Outside Tony Clark’s Residence...

The young members of the Clark family stood gathered in front of him, their expressions uneasy, their eyes shifting between each other and the man who had summoned them.

No one spoke first... Because everyone knew that Tony Clark did not call people for casual conversations.

He stood at the center, hands loosely behind his back, gaze sweeping across each face slowly, deliberately, as if measuring their worth. The silence stretched long enough to become uncomfortable.

Finally...

He spoke.

"So..." Tony’s voice was calm, almost soft. "Not a single one of you came to receive me."

No one answered.

"And not one of you," he continued, his tone slightly sharper now, "attended my engagement."

A few of them flinched.

One of the youths stepped forward hesitantly. "Brother Tony, we were... occupied with sect duties. The academy tasks..."

"Shut up."

The words were not loud... But they cut cleanly.

Tony’s gaze snapped toward him, cold and dismissive.

"Do you think I asked because I don’t know the answer?" he said flatly. "Or are you stupid enough to think I care about your excuses?"

The youth’s face turned pale instantly.

Another tried to step in quickly. "It’s not like that. We just arrived recently, and—"

Tony raised a hand.

Silence returned immediately.

"Let me simplify this for you," he said, his voice lowering slightly, carrying a dangerous edge. "You didn’t come because you didn’t think I was worth showing up for."

No one denied it. Because they couldn’t.

Tony let out a faint chuckle. "Fair enough..."

That single sentence confused them more than anger would have.

But before anyone could relax— His expression changed.

"Then tell me," he continued, his eyes narrowing, "why are you all standing here now?"

No one answered.

Because they genuinely didn’t know why Tony called them.

One of the more confident youths finally stepped forward, his tone carrying a trace of defiance. "This isn’t the Clark estate," he said. "This is the academy. Strength decides everything here. Respect isn’t given because of family status."

A few others nodded subtly.

Tony looked at him into eyes and smirked like he saw an insect.

"You’re right," Tony said calmly. "This is the academy. And strength decides everything."

The youth straightened slightly, thinking he had gained ground.

But suddenly Tony stepped closer.

"So tell me, does your strength protect your family back home? Can it save your sister from humiliation?!" Tony asked like a righteous leader.

The youth froze in shock. All the standing youth terrified after hearing Tony’s threat.

It’s not just a warning... Tony actually saying he will play with your family if you don’t obey me.

’Who will say this to their own family member...???!!!!"

Tony’s voice dropped further, almost a whisper.

"Your father... still works under the Third Elder, right?"

Silence.

"And your younger sister," Tony continued, his eyes locking onto him, "just entered the family training division last year."

The youth’s face went completely pale.

The others stiffened in utter shock.

Tony stepped back slowly, his smile widening just slightly.

"You’re absolutely right," he said. "This isn’t home."

A pause. "But your family still is at home."

No one spoke after that.

Because now they understood Tony’s hidden meaning.

This wasn’t about strength alone. It never was... The defiance in their eyes faded.

Tony clapped his hands lightly once, breaking the tension.

"Good," he said. "Now that we understand each other... let’s get to work."

He turned slightly, gesturing toward the courtyard.

"Line up according to your academy division."

They hesitated for a second— Then obeyed in silence as the first one followed.

The group quickly rearranged themselves, forming four separate lines.

"Rising Sun Peak."

"Falling Sun Peak."

"Sword Peak."

"Healing Tower."

Tony walked slowly in front of them, his gaze scanning each line carefully.

"This is better," he muttered before speaking up.

"From today onwards, you don’t represent the Clark family inside this academy."

They looked at him,

"You represent me." The words hit heavily. "And I don’t tolerate useless people."

A chill passed through the group.

Tony continued, his tone calm but commanding.

"I want information." He raised one finger.

"Everything about sect politics. Who supports whom. Which peaks are aligned. Which elders are in conflict."

A second finger.

"Major families inside the academy. Their strengths. Their alliances. Their enemies."

A third.

"And most importantly... The monsters and geniuses of the Academy."

"The ones everyone avoids. The ones no one dares to provoke. I want to know who stands at the top— and who might stand against the Clark family."

Silence followed. Not confusion... but understanding.

This was not a casual request... This was groundwork.

Tony looked at them one last time.

"You have three days," he said. "Bring me something useful... or don’t bother coming back."

They nodded quickly as they understood the consequences clearly. No one dared question.

"Dismissed."

The group dispersed almost immediately, leaving the courtyard in silence once again.

***

Tony stood there and stopped two youth which he know clearly inside the house.

"You two."

Two figures froze. A slightly chubby boy... And a lanky, nervous-looking youth.

They turned slowly. Fear visible on their scary faces.

"Come here," Tony said casually.

They approached hesitantly.

Tony looked at them for a long time like he caught them red handed during a rape scene.

Not strong... Not talented... Not impressive... but Perfect for Tony’s need.

"What are your names?" he asked even though he knew.

"Fa-Fatty Lin..." the chubby one said quickly.

"Sunil..." the other added nervously.

Tony nodded slightly. "I have a special task for you."

Their eyes widened.

"You’re not going to compete with the others," he continued. "Your job is simple."

He stepped closer... Lowering his voice.

"I want you to find out... who arranged my placement in the Healing Tower."

The two exchanged looks in Confusion.

"That’s it?" Fatty Lin asked in surprise as he felt it is just a eating task.

Tony smiled. "That’s it."

Then—

He took out two small bottles... Body refining pills.

Their eyes widened instantly.

"These are for you," Tony said, tossing them casually.

They caught them hurriedly, their hands trembling.

"For... us?" Sunil asked, disbelief clear in his voice.

Tony nodded.

"Do your job well... and there’s more."

Excitement replaced fear almost instantly. "Yes! Yes, Young Master! We’ll find out everything!" Fatty Lin said eagerly.

Tony waved his hand dismissively.

"Go... Don’t disappoint me. Otherwise, I will hang you both to my door curtains."

They ran almost like two rats who got cheeseburgers.

The courtyard fell silent once again.

Tony stood alone under the faint glow of the formation, his expression calm, his mind already moving ahead.

Information network... Control are Leverage in a powerful place like 9 Lotus Academy. That’s why Tony acted before hand to stay shade of his enemies.

Everything was falling into place.

"Let’s see who’s pulling the strings," he murmured.