Hutton, Bob, Boma, and Julian stood in front of the Blinding Town’s hall, a modest yet sturdy-looking structure that had clearly been well-maintained despite its age. The faint hum of activity within the building suggested that even a small town like this had its fair share of responsibilities to manage.
As they waited at the entrance, Hutton adjusted his coat slightly, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of earth and the remnants of a recent rainfall.
Before they could step inside, the large wooden doors creaked open, and a figure emerged.
To their surprise, it wasn’t a grizzled old man or a suited official—it was a woman.
She appeared to be in her late thirties, with sharp yet composed features that carried an air of quiet authority. Her auburn hair was tied in a loose ponytail, and her deep green eyes studied them with measured curiosity. She wore a simple yet elegant beige coat over a dark outfit, giving her a practical yet refined look.
Hutton, Bob, and Boma exchanged glances, momentarily surprised. It wasn’t that they doubted a woman could be in charge, but in a town as isolated as this, they had expected a more stereotypical figure—perhaps an older man with decades of experience.
Julian, however, remained completely unfazed.
"It’s been a while, Evelyn," Julian greeted casually, his expression neutral but respectful.
The woman—Evelyn—offered a small nod. "Julian. I was wondering when you’d show up again."
Hutton narrowed his eyes slightly at Julian. "You knew she was the town head?"
Julian smirked. "Of course. I wouldn’t bring us here otherwise."
Evelyn shifted her attention to the rest of them, her gaze lingering on Hutton for a second longer than the others. "You need a place to stay, don’t you?"
"That’s right," Julian confirmed. "Somewhere hidden, preferably out of sight."
Evelyn exhaled through her nose before nodding. "Follow me."
To their confusion, instead of leading them inside the town hall, Evelyn turned and began walking towards the back of the building.
"Uh… where are we going?" Bob asked, puzzled as they followed her.
Evelyn didn’t slow her pace. "Somewhere safe. But it’s outside the town."
That answer only deepened their confusion.
Updat𝓮d from frёewebnoѵēl.com.
Leaving the town? Wouldn’t that make them more exposed?
Yet Julian seemed completely at ease, as if he already expected this.
As they moved further away from the city hall and past the quieter streets of Blinding Town, the question lingered in their minds—
Where exactly was Evelyn taking them?
Meanwhile, A Gathering of Shadows
In the grand yet foreboding throne room of the Franklin family, the air was thick with tension. The dim glow of chandeliers cast flickering shadows across the high stone walls, amplifying the oppressive atmosphere within. The massive, intricate throne at the center belonged to Franklin, the head of the Franklin family, but at this moment, all eyes were on someone else—the Harbinger.
Clad in his usual ominous attire, the Harbinger sat at the edge of his seat, fingers tapping against the armrest as he absorbed the grim reality before him. His piercing eyes, hidden beneath his mask, flickered with something between frustration and intrigue.
The room wasn’t empty. Members of the Harbingers organization were present—figures draped in dark cloaks, each one carrying an aura that could terrify even seasoned cultivators. Among them were two particularly notable individuals.
Undying Soul, an enigma wrapped in ancient, cursed energy, leaned against one of the towering columns, his expression unreadable. His body, wrapped in spectral remnants of his past, barely flickered as he observed the situation in silence.
Beside him, an old, decrepit-looking woman sat eerily still, her thin, wrinkled fingers twitching slightly as if pulling at invisible strings. Her presence alone seemed to drain the warmth from the room.
Despite the weight of the gathering, the topic of discussion had shifted unexpectedly.
It wasn’t about the God Crystals.
It wasn’t even about Hutton Maxwell and his band of fugitives.
No, the true concern at hand was far more troublesome.
The World-Class Families.
With the Washington and Lincoln families now meddling in this mess, everything had become infinitely more complicated.
Franklin, who sat with an air of forced calm, finally broke the silence. "Lord Harbinger, this… development changes everything. If the World-Class families are now moving directly, even we must be careful. If we push too aggressively, we risk making enemies beyond our control."
The Harbinger let out a slow, deep breath. "I’m aware, Franklin. But hesitation won’t solve our problem. We cannot afford to sit back while they seize control of the situation."
Undying Soul’s voice slithered into the conversation. "You sound troubled, Lord Harbinger. Surely, this is nothing we cannot overcome."
The Harbinger turned his gaze toward him. "Perhaps. But these are the World-Class families we’re dealing with. They command power beyond this country alone."
A cold silence followed.
Then, without waiting for further discussion, the Harbinger made his decision.
"We will not fight them alone."
His voice, though calm, carried undeniable authority.
"I will reach out to our allied World-Class families outside this country."
That single statement sent a ripple through the room. Franklin’s eyes widened slightly, and even the old woman shifted ever so slightly in her seat.
"You mean to call upon the others?" Franklin asked, his tone laced with curiosity and caution.
The Harbinger nodded. "If the American World-Class families want to interfere, then we will bring in forces beyond their control. They are not the only giants in this world. There are others—stronger ones. And they will not ignore an opportunity like this."
A wicked grin spread across Franklin’s face. "Then it seems we have a war brewing on multiple fronts."
The Harbinger said nothing, only leaning back into his seat.
The balance of power was shifting.
And soon, the entire world would feel the consequences.
––––
After what felt like an eternity of walking through dense wilderness, Hutton, Bob, Boma, and Julian finally arrived at their destination—a worn-out cave shrouded in an unusually thick fog. The mist was so dense that it curled around their legs, clinging to their clothes like grasping hands. The entrance of the cave was jagged and uneven, as if nature itself had tried to seal it shut over the years.
Hutton took a step forward, narrowing his eyes at the unnatural fog. "This mist... it’s not normal. What kind of cave is this?"
Everlyn, who had been leading them this whole time, finally turned to face them. Her expression was calm but serious as she replied, "This cave is one of the rare locations that houses a World Vein."
At the mention of those words, all four men froze.
"A World Vein?" Julian repeated, his brows furrowing in disbelief. "You’re telling me there’s an actual World Vein here? In this remote place?"
Everlyn nodded. "I understand your shock, but it’s true. The World Vein is a concentrated point of the planet’s lifeblood—pure, unfiltered energy that nourishes the world. It’s said that civilizations in ancient times thrived around these veins, using them to cultivate powerful techniques and artifacts. Even today, powerful families and hidden sects covet them because of the sheer energy they provide."
Hutton crossed his arms, deep in thought. "Something this valuable… why isn’t it being guarded?"
Everlyn gave a faint smile. "Who says it isn’t?"
That ominous statement sent a chill down their spines. But before they could press her for details, she continued, "World Veins are difficult to locate, and even harder to control. The energy they emit naturally distorts the space around them, creating phenomena like this fog. Many people dismiss places like these as cursed or uninhabitable. That’s why this one has remained hidden for so long."
Bob, usually calm, couldn’t help but shake his head in astonishment. "Something like this existing here… it’s insane."
Boma exhaled slowly. "Still, this works in our favor. If no one knows it’s here, we might actually be able to lay low for a while."
Everlyn nodded. "Exactly. Now, let’s keep moving."
With that, they resumed their journey, stepping into the thick fog that surrounded the cave’s entrance.
The moment they passed through, a strange sensation washed over them. The air became heavier, almost electrified, and the mist itself seemed to pulse as if it were alive. For a while, their surroundings remained completely obscured—only the faint crunch of gravel beneath their feet reassured them that they were still moving forward.
Then, gradually, the fog began to lift.
And what they saw matched Everlyn’s description perfectly.
A vast underground cavern spread before them, illuminated by a soft, ethereal glow. The center of the cavern was dominated by a massive crystalline formation embedded deep within the earth, radiating faint but steady pulses of energy. The ground around it shimmered, as if infused with raw power.
The World Vein.
For a moment, none of them spoke.
They had heard of such places before, but seeing one with their own eyes was an entirely different experience.
Hutton clenched his fists. He had a feeling that this place—this hidden World Vein—was going to become the key that might cause drastic changes in the future.