At this moment, the patrolling Aethel Serpent Beastmen below the clouds had clearly spotted them as well.

Their posture was so flamboyant, it was hard not to notice.

The Aethel Serpent Beastmen squad all looked up, only to see that leading the way was the Eight-Clawed Golden Dragon, carrying a female and two dragon cubs on its back.

Following close behind was a massive Fire Phoenix, with several Beastmen and a cluster of cubs standing on its back.

One of the elders paused midair, his cloudy old eyes sweeping across the Beastmen and cubs one by one, finally locking onto Rhys Blackwood.

Seeing that face, he felt it was extremely familiar, as if he’d seen it somewhere before.

But age brings poor memory.

After pondering for a long time, he finally remembered.

Rhys’s features, especially those deep, cold eyes, were almost cut from the same mold as the Former Sixth Elder from twenty years ago, the peerless genius who’d been skinned and dismembered.

The old man’s pupils shrank violently, seeing that Rhys was so young yet already at the thirteenth tier (the Foundation Establishment Stage)—how monstrous was such talent?

Such power, at such an age.

Suddenly, he recalled the clan’s rumor: that the old Clan Leader and several elders had conspired to kill the Former Sixth Elder’s entire family.

And that the Former Sixth Elder’s orphan escaped, vowing to return for revenge.

Just last year, the high-ranking members of the clan had all died suddenly in one night—it was rumored to be that orphan’s doing.

Although the new Clan Leader threw all his efforts into investigating, he never found a trace.

If that orphan was really still alive, with such talent and strength, none of this would be difficult for him.

At this thought, the old man broke out in a cold sweat and dared not think further.

Meanwhile, Mael Valerius, Soren Phoenix, and the others in the sky had already flown far away.

Of course, Rhys had also noticed the movement from the Aethel Serpent Beastmen below.

Especially the elder’s reaction, but he didn’t take it to heart.

The affairs of the Aethel Serpent Clan no longer concerned him.

His enemies had met their due retribution, and he had already let go of the past.

Now, he had people and matters that mattered more to him.

After flying for about two hours, everyone finally arrived at Vyrdian Marsh.

This was an extremely vast lake, the waters jade-green and clear to the bottom.

All around the lake were undulating green mountains, their peaks wreathed in mist like the Immortal Lands themselves.

But the most breathtaking sight was the thousand-zhang waterfall in the very center, crashing down like the Milky Way from the heavens.

The cubs jumped down from their fathers’ backs, tumbling and frolicking in the lakeside grass the moment they saw such beauty.

Mael Valerius landed and turned human, and Luna Sutton leapt from his back holding two little dragon cubs.

The men busied themselves with preparing lunch.

Corbin Crowley took care of the freshly caught Aurelius fish by the lakeshore.

Zeke Veridian started the fire.

Kian Sterling and Malachi Arcanus took the cubs to pick wild fruits.

Rhys stood alone by the waterfall, lost in thought as he gazed at the flying spray.

Suddenly, his ears twitched. He spun around and barked coldly, "Come out!"

The Aethel Serpent Clan elder stumbled out from the bushes, trembling and awkward at being caught.

"I—I am Gareth Blackwood, gre—greetings, my lord."

Rhys’s eyes were icy and cold, chilled air radiating from him—clearly, his killing intent was aroused.

What he hated most now was the Aethel Serpent Clan, yet this elder followed him furtively, blatantly testing his limits.

The old Aethel Serpent Clan elder shuddered from fear at his killing intent, but did not run. Instead, he fell to his knees with a thud.

"Lord Blackwood, for the sake of our shared blood, I beg you—please save the Aethel Serpent Clan!"

His sudden kneeling stupefied Rhys.

What does that mean?

Corbin and the others heard the commotion and gathered around.

Luna walked over curiously, seeing an unfamiliar Aethel Serpent elder and looked at Rhys questioningly.

How did she know with one glance he was an Aethel Serpent elder? Because his left forearm bore a coiled little Aethel Serpent tattoo, practically a badge of office.

Rhys’s expression grew even colder, "I don’t know you, and I’m not a member of the Aethel Serpent Clan. Their business has nothing to do with me."

He finished speaking and turned to leave, not intending to waste any more time with the elder.

The elder, desperate to stop him, clung to his thigh, weeping, "Lord Blackwood, this old man knows you’re the Former Sixth Elder’s orphan. You’re strong now—only you can save our clan!"

Corbin and the others all knew Rhys’s background as well as his grudge with the Aethel Serpent Clan.

In fact, Rhys’s enemies had been slain by Corbin, Kian, and Zeke together.

However, as for the recent events in the Aethel Serpent Clan, they truly had no idea.

Soren and Mael had only heard vague rumors of Rhys’s past, nothing more specific.

Soren’s peach-blossom eyes lifted; he hid a smirk behind his feather fan, "Oh? Mr. Poker Face, you had this kind of background?"

Rhys’s face grew so dark it could drip water. He kicked the elder away, "Tired of living?"

"Lord Blackwood, for the sake of our Aethel Serpent Clan’s ancestors, please, come back and lead us!"

The elder rolled twice and crawled back, his forehead thumping on the ground as he sobbed, "Now the Aethel Serpent Clan has withered, we desperately need someone strong to preside. Only you, with your talent and power, can restore the clan’s glory!"

Rhys’s expression grew colder still, icy air all around him. "You know how your clan treated my family. And now you have the gall to beg me to return?"

Moreover, it was he who led Corbin and the others in slaughtering the Aethel Serpent upper ranks last year.

This old fool couldn’t possibly not know that.

The old man bawled, snot and tears flowing as he kowtowed, "Lord Blackwood, it was all the old Clan Leader and elders, blinded by greed! They’ve received their karma—please give the Aethel Serpent Clan a chance."

A chance?

Rhys sneered. Had they ever given him a chance?

"I won’t return. You should leave."

He tossed those cold words over his shoulder and walked away.

The old man collapsed on the ground, wailing as if the entire future of the Aethel Serpent Clan rested on his shoulders.

Luna glanced at the old man, sighed silently, and tugged Rhys’s sleeve, "Are you really not going to get involved?"

Rhys halted, looking back at her, eyes deep and conflicted.

"It’s not that I don’t care; it’s that I can’t do anything."

He sighed softly, "The Aethel Serpent Clan’s affairs are too complicated—too entangled with profit and old feuds."

Besides, he already had a new life, new family.

Why take on another mess?

Rhys walked away toward the lake, his back as cold and unyielding as iron.

Suddenly, the Aethel Serpent elder cried out hoarsely, "Lord Rhys Blackwood, your grandfather’s snake bones... are still being suppressed under the clan altar!"

The words hit Rhys like a hammer blow.

He whirled around, eyes narrowing dangerously. "What did you say?"

The old man, terrified by his sharp gaze, forced himself to speak, "After your grandfather’s snake gall was gouged out, his bones were suppressed under the altar by the old Clan Leader—to make sure he could never rest in peace."

"Heh... Wonderful."

Rhys let out a cold, furious laugh, the chill around him turning nearly solid. He was obviously on the edge of rage.

Luna could feel his anger and grief, her expression complicated. She gently took his hand, "Rhys, don’t be impulsive."

Rhys glanced at her, forcefully suppressing his rage, "I know."

He turned to the old man. "If I return with you, what are your intentions?"

The old man brightened instantly. "As long as you’re willing to return, you’ll be in charge of everything!"

Rhys sneered, "Including releasing my grandfather’s bones for proper burial? And what about your new Clan Leader?"

The old man nodded urgently: "If you return, freeing the Former Sixth Elder’s bones for proper burial is only right. As for the new Clan Leader, if he’s wise, fine; if not, the clan rules will deal with him."

Rhys’s eyes flickered, obviously weighing the pros and cons.

Luna whispered, "If you want to go, I’ll go with you."

Corbin’s silver eyes flashed cold, "I’m in."

If the Aethel Serpent Clan tried anything, he wouldn’t mind slaughtering them all again.

Kian smiled warm as jade, "Just as well—I’d like to see how the great clans of Aetheria treat their guests."

Jade’s eyes were indifferent, "Make it quick. Don’t delay our return."

Malachi cracked his knuckles, "I’ve wanted to dismantle that damn altar for ages."

Soren twirled his feather fan, "I, the Clan Leader, haven’t even seen their altar yet."

Mael simply hoisted two dragon cubs. "Let’s go."

Rhys looked at this family, so ready to storm the enemy’s lair at his side, and the lines at his lips softened just a bit.

"Thank you."

He replied hoarsely.

The Aethel Serpent elder looked at this suddenly murderous bunch, knees knocking with terror.

How did this whole pack of demons end up together—and each more terrifying than the last?