She had been killed by Isolde with a casual flick of the hand. In the original novel, her death was brushed past with only a few indifferent lines.
Recalling this, a trace of heaviness settled in Alex's chest.
He raised his hand and gently rubbed Elara's head, revealing a faint smile.
"What are you saying? You have served me for many years and are my closest confidante. How could those elders and disciples compare to you?"
"How about this. Today, I will grant you a fortuitous encounter."
With a thought, Alex opened the System Mall.
After filtering briefly, his gaze landed on a Profound tier cultivation method.
Drifting Cloud Body Shield.
This technique emphasized defense over offense. Though it was only Lower Grade Profound tier, its defensive capability was no weaker than many Earth tier methods.
Most importantly, its cost was only 200 Providence Points.
After purchasing the first chapter of the Six Paths Wheel of Destruction Art, he had precisely 200 points remaining.
Without hesitation, Alex completed the exchange.
A stream of cultivation knowledge flooded into his mind. He immediately imprinted it into a jade slip.
"Elara, take this Drifting Cloud Body Shield and study it carefully," Alex said calmly.
"If there is anything you do not understand, come to me at any time."
Elara stared at the jade slip, stunned.
"Saint Lord, Elara is not worthy…"
"You are worthy," Alex interrupted lightly.
"You are my personal maid. In the future, you may follow me frequently when I travel."
"If your strength is too weak, how will you protect me if danger arises?"
Elara hesitated briefly before accepting the jade slip with both hands. Her eyes shone with determination.
"Saint Lord, Elara understands."
"I will double my efforts in cultivation and will not disappoint you."
Time passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, half a month slipped by.
For these fifteen days, the Hale family disciples remained in seclusion, cultivating with unprecedented intensity.
The entire holy land was wrapped in solemn stillness.
Alex had ordered the First Elder, Cedric, to accelerate construction of the Heavenly Clan Protection Formation.
At the same time, Adrian had endured his injury and re infiltrated the Heavenly Flame Capital, keeping watch over every movement of Aurelia and Knox.
One evening.
Within the Saint Lord Manor, Alex listened to Cedric's report regarding the formation's progress.
Suddenly, a gust of astral wind swept in from outside.
Adrian appeared, kneeling immediately.
"Greetings, Saint Lord."
Alex nodded slightly.
"Speak. What is the situation?"
"Reporting to the Saint Lord. The Heavenly Flame Empress is preparing to act," Adrian said urgently.
"In the past half month, with Aurelia's assistance, Knox has advanced from the Body Tempering Realm to the first level of the Foundation Establishment Realm."
"Aurelia has dispatched her sworn sister, Lily, to accompany him. They have already set out and are on their way to our holy land."
Cedric frowned.
"Saint Lord, Lily is extremely close to Aurelia. She is one of the Four Great Princesses of the Heavenly Flame Dynasty."
"For Aurelia to send her personally, their intentions toward our Hale family are clearly malicious."
Alex nodded calmly.
"I know."
Lily was Aurelia's trusted right hand.
Her cultivation stood at the third level of the Supreme Realm.
She also wielded an Upper Grade Supreme tier artifact, the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus.
Her control over fire was unparalleled. Her combat strength could not be underestimated.
In the original storyline, she began as Knox's confidante and later entered his harem, repeatedly saving him from mortal danger.
"Cedric," Alex said evenly, "travel to the Nine Voids Dynasty and request assistance from the branch family head, Karl."
"Upon your return, continue accelerating the Heavenly Clan Protection Formation."
"Especially the Heaven Guarding Formation. It must be completed within half a month."
"Yes." Cedric nodded heavily.
"Adrian," Alex continued, "return to the Heavenly Flame Capital and continue observing Aurelia."
"If there is any abnormal movement, report immediately."
"Understood," Adrian replied.
He hesitated briefly before asking, "Saint Lord… what about you?"
"How do you intend to deal with Lily?"
Alex narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled faintly.
"As for me… I must leave immediately."
Cedric and Adrian exchanged bewildered glances.
They had feared the Saint Lord might lose his temper and directly kill Knox and Lily.
If that occurred, the Hale family and the Heavenly Flame Dynasty would instantly become mortal enemies.
They had not expected this response.
Instead of confronting them directly, he was leaving?
Cedric spoke cautiously.
"Saint Lord, I agree that we should avoid direct conflict with the Heavenly Flame Dynasty…"
"But they are already coming to our door."
"You may avoid the first confrontation, but not the second…"
"Who said I am avoiding them?" Alex chuckled softly.
"Lily is deliberately coming to provoke and vent Knox's grievances."
"If I meet her directly, I fall into her scheme."
"I will not allow Knox to get what he wants."
In the original storyline, this had been a carefully arranged trap.
Knox would act openly.
Lily would remain hidden.
Knox would swagger to the Hale family gates, hurling insults and provocation.
He would enrage the original Alex into losing composure and speaking recklessly.
When Alex finally erupted and attempted to kill Knox, Lily would emerge from concealment, having recorded every word.
Terrified, Alex would kneel and beg.
Knox would curse him publicly before leaving triumphantly.
Those recorded words would provide Aurelia with the perfect justification to destroy the Hale family.
A humiliating defeat.
But this time, Alex knew the script.
He would not play his assigned role, he would seek assistance.
Not to confront the Heavenly Flame Dynasty directly.
But to drag Lily out from the shadows into open daylight.
The following morning.
At dawn.
Two figures stood atop a cliff thirty miles north of the Hale family holy land.
One of them was Knox.
After half a month, he returned to this place.
He stared at the Hale family estate shrouded in clouds and mist. Killing intent surged within his eyes.
"Alex, you old thief. Karma cycles without error."
"Today, I, Knox, have returned!"