"Keep the jade box, you say? Hmph. Whether I choose to keep it or return it to you is entirely my decision to make. What gives you the authority to demand it from me? Because you have numbers? Because you planned a betrayal?"

His expression became even colder, his smile turning into something predatory. "I find it rather amusing that you would threaten me while simultaneously asking for my cooperation. Do you genuinely believe I’m foolish enough to think you’d let me walk away alive regardless of what I do with this box?"

Vogue’s tone shifted, becoming openly mocking now: "Please. I may appear young, but I’m not stupid. You’ve already demonstrated your willingness to betray century-old friendships for profit. What makes you think I’d trust a promise from someone like you? The moment Marcus falls, I become your next target whether I hand over this box or not. At least if I keep it, I have something you desperately want—which gives me leverage."

Sir Collins’s expression darkened considerably at having his transparent deception called out so directly. His jaw clenched with visible frustration.

The boy is sharper than expected, the dwarf thought with irritation. He sees through the trap completely. This complicates matters.

But before Sir Collins could formulate a response or adjust his strategy, Family Head Marcus suddenly interjected with another observation, his voice carrying across the chamber with urgent intensity:

"I must commend you on your perceptiveness, Fellow Cultivator Vogue. You’re absolutely correct not to trust their hollow promises. But I need you to understand something else that’s equally important—something about Sir Collins’s true motives here."

Marcus paused for emphasis before continuing: "Sir Collins isn’t just trying to acquire these jade boxes for personal gain. He’s not working alone or even primarily for his own benefit. If you look at his actions and decisions carefully, you’ll realize he’s actually serving as an agent—a representative—for one of the major powers in this region."

He turned his penetrating gaze directly on Sir Collins. "Isn’t that right, Brother Collins? Or should I address you by your true affiliation? You’re actually an operative working for one of the Great Families or possibly even the Citadel Administration itself. This entire conspiracy was orchestrated by forces far larger than a simple formation master could command on his own."

Sir Collins’s face remained impassive, but Vogue noticed a telltale flicker of something—surprise? annoyance?—pass through his eyes before being suppressed.

Marcus pressed his advantage: "That’s why he’s so desperate to secure these jade boxes specifically. He’s not planning to use the information himself—he’s been tasked with delivering it to his true masters. And once he accomplishes that mission, do you really believe he’ll leave any witnesses alive? Everyone in this chamber becomes a liability once the boxes are secured." 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

The Family Head’s words cast a new, darker shadow over the situation. If what he said was true—if Sir Collins represented a major power—then the stakes were even higher than anyone had initially realized. And the chances of anyone leaving this chamber alive except the conspirators became virtually zero.

That actually makes perfect sense, Vogue thought grimly. An independent formation master wouldn’t have the resources or connections to orchestrate something this elaborate. But if he’s backed by a Great Family or the Administration, suddenly all these careful preparations and planted traitors make much more sense.

Sir Collins’s expression showed growing anger and frustration at how the situation was developing. His careful plans were unraveling as Marcus sowed doubt and suspicion among potential allies.

But the dwarf was experienced enough to know that prolonged discussion only gave his opponents more opportunities to escape or turn the tables. Action needed to be taken immediately before the situation deteriorated further.

Sir Collins made a quick decision and turned sharply toward the stern-faced cultivator Brother Long:

"Enough conversation! Brother Long, I’m changing your assignment. Engage and restrain Fellow Cultivator Vogue immediately—and this time, don’t just tie him down. Use whatever force is necessary to incapacitate him quickly. We need that jade box secured before this situation becomes any more complicated."

He then addressed the remaining conspirators: "Everyone else, focus everything you have on eliminating Family Head Marcus with maximum speed. No holding back, no testing—full power from the start. Once he’s dead, we’ll deal with the young man together."

The stern-faced cultivator Brother Long responded with complete confidence, apparently unconcerned by the elevated threat assessment. He chuckled darkly and spoke in a condescending tone:

"Not a problem whatsoever, Brother Collins. After all, Fellow Cultivator Vogue only just recently advanced, correct? He’s practically a novice despite his talent. Restraining a newly promoted cultivator who hasn’t even stabilized his foundation is child’s play compared to fighting an established mid-stage expert."

Still underestimating me, Vogue observed with cold satisfaction. Good. Let him continue thinking I’m weak and inexperienced. His overconfidence will cost him dearly.

Brother Long pulled a small, milky-white jade scepter from his sleeve—clearly an ancient treasure of considerable power. The artifact began glowing with soft luminescence as he channeled energy into it.

He took several deliberate steps forward toward Vogue while raising the scepter in a threatening gesture. His face wore an expression of mysterious confidence mixed with anticipation, as though he were looking forward to teaching this arrogant young cultivator a painful lesson about the vast gulf between cultivators and those with decades of experience.

Vogue stared at Brother Long with a completely flat, emotionless expression. He made no move to flee or defend, simply standing there calmly as the stern-faced cultivator approached.

But internally, Vogue’s mind was racing through combat calculations.

Let him come closer. Let him think I’m frozen with fear or uncertainty. When he commits to his attack, I’ll show him exactly what happens to people who underestimate an Ultimate Evolution cultivator.

Just as the confrontation between Vogue and Brother Long was about to erupt into violence, something else drew everyone’s attention.

Family Head Marcus, who had been standing relatively still while clutching his injured chest, suddenly made a dramatic gesture. He swept his sleeve in a wide arc, and his entire body began radiating increasingly dense golden light.

The light grew brighter and brighter with each passing second, becoming almost painful to look at directly. Marcus’s aura surged dramatically, his spiritual pressure multiplying several times over.

Then he released multiple ancient treasures simultaneously from his storage space—powerful artifacts that shot out and began circling around him in a defensive formation. A golden mirror, a black spear, a crystal bell, and several other implements all manifested at once, each one radiating formidable energy.

"You want to kill me?" Marcus’s voice had transformed, becoming deeper and resonating with power. "Then come! Let’s see if your conspiracy is strong enough to overcome a mid-Luminous Realm cultivator fighting for his life!"

Through some unknown secret technique or forbidden method, Marcus had somehow caused the golden light surrounding his body to intensify even further. The radiance became so concentrated and bright that it almost appeared solid, like he was wearing armor made of pure sunlight.

Most remarkably, despite his supposedly grave injuries from Mr. Yun’s surprise attack, Marcus didn’t appear weakened or diminished at all. In fact, he seemed to have grown stronger, his aura more imposing than it had been even before the betrayal.

Mr. Yun observed this transformation with a grim expression. He called out a warning to his allies:

"Don’t be deceived by appearances! Marcus is burning his life essence and blood vitality to temporarily amplify his combat power. It’s a desperate technique with severe consequences—he’ll be crippled or dead within hours regardless of whether we kill him or not. The enhancement isn’t sustainable."

The white-clothed old man’s face showed both admiration and regret. "But I’ll admit this much—even knowing he’s doomed, Marcus has chosen to go down fighting rather than begging for mercy. He’s always been a formidable character. That’s exactly why we cannot afford to let him escape. A wounded beast is most dangerous in its final moments."

Mr. Yun’s hands moved in complex patterns, forming intricate seals. The silver wheel artifact hovering above his head began spinning faster and faster, building tremendous rotational momentum. His own body became shrouded in white mist that made his form appear indistinct and difficult to target.

Having personally betrayed Marcus after a century of friendship, Mr. Yun knew better than anyone else that his former friend would harbor an absolutely bone-deep grudge. There would be no mercy, no hesitation—if Marcus got even a single opening, he would focus everything on killing his traitor companion before anything else.

So Mr. Yun was taking no chances. He would fight with full commitment from the very beginning, holding nothing back.

Madam Violet and the tan cultivator also reacted to Marcus’s display of power. Both of them summoned their own magical implements, manifesting weapons and defensive treasures in preparation for the coming battle.

The old woman’s hands glowed with sickly green light as poison techniques began circulating through her meridians. The tan cultivator pulled out a curved saber that crackled with electrical energy.