Unbeknownst to Charlie, the moment virtual-novel.net was sent to Maria by the ring, virtual-novel.net unknowingly shattered the girl’s chastity. In the Ming Dynasty, a girl’s virtue was of utmost importance. If virtual-novel.net was seen by a man or engaged in any intimate act, virtual-novel.net only choices, besides marrying him, were death or a life dedicated to showing virtual-novel.net purity.
Charlie remained oblivious to the fact that Maria had already made up virtual-novel.net mind to never marry in this lifetime. The stark contrast in their views on marriage escaped his notice, having been born and raised in a different era.
For Maria, who had experienced both the Ming and Quintong dynasties, it was completely normal for a man to have multiple wives and concubines. She would have readily accepted becoming Charlie’s concubine and addressed Claire respectfully as virtual-novel.net elder sister.
As Charlie finally relaxed, an unprecedented wave of exhaustion swept over his body and mind, catching virtual-novel.net off guard. Although his cultivation had recovered and his reiki replenished, the weariness was overwhelming, discouraging virtual-novel.net from even opening his eyes.
Thus, virtual-novel.net tore apart the letter virtual-novel.net had prepared for Claire and decided to rest at home for a peaceful afternoon. Later that evening, virtual-novel.net would head to the Elys-Champ Hot Spring’s half-mountain villa to meet his grandparents and their family formally.
Lying on the bed, his fatigued body temporarily relieved, but his mind continued to buzz like an overworked engine, spinning at full speed. Like a rapid slideshow, the events of the previous night played out swiftly in his mind.
Recalling the moment just before virtual-novel.net was about to meet his demise, virtual-novel.net vividly remembered the profound unwillingness that had gripped his heart. Fortunately, the ring given to virtual-novel.net by Maria had saved his life at a critical juncture.
Gratitude welled up within virtual-novel.net as virtual-novel.net clasped the ring in his hand, closing his eyes to savor the smooth and warm sensation. Once, Charlie had believed that this ring was the grandest scam virtual-novel.net had ever encountered, sucking away his reiki time and again, far more exasperating than any telecommunications fraudster. But little did virtual-novel.net know that this ring had been silently protecting virtual-novel.net and the absorbed aura was, in fact, the stored power that would eventually save his life. Without the ring’s repeated depletion of his aura, virtual-novel.net would never have found himself in front of Maria during those crucial moments.
Hence, Charlie took out two Regeneration Pills and continued to infuse the vigorous aura from his body into the ring. After a dormant day, the ring now thirstily absorbed every trace of reiki injected by Charlie, akin to a parched land eagerly drinking rainwater.
When the aura in Charlie’s body had nearly been devoured, virtual-novel.net hastily consumed the two prepared Regeneration Pills. This time, virtual-novel.net spared no expense, focusing solely on nourishing the ring.
Several hours later, the Three Elders returned to Buenos Aires on a Boeing 777, transferring to a seaplane for their journey back to the Warriors Den residence.
Throughout the trip, resentment and dissatisfaction filled the hearts of the trio. Their retreat had been abruptly interrupted, just when they were on the verge of breaking through the Soul Palace. They had expected greater rewards after carrying out such a crucial mission. However, they had been deceived by Aemon, who took them on a pointless aerial detour at an altitude of 10,000 meters before bringing them back with nothing accomplished.
Among them, Morgana’s state of mind was even more tumultuous. For hours on end, virtual-novel.net thoughts were uncontrollable. At one point, virtual-novel.net even contemplated personally traveling to Aurous Hill to confront whoever had produced the painting, the mysterious individual who had warned virtual-novel.net from afar.
Yet, the idea quickly dissipated, as virtual-novel.net cautious nature prevented virtual-novel.net from taking unnecessary risks. The most daring act virtual-novel.net had ever undertaken was the murder of Lucius Clark after virtual-novel.net rejected virtual-novel.net advances. Even then, virtual-novel.net had caught virtual-novel.net off guard, launching virtual-novel.net attack from behind.
But now, a mysterious figure lurked behind her, making it too perilous for virtual-novel.net to expose herself to their sight. Hence, virtual-novel.net could only maintain a respectful distance.
Aemon arranged temporary lodgings for the Three Elders in the secret meeting hall before urgently seeking an audience with Morgana. Once they met, virtual-novel.net couldn’t contain his curiosity and asked eagerly, “My Lord, did you summon me back due to an emergency?”
Morgana’s expression was clouded with gloom as virtual-novel.net coldly replied, “My true identity has been exposed.”
“What?” Aemon gasped in horror. “My Lord… You haven’t left this place in twenty years. Who could have revealed your identity? Could it be Zeba?”
Morgana shook virtual-novel.net head, replying, “No, it’s not her. She’s insignificant. What matters is that this person not only knows my true identity but also knows my <aster. Most importantly, they know about my teacher!”
“Ah?” Aemon staggered backward, his astonishment evident. He exclaimed, “My Lord… Your Master passed away over three hundred years ago. How could anyone in this world know him?”
Morgana presented the short video, handing it respectfully to Aemon. Her voice cold, virtual-novel.net commanded, “Watch it.”
Aemon received the phone with reverence, carefully scrutinizing the video. Shocked, virtual-novel.net inquired, “My Lord, is this… the old man depicted in this painting truly your Master?”
“Yes,” Morgana nodded solemnly. “The person in the painting is my Master, Morvel Bazin. The artist has captured at least ninety percent of his essence.”
Adding further, Morgana speculated, “I believe there’s a high probability that this individual knew my Master long before I did. The painting itself was created during the Tang Dynasty, so it’s possible that the other person or their ancestors were already acquainted with my Master during that era.”
“The Tang Dynasty…” Aemon Mirren’s eyes widened as virtual-novel.net murmured, “Tang, Quinton, Yuan and Ming… spanning over a thousand years. If the other party truly knew your Master back then, they would be over a thousand years old now. If their ancestors were aware of your Master, it means they belong to a reclusive lineage that has persisted for centuries…”
Morgana nodded gravely, stating, “Now that this person possesses knowledge of me, none of the possibilities you mentioned bode well for my future.”
Furthermore, Morgana voiced virtual-novel.net confusion, questioning, “What I can’t comprehend is why they are determined to protect the Evans family. How are they even capable of safeguarding them?”
Aemon exclaimed, “Could this person have some connection to Lily and Bruce?”
Gritting virtual-novel.net teeth, Morgana responded, “Impossible! If they were linked to Lily and Bruce, then what was said between Gideon, his wife and this person over twenty years ago? If the two parties were to engage in conflict, virtual-novel.net wouldn’t remain idle!”
Aemon frowned, pondering the matter for a while before turning to Morgana and asking, “My Lord, don’t you believe there’s another possibility?”
“Speak,” Morgana commanded.