Potion ranks in reality mirrored martial artist ranks, from Rank 1 to Rank 9. Lower-grade, mid-grade, and higher-grade divisions applied the same way. For general comparison:
Rank D-grade potions equated to Rank 1 high grade.
Rank C-grade started at Rank 2 low grade.
Rank B-grade matched Rank 2 mid-grade.
Rank A-grade aligned with Rank 2 higher-grade.
Rank S-grade equaled Rank 4 lower-grade.
EX-grade matched Rank 5 lower-grade.
And Mythic-grade stood at Rank 7 lower-grade.
With Kia assisting her research—simplifying refining methods and optimizing formulas—Kaito was certain his grandmother's progress would accelerate.
After leaving the potion library, Kaito made his way out, instructing the servants to load all the potions into the RV. He personally placed the sword and scroll case inside his private room in the RV.
Later, After his father informed him about installing the Mythic-grade potions into the nutrient boxes of the nutrient cabins inside the RV, Kaito's grandfather approached, holding an ancient scroll wrapped in protective seals.
"I also retrieved something from the library for the ancestral branch of the Ren family," his grandfather said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "This might help you convince them. Because Sometimes, showing off the right thing can bring… unexpected results."
With that, he slowly unfurled the scroll, revealing delicate, shimmering script that pulsed faintly with spiritual energy.
"This," his grandfather continued, "is the Celestial Ascension Codex—a spiritual cultivation art capable of guiding its practitioner all the way to Rank 9."
After hearing his grandfather's words and watching him casually produce a Rank 9 martial arts scroll like it was nothing, Kaito couldn't help but look at the old man in a new light. Just ten minutes ago, the same man had been scolding him for being a prodigal, yet here he was, revealing the highest-grade spiritual cultivation technique—something even platinum-grade families might not possess.
Kaito was left utterly speechless. Without a second thought, he snatched the scroll and slipped it inside his suit, darting quick glances at the guards and servants busily loading luggage into the cars, making sure no one had noticed.
Noticing Kaito's discreet actions, his grandfather finally seemed to realize what he'd just done. Letting out a long sigh, he muttered, "Look at this old man's mind… I completely forgot how valuable this is. Should I swap it out for a lower-grade martial art instead?"
When his grandfather suggested swapping it for a lower-grade martial art, Kaito was just about to agree—thinking they could give the higher-grade technique to the ancestral branch once they moved here. But then he caught the look on his grandfather's face. It was the kind of expression that clearly said, If you say yes, I'll beat you up, even if you're the family head.
Seeing that, Kaito instantly changed his words. "No need, Grandpa. We'll just use the Mind Sealing Technique—the Silent Soul Binding Method—so they can ensure its secrecy. After all, they're our kin."
He spoke with a helpless smile, watching as a satisfied expression replaced the stern look on his grandfather's face. Looks like, Kaito thought wryly, even if I'm the so-called acting patriarch, there are still times I have to bow my head.
Watching the grandfather-and-grandson pair bicker and banter like a comedic duo, Kaito's father could only smile helplessly. He gave Kaito's shoulder a gentle pat, his expression clearly saying, You'll get used to it. And without another word, he turned and stepped into the RV with the others.
…..
Driving the RV had originally been claimed by his third uncle, but since he also needed to be online, the job was assigned to a Rank 2 lower-grade guard. Even the drivers—Jin, Lei, and the rest—had their own virtual helmets so they could rotate between driving and playing.
The three matte-black hover sedans were split for the guard convoy: two cars in front of the RV, one behind. The RV itself carried Kaito, his family, and several attendants.
As they departed the Ren family villa, Grandpa Gou stood at the gates, seeing them off.
"The villa is in your care," Kaito called out. "If you need anything, contact Kia—or me directly."
Grandpa Gou bowed, and the convoy rolled out toward the ancestral estate, the hum of hover engines marking the start of their journey.
…..
When Kaito and his family boarded the RV and set off toward the ancestral estate, the streets of Silvercrest City gradually fell behind them.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Silvercrest, within a sprawling marble-clad compound surrounded by towering blacksteel walls, the Kaelas Family Villa loomed like a fortress. At the Manor like building in its center was the Surveillance Control Wing—a high-security operations room lined wall-to-wall with holographic screens.
Dozens of operators monitored incoming data from both Federation satellites and the Kaelas family's own private orbital network. One particular section of ten operators focused intently on surveillance feeds covering the Velthorn Estate.
"Commander," one operator spoke up, his voice tight with frustration, "we've gone through every second of satellite footage from the night the Velthorn family was wiped out… but there's nothing. No one entered. No one left. Either the assassin hacked into the orbital feed… or they used some kind of Quantum Phase Disruption Field to blind both thermal and optical scans. That kind of tech can distort the satellite's sensor sweeps, make the target area look untouched, and even spoof old feed data to cover the entry and exit windows. We… don't have the countermeasures to crack that yet."
The broad-shouldered man, addressed as Commander, said nothing at first. His sharp eyes remained fixed on the main display showing the current state of the now half-abandoned Velthorn grounds.
Finally, he turned toward the raised platform at the back of the room—where a man lounged in a high-backed blacksteel chair, radiating an aura of casual authority.
"Second Master," the Commander said with a respectful nod, "should we keep digging, go there ourselves, or put our forces on the ground?"
The man—Vos Kaelas, the younger brother of the Kaelas Family's Patriarch—leaned forward slightly, his cold eyes narrowing. "You've done what you could, and it still amounts to nothing. After all this money and manpower we poured into you, you can't even figure out which mongrel slaughtered an entire family in our own territory? What's next, Commander? Will you only realize there's a problem when someone knocks on our door and slaughters us in our sleep?"
His words dripped with biting sarcasm.
The Commander's jaw tightened. He knew arguing would only make things worse. "Second Master, even if they came for us, it would not be as easy as the Velthorn. They were ants compared to the Kaelas family. And if we can't catch them on satellite, I'll go down to the site myself, track their movements, and find them."
Vos's lips curled into something between a smirk and a sneer. "You really are an idiot. I don't know who thought hiring you was a good idea." He stood, his long coat brushing the polished black floor. "Forget the Velthorn mess. We're stretched thin already. Go assist your Young Master in Glory. My Eldest brother had said he's to have complete autonomy in that arena. If he needs manpower, you'll recruit it. If he needs protection, you'll provide it. According to him, that game is worth more to us than digging through the ashes of nobodies."
He reached for the door, then paused, turning back. His voice dropped to a deadly softness.
"And Commander… if you fail him the way you failed here—" Vos's gaze turned icy, "—I'll make sure your corpse is delivered to your family in pieces… one per day, until there's nothing left of you or your bloodline."
Without waiting for a reply, Vos swept out of the room, leaving only the low hum of monitors and the taut silence of subordinates too afraid to breathe loudly.
Elsewhere, within the Kaelas Patriarch's private study, the arrogance of a Silver-grade family was on full display. The chamber was vast, its ceiling vaulted and edged with intricate runic engravings that shimmered faintly in the light. A panoramic window offered a commanding view of Silvercrest City's skyline, as though the entire metropolis were simply part of the Patriarch's estate.
At the center sat Darius Kaelas, the eldest brother and head of the Kaelas family. His desk—carved from a single slab of obsidian veined with gold—was covered in neatly stacked reports, holographic projections, and a crystal decanter filled with amber liquor worth more than most citizens earned in a year.
Darius leaned back in his chair, idly swirling his drink. His gaze was sharp, calculating, carrying the weight of a man used to making decisions that shaped cities.