Bloodline Evolution: I Can Choose Opposing Paths-Chapter 19: The Inevitable Outcome

As soon as he stepped out of the car, the scene hit him.

The mansion was larger than Aren had expected. It must’ve encompassed at least 5-6 blocks of housing.

They were led by a servant through white marble corridors that opened into a vast garden courtyard. Lanterns were already hanging from above. Music drifted softly over the whole venue.

Several servants moved through the place, carrying trays of crystal glasses and small bite-sized appetizers.

It was precise and perfect.

Aren adjusted the cuffs of his borrowed suit and followed the flow of guests toward the gardens. He felt out of place, but not unfamiliar

He’d attended gatherings like this before, when rich men would pay millions of coins to just get him into the same room as them.

Though the experience didn’t make it easier either.

The moment they stepped into the open space, Aren spotted Luna almost immediately.

She stood near the center of the garden, already in conversation.

Her attire was formal, but not overly flattering—it didn’t need to be. The upper layers resembled a classic hanfu, flowing white fabric draped loosely over her shoulders, sleeves wide and long, embroidered with faint blue motifs that traced flowing patterns.

But beneath it, the dress tapered into a more trendy silhouette, the fabric closer to a gown than robe.

It was a mix of old traditions and new ideas, exactly what she was known for in the Mystic world.

Sponsors and wealthy patrons clustered around her. She handled them with ease, giving short answers and small smiles.

Aren could not believe this was the same person who left her ID at home and couldn’t join Solos.

He exchanged a glance with Lily, then they made their way over.

"Luna," Aren said as they approached. "Seems you’re early."

She turned, relief flickering across her face for just a moment before it smoothed back into composure.

"Yeah...wasn’t my best idea."

That was all they managed.

The space closed in almost immediately.

"Congratulations on making the semifinals," a man in a tailored coat said, stepping in with a wide smile. "A remarkable performance! Truly remarkable!"

Another voice followed before Aren could respond. "At your age, too. Sun City hasn’t seen talent like this in years."

Someone laughed lightly. "Especially you," they added, eyes flicking to Aren. "A Dragon Bloodline, was it? Extraordinary."

Business cards began appearing in his hands from nowhere.

"Our company would be very interested in supporting your future," a woman said smoothly.

"We’ve already invested heavily in cultivation talents," another cut in. "But you? You can be our shining star."

Aren listened for a few seconds longer.

Then he’d had enough.

Without a word, a trace of his ether slipped free. A faint pressure spread outward, subtle yet unmistakable, pressing down just enough to remind everyone nearby of a simple fact.

A Baby Dragon...was still a Dragon.

Several smiles closed, a few hands froze.

"Thanks," Aren said. "Enjoy the banquet."

It took a few seconds for the crowd to recalibrate themselves, then turned onto the final member of Aren’s team.

Lily blinked as the attention shifted wholesale onto her.

"Wait—hey—" she started, already being boxed in.

She shot Aren a look over their shoulders.

"Help?" she mouthed.

Aren met her gaze.

Then smiled.

He shot her a thumbs-up, turned on his heel, and walked away.

Her glare burned into his back, yet he didn’t feel even a little bit bad.

Well, slightly, but it was manageable.

Aren drifted toward one of the drink tables, accepting a crystal glass from a passing servant. He didn’t drink it, just held it loosely as his eyes scanned the garden.

That was when he noticed it.

The security presence was... thin.

There were guards, yes, posted near entrances and along the garden’s outer edges. Mostly mid-tier Mystics standing at ease, around 4-5 Lines at most.

Aren’s gaze shifted again.

And found what he hadn’t been looking for.

Jake Wells, CEO of Wells Materials Group, and Clara’s father stood near the far edge of the garden. His posture was relaxed, hands clasped behind his back.

Yet, Clara’s team was no where to be found...strange.

Across from him stood Rinrin.

They weren’t smiling, didn’t look like the performative act that a rich man would put on to recruit Rinrin like the others did toward Aren.

CEO Wells spoke quietly, his head inclined just enough that anyone watching would assume it was another harmless exchange.

Rinrin listened without reacting.

When she finally spoke, it was brief. A single sentence.

CEO Wells’ eyes narrowed slightly before he gave a nod.

That was all.

Rinrin turned away first, already disengaging. CEO Wells remained where he was, gaze following her for half a second longer than necessary before he straightened and blended back into the crowd.

Aren looked away before either of them could notice him watching.

What was that about?

Before his thoughts could go any further, he noticed the conversations around slowly dying down.

Heads turned toward the far end of the courtyard as a man stepped out from inside.

He had graying hair along with a long beard that seemed to scream wisdom, but looked more like a mockery of it.

Aren had seen his name on the invitation letter. This was, no doubt, the tournament’s host—Chairman Adams.

Applause started before he reached the platform.

Adams smiled as if he’d expected it.

As he stepped up, Aren noticed the man just behind him, the same organizer who had delivered the invitation to his team.

Chairman Adams adjusted the microphone and spread his hands slightly, waiting for the applause to die down.

"Good evening," he said, "For those of you I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting. I am Chairman Hugh Adams. Head of the Sun City Tournament Committee."

A few appreciative murmurs followed.

"And more importantly," he added with a small chuckle, "a man very pleased to see such a... distinguished crowd gathered here tonight."

Light laughter rippled through the garden.

"This tournament has exceeded expectations," Adams continued. "Participation is up. Sponsorship is strong. And judging by the talent we’ve seen so far, Sun City’s future has never looked brighter."

He let that sit, clearly enjoying the nods and smiles directed his way. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"To our sponsors and partners," Adams said, inclining his head slightly, "your investments make nights like this possible. Prosperity thrives when vision meets opportunity."

"And before rumors start spreading," he went on casually, "let me reassure everyone—"

He tapped the microphone once.

"For security reasons, the Fertile Core itself is not present tonight. What you see here is merely its certification and projection."

Relief washed through the crowd.

Laughter and murmurs between each other filled the crowd.

But Aren didn’t hear most of it.

Because beneath the applause, beneath the murmurs—

He heard something else.

A sigh.

It was quiet. Almost lost in the noise. But it didn’t belong.

Aren’s gaze snapped toward the sound.

Someone had pushed through the crowd before emerging onto the patch of grass nearby Chairman Adams.

Rinrin.

"Is it really not here?"

The question was simple.

Chairman Adams blinked, clearly caught off guard. He let out a small, amused chuckle, the kind used to defuse awkward moments.

"I’m afraid not," he said smoothly. "As I mentioned, for security—"

That was when Aren understood.

The forfeits. The plan. The inevitable outcome...All to get into this banquet to confirm a suspicion. One that he started.

"Shit..."

Rinrin sighed softly, disappointment barely concealed.

"Oh," she said. "That’s a shame."

The shadows underneath her stretched outward as a black tendril surged upward in total silence, piercing straight through the Chairman’s chest.

Chairman Adams froze.

His mouth opened. Confusion was his last expression as he went limp. Blood spread across his suit in dark pools as the tendril lifted him an inch off the ground before dropping his corpse down like a rag doll.

For a second, the audience froze.

Then...

All hell broke loose.