"Not just your strength, but your spirit. The Raven Clan owes you a great debt, Riley. But I'd like to think that this meeting is more than repayment—it's the start of a connection between equals."
Riley nodded, meeting his gaze. "I agree. Power is fleeting. Connections, when genuine, can last far longer than lifespans. I've seen that truth in both the lower realm and this one."
Lance smiled, then lifted his cup. "Then let this be the first of many toasts—not just as cultivators, but as allies."
They clinked cups and drank.
Nearby, Evangeline observed quietly, a smile on her lips but a complex expression in her eyes.
She had orchestrated this meeting to bring harmony, but as she watched the two most powerful men in the clan speak as equals, she realized something unexpected—their Raven clan was indeed lucky to have pulled in a strong ally like Riley.
As the feast continued, the stars turned slowly above, casting their light over the Immortal Raven Clan.
