Free Web NovelChapter 30: The Weight Behind a Family Name
The Weight Behind a Family Name
Victor spoke.
"Damien."
"You are a member of the Salvatore Family."
"That fact will never change."
Those few words struck Damien harder than any cultivation technique ever could.
They were simple.
Yet they carried unimaginable weight.
For the first time in both lifetimes...
He truly felt that someone was standing behind him.
Someone who would never abandon him.
As Damien stood frozen in place, Victor quietly met his gaze.
Those golden eyes were calm, profound, and immeasurable, as though they had witnessed the rise and fall of countless ages. Under that gaze, Damien felt as if every secret hidden within his soul had already been seen.
Without another word, Victor raised his hand.
A finely crafted jade box appeared in his palm.
Ancient runes shimmered across its surface, releasing a faint spiritual glow that pulsed like a heartbeat.
"The Fifth Elder’s branch has rendered tremendous service to the Salvatore Family."
"They have sacrificed greatly for this family."
"Since you’ve already stepped into the First Layer of the Mortal Forging Realm, I will reward you with the two cultivation techniques inside this box."
"Consider it a reward for the Execution Branch."
His voice remained gentle, carrying neither arrogance nor pride.
Victor carefully placed the jade box into Damien’s trembling hands.
The moment Damien touched it, he felt a warm current flow through his palms.
It was as though the jade box itself possessed a soul.
"Train diligently."
Victor looked at him quietly.
"And remember this."
"The world is vast."
"Time is endless."
"Only strength serves as the foundation of everything."
"Patriarch..."
Damien lowered his head.
His fingers tightened around the jade box.
Even before opening it, he could already sense an extraordinary aura hidden within.
Deep inside his body...
The Eternal Tribulation Sword suddenly emitted a joyful hum.
Buzz...
Buzz...
The sword spirit trembled with excitement, as though it had encountered something immensely precious.
Damien’s pupils contracted.
He knew exactly what that meant.
Whatever cultivation techniques were sealed inside this jade box...
They were treasures capable of making even a Supreme Dao Weapon react.
For a brief moment, an unbelievable thought crossed his mind.
Does the Patriarch... truly know everything?
Does he know about my rebirth?
About the Eternal Tribulation Sword?
About everything I’ve been hiding?
The thought lingered only briefly before Damien dismissed it.
No matter how extraordinary Victor was, knowing another person’s past life sounded impossible.
Still...
Why did it feel as though the Patriarch had intentionally prepared these techniques specifically for him?
Meanwhile, Victor quietly observed the young boy.
Before his eyes floated a translucent panel visible only to him.
[Name: Damien Salvatore]
[Cultivation: First Layer Mortal Forging Realm]
[Destiny: Gold]
[Comprehension: Genius]
[Talent Bones: Genius]
[Physique: Eternal Tribulation Sword Heart Physique]
[Eternal Tribulation Sword Heart Physique: A physique born under the influence of a Supreme Dao Weapon. It grants perfect compatibility with the Eternal Tribulation Sword and unparalleled talent in the Sword Principle of World.]
[Fortuitous Opportunity: A reborn individual. Possesses the spirit of the Eternal Tribulation Sword. Destined future master of the Eternal Tribulation Sword.]
[Talent Grades: Mortal < Ordinary < Superior < Genius < Prodigy < Peerless < Monstrous < World-Shaking.]
Victor’s expression remained unchanged.
The moment he had first laid eyes on Damien, the Eternal Legacy System had already issued an investment mission.
He simply hadn’t completed it immediately.
At the time, eliminating Tobias Ashthorn had taken priority.
Now that the danger had passed...
The rewards had quietly arrived.
[Gold-Rank Family Member Legacy Investment Completed.]
[Invested: Four Seasons Hidden Spring Scripture.]
[Reward: Peak Heaven-Rank Cultivation Technique — Heavenly Crimson Summer Sovereign Scripture.]
[Invested: Autumn Sovereign Heavenfall Scripture.]
[Reward: Peak Heaven-Rank Cultivation Technique — Heavenly Frost Eternal Winter Scripture.]
Both cultivation techniques now rested safely within Victor’s System Inventory.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"A classic reborn protagonist..."
Victor thought inwardly.
After reading Damien’s information panel, he had already pieced together most of the young boy’s story.
A lone survivor.
A reborn cultivator.
The future master of a Supreme Dao Weapon.
Anyone else would likely regard such a person as the chosen son of heaven.
But to Victor...
Damien was first and foremost a member of the Salvatore Family.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
Victor said nothing about Damien’s secrets.
Instead, he turned around and slowly began walking deeper into the estate.
His black robe embroidered with golden dragons fluttered gently behind him.
Warm sunlight illuminated his tall figure, making him appear almost divine.
Only his calm voice drifted back on the breeze.
"No matter what you face in the future..."
"No matter what experiences await you..."
"Always remember this."
"The Salvatore Family stands behind you."
"And I stand behind the Salvatore Family."
"Let the suspicious gazes of others become nothing more than ghostly lanterns flickering in the night."
"Walk your own road boldly."
Every word struck Damien’s heart like a heavy bell.
His vision blurred.
In his previous life...
He had walked alone.
Every enemy had been faced by himself. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
Every wound had been endured alone.
He had never dared reveal weakness.
Never dared trust anyone.
Because...
There had never been anyone standing behind him.
Not once.
Yet today...
Those few simple words from Victor filled the final emptiness that had existed in his heart for two lifetimes.
Tears unconsciously welled in Damien’s eyes.
He took a deep breath before dropping to one knee.
With both hands cupped respectfully, he bowed deeply toward Victor’s departing figure.
"Damien Salvatore..."
"Will forever remember the Patriarch’s teachings!"
His voice echoed through the quiet courtyard.
Victor never looked back.
He simply continued walking forward.
Yet in Damien’s eyes...
That departing figure grew taller with every step.
Majestic.
Unshakable.
It was as though two blazing suns shone behind Victor’s back, illuminating the heavens themselves.
He appeared sacred.
Supreme.
Beyond the reach of ordinary people.
An absurd thought suddenly surfaced in Damien’s mind.
A thought so unbelievable that even he found it difficult to accept.
"My Patriarch..."
"...couldn’t possibly be a Primordial Ancient Realm Supreme... could he?"
