"...I will personally go and find her! I absolutely will not waste the family's resources!"
"After Isolde returns, I will be responsible for helping her begin cultivation again from the start."
"I will definitely be able to turn her into someone who contributes to the family in the shortest time possible..."
The corner of Alex's mouth twitched violently. He raised his hand and smacked Julian hard on the back of the head.
"You stinking brat, how can your brain be this hopelessly dense?!"
"Back then you didn't even keep a single piece of your monthly resources for yourself. You handed everything over to Isolde for her cultivation."
"But did that Isolde ever once look at you properly?"
"She shamelessly colluded with a wild man and publicly threatened to sever all ties with the family."
"Not only that, she nearly caused the Hale family to become mortal enemies with the Blackwood."
"Our entire clan almost became the laughingstock of the world."
"Even I, the Saint Lord, nearly had my spine poked by countless pointing fingers!"
"Now this seat has already expelled her from the clan. Every disciple in the family is celebrating."
"If I summon her back now, how do you expect me to explain it to everyone else?"
Julian lowered his head silently after being scolded so fiercely. He remained quiet for a long time before finally speaking weakly.
"I don't care. You promised me, Saint Lord."
"At worst I will have Isolde change her name and claim she is my sister."
"As long as she can return to the family, I do not care what happens to me..."
Alex slapped his own forehead helplessly.
Heavens.
This hopeless simp was completely incurable.
If I had known it would turn out like this, I should have invested in someone else. Even investing in Elara would have been better than wasting resources on this idiot.
"Enough. Just focus on cultivating."
Alex waved his hand impatiently.
"I feel suffocated. I am going out for some fresh air."
Julian still refused to give up. He hurried after Alex out of the cave dwelling.
"Saint Lord, then about Isolde..."
"Get lost!"
Alex cursed irritably.
"I warn you. Disciples of the Hale family may pursue love, but they must never be trapped by petty emotions."
"You especially must not delay your own future for the sake of such an ungrateful and shameless person."
"If you miss her so much then hurry up and pack your belongings and go find her."
"The two of you can wander the ends of the earth together like tragic lovers."
"Go wherever you want. Just never return to the Hale family!"
...
Meanwhile.
The Heavenly Flame Capital.
Inside the Azure Phoenix Palace.
Aurelia sat upon the imperial throne wearing magnificent robes and holding a royal scepter.
Standing before her were Lily, whose expression was cold as ice, and Knox, whose face showed deep embarrassment and panic.
"Lily, why is your constitution so weak?"
Aurelia frowned.
"Could it be that the Hale family dared to injure you?"
"No, Your Majesty. I was not wounded in battle."
Lily shook her head calmly.
"It is because Alex took away my Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus. My core vitality was damaged as a result."
"What?!"
A flash of anger erupted in Aurelia's eyes.
"The Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus is your Life Bound Supreme Treasure!"
"That Alex of the Hale family is truly audacious beyond measure!"
"He behaves as if We do not exist!"
While Aurelia's anger surged, Lily remained calm.
She lowered her head respectfully and spoke.
"Your Majesty, this little sister believes this matter is not Alex's fault."
Aurelia frowned slightly.
"Lily, you..."
"That man seized your Life Bound Supreme Treasure. Why are you speaking in his defense?"
"Because the truth of the matter is not what Knox described."
Lily spoke with clear resentment.
"Back then Knox and Isolde were not captured and dragged back to the Hale family."
"Instead Knox forced his way into the Hale family and demanded that Isolde leave with him."
"Furthermore the Seven Orifices Divine Heart was not some fortuitous encounter belonging to Isolde."
"It was a treasure created using the vast resources of the Hale family."
"Alex merely reclaimed it in his position as family head."
"Also Alex never humiliated the Divine Blade Saintess Iris."
"He only confiscated her Jade Sword and Blood Purification Bottle as punishment."
"And Iris willingly handed them over herself. They were not forcibly seized."
"I went there together with Knox to seek justice because I believed I stood on the side of righteousness."
"But Alex's arguments left me speechless."
"What I believed was justice turned out to be unreasonable provocation."
"Therefore I could only use the Heavenly Spirit Flame Lotus to compensate Alex for the offense I caused."
After hearing Lily's explanation, Aurelia's expression darkened considerably.
She knew Lily's personality very well.
Lily always valued fairness and justice above everything else.
If she spoke these words, then she must possess solid evidence.
Otherwise she would never raise the enemy's prestige while diminishing her own side.
Aurelia remained silent for a moment.
Then she slowly turned her gaze toward Knox.
"Knox."
"Did you deceive Us?"
"I..."
Knox's face turned pale.
He did not know how to answer.
At this moment he had already lost Iris as his master.
He had lost the Divine Blade Sect as his powerful backing.
The Heavenly Flame Empress was his final reliance.
If he offended Aurelia as well, then the Hale family could crush him as easily as stepping on an ant.
Just as Knox stood there in awkward silence, a fragrant breeze drifted gently into the hall.
A woman with blue hair appeared before the jade steps.
She wore a flowing blue dress and carried an ethereal aura. Her face held natural beauty without makeup yet remained breathtaking. Her fingers, ears, wrists, and neck were adorned with dazzling jewelry.
Despite the display of wealth she did not appear vulgar at all.
She was one of the Four Great Princesses of the Heavenly Flame Dynasty.
The Orchid Princess, Selene.
"Selene, why have you come?"
Aurelia looked puzzled.
"We do not recall summoning you."
"Hehe, Big Sister Aurelia, I just happened to pass by."
Selene smiled brightly.
"I also happened to hear Sister Lily speaking just now."
"So I hurried in to say a few words for Knox."
Knox felt a surge of joy and gratitude.
His expression immediately showed deep emotion.
Lily however frowned slightly and spoke coldly.
"Selene, you came here to speak up for Knox?"