"Master, as long as we can leave this place safely, there is no need to worry about that woman."
Knox's voice sounded hurried through mental transmission.
He glanced at Isolde without even trying to hide the coldness in his eyes.
"She is about to lose her Seven Orifices Divine Heart. After that she will be nothing more than an ordinary mortal. The Hale family will hate her and seek revenge against her."
"Even if we bring her with us, she will only become a burden."
"And besides, she is still a member of the Hale family. Alex will not let her die easily."
Hearing Knox's words, Iris froze for a moment.
Her expression became strange.
She had always believed her disciple was upright and loyal. That was why the Saintess of the Divine Blade Sect had accepted him despite his lack of background.
Only today did she realize something she had never noticed before.
Knox could be cold.
Very cold.
Isolde loved him so much that she was willing to sever all ties with the Hale family.
Yet Knox was already calculating how to abandon her.
Alex, seated high upon the throne, curled his lips into a faint mocking smile.
As a Supreme Realm expert and the Saint Lord of the Hale family, everything that happened within this territory fell under his dominion.
Though Iris was a Mahayana Realm powerhouse, she could not fully perceive his senses.
Knox's words reached Alex clearly.
Even Iris's earlier thoughts could be roughly inferred from Knox's response.
"Did you see that, Saintess Iris?" Alex thought inwardly, amusement flickering through his gaze.
"Your so-called disciple is selfish and ruthless."
His eyes lingered briefly on Iris.
Such an aloof and beautiful woman. Fair skin, flawless features, and a noble temperament. Powerful and backed by a great sect.
How had she ended up entangled with someone like Knox?
The power of the protagonist's halo truly was terrifying.
After hesitating briefly, Iris suppressed the sympathy rising in her heart.
She grabbed Knox's wrist.
Without another word, she turned to leave.
Isolde trembled violently.
Fear surged into her chest as she reached out and grabbed Knox's sleeve.
"Knox… where are you going?"
Her voice was weak and trembling.
Knox did not answer.
His body moved forward without hesitation, shaking off her hand.
His future was boundless.
His destiny was limitless.
How could he risk everything for one woman?
He was not a foolish romantic.
Not someone who would sacrifice himself for love.
"Knox… how can you be so heartless…"
Isolde collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down her face.
Her world felt as if it had shattered.
She remembered the day she first met him.
The steaming bowl of plain porridge.
The warmth she believed to be love.
But now, during her most desperate moment, he turned away without hesitation.
Was it ever love at all?
Or had it simply been a cheap lie she chose to believe?
A cold system notification sounded in Alex's mind.
[Ding. The host has successfully sown discord between the Chosen One and the female lead. The Chosen One's luck has decreased by 100. The host has gained 200 Providence Points.]
Alex's Providence Points rose from 100 to 300.
A meaningful smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
This was the most efficient way to deal with a Chosen One.
Steal their opportunities.
Snatch away their women.
Destroy the moments that would make them shine.
In the original story, after this incident, Isolde became even more devoted to Knox.
Iris also grew more impressed by her disciple's supposed loyalty and righteousness.
But now everything had changed.
Instead of admiration, cracks had formed between them.
Three hundred Providence Points were proof enough.
Still, Alex had no intention of stopping here.
"Go."
His calm voice echoed through the hall.
With a casual wave of his hand, the air rippled.
Four masked women dressed in black appeared silently at the entrance.
They stood like shadows, blocking Iris and Knox's path.
Their presence was cold and oppressive, like ghosts guarding a gate.
Iris's beautiful eyes turned sharp.
A trace of coldness flashed across her face.
"Lord Alex," she said, her voice calm but firm, "what do you mean by this?"
"Do you intend to force me and my disciple into a dead end today? Do you wish to make the Divine Blade Sect your mortal enemy?"
Her aura rose subtly as she spoke.
The atmosphere tightened.
"Saintess Iris, do not misunderstand."
Alex smiled faintly.
"First of all, do not overestimate your own importance."
His words were calm, yet merciless.
"Given Magnus's cautious and timid nature, even if I were to kill both of you today, he might not dare wage war against the Hale family."
Iris fell silent.
Magnus was the sect master of the Divine Blade Sect.
A man who had survived countless storms by avoiding unnecessary risks.
Cautious.
Calculating.
Never reckless.
Alex's words struck directly at the truth.
For a moment, Iris could not refute him.
The hall grew quiet.
The masked women in black remained motionless, their presence suffocating.
Alex leaned slightly back on his throne, his eyes cold yet calm.
He was not bluffing.
He held absolute confidence in his position.
Iris's expression turned solemn as she met Alex's gaze, and she finally realized that the situation had already moved far beyond her expectations.
Magnus is none other than the sect leader of their Divine Blade Sect.
The sect leader was cautious throughout his life and never took any risks.