Free Web NovelChapter 23: The Calm Before the Storm
The Calm Before the Storm
While an intense confrontation unfolded inside the Salvatore Family Hall, another scene was quietly taking place elsewhere within the estate.
News spread through the younger generation of the Salvatore Family faster than wildfire.
"Did you hear? The Patriarchs of the Ashthorn Family and the Ravencreast Family came to meet our Patriarch!"
"Hmph! So what if they did? Our Patriarch is an Astral Manifestation Realm expert now. Why would he be afraid of them?"
"Exactly! Don’t forget—our Patriarch is the man who once dominated Aurelia City!"
"Patriarch Victor is the best! One day I’ll become strong enough to protect the family just like him!"
Laughter and excited voices echoed throughout the courtyards.
Groups of children secretly hid behind stone walls, flower gardens, and ancient trees, stretching their necks as they tried to peek toward the distant Family Hall.
Unfortunately for them, the hall was one of the most heavily guarded places within the entire estate.
Without a summons from the Patriarch himself, no ordinary clan member was permitted to approach.
Today, because of the meeting between the Patriarchs of the Salvatore, Ashthorn, and Ravencreast Families, the surrounding courtyards had been completely cleared.
Elite Gurdians quietly patrolled every entrance.
Their expressions remained serious, yet whenever they noticed a few curious children peeking from behind a pillar, they simply pretended not to see.
After all...
Those little troublemakers were the future of the family.
If they couldn’t indulge their own children, who could?
Listening to the admiration in the children’s voices, several Gurdians couldn’t help but smile proudly.
Only yesterday, the Ashthorn Family and Ravencreast Family had looked down upon the Salvatore Family.
For ten long years...
Neither family had ever stepped foot inside the Salvatore estate.
The so-called "Three Great Families" had existed in name only.
Many members of the Salvatore Family had died because of the schemes and oppression of those two families.
The humiliation had lasted far too long.
But everything had changed overnight.
Their Patriarch had emerged from seclusion.
Not only had Victor returned...
He had stepped into the Astral Manifestation Realm.
The invincible genius who had once shaken the entire Azure Sovereign Kingdom had returned to the stage.
And now?
The Patriarchs who once acted arrogantly were personally visiting the Salvatore Family.
Whether they came to flatter or negotiate no longer mattered.
The fact that they had come at all was proof enough.
Every patrolling disciple unconsciously straightened their backs.
Every servant walked with greater confidence.
Every member of the family carried themselves differently.
This...
Was the influence of a true Patriarch.
A Patriarch wasn’t merely the leader of a family.
He was the sky above everyone beneath him.
The higher that sky stood...
The greater the confidence of those living under it.
The stronger their confidence became...
The firmer their hearts.
And with firm hearts came unwavering determination.
Only then could cultivators continue walking the long road toward greatness.
Yet no matter how vivid their imagination became...
Not a single person outside the hall could have guessed what was truly taking place within.
It wasn’t a peaceful meeting between three family leaders.
Nor was it two Patriarchs paying respects to Victor.
Inside the Family Hall...
Victor stood like an emperor overlooking the mortal world.
One family patriarch knelt upon the floor.
The other hovered between life and death.
The difference between them resembled heaven and earth.
Not everyone within the Salvatore Family was celebrating, however.
A young boy suddenly rushed across one of the inner courtyards.
"What?!"
"The Patriarchs of the Ashthorn Family and Ravencreast Family are already inside the Family Hall?"
His face changed dramatically.
"This is bad!"
"Something’s wrong with that old monster from the Ashthorn Family!"
"I have to warn Patriarch Victor immediately!"
The boy sprinted forward without hesitation.
He was Damien Salvatore.
His black hair fluttered wildly as he ran with every ounce of strength he possessed.
His heartbeat thundered inside his chest.
"That old monster cultivates the Abyssal Blood Possession Scripture..."
"He can hide his soul inside the bodies of his own descendants."
The horrifying memory resurfaced once again.
In his previous life...
After destroying the Blackwood Family, Damien had eventually uncovered the truth behind the Salvatore Family’s downfall.
The Blackwood Family had merely been expendable pawns.
The true masterminds had always been the Ashthorn Family and the Ravencreast Family.
Driven by endless hatred, Damien had stormed into the Ashthorn Family alone.
At that time, he had already reached the Great Perfection of the Astral Manifestation Realm. freewebnσvel.cøm
Within Aurelia City...
Very few people could stand against him.
Everywhere he passed, blood flowed like rivers.
The Ashthorn Family had fallen one expert after another.
Then...
He finally killed Magnus Ashthorn with his own hands.
For a brief moment, he believed his revenge was complete.
But the next instant...
An old monster burst out from Magnus’s corpse.
The man’s cultivation had already stepped into the Half-Step Heavenly Genesis Realm.
That battle...
Nearly claimed Damien’s life.
If not for the Eternal Tribulation Sword protecting him at the final moment, he would have died there.
Only after wandering the world for countless years had he finally located that terrifying old monster once more and personally ended his life.
Damien’s breathing became heavier.
"That old ghost is cautious..."
"Cruel..."
"And unbelievably patient."
"If Magnus came to meet Patriarch Victor today..."
"Then Tobias Ashthorn must already be hiding inside his body."
His expression became increasingly pale.
"One Half-Step Heavenly Genesis Realm expert..."
"One Astral Manifestation Realm expert..."
"Patriarch Victor is in danger!"
"I have to reach him before it’s too late!"
Without another thought, Damien accelerated once more, his small figure racing toward the Family Hall as panic consumed his heart.
