"An Elder from the Nine Ice Family?! What business does an Elder of the Nine Ice Family have with our Azure Wood Family?" the head of the Azure Wood Family asked in disbelief. He turned again to the Fourth Elder and spoke nervously, "Could it be... could this be their response to the help we requested? Are they finally ready to offer their assistance to our clan?! Hurry! Let our guest in! Don't forget to show them proper respect!"
Their guest was from a Noble Clan, so how could they not be shocked? Even if there had been a close relationship between the Nine Ice Family and their clan in the past, the truth was that this connection existed only between Creed and Cleo. And because the Nine Ice Family held a much higher status in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, it was proper to show deference and treat their guest with utmost respect.
"But, Family Head, they don't want to enter our territory. Our esteemed guest said he only wishes to speak with you—both you and Third Elder Creed—outside, because he won't be staying long in our town," the Fourth Elder explained seriously.
The Azure Wood Family's leader fell silent for a moment before nodding. He looked at Creed and subtly gestured.
"In that case, Elder Creed, let's go. We shouldn't keep our honorable guest waiting," said the leader.
After agreeing, they immediately left the meeting hall and prepared to meet their guest from the Nine Ice Family.
--
Outside the gates of the Azure Wood Family's territory, a luxurious carriage stood parked. Not far off, people had gathered to see what was happening.
"The Azure Wood Family is truly lucky. Even an esteemed Elder from a Noble Clan traveled all this way just to visit this small town. What's more amazing is that this Elder came specifically to visit the Azure Wood Family," a woman whispered.
She was just one of the thousands of citizens in Aurora Town, a member of a minor clan, sent by her clan leader to witness this important event.
In Aurora Town, five minor clans resided, one of them being the Azure Wood Family. While relationships between the clans weren't exactly hostile, they weren't friendly either. Each clan mainly cared about their own business and property.
The Azure Wood Family got its name from the Azure Wood Tree, a tree known for its durable wood used in construction, despite not bearing fruit. This tree had been their main trade material for over five centuries. Though widely used in buildings across the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, it was one of the cheapest materials, so it never made the clan wealthy.
What no one knew, however, was that the Azure Wood Tree held a hidden secret. And in this small world, only Finn knew what it was.
Even Finn didn't fully understand why the game system from Rise of Gods contained knowledge about the things in this world. It was known that Kurt Bautista and the game system came from a different world—Earth, the world of mortals. On Earth, soulforce was extremely thin, and its inhabitants lacked soulforce coils, hence were considered mortals.
As the crowd continued whispering, four Elders and the head of the Azure Wood Family finally appeared. They quickly approached a man.
The Azure Wood Family's current leader was nearly a hundred years old, but his level and rank remained at 5th Level Scarlet Gold Rank. He likely wouldn't reach 6th Level before dying. Even if he did, death was still inevitable. His talent was mediocre, which limited his advancement.
In this world, reaching a high level in cultivation could extend one's lifespan: Bronze to Scarlet Gold Rank Adventurers lived about 100 years and Profound Rank for about 200 years.
In short, the higher the rank, the longer the lifespan.
For the Azure Wood Family leader, it was unlikely he'd ever reach Profound Rank due to his lack of talent and resources.
"Good day, honorable Elder from the Nine Ice Family! Please forgive us for making you wait. I am Neleos Doria, the head of the Azure Wood Family. May we know the name of our distinguished guest?" Neleos asked politely.
Even though the two clans had once been close, they had never seen this Elder before. Perhaps he was a newly appointed Elder.
The Elder appeared to be about the same age as Creed, around forty, but none of them could sense his level and rank. There were only two possible reasons: either he wore something that masked his power which is unlikely, as such items were extremely rare—even among Noble Clans, or he was far stronger than Neleos and deliberately suppressing his aura.
The Elder smiled and said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Family Head Neleos. I am Guhen, Elder from the Nine Ice Family. May I know which among you is Third Elder Creed Doria?"
None of the onlookers or Azure Wood Family members were surprised. Everyone knew why a Noble Clan like the Nine Ice Family would care about a minor clan: because Creed had once saved Cleo Frois, a valuable member of the Nine Ice Family.
Creed stepped forward and respectfully smiled at Guhen, "It's an honor to meet you, Elder Guhen. I am Creed Doria, the man you're looking for."
Though they were the same age, their statuses were far apart, so Creed had to show respect.
If the Azure Wood Family weren't poor, perhaps Creed wouldn't be stuck at 4th Level Scarlet Gold Rank. But that's life: being poor or coming from a poor family often meant being weak. Sometimes, one has to dirty their hands to gain strength and influence. However, Creed and the Azure Wood Family refuse to dirt their hands. They remained kind even when life was difficult.
"I'm honored to meet you as well, Elder Creed. You saved Young Master Cleo back then, and the entire Nine Ice Family is deeply grateful. We also apologize for not visiting in nearly ten years—we've been too busy with internal matters," Guhen said, smiling slightly.
Some onlookers couldn't help but feel envious. Creed was merely a member of a minor clan, yet he had received such high recognition.
"Ah… please, I'm not worthy of such honor," Creed said humbly. "May I ask, what brings you to our small clan? Is it about the message we sent?"
Guhen shook his head and replied, "About that… we're sorry, but we cannot help you. We cannot interfere in a conflict between two clans. The only ones who can help your clan—are yourselves."
Everyone was stunned by Guhen's words.
Everyone knew that Cleo's engagement of his daughter to Creed's son was meant to signal the protection of the Azure Wood Family by the Nine Ice Family. So why had the Black Tiger Family dared to stir trouble, knowing this? Why hadn't the Nine Ice Family intervened?
Even though the higher-ups of the Azure Wood Family were filled with questions, they dared not voice them. They only smiled respectfully at Guhen.
"In that case… what brings you here? Is there anything we can do for you?" Creed asked, forcing a smile.
He felt deeply conflicted—betrayed, confused. Cleo had promised protection, so why weren't they upholding that promise? Had he not kept his word?
When Cleo disappeared, it seemed like the entire Nine Ice Family no longer cared for them.
Guhen's smile disappeared and was replaced with a serious expression. Looking Creed in the eye, he spoke softly:
"I won't beat around the bush, Elder Creed. The leader of the Nine Ice Family wishes to cancel the engagement between you and Young Master Cleo."
He emphasized the word "leader" to make it clear who was giving the order.
The leader of the Nine Ice Family?! Cleo's father—a 7th Level Profound Rank Adventurer!
Noble Clan leaders don't hide their levels and ranks. They announce them to display their strength.
Creed was furious, and everyone in the Azure Wood Family felt humiliated.
Cancel the engagement? That meant breaking the marriage agreement between Cleo's and Creed's children—and on the woman's side! That was a massive insult!
Even if the fault was mostly with the Noble Clan, no one in this small town dared mock them. The Nine Ice Family could silence anyone who did.
But this news would surely spread across the Sacred Dragon Kingdom, and when it did, the Nine Ice Family's reputation would take a hit—for breaking their word.
"Does Cleo know about this?" Creed asked calmly.
This agreement was between him and Cleo—it should be their decision. He wanted to be angry, but how could he? He was just a weak 4th Level Scarlet Gold Rank.
He couldn't bear the thought that his son would be mocked and shamed—and so would their entire clan.
Creed clenched his fists tightly, blood beginning to drip.
Guhen had anticipated the question and answered without hesitation:
"Young Master Cleo has not returned to the Nine Ice Family. But that doesn't matter. It was Family Head Artos, Cleo's father, who decided to cancel the engagement."
Creed was overwhelmed with rage and shouted, "It doesn't matter?! That agreement was between me and Cleo! Not only are you ignoring his opinion—you're also deliberately humiliating our clan!"
His 4th Level Scarlet Gold Rank aura burst out, and a terrifying pressure surrounded him.
"Elder Creed! Calm yourself!" the other Elders quickly restrained him. Even if they were angry, they had to suppress it. The man in front of them was from a Noble Clan.
"Elder Creed, let this be the first and last time you raise your voice and question the decision of our leader," Guhen said sharply, his glare intense. "Hmph! I can't promise I'll restrain myself if you do it again."
His powerful aura also erupted, and everyone nearby felt fear and anxiety.
"8th Level Scarlet Gold Rank!" someone in the crowd shouted.
Creed's face remained angry, but he withdrew his aura.
"What about Cleo's child? What is their decision?" Creed asked, frowning.
Guhen smiled and said, "Young Miss does not wish to be married to a commoner, so from the beginning, she was never in favor of the engagement."
Creed's anger deepened. Even his son, Finn, was being looked down on. He could no longer accept it.
But he could do nothing. He was weak.
Blood dripped from his clenched fists.
"Oh, by the way," Guhen added. "The Nine Ice Family has prepared treasures in exchange for withdrawing from the agreement."
He touched his ring, and two floating boxes appeared before them. He opened one:
"This is a Low-tier Excellent Armament from our clan—one of our gifts. You're very lucky. Even I, an Elder, do not possess a treasure like this," he announced seriously.
Excellent Armament!
Many spectators nearly drooled upon seeing the treasure.
It was a long silver sword, glowing brilliantly.
While others were fascinated, Neleos and the Elders had grim expressions. It was a treasure they couldn't protect—none of them could use it, and it would only invite disaster from greedy Adventurers.
Guhen opened the second box and said, smiling:
"This is our second gift. Inside are two bottles containing the Profound Nurturing Pill. If someone in your clan reaches 9th Level Scarlet Gold Rank and stabilizes their soulforce, they can use this to potentially reach the Profound Rank. So—what do you think of our gifts?"
Once again, everyone was speechless. These gifts would only bring calamity, not blessings.
Just as Neleos and Creed were about to speak, a young man's mocking voice echoed from the crowd—
"What do we think of your offer? We think you're clearly doing everything you can just to break the agreement between my father and Uncle Cleo."