A terrifying killing intent wrapped around Knox like invisible chains.
It pressed against his skin, seeped into his bones, and froze his thoughts.
In that instant, Knox woke up completely.
What was humiliation compared to death?
Nothing.
His face turned pale, and all the anger that had just burned in his chest vanished like smoke. He lowered his head and did not dare utter another word.
Only now did he truly understand the identity of the person standing before him.
Alex was not some minor antagonist who existed to be stepped on.
He was the Saint Lord of the Hale Family. One of the most feared figures on the Azure Origin Continent.
If Alex wished to crush him, it would be effortless.
Knox's heart trembled.
He could not die here.
He still had a future filled with opportunities. With enough time, he would rise above everyone. One day, he would stand at the peak of the continent and look down upon all enemies.
How could his journey end today?
So Knox swallowed his resentment.
He clenched his fists silently.
But deep inside, hatred fermented.
Alex. If I do not avenge this humiliation, then I, Knox, am not human.
At that moment, Alex glanced at the system panel.
Through the God-Tier Providence System, he clearly saw a faint fluctuation.
Knox's luck had increased by a wisp.
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly.
So it really worked like that.
In stories, the protagonist's humiliation often became fuel for growth. The deeper the resentment, the stronger the future rebound.
That meant humiliation could not be used recklessly.
If overused, it would only strengthen Knox's destiny.
The better method was obvious.
Take his opportunities.
Snatch his women.
Interrupt his future moments of glory.
That was the true way to crush a chosen one.
With that thought, Alex stopped paying attention to Knox entirely.
His gaze shifted slowly toward Isolde.
"Your Seven Orifices Divine Heart is a priceless treasure of the Hale Family."
His voice was calm and cold.
"You do not actually think that by leaving the Hale Family you can take this treasure with you, do you?"
Isolde's breathing grew uneven.
"Since you are leaving the Hale Family, then leave your heart behind."
"Saint Lord..." Isolde's voice trembled.
The resolute expression she wore earlier finally cracked. Grievance filled her eyes.
"Without the Seven Orifices Divine Heart, I will die..."
"No, you will not die."
Alex interrupted her immediately.
A faint sneer appeared in his heart.
Did she think acting pitiful would change anything?
Too late.
"The Seven Orifices Divine Heart, though called a heart, is ultimately an external object," Alex said coldly.
"You refined it, but your original heart still exists."
Isolde's face turned even paler.
Of course she knew that.
Removing the Seven Orifices Divine Heart would not kill her.
But it would strip away everything that made her extraordinary.
Her insight.
Her comprehension.
Her unmatched talent.
Without it, she would become ordinary. A cultivator with no hope of reaching the peak.
And on the Azure Origin Continent, strength meant everything.
Who wanted to become ordinary?
She bit her lip and looked at Alex with pleading eyes.
"Lord Alex... I am your family."
She hoped that mentioning their past relationship would soften him.
She hoped that the man who once indulged her endlessly would hesitate.
But Alex's eyes showed no warmth.
Did you not just say you were severing ties?
Alex thought silently.
Then he spoke, his voice filled with disdain.
"I am not your family."
"Shameless. You committed adultery with an outsider and repaid kindness with betrayal."
"You severed ties with your family for a stranger."
"I do not need a family member like you."
Each word struck like a hammer.
Isolde's expression darkened.
Fear slowly swallowed her pride.
She finally understood.
This time, Alex would not yield.
He truly intended to take back the Seven Orifices Divine Heart.
Around them, the members of the Hale Family also realized the change.
At first they were stunned.
Then excitement spread among them like wildfire.
The Saint Lord had finally upheld justice.
He would no longer favor Isolde blindly.
And if the Seven Orifices Divine Heart was retrieved...
Did that mean someone else might inherit it?
Their breathing grew heavier.
Ambition ignited in their eyes.
Without hesitation, they began criticizing Isolde loudly.
"Isolde, you said it yourself. You wanted to sever ties. Returning the family treasure is only natural."
"You actually thought you could take the Hale Family's sacred artifact away? How shameless."
"You accuse us of being selfish, yet you are the most selfish one here. What right do you have to speak?"
Their voices overlapped, sharp and relentless.
Isolde listened to the accusations.
Her face turned ashen.
For the first time, she felt isolated.
No one stood by her side anymore.
She could only turn her gaze toward Knox.
Her eyes pleaded silently.
Help me.
Find a way.
But Knox himself was in a miserable state.
Alex's aura still pressed down on him, pinning him to the ground like a mountain.
He could not move.
Could not speak freely.
Yet hearing that the Seven Orifices Divine Heart would be taken away filled him with panic.
He absolutely could not accept this.
Isolde was not just a lover.
She was an indispensable partner.
Her intelligence was crucial to his future.
Without her, countless opportunities would become uncertain.
Knox's thoughts raced wildly.
Damn it.
What should I do now?