Chapter 24: Adino

Iwao didn't recognize Lilly, but from Magar's reaction, it was clear she must be a formidable member of the Fiery Fire Sect. With Heavenly Spirit Realm cultivation, she could suppress everything! The strongest existence in the entire Great Cyan Empire was only in the Heavenly Spirit Realm. If a battle with Lilly were to truly occur, it would change everything. It would symbolize the Great Cyan Empire's complete confrontation with the Fiery Fire Sect! This would be a price too heavy for the Great Cyan Empire to bear. That lazy-looking girl cast a glance at Iwao and casually remarked, "Didn't expect you to have the guts to participate in the arena battle here in Imperial City after escaping from Cloud-Flipping City. Not bad, showing some courage." Iwao furrowed his brows slightly. Who was this stunning girl? Judging from her tone, she seemed to know him. But he had never crossed paths with her before. "Senior, this kid killed the Seventh Prince. If we don't take him down, what dignity does our royal family have?" Hevel was unwilling to just let Iwao go like this. This kid had once been incredibly terrifying, bringing countless honors to the Great Cyan Empire. But now that he had fallen from grace, everyone wanted to trample on him. However, deep down, everyone was afraid of his resurgence! Now that he had regained his Illusionary Beast and restored his cultivation... The crucial point was, he had joined the Fiery Fire Sect! As for his future heights, that was beyond their imagination. Offending such a person was something the Great Cyan Empire couldn't afford! If possible, he must be slain today to prevent future troubles. "Do you even have any dignity left, Great Cyan Empire?" Lilly sneered, her words deliberate and biting. "It's a non-existent thing. Why bother clinging to it?" This mockery left Hevel's face livid. Not just him, but Elian, the old eunuch, and the two vice-generals clenched their fists. Hatred! Fiery Fire Sect, the number one sect in the Land of the Five Kingdoms! If Iwao were to spend a few years cultivating there, with his talent, he might even challenge the Heavenly Spirit Realm! At that point, the Great Cyan Empire would have another formidable adversary. "You little bastard, I should have publicly executed you the day of your trial!" Elian trembled all over, his eyes filled with fierce bloodthirst. No one hated Iwao more than him! If he hadn't been soft-hearted that day and let Iwao go, would there have been so many problems afterward? In other words, who could have predicted that this kid would suddenly rise to prominence? "No matter what his previous identity was or who he was, since he joined our Fiery Fire Sect, he is now a disciple of our Fiery Fire Sect. Whoever dares to lay a finger on him is opposing our Fiery Fire Sect." The lazy-looking girl seemed indifferent to everything, a faint gleam in her beautiful eyes. "This is what I say. My attitude represents the Fiery Fire Sect's attitude!" Iwao was surprised. Who exactly was this girl? Such arrogant words couldn't be spoken by just anyone. While the noblewoman was powerful, she seemed more like a skilled bodyguard for the girl. Hevel's face alternated between pale and red, unable to muster any rebuttal against her pointed accusations. They couldn't fight, but they also couldn't retreat. What else could he do? "Let's go." The lazy-looking girl waved her hand and got back onto the Patterned Giant Tiger. "It seems this girl is no ordinary person," Iwao's gaze took on a rare seriousness. Even at his peak, when he was hailed as the pride of the Great Cyan Empire, he might not be able to match her! "What's the matter, got a crush on her? You lecher!" Swallow sneered, disdain written all over his face. "You can't even walk straight when you see a pretty girl. How am I supposed to follow a master like you? You've learned these things at such a young age. What will become of you in the future?" Iwao frowned, annoyed, and grabbed Swallow firmly. "Iwao, you... Are you just mad because I hit a nerve? Wahh, let me go!" Swallow struggled desperately, making quite a scene and drawing sideways glances from bystanders. "Iwao, come here," the girl said calmly. Her tone lacked any emotion, making it hard to discern her feelings. Iwao felt puzzled, furrowing his brow slightly, but still walked over. "Adino's token, you have it, right?" the girl stared directly at Iwao. "Take it out and give it to me." "My grandfather's token?" Iwao's expression turned wary as soon as he heard that. "What do you want it for?" A coldness flickered in his eyes. Even if this girl in front of him was formidable, he would never hand over the token! After his grandfather passed away, this token became the only symbol left in his heart! "Tch." Seeing Iwao's seriousness, the girl couldn't help but sneer. "Adino never died in the first place, yet you're so loyal, even offering up his token! I came to the Great Cyan Empire not for his token, but to take something left on it by him!" Iwao's pupils contracted, feeling like he had been hit hard. Grandfather was still alive? Iwao and his sister Tammy were both orphans adopted by Adino. Since childhood, the two siblings had been raised by their grandfather. Later, during a fierce battle outside, their grandfather suffered serious injuries and passed away. His body wasn't even brought back! There was only a piece of tattered clothing in the grave! Since then, Iwao and Tammy had relied on each other, with Iwao desperately cultivating, trying to carve out a place for himself. And now, this girl was telling him that his grandfather was still alive? This scene left Iwao visibly shocked. "Bring it here," the girl said coldly. "After I take what I need, I'll naturally return the token to you. Of course, if you think there's still a need to keep it... It's not auspicious to erect a token for a living person!" "My grandfather... is still alive?" Iwao took a step forward, excitement flashing in his eyes. Iwao had many fond memories of his grandfather. Now, suddenly learning that he was still alive, Iwao felt a sense of unreality. "Needless to say, why would I need to deceive you?" The girl flicked her finger, and a shimmering Spirit Mark appeared, emitting a faint icy blue light. With the appearance of this Spirit Mark, Iwao felt the temperature around him drop suddenly as if he had been transported to a snowy landscape. "You're a Spirit Mark Master?" Iwao couldn't help but inhale sharply, his eyes filled with astonishment. Being a Spirit Mark Master was also a path of cultivation. Due to the profoundness of this lineage, very few had truly mastered it. This rarity contributed to the extraordinary status of every Spirit Mark Master! Compared to a Beast Tamer, a Spirit Mark Master was even more esteemed! A Spirit Mark Master practiced the art of Spirit Marks, controlling and inscribing them. Spirit Marks held countless applications; they could enhance one's abilities, strengthen Spiritual Protection, and even form powerful formations! The prowess of a Spirit Mark Master was evident! "Is it surprising? It's all thanks to Adino's teachings," the girl said casually.