Supreme Devil Lord: I Can Refine All Energy-Chapter 42: What Your Family Really Needs

Eric’s eyes narrowed, and his expression became ugly when he noticed the look in his eyes. He knew this man wanted Elena, and maybe that’s why she hadn’t asked for his help all these years, no matter how hard things became.

He took a deep breath and suppressed his displeasure, his expression becoming normal. He then used {Inspect} on him.

[Name: Paul Lark]

[Cultivation: Novice (Grade 3)]

[Battle Power: 55]

[Status: Injured, excited.]

[Detailed Status Description: He had been injured several times, and although all outer injuries have been healed, some internal injuries remain. He had developed a crush on Elena when he met her for the first time...]

There was no change in his expression, but inside, he was fuming. ’Just as I thought. This bastard wants her.’

"Hello, Paul." Elena said again, forcing a smile on her face.

"What a pleasant surprise, Elena." Paul said, before noticing the luggage Eric and Riya were carrying.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, putting on a worried expression on his face.

Eric sneered in his heart before ordering the system, ’Show me my battle power.’

As soon as he said this, the system screen flickered.

[Battle Power: 11]

Eric raised his brows.

The system seemed to know what he was going to ask. Therefore, he could, the system screen changed.

[The battle power is determined after considering several factors, such as one’s physical attributes, battle techniques, battle experience, and how efficiently one can use their body, and energies in a battle. Average Grade One Novice Cultivator has 10 battle power.]

Eric nodded before asking, ’How strong is he compared to an average Grade Three Novice Wa—Cultivator?’

[The host should figure it out himself, as the process will help. Or, the host can upgrade the {Inspect} skill. Though, the system recommends host to go with the former option.]

The corners of Eric’s lips twitched. Then he was about to ask how he could upgrade, but Elena had started telling him about their situation. So, he shifted his attention to them, choosing to ask it at a later time.

"Someone is targeting us, so we are not safe in the slums. We were hoping to stay at your place for some days since we have nowhere else to go." Elena said before adding, "However, if it’s inconvenient for you to—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Paul interrupted her, and while looking into her eyes with a small smile on his face, he said,.

"What are you talking about, Elena? Why would it be inconvenient? I already feel bad about not being able to help you all these years. Now that I got the opportunity to help you, I’m more than happy. You are free to stay for as long as you like."

Eric’s fists clenched when he saw his ambiguous smile and that weird look in his eyes, but he didn’t say anything.

After saying this, Paul looked at him and Riya, his gaze lingering on Riya for a moment more. "They are little Riya and little Eric? Last time I saw them, they were still babies, but now they have already grown up."

Elena furrowed her brows when she noticed this and suddenly regretted her decision.

"Paul..." She had just opened her mouth to say something when Paul took a step forward and took the luggage from Riya and Eric. "We can talk later. First, you all come inside and rest."

Elena sighed and nodded, "Alright."

As she walked forward, Paul finally noticed she was limping, and the lower part of her skirt was stained with blood. He frowned before moving toward her, wanting to help her.

Swoosh!

However, before he could take even a step toward her, Eric appeared beside her. He put her arm around his shoulder before grabbing her waist to support her. He then smiled at Paul, "Please lead the way in, Uncle Paul."

Paul looked at him in silence for a moment before smilingly nodding, "Yes. Follow me."

As he turned around and entered the house, Riya walked up beside Eric and said in a low voice, "I don’t like him."

Eric noticed Paul slow down for a split second when she said this. He smiled and asked, similarly in a low voice, "Why?"

Riya hesitated before saying, "He looked at me the same dirty way that bastard Luke does."

Eric shook his head. "You must be mistaken, little Riya. He was our father’s best friend, almost a brother. So, he shouldn’t be a bastard like Luke."

Riya furrowed her brows, not understanding why he wasn’t believing her.

"I’m not mis—" She had just begun to speak again when Paul, walking ahead of them, shouted, "Honey, come out. Look who’s here."

Tap! Tap!

Swoosh!

By the time they crossed the courtyard and reached the house, the sound of footsteps sounded before the door swung open and a woman who looked to be in her early thirties walked out, wearing a long, white robe, similar to the one Paul was wearing.

She stood 5’7’’ tall and had a very alluring, curvaceous figure that even the loose robe she was wearing couldn’t hide. Her breasts were on the bigger side and stretched the front of the robe; her waist was narrow, and her hips were wide and curvaceous.

She had well-maintained, fair, and tender skin, unlike the women Eric was used to seeing in the slums. She had kissable, full, rosy lips, a high-bridged nose, hazel eyes, and long brown hair that enhanced her beauty.

She had a drowsy and slightly dissatisfied look on her face when she came out but quickly hid it when Paul gave her a look. She then looked at the trio behind him and raised her brows, "They are..." 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

She was saying this when she took a good look at Elena, and her eyes widened in surprise. "Elena?"

Elena forced a smile and lightly nodded at her, "How are you, Vivian?"

"I’m good, but you are..." She looked at her up and down. "What happened to you? Why do you look like that?"

"You can talk later. Go take her and Riya inside, have them wash up, and give them clean cloths." Paul said before Elena could reply.

"Okay." Vivian nodded and grabbed Elena’s hand before looking at Riya with a gentle smile on her face, "Come, Riya."

Riya glanced at Eric, who nodded at her, and then the ladies were gone.

"Come, boy." Paul said and entered the house. Eric followed him.

A moment later, they were sitting on soft chairs, facing each other, in the living room.

"Tell me everything that happened." Who is targeting you and why?" Paul asked after staring at him for a few moments, his tone commanding.

Eric nodded. Since they were going to live in his house, he had the right to know, but... not everything.

So, he told him about Luke, how he wanted to marry Riya and everything that happened after that. However, he didn’t mention anything about him working for a noble family and that he had planned to bring a warrior to kill him and kidnap Riya and Elena.

He was sure if he told him this, the chances were high he wouldn’t dare shelter them. No matter how small, a noble family wasn’t something a mere Novice Warrior like him would dare to offend.

...

Once Eric finished speaking, Paul was silent for a few moments as he looked at him. Eric kept his head down, not wanting to look at him as it would only make him angry knowing this man had bad intentions for Elena.

"You know what your family needs, I mean really needs, to survive?" Paul asked.

Eric’s expression became dark the moment he heard this. He knew where this bastard was going.

So, he raised his head, looked him in the eye, and nodded, "Yes. We need credits. A lot of them."

The corner of Paul’s lips twitched. He had expected him to ask him, and then he would tell him what he had in his mind. Still, it was also good enough for him.

"You are not wrong." He nodded, "If you had a lot of credits, you wouldn’t have to worry about most of the things."

Eric sighed in his heart, knowing his attempt was unsuccessful.

Paul then shook his head and said, "Let me tell you what you, little Riya and Elena, really need. You all need someone reliable and strong to take care of and protect you all."

Eric was barely able to stop himself from cursing him. And as the conversation continued and Paul started insinuating he could be that person, it became increasingly difficult for him to hold back.

Fortunately, just a short while later, the sound of footsteps sounded, and a girl who seemed to be around Riya’s age walked into the living room, rubbing her drowsy eyes with the back of her left hand while the right hand held a soft pillow.

Paul stopped and stared at her with a displeased look on his face. "Why are you not asleep yet, girl?"