They stared in disbelief.
Ella had appeared directly in front of Jade without making a single sound. The sheer mystery of her movement left them stunned. Even Amy, who was closest to Ella, couldn't help but be curious about the technique, as it was something she had never seen before.
Just as Amy was about to speak—
Ella, after delivering that devastating punch, suddenly changed her expression.
"Oh no? Father!"
She gasped, her voice full of "shock" as she hurriedly rushed forward.
Amy furrowed her brows, completely baffled. Just a moment ago, Ella had attacked without hesitation, and now she was acting as if she had accidentally done it?
"Baby cousin, what are you…?" Amy called out, but she couldn't move—the law restriction remained active, leaving her unable to take action.
Ella ignored her and hurried down, her expression full of "concern" as she called out, deliberately making sure Jade could hear.
"Father, where are you? Are you okay?"
She rushed toward the collapsed rubble, her face a picture of worry. But in her mind, she was muttering to herself:
Damn it, he should have been fine, right? I only used 5% of my strength… I didn't expect it to crush his bones so badly.
She clicked her tongue inwardly.
Unfortunately, he didn't die.
The thought made her uneasy. If things had gone differently, she might have been in huge trouble. But her shameless plan was already in motion—pretending she hadn't done it was the only way forward.
To make sure, she asked the system:
"System, is he dead?"
DING!
▶ [Target is still alive.]
A wave of relief washed over Ella.
She quickened her steps, keeping up her innocent act as she headed toward the rubble where Jade was buried.
Meanwhile, Jade hadn't been able to move for nearly ten minutes.
His body was in excruciating pain, bones shattered. His mind was in a daze, struggling to comprehend what had just happened.
Impossible…
He forced himself to sit up, but before he could react—
He felt Ella's presence.
Her aura was approaching rapidly.
For a moment, Jade's expression twisted. But instead of anger, there was… something else. Shock? Disbelief? A glimmer of excitement?
This child… her talent is truly terrifying.
He suddenly thought of Yula's words—her belief that Ella had the potential to elevate their domain beyond its limits.
A smile crept onto his lips.
She was right.
Instead of resenting his own daughter for nearly crippling him, Jade felt elation.
An absolute confidence took root in his heart.
Ella was their future.
The moment her voice reached him, and she arrived at his side, Jade didn't scold her. Instead, he smiled awkwardly as he forced himself to stay composed.
"Dear, help your father. My back isn't functioning for a bit… come, come."
Ella hesitated, her face still full of "concern."
"Father… are you okay?"
Jade's heart warmed.
My daughter really cares about me…
And then—
"It wasn't me who punched you earlier, Father!"
Ella spoke with a straight face.
Jade's smile froze.
"It was those guards in black! They punched you so hard that you thought it was me!"
She clenched her fists, her eyes shimmering as if on the verge of tears.
Jade almost spat out blood.
His body staggered, but he managed to remain standing.
R-Really?!
Somehow, he found himself responding.
"Then… who was it? I will punish him severely!"
Jade didn't even know why he was going along with this nonsense, but the sheer awkwardness of the situation left him with no other choice.
Ella nodded rapidly, her voice trembling.
"Yes, Father! I didn't even have time to react! That guy must have copied my appearance and punched you in the back—that's why it wasn't really me!"
Her voice cracked as she rubbed her eyes.
Tears almost fell.
Jade felt his blood pressure spike.
For a second, he nearly fainted from anger.
Who the hell taught my daughter to lie like this?!
His eye twitched.
Could it be… she inherited my deceptive nature?
Jade thought about it.
Then—
His rage faded.
Instead, he felt a strange sense of pride.
This little brat…
She really was his daughter.
Ella saw that her father wasn't saying anything, and for a split second, she had the urge to punch him again.
But she stopped herself.
She could already sense her mother's presence.
Yula was arriving soon.
That meant she had to adjust her plan.
Instead of escalating things, she stayed put, waiting for Yula to arrive. She could also sense Scillia's presence in the distance, but she ignored it.
Nearby, Yula was helping Amy remove the law restriction.
Amy exhaled sharply, her expression complex.
"Thank you, Aunt. I was really angry at Uncle for being petty again… He's unwilling to give up his position."
Yula remained calm, her voice composed.
"I will handle it. You should go back first. Your mother has already contacted me—she said not to take it to heart. Jade's obsession with power isn't something that can be erased so easily."
Amy sighed.
She understood.
Her uncle's greed for power had been present for far too long.
Still—
She wasn't planning to let this go.
One day, she would find a way to take revenge.
"Thank you, Aunt. I will take my leave now. As for Uncle, please treat his injuries… I'm sure his bones are shattered and will need healing."
A sense of satisfaction flickered in her gaze as she spoke. She also felt a newfound warmth toward Ella.
Yula nodded silently, watching her go.
Then, she turned her gaze toward the distant annex mountains.
She could see Ella "helping" Jade tend to his injuries.
With a sigh, she moved toward them.
Scillia was also approaching, but Yula ignored her presence.
Arriving at Jade's side, she spoke directly.
"Jade, why are you doing this again? Shouldn't you let it go and allow Amy to elevate her domain? We will have more opportunities in the future."
Her tone was worn out.
It was clear that this wasn't the first time she had this exact conversation with him.
Jade sneered, even as he groaned in pain.
"This won't do. I worked too hard to get this far. I will never let anyone replace me."
His trembling body struggled to move as he stared at Yula.
"You should know what it feels like—to be stuck in the same realm for too long. I want to ascend. We need resources for that goal."
His voice was filled with frustration.
Yula understood.
The struggle of stagnation in cultivation…
It was something she had also experienced.
"Let's heal you first."
She took out a potion from her storage bracelet and handed it to him.
Ella, watching them, felt a strange emotion.
She asked the system:
"System, what's going on? Why does this feel… off?"
DING!
▶ [Jade is facing the common struggle of stagnation in cultivation. His frustration is growing, and his sanity is showing signs of instability.]
Ella felt a twinge of guilt.
She glanced at Jade.
If I were in his position, I'd probably do the same… No—I'd seek opportunities at every turn. I'm lucky. I was born with extreme talent—I never had to struggle for resources or risk my life for a breakthrough.
Her gaze shifted to her mother.
Yula wasn't angry at Jade. She understood him.
Ella hesitated. Then, curiosity got the better of her.
System, show me my mother's status.
She had a feeling…
A moment later, the system's response rang out.
DING!
Updated Status – Yula
▶ [Name:] Yula
▶ [Title:] Ancient God, 50+ more
▶ [Race:] [Transcendent] Ignis Sovereign
▶ [Age:] 304,922 years old
▶ [Realm:] Chronosurge Realm (Peak)
▶ [Heavenly Restrictions:] 5 Layers
Cultivation Methods:[Transcendent] Phoenix Soul Refinement Scripture[Divine] Immortal Ash Resurgence Codex[Mythic] Undying Flames Harmonization Technique[Mythic] Sacred Lotus Ascension Path[Mythic] Ember Sovereign's Eternal Cycle[Mythic] Scarlet Ash Devouring SutraPhysique: [Legendary] Ashen Rebirth PhysiqueBloodline: [Divine] Scorchheart LineageComprehension: High+Affinity: Rebirth EssenceTechniques: (100+)[Transcendent] Immortal Ash Devouring Flames[Divine] Sacred Lotus Blooming Realm[Divine] Eternal Phoenix's Will[Divine] Heaven's Molten Feather Slash[Legendary] Soul-Refining Inferno[Mythic] Undying Firestorm Cataclysm[Mythic] Blazing Mirage Step[Mythic] Infernal Heaven Descent[Mythic] Ashen Soul Ascendancy[Mythic] Ember Sovereign's Domain[Mythic] Flame-Wrought Cataclysm[Mythic] Scarlet Sun Tyranny[Mythic] Crimson Lotus Devourer[Mythic] Thunderous Void Breaker[Mythic] Ocean's Tyrannical Wave[Mythic] Earthen Titan's Grasp[Mythic] Moonlit Phantom Step[Mythic] Heaven-Severing Blade Art[Mythic] Astral Chains of Dominion[Mythic] Devouring Abyss Fangs[Mythic] Void-Walker's Domain[Mythic] Celestial Melody of Stars[Legendary] Titan's Wrathful Strike[Master] Starlit Shadow Dance(And many more...)Equipment:[Primordial] Phoenix Ascension Earrings[Primordial] Celestial Feather HairpinSpecial Traits:
???
––
Ella stared in shock.
Holy moly… Mother is an old monster.
She had really struggled and worked hard to reach this level.
Ella couldn't help but be impressed.