Yeah, who else can I blame?
Besides, how good can anything with “fiend” in the name really be?
“Damn it, fine!
I admit I got screwed, alright?” Cassian finally gave in.
Bloodfiend might’ve taken him for a ride, but in the end, he hadn’t really lost anything.
He looked at the fiend and asked, “So?
How much blood do you need to teach me that…
Grand Blood Devour Art or whatever?”
“Hahaha!
Now that’s the spirit.” Bloodfiend grinned wide.
“You want to learn the Grand Blood Devour Art?
Two hundred kilograms of blood.
As for the Grand Soul Devour Art…
we’ll talk later.”
“Damn you!
Two hundred kilograms?!” Cassian’s mind blanked.
Where the hell was he supposed to get that much virgin blood?
“Relax.
Spirit beast blood works too,” Bloodfiend added, clearly seeing his hesitation.
“Of course, maiden’s blood is higher quality, but I won’t be picky.”
As he spoke, Bloodfiend pulled out a dull gray sack from who-knows-where and tossed it through the cell bars.
“This is a Maze Sack.
Holds a small minor world inside.
I’ll give it to you.
Just collect the blood in here when the time comes.”
Sick bastard!
Cassian clenched his jaw, silently swearing: One day, I’ll make you kneel and call me daddy.
“Ahem…
Young one, would you spare me a word?” Crimsonlotus Alchemy Emperor suddenly cut in, clearly trying to defuse the tension.
“Screw that!” Cassian snapped.
He was already pissed, and this old man picking now to speak only made it worse.
He began pulling his mind back from the prison world.
Originally, he’d hoped to explore the golden palace some more, but thanks to Bloodfiend, he’d lost all interest.
“Wait.
Just hear me out.” Crimsonlotus quickly added, “If you can bring me three grams of Goldthread Herb, four of Qilin Root, a single Eightfold Fruit, and one Phoenix Eye Herb…
I’ll give you a surprise.”
“I don’t buy your crap, old man!” Cassian shot him a glare, right after throwing another poisoned one at Bloodfiend.
“You’d do well to remember-I’m an alchemy emperor, not a fiend,” Crimsonlotus said coolly.
“And by the way, the herbs I listed are all common low-grade ones.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, Crimsonlotus?
You looking down on me now?” Bloodfiend grunted, annoyed at yet another jab thrown his way.
“Damn right I am!
What are you gonna do, fly out here and fight me?” Crimsonlotus replied, full of arrogant disdain.
“W-Water…
Anyone…
please, just a sip…
and I’ll repay you forever…”
Suddenly, a faint woman’s voice came from cell No.
2.
A charred stump that had been silent until now had just spoken.
Cassian’s eyes widened in shock.
*****
“Young Master…
are you inside?”
Right then, a soft voice came from outside his room.
Still stunned by what he just heard, Cassian snapped back to reality.
He reached for the door and opened it.
Standing outside was a girl in a plain cyan dress.
“Emily greets the Second Young Master.” She bowed her head low, then said, “The master has sent word.
You’re summoned to the council hall.”
The morning sun had already lit up the yard outside.
Cassian rubbed his tired face.
One whole night, gone just like that.
He gave a small nod and made his way to the Faraday family’s council hall.
By the time he got there, the place was packed.
Disciples and elders from across the clan were already gathered.
“Greetings, Second Young Master!”
“What second?
From now on, we should call him Young Patriarch!”
“Yes, yes, of course-Young Patriarch!”As Cassian stepped toward the council hall, all the Faraday disciples standing outside straightened up, their eyes filled with respect.
Everyone knew exactly what today meant-Cassian was about to be publicly named the heir to the Faraday family.
Heir.
Almost as good as being the family head already.
“Greetings, Patriarch.
Senior Elder.”
Cassian cupped his fist as he entered the hall, nodding to his uncle Charles, seated at the head, and to Colin, one of the elders, who sat beside him.
Three chairs nearby sat empty-the former seats of the elders Cassian had driven out just yesterday.
A young boy, neat and clean, came up and smiled.
“Hey, brother.”
It was Noah, Charles’s own son.
Only fifteen, one year younger than Cassian, yet already a spiritblade fourth tier-a true genius of the clan.
More importantly, he was Cassian’s closest brother.
Cassian patted him on the shoulder and smiled.
“Dinner last night wasn’t bad.”
“As long as you liked it.” Noah’s smile was simple.
He wasn’t a man of many words, and other than training, he had few interests.
The bond between the two was clear to everyone in the Faraday family.
It was the kind of unity the clan welcomed.
“All right, that’s enough.” Charles raised a hand to quiet the murmuring crowd before turning to Colin.
“Uncle, go ahead.”
Colin got to his feet and said loudly, “By now, everyone’s heard about what happened yesterday with Bryce and the three elders.
I won’t repeat it.
The only ones qualified to inherit the family leadership now are Cassian and Noah.
We’ve gathered here to settle the matter once and for all.”
“No need to discuss it.”
Before others could react, Noah stepped forward and said, “In strength, skill, and age, my brother’s clearly the one best suited to succeed.”
“Age?” Cassian raised an eyebrow.
“I’m just a year older than you.
Sounds like you’re calling me ancient.”
“Forget already about the Elwood betrothal arrangement?” Noah chuckled.
“I’m only fifteen, you’re sixteen-perfect age to marry.
If our family can tie itself to the Elwoods, it’ll open up a world of opportunity.
You’re the only one who fits.”
“He’s right.” Charles joined in, voice firm.
“If we manage to establish that tie with the Elwoods, our standing in Lunaris, and in Northreach Dominion as a whole, will skyrocket.”
Lunaris was Elwood territory, and their clan was a powerhouse of martial might in Northreach.
Their prestige and reach were unmatched.
Everyone wanted a piece of that connection.
Two months ago, Landon Elwood, the city lord, had declared his intention to find a worthy match for his daughter Hannah.
He’d gone as far as setting up a public arena on the outskirts of the city, selecting her suitor through a martial tournament.
“Don’t tell me tying ourselves to them is the only way to make this clan strong,” Cassian said quietly.
In his mind, there were better ways to rise than leaning on someone else’s name.
“It’s just one opportunity.
Besides, I already put your name in…
a month ago.” Charles gave a dry smile, clearly a bit embarrassed.
Truth was, today’s whole “selection” was just a formality.
Everyone present could see it-Cassian was already the chosen one.
Charles’s words made it official.