Logan's voice rang with unshakable authority. This veteran major general, who had spent half his life on the battlefield, bowed deeply to Galen."Please, Mr. Pierce, come down the mountain and help us!"The aura of Galen's robe dissipated, leaving him calm and composed. He stared at the Token of Balance in his hand, memories of the days he and Homer had trained together, learning martial arts side by side, flooding back.By now, his eyes were filled with a cold, unyielding clarity."Jeff... He sure carries himself with a lot of swagger."The Divine Loom even gave him the nickname 'Iron Sovereign.' Defeating a few Burning Stage Transcendent Realm fighters at the bottom ranks of the International Combat Units, and now he thinks he's invincible?"With that, he channeled his energy through two fingers, and the pure iron Token of Balance in his hand shattered into countless fragments, scattering like dust."The Token of Balance is Mount Martial's emblem. Whoever holds it is entitled to Mount Martial's full support. As the head of Mount Martial, it is my duty beyond question."Now that the Token of Balance has been used, Mount Martial's rules dictate it must be destroyed. This trip to Highcliffe, I'll accompany you!"Galen turned, lowering his head, and his eyes burned with hatred as he gazed at the vast, empty peaks stretching before him."Even without the Token of Balance, I would still go to Highcliffe with you. Homer joined Mount Martial at ten; we trained and ate together, lived together, like brothers. He lost the chance to become Mount Martial's leader due to a single misstep, and I've carried that guilt ever since."Though he claims to have left Mount Martial, he is still one of us. Jeff dared harm him, and I will be the one to hold him accountable!"With a powerful motion of his hand, Galen lifted the surrounding mists of Mount Martial as if grasped by an invisible giant, weaving them into countless threads of force that connected all seventy-two peaks.And this was casual for him—yet it surpassed Grayson's Infinite Silken Trap by hundreds, maybe thousands of times."Homer, wait until I reach Highcliffe. I will strip Jeff of all his power and avenge you!"Unaware of the affairs at Mount Martial, Leander was in the cafeteria with Daphne that day. Nathan and the others, sensing the moment, wisely chose a table farther away, leaving the two of them in private."Ander... was it you who dealt with Quincy and Skelly?" Daphne asked suddenly, her eyes sparkling."It was." Leander nodded.Daphne let out a helpless sigh, spreading her hands. "I knew it. No one in all of Highcliffe would dare move against the Riverstone brothers except you."She set down her spoon and straightened, her expression growing serious. "Ander, how do you plan to handle this? The Riverstone family isn't a top-tier house, but they're far from weak. My father says their hidden strength exceeds that of the four major elite families. If they strike in earnest... it would be overwhelming. "Old Mr. Riverstone's influence is unmatched in our circles, even surpassing everyone in my grandfather's generation. And Quincy is a third-tier officer. You severely injured him. If this reaches the military, it could spell serious trouble for you."Daphne had considered every angle. Leander might be powerful in martial arts, but influence and connections operated by different rules. The world was ultimately ruled by nations, and Astria's government and military were unstoppable.No matter how strong Leander was, he could not resist if they came together. Even the seemingly invincible Jeff would be forced to yield.If the incident caused a citywide uproar or national manhunt, Leander might avoid capture, but he would never live a normal life again-peace and safety would vanish forever."Don't worry, Dani. The Riverstone family can't touch me," Leander said, his mouth full of soup, words slightly muffled.Seeing the confidence in his expression, Daphne didn't press the matter. TheRiverstones might be powerful, but if they truly tried anything against Leander, no matter how the Ashcroft family responded, the Florian family would never stand idlyby.They were in the middle of their meal when suddenly, a stir rippled through the cafeteria. Heads turned toward the entrance."Look! It's Luna!"Everyone craned their necks, and sure enough, Luna appeared, dressed in a simple, breezy outfit. The soft tap of her flats echoed as she walked gracefully, with her friend Janey at her side.The two passed right in front of Leander's table. Luna's eyes flicked toward him, and they immediately lit up."Leander! What a coincidence!"Janey, though a little shy, also showed a look of surprise and excitement. That day at Westvale Peak, Leander had bested two major heirs in a single aerial duel-anunforgettable scene. They had long since put him on a pedestal."Yeah," Leander replied casually, not even lifting his head."You're friends with Ander?" Daphne asked with a playful smile."You're... Daphne?" Luna suddenly noticed the girl next to Leander, and her expression shifted."That's me. If you don't mind, why don't you join us?" Daphne gestured gracefully, radiating poise and charm.Luna glanced at Leander. Seeing no sign of displeasure, she and Janey sat down letting out a quiet sigh., Clearly, Leander and Daphne had special bond, and in terms of both family background and beauty, Luna came second. Not long after Luna arrived, another commotion erupted at the entrance. Eira appeared, draped in purple, her figure graceful and elegant, instantly drawing over a hundred gazes.At the same time, Yvette and Aurora appeared at different exits. It was as if the top beauties of Highcliffe University had agreed to make a synchronized entrance, all arriving in the cafeteria simultaneously."Oh my gosh, what's going on? These top beauties are usually so rare to see... and now there are this many in the cafeteria?""Wow, it's like a garden in full bloom!""Seriously, being part of Highcliffe University is amazing!"The cafeteria erupted into chaos. With all five of the top beauties arriving one after another, every eye in the room followed them.Many of the wealthy students squirmed, subtly making space next to them, hoping one of the girls might sit by their side. A few bold ones even dared to invite them outright—but none were acknowledged.Instead, after getting their meals, all five girls, as if by unspoken agreement, chose to sit at Leander's table.In an instant, the five beauties surrounded him, placing him at the center. The entire room fell silent.Each of these girls alone would be considered a striking beauty; sitting beside one was already a huge blessing. But now, all five were. clustered around a single boy. The sheer fortune of it drove the male students in the cafeteria nearly insane. Whispers spread. Who was this Leander? A son of a tycoon? A descendant of high- ranking officials?Yvette grabbed a simple meal and sat diagonally across from Leander. She glanced at Daphne, her eyes briefly flickering with curiosity.Back in Ravenridge, Leander had once said that someone already held a special place in his heart. Now, she finally understood exactly whom he meant.After a brief pause, she stood and extended her delicate hand toward Daphne."Hello, Daphne. This is our first proper meeting. I'm Yvette, Lean's classmate and close friend back in Ravenridge," she said."Lean?" Daphne raised an eyebrow. In Yvette's eyes, she saw a fierce, unyielding determination—a competitive fire that refused to back down.She realized that among the five top beauties, Yvette might be her most persistentrival.The Florian princess smiled warmly, extending her hand with elegance."I've heard a lot about you. It's a pleasure!"Finally, the two girls with deep ties to Leander's life met face to face.Watching this, Eira curved her lips into a knowing smile, her expression laced with mischief. She leaned close to Leander's ear."B*stard, I didn't come here to eat with you. I've got news for you want to hear it?" She whispered in his ear, her breath teasing, laden with flirtation."If it's important, say it," Leander replied without looking up, focused on his meal."Hmph, boring." Eira scoffed lightly, then her tone turned serious."According to my sources, the Riverstone family has made their move."Right now, at the Riverstone Residence, at least five former high-ranking major generals have gathered. Each one was adistinguished officer, longtiminetcomrades of Old Mr. Riverstone, holding key positions in various military districts. Their status is not something to underestimate. "So many of them assembled together—it's clear they're coming for you."Though Eira's voice was low, Daphne and the others heard every word perfectly."Five major generals?"Such a force was terrifying enough on its own. Adding Logan and Dorian into the mix, it meant seven major generals were converging."Not just that," Eira continued. "Lachlan, the Riverstones' second son, has contacted the governors of the other two Northeastern provinces. He's making a move too.""I suspect he plans to petition the other governors together, to officially charge you," she added.Hearing this, the group fell silent, their expressions shifting with each passingnoveldramasecond."The Riverstones are truly formidable," Daphne murmured, her eyes narrowing withconcern.Seven major generals personally mobilized-intent on cornering Leander.