The Next Move

"That’s good."

Julian was quite satisfied with this answer.

A faint smile appeared on his face as he looked at Lina Ashford and Liza Voss. The moonlight filtering through the windows illuminated the room, while the lingering fragrance of the Nine Way Cleansing Elixirs had yet to fade. The air still carried traces of spiritual energy left behind by their breakthroughs, making the room feel calm and unusually refreshing.

The two women had not only reached the Gold Realm, but their cultivation foundations had become exceptionally stable. Their auras no longer fluctuated wildly after advancing. Instead, they had settled into a steady rhythm, a sign of genuine mastery rather than forced improvement.

That was exactly the outcome Julian had hoped for.

He nodded inwardly.

At least now, Black Ghost and White Ghost wouldn’t pose a threat to him.

Previously, the pair had been Steffan’s most reliable subordinates. Their teamwork, speed, and ruthlessness made them difficult opponents even for cultivators at the same realm.

Now, however...

With Lina and Liza both stepping into the Gold Realm while possessing four powerful Old Martial Arts techniques that were nearing the perfect stage, Julian finally possessed two truly dependable combatants.

Even if Black Ghost and White Ghost attacked together, he no longer had much reason to worry.

Liza stretched lazily before clenching her fists.

A faint crackling sound echoed from her joints.

"I still can’t believe it..."

She looked down at her hands with excitement dancing in her eyes.

"I’ve trained for years just to enter the Silver Realm. Then... in less than a month..."

She stopped speaking, shaking her head with an incredulous smile.

Lina gently smiled as well.

"Young Master Julian changed our destiny."

Julian waved his hand dismissively.

"You two earned it yourselves."

Lina immediately shook her head.

"No."

Her answer was calm but firm.

"If it weren’t for your guidance... neither of us would have reached this point."

Liza nodded vigorously.

"Exactly."

Julian laughed helplessly.

"You two are making me sound like some legendary master."

"Aren’t you?" Liza asked with an innocent smile.

Julian could only chuckle in response.

The lighthearted atmosphere lingered for another moment before his expression gradually became thoughtful.

He reached into his pocket and took out his phone.

The screen lit up softly in the dim room.

He checked the time.

It had been about three hours since Lina succeeded.

Julian quietly calculated everything in his mind.

Steffan’s plan on the Ashbourne family’s side was likely completely disrupted by now.

His fingers tapped lightly against the phone.

He knew Dario Ashbourne’s personality very well.

The man loved pleasure more than almost anything else.

His pride as a wealthy patriarch was deeply tied to his image.

If something affected his manhood...

He wouldn’t simply let the matter go.

With Dario Ashbourne’s flirtatious nature, if his manhood was uncomfortable, he would likely fight to the death.

Julian couldn’t help smiling faintly.

The poison itself wasn’t fatal.

But psychologically...

It was devastating.

With the Ashbourne family’s strength, even Steffan wouldn’t have an easy time over there.

Julian leaned back against the sofa.

"I wonder if they’ve started fighting."

He muttered quietly to himself.

Lina glanced toward him.

"Young Master?"

Julian merely smiled.

"Nothing. Just thinking about someone else’s headache."

Liza tilted her head curiously but didn’t ask further.

Instead, Julian unlocked his phone and quickly opened Hello Messenger.

His fingers moved rapidly across the screen.

He was contacting a spy he had placed in the Ashbourne family a few days ago.

That person had remained hidden ever since entering the household, carefully reporting every meaningful development.

Julian had never expected the investment to pay off this quickly.

The message was sent.

The room fell silent once again.

Only the ticking of the wall clock could be heard.

Liza quietly poured a cup of tea before placing it beside Julian.

"Thank you."

"You’re welcome."

Barely half a minute later...

His phone vibrated.

A reply had arrived.

Julian calmly opened the message.

His golden eyes scanned the contents one line at a time.

Soon, the other party replied to Julian.

He learned that although Dario Ashbourne and Steffan had a conflict, they hadn’t started a big fight.

Julian raised an eyebrow.

"Interesting..."

That result genuinely surprised him.

Given Dario Ashbourne’s temper, he had expected the Ashbourne residence to descend into complete chaos.

Instead...

The situation had somehow stabilized.

Julian rested his elbow on the armrest.

His fingers lightly tapped against his chin.

Julian was a bit surprised.

With Dario Ashbourne in such a state, how did Steffan manage to placate him?

Lina noticed his thoughtful expression.

"Did something unexpected happen?"

Julian nodded slightly.

"It seems Steffan bought himself some time."

"Is that a problem?" Liza asked.

Julian smiled faintly.

"Not really."

He lowered his gaze again.

His mind rapidly pieced together every clue.

After pondering for a moment, Julian suddenly realized a key point.

Steffan had sent out Black Ghost and White Ghost again.

The realization caused the corners of his mouth to curl upward.

Those two were Steffan’s capable assistants!

Steffan rarely separated from them unless absolutely necessary.

Sending them away now...

Could only mean one thing.

At this critical moment, sending them out must be to break the deadlock.

Julian replayed everything in his head.

Dario Ashbourne’s condition.

The failed treatment.

The poisoned medicine.

Steffan’s promise of two more days.

Every clue gradually fit together.

Given Dario Ashbourne’s current condition, there was only one possibility for a cure.

That was the Ravenswood family’s ancestral medicinal needles.

The Ravenswood family had practiced medicine for generations.

Their ancestors had once served as imperial physicians, leaving behind countless medical inheritances.

Among those inheritances, their greatest treasure was a set of ancestral medicinal needles.

Those needles weren’t ordinary artifacts.

They had been forged from extremely rare materials before being soaked for years in a specially formulated antidote.

As a result, every needle naturally possessed an extraordinary detoxifying effect.

They were naturally effective against the poison in Dario Ashbourne.

Julian’s eyes narrowed slightly.

However...

The troublesome part about these needles was that they were single-use.

Once used, they couldn’t be reused.

The Ravenswood family now only had two left, and the method to make them had long been lost, making them invaluable.

They were treasures that no amount of money could replace.

Julian slowly set his phone on the table.

A knowing smile spread across his face.

With the Ravenswood family’s negligible security, Black Ghost and White Ghost would surely succeed if they went there.

He leaned back comfortably, his golden eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"So they dare to come, huh?"