth spread through his chest.
No...
It wasn’t the medicinal aura.
It was gratitude.
It was loyalty.
It was a determination so strong that it became an oath.
"Uncle..."
"No..."
"Patriarch."
"I, Nux Salvatore, will never disappoint your expectations."
"A direct descendant of the Salvatore Family shall never bow before anyone."
His voice was quiet. freewēbnoveℓ.com
But every word came from the depths of his soul.
Far ahead, Victor naturally remained unaware of the emotions surging within his nephew’s heart.
The moment the investment was completed, two new rewards quietly appeared inside the Eternal Legacy System’s inventory.
However, Victor didn’t inspect them immediately.
There would be plenty of time later.
Right now...
Two far more interesting guests were waiting.
The Family Hall stood majestically beneath the morning sky.
Its ancient pillars were carved with dragons and phoenixes, while the family crest hung proudly above the entrance.
Inside, the atmosphere was strangely silent.
Two middle-aged men sat waiting.
Neither dared show the slightest impatience.
One wore luxurious blue robes.
The other was dressed entirely in black.
They were none other than the Patriarch of the Ravencreast Family—
Harrier Ravencreast.
And the Patriarch of the Ashthorn Family—
Magnus Ashthorn.
The moment Victor stepped into the hall, both men instinctively looked toward him.
Harrier immediately stood up, revealing a broad smile that looked incomparably sincere.
"Hahaha!"
"Patriarch Victor, it’s truly been far too long!"
"Come, let me have a proper look at you."
"You still carry the same extraordinary bearing as before."
"As expected of the greatest genius Aurelia City has ever produced!"
His laughter echoed warmly throughout the hall.
Anyone unfamiliar with the situation might have believed they were lifelong friends.
Standing beside him, Magnus merely glanced sideways with obvious disdain.
His lone eye remained cold and emotionless.
His face revealed nothing.
Yet deep inside, he couldn’t help feeling contempt.
Coward.
This old fox changes faces faster than flipping a page.
Only yesterday Harrier had been discussing ways to destroy the Salvatore Family.
Now he was acting like Victor’s closest companion.
Magnus slowly stood.
Unlike Harrier, he neither laughed nor smiled.
His voice remained deep and sinister.
"Congratulations, Patriarch Victor."
"You’ve successfully entered the Astral Manifestation Realm."
"It truly has been a long time."
His tone remained respectful.
Yet every word was carefully measured.
Victor calmly walked past both men without acknowledging either greeting.
His golden eyes remained indifferent.
His long black hair rested over his shoulders, while the black robe embroidered with golden dragons made him resemble a divine emperor descending into the mortal world.
He walked directly toward the seat of honor.
Every step echoed softly through the silent hall.
Only after sitting down did he finally raise his eyes toward the two family patriarchs.
Neither warmth nor hostility could be found within his gaze.
Only absolute indifference.
"It has indeed been a long time."
His calm voice slowly echoed across the hall.
A faint smile gradually appeared at the corner of his lips.
"After ten years..."
"I’m actually a little unaccustomed to hearing the two of you speak to me like this."
Silence.
The atmosphere instantly became suffocating.
Harrier’s smile stiffened.
Magnus narrowed his remaining eye ever so slightly.
Victor leisurely leaned back in his chair.
His fingers lightly tapped the armrest once.
Twice.
Three times.
Each tap sounded like a hammer striking their hearts.
Finally—
A cold smile appeared on his handsome face.
"How about this..."
"You can kneel while speaking to me."
