The sky had turned dark above the Evernight estate. It was already past the time that the Dawn sect elder was supposed to show up. Everard looked up, his brows furrowed.
"Will he not come?" He muttered.
Everard was feeling a bit anxious, but he soon regained his calm demeanour.
"Let's not get impatient," Everard muttered, looking up. "We waited this long. Just a bit more."
A few more minutes passed. Everard decided to go back to the mansion for a moment and check on his daughter. But then—
A gust of wind swept through the courtyard. The guards patrolling the courtyard all looked up.
"He's here." Everard also looked up with eyes full of fervour.
A moment later, an old man with a piercing gaze and a head full of grey hair descended. The moment he touched the ground, a suffocating pressure pressed down on Everard and the guards. The guards trembled in fear, and many of them were already on their knees.
Everard felt the rhythmic pounding of his heart as he stepped forward carefully, his body trembling as he bowed down.
"Elder Ruvan, the Evernight family is honoured by your esteemed presence," he said with deep respect.
The old man named Elder Ruvan looked at Everard and the surrounding guards with disdain.
"Cut the empty formalities," he said, his tone sharp. "Bring me the girl—I'll see for myself if she's truly special."
"Yes—yes, elder. We know how precious your time is. "Just a moment,"
Everard turned to a nearby guard.
"What are you waiting for? Go and get Lucien. Tell him to bring Vivienne here, now!"
The guard hurried off into the mansion. Everard looked hesitant. It was obvious that the Elder didn't have any intention of receiving their hospitality.
"Elder...may I bring you..." Everard began to speak, but Elder Ruvan raised a hand, stopping him.
"I don't have time," he said. "If the girl possesses a spirit root, I will take her to the sect right away. If she doesn't, don't ever come with such bullshit to the Dawn sect."
"We—we wouldn't dare, Elder," Everard gulped.
A moment later, Beatrice and Lucien stepped out from the mansion. Vivienne followed behind, her steps unsteady, shaking in fear.
Alden came out last, but he was the first one to greet Elder Ruvan.
"Greetings, Elder," Alden said with a curt bow. "This is the girl I have told you about."
Elder Ruvan scrutinised Vivienne with a sharp gaze. She looked like she would fall unconscious at any moment.
"If she really possesses a spirit root, then you will be rewarded," Elder Ruvan said, turning his gaze towards Alden. "But if this is a waste of my time..."
"Elder, I assure you. She certainly possesses a spirit root," Alden hurriedly replied.
Elder Ruvan nodded.
"Let's find out," he said, turning to Vivienne again. "Come here, girl."
Vivienne gulped. She was already covered in cold sweat. She was feeling a dangerous aura from Elder Ruvan. This wasn't like the pressure Everard and others felt. She felt like a wave of the other party's hand could end her life.
But as he saw the young girl's fear, Elder Ruvan's face brightened up.
"She is able to sense my power?" he muttered. "Only those with high Spirit affinity can do that."
"Dear, go to Elder Ruvan." Beatrice pushed Vivienne nervously, but she refused to move. She was terrified. Her clothes were already soaked in cold sweat.
Elder Ruvan didn't push further. He stepped up instead. In a flash, he was before Vivienne. Vivienne gasped and took a step back. But Elder Ruvan had already held her in place and touched her forehead with his palm.
Vivienne found herself unable to move even a muscle. Elder Ruvan closed his eyes as he stood with his palm touching her forehead. Few moments passed. Then a smile appeared on his face.
"She does possess a spirit root," Elder Ruvan said, smiling. He then shifted his gaze to Alden. "Alden, you can collect your reward from the sect."
Everard's eyes widened. Breatrice's eyes glistened in tears. Lucien exhaled deeply. A spirit root holder! A cultivator was born in the Evernight family. Everyone was trembling with excitement.
But Elder Ruvan paid no heed to any of these. He held onto Vivienne's wrist and dragged her along.
"Ah... but!" Vivienne was stunned.
"W-wait," Beatrice also spoke up in surprise. But Elder Ruvan didn't even respond as he took off into the air with the shocked Vivienne. In front of the dumbfounded Evernight family members, he just shot through the air with their young lady and disappeared.
It took a moment for everyone to come back to their senses. Then whispers erupted.
"He took her... just like that?" Beatrice was in disbelief.
Lucien was also shocked. But Everard didn't flinch. He smiled instead.
"My daughter is a cultivator," he muttered. "The Evernight family is going to rise,"
He then turned his eyes towards Alden.
"Young Master Alden. Will it be okay if we move against our enemies now?"
"You are already thinking of solving grudges?" Alden laughed. "Well. I like it."
He took a deep breath and continued.
"The sect won't directly interfere in mortals' affairs. But you only need the name—Dawn sect. In front of it, nobody will be able to defend themselves. Your enemies included."
"Thank you, young master, that's all I want to know." Everard's eyes flashed with a dangerous gleam. He hadn't forgotten the assassination attempt towards his daughter. Although the assassin was killed, he could guess who was behind that attack.
"Elder Ruvan doesn't give free lifts," Alden sighed, looking into the distance. "I am still in the awakening stage. I can't fly yet. I guess I will have to walk."
Everard understood what Alden was getting at. He quickly turned to Lucien.
"Lucien, get a carriage. Use our fastest horses and get young Master Alden home."
"Right away, Father." Lucien turned towards Alden. "Please come this way, young Master Alden."
"Very well." Alden followed Lucien, and the two of them soon disappeared around a corner. Everard looked up, towards the sky, unblinking. And then muttered
"Brightmoon family, our century-old feud ends here."