Chapter 49: The Sword That Revealed the Hidden Enemy
The Sword That Revealed the Hidden Enemy
Beside them, Nux silently watched as Damien received one priceless reward after another.
Yet there wasn’t the slightest trace of jealousy in his eyes.
Instead, a bright smile spread across his face, genuine enough to warm the entire courtyard.
"Hahaha!"
His carefree laughter rang through the air.
"Damien, look at how highly the Patriarch thinks of you!"
He grinned as he threw an arm around Damien’s shoulder.
"You’d better stop slacking off from now on. If you waste all these treasures, I’ll be the first one to beat you up."
There wasn’t a hint of resentment in his voice.
Only pride.
To Nux, every member of the Salvatore Family was more than a clansman.
They were family.
If one person grew stronger...
Then the family as a whole became stronger.
That alone was reason enough to celebrate.
As for those clans where brothers schemed against one another for inheritance, or where relatives smiled to each other’s faces while plotting in the shadows...
Nux had never understood them.
In his eyes, people who could betray or envy their own family were no different from beasts that devoured their own kin.
Victor quietly observed the cheerful young man before him.
The corners of his lips lifted into a faint smile.
"You little brat."
He reached out and gave Nux a light tap on the forehead.
Tap.
"Ow!"
Nux instantly clutched his forehead with both hands, stumbling back dramatically.
"Uncle, that was way too hard! I think you cracked my skull!"
He wore an exaggerated expression of misery, as though he had suffered a devastating injury.
Damien couldn’t help rolling his eyes.
"What a terrible actor..."
Even the surrounding elders let out quiet chuckles.
Still rubbing his forehead, Nux slowly lowered his hands.
Then...
He suddenly froze.
His eyes widened.
Resting quietly in his palm was a finely crafted jade box.
Smooth, cool, and exquisitely carved.
He blinked once.
Then again.
He hadn’t even noticed when Victor had placed it there.
Lifting his head, Nux looked at Victor in bewilderment.
"Uncle... this is..."
Victor met his gaze with his usual calm expression.
"This contains Tranquil Spirit Pills."
His voice remained steady, yet every word carried unmistakable concern.
"It is a blessing that you awakened the Abyssal Bodhi Slaughter Physique."
He paused for a brief moment before continuing.
"But your path should never become one of slaughter alone."
His eyes rested on Nux, calm yet profound.
"Power gained through killing can sharpen your blade..."
"...but if you allow your heart to drown in bloodlust, that same power will eventually consume you."
Victor gently folded Nux’s fingers around the jade box.
"These pills will help calm your mind, stabilize your spirit, and prevent your killing intent from controlling your emotions."
"They are not meant to weaken your resolve."
"They exist to ensure that, no matter how fierce the battles ahead become..."
"...you remain yourself."
For the first time since receiving the jade box, the playful smile on Nux’s face slowly faded.
His grip tightened around the box.
He understood.
This wasn’t simply another precious treasure.
It was Victor’s concern for him.
A quiet warmth spread through his chest.
Taking a deep breath, Nux looked up with unusually serious eyes.
"...Thank you, Uncle."
There was no joking.
Only sincere gratitude.
His golden eyes quietly met Nux’s.
"Nux."
"You still have many roads ahead of you."
"Do not think yourself inferior to Damien."
"Everyone has their own destiny."
"You are a son of the Salvatore Family."
"You are no weaker than anyone else."
"Why willingly make yourself a green leaf just to highlight another person’s flower?"
Every sentence struck directly into Nux’s heart.
His cheerful smile slowly disappeared.
His fingers unconsciously tightened around the jade box.
He had never spoken these thoughts aloud.
Not even once.
Yet Victor understood everything.
Ever since awakening his physique and cultivating the Abyss Sovereign Blood Scripture, Nux had already sensed the road awaiting him.
It was a path stained with blood.
A path built upon endless battles.
Mountains of corpses.
Rivers of blood.
Countless enemies.
Endless karma.
He had already prepared himself to become someone feared by the world.
He didn’t care what others thought of him.
But...
He cared about the Salvatore Family.
He never wanted his family’s name to be stained because of him.
That was why he constantly pushed Damien.
If Damien could stand beneath the sunlight...
Then Nux was willing to remain in the shadows.
He was willing to become the blade hidden in darkness.
Unknown.
Unpraised.
As long as the Salvatore Family continued to flourish.
However...
Victor knew something Nux himself did not.
The Abyssal Bodhi Slaughter Physique had yet to awaken completely.
Its true power still slumbered deep within him.
Victor’s words were never empty encouragement.
Damien possessed extraordinary destiny.
But once Nux’s physique fully awakened...
His future achievements would be no less astonishing.
Who would eventually become stronger?
The young genius who advanced through cultivation resources...
Or the warrior who sharpened himself through endless life-and-death battles?
Even Victor couldn’t answer that question with certainty.
After a brief silence, Victor continued.
"The Tranquil Spirit Pills will allow you to remain clear-minded amid slaughter."
"Nux."
"You must understand."
"Killing is not inherently evil."
"Nor is sin defined merely by action."
Nux slowly raised his head.
The uncertainty within his eyes gradually disappeared.
Only determination remained.
"I understand, Patriarch!"
His voice rang with conviction.
Feeling Victor’s trust and expectations, he unconsciously tightened his grip around the jade box.
At that very moment...
Something changed.
A crimson flame quietly ignited within his left eye.
It flickered like demonic fire.
Wild.
Enchanting.
Filled with endless destructive intent.
At the same time...
A green lotus slowly bloomed within his right eye.
Serene.
Pure.
Peaceful enough to soothe even the fiercest killing intent.
The two completely opposite powers coexisted perfectly.
Like destruction and salvation existing within the same soul.
Victor noticed the subtle transformation and gave a faint nod.
The awakening had begun.
Just then, another familiar notification echoed within his mind.
[Ding! Legacy Investment successful!]
[Congratulations! You have obtained the Legendary-grade Supreme Pill: Eternal Soul Origin Pill!]
Victor smiled with satisfaction.
Everything was proceeding exactly as he expected.
"Very well."
"Since my seclusion ended..."
"I haven’t actually taught either of you."
"Today is a good opportunity."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Victor’s smile gradually faded.
His golden eyes became incomparably sharp.
An invisible Sword Intent burst forth from the depths of his pupils.
The surrounding breeze suddenly stopped.
Even the rustling leaves became deathly still.
Victor slowly raised two fingers together like a sword.
Then...
He gently drew them across the empty air.
Clang!
A clear sword cry echoed throughout the entire Salvatore Family estate.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound continued to reverberate like the cries of countless ancient divine swords awakening from an endless slumber.
An incomparably ancient Sword Intent erupted into existence.
Boundless.
Majestic.
Sharp enough to split heaven and earth apart.
Damien and Nux instinctively held their breath.
Even Elder Black’s eyes flashed with a trace of appreciation.
Then Victor’s calm voice rang out.
"Have you enjoyed watching long enough?"
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