Chapter 103: Silvercrest Clan

"There is one final detail you must know," Declan added, his expression turning grim. "The Ashvele Clan is currently pinning all their hopes on Orian. They intend to push him into the Stormveil Academy during the upcoming recruitment. If Orion manages to pass their brutal trials and secure a spot in Stormveil Academy... destroying Ashvele Clan will become fundamentally impossible."

Rhain’s dark grey eyes narrowed.

City Lord Cassian Valdris had undoubtedly made his path harder now.

By enforcing a month-long city-wide martial law, Cassian was giving the Ashvele Clan the exact breathing room they needed to survive until the Stormveil Academy arrived.

He could simply sit back and wait for the out-of-town Core Formation Realm experts that Aldric was gathering.

But Rhain was never a man who liked to put all his eggs in one basket.

Relying solely on hired mercenaries and an old alchemist was a variable he couldn’t completely control.

If Orion actually managed to enter the Stormveil Academy, brute force would no longer be a viable option.

He let out a slow breath.

It was time to drag the Silvercrest Clan into the mud.

"Declan," Rhain spoke up, ""I have a task for you."

"Whatever you need," Declan nodded.

"Spread a rumor through the commercial districts," Rhain ordered. "That Silvercrest Clan has been secretly supplying weapons to the Solari Clan."

Declan’s eyes widened.

The Ashvele Clan was already backed into a corner, paranoid and bleeding.

If they believed that the neutral Silvercrest Clan was secretly arming their greatest enemy, their panic would override their reason.

They would be forced to take desperate measures.

"I understand," Declan nodded solemnly. "I will have my best agents plant the seeds by this evening."

"Good," Rhain said. "Keep me informed of any further developments. Particularly anything regarding the City Lord’s movements and the Stormveil Academy’s exact arrival date."

"Consider it done."

Declan rose from his chair, gave Rhain a solemn nod, and quietly departed from the courtyard.

Once Declan was gone, Rhain stepped out of the central hall and walked toward Seris’s room.

He knocked lightly against the door.

"Seris."

After a second, the door opened—but only a tiny fraction.

A delicate face poked out from the narrow gap, silver-blue hair spilling over her shoulders.

Her pale purple eyes stared at him, with a look of wariness and nervousness.

"What... what do you want?" Seris asked, eyeing him cautiously.

Rhain found her adorable, guarded expression quite amusing.

The faint, rosy blush creeping up her neck told him she definitely hadn’t forgotten what had happened earlier in the courtyard.

"Are you going to meet Liana?" Rhain asked.

Seris blinked, her wariness fading slightly.

She gave a small nod. "Yes. I’m almost ready."

"I am coming with you."

"Eh?" Seris’s eyes widened slightly, her grip on the door loosening. "You want to come?"

A trace of joy flashed in her eyes.

She obediently nodded her head. "Okay... wait for me for just a moment."

_____________

The night sky had fully darkened by the time Rhain and Seris arrived at the Silvercrest Clan’s grand estate.

Silvercrest Clan’s estate was located in the northern district of Mirravele City, occupying an enormous stretch of elevated terrain that overlooked much of the surrounding metropolis.

Standing in front of the towering gates, Silvercrest Clan under the moonlight appeared incredibly beautiful and magnificent, completely living up to its status as one of Mirravele City’s Three Great Clans.

An elegant figure was standing near the entrance.

Liana.

She had changed into a dazzling silver dress that hugged her exquisitely carved figure, looking as beautiful as a fairy under the moonlight.

As soon as she saw Seris, a bright, cheerful smile blossomed on her flawless face.

"Seris! You really came! I was worried you might not make it," Liana stepped forward, happily taking Seris’s hands in her own.

She was genuinely delighted to welcome her new admirer and friend.

"Lady Liana, thank you for inviting me," Seris replied softly, her posture carrying a gentle elegance.

At this time, Liana’s gaze shifted to the side, her crescent-moon eyebrows lifting in curiosity as she finally noticed the young man standing leisurely behind Seris.

His features were handsome and sharp, and he exuded an indescribable calmness.

"And who might this be?" Liana asked, her bright eyes sizing him up.

Rhain stepped forward, his expression relaxed and composed.

He gave a polite, yet perfectly measured nod. "I am Rhain. Seris and I belong to the same sect. I accompanied her tonight to ensure her safety, given the current unrest in the city."

"Ah, I see!" Liana smiled warmly, not putting on the slightest air of arrogance. "Any friend of Seris is a welcome guest of the Silvercrest Clan. Please, both of you, come inside."

Led by Liana, the two stepped through the grand gates.

The interior of the Silvercrest Clan was even more glamorous.

Many young clan cultivators could be seen moving about, their faces flushed with excitement and their bodies brimming with youthful energy.

"It is unusually lively tonight," Rhain casually commented, his dark grey eyes sweeping over the crowds of young talents.

"Hehe, that is because tonight is a very special event for our Silvercrest Clan," Liana explained, her face glowing with pride. "Every year, the younger generation of our clan holds a massive sparring event to show off their progress and talent to the elders. Originally, it was scheduled to take place half a month from now..."

Liana paused, her expression turning slightly serious. "But, due to the fact that the Stormveil Academy is arriving in exactly a month, father decided to prepone the sparring. Everyone wants to perform their best tonight and secure a chance to be recommended to the Academy!"

She turned to Seris, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "That is why I specially invited you tonight, Seris. You can see the young talents of our Silvercrest Clan, and later... we will also have an opportunity to spar together!"

Hearing this, Seris’s eyes lit up, and she gave a firm nod.

Since breaking through to the third level of the Essence Condensation Realm, she had been eager to test the limits of her Epic-Grade Hundred Flowers Sword Art against a true genius like Liana.

"Liana! You wretched girl!"

Suddenly, a heavy but deeply affectionate voice rang out from the side.

A hale and hearty old man dressed in luxurious red robes strode towards them.

His hair and beard were completely white, yet his steps were as vigorous as a tiger’s. "Where have you been hiding? The sparring is about to begin, and everyone in the main hall has been looking for you!"

"Grandpa!" Liana called out happily, immediately abandoning her dignified aura to act like a spoiled child.

She quickly ran over and grabbed the old man’s arm, swaying it playfully. "Don’t be mad, Grandpa. I was just waiting at the gates for my friends!"

She then turned and gestured towards the two youths. "Come, let me introduce you. This is Seris, my new friend, and this is her friend, Rhain."

Rhain looked at the old man before him with a solemn gaze.

Fifth level of the Core Formation Realm!

This seemingly amiable grandfather possessed an aura that was even stronger than Hayden of the Ashvele Clan.

The old man turned his gaze toward them.

His sharp, piercing eyes locked onto Rhain and Seris, silently evaluating the two youths who had suddenly appeared in his grand-daughter’s company.