"That's impossible. Why would he be here?"Kian lifted his gaze, and shock washed across his face again and again.He was not the only one. Several well-known young Martial Practitioners nearby— each with impressive cultivation—also paled as if they had seen a ghost."Kian, what's going on?"The girl beside Kian looked toward the entrance, confused. Behind Aria and Grant stood a young man and a woman she did not recognize.One was strikingly handsome; the other was breathtakingly beautiful. But as a gifted young swordswoman from Mount Sect, she was not easily swayed by appearances. She had no idea why the usually composed Kian suddenly seemed unsettled. "It's actually him!"Kian muttered, ignoring her question entirely."Kian, who are you talking about?"She scanned the hall and noticed that many prominent young fighters were staringin the same direction. To her surprise, they were not focused on the stunningwoman who had entered, but on the plainly dressed young man."Kian, who is he? Why is everyone looking at him like that?"Curiosity lit her eyes.Kian finally tore his gaze away and let out a strained, bitter smile."Who is he? He's the person you've always wanted to meet."Her expression went rigid before shock hit her in full force. "You mean he's..."noveldramaA sharp brilliance lit her eyes, and she could no longer look away from the entrance. She had never imagined that she would meet the powerful figure she had admired for so many years—and in a place like this.The one who spoke up was Leander. He had seen Aria and Grant travel all that way only to be stopped at the VIP entrance. It was a pitiful sight, so he stepped in.The middle-aged gatekeeper eyed Leander with suspicion.He had never heard of Steelblade Hall in Edgemontale, yet Leander spoke boldly, directly mentioning the Dual Meridian Sect's Grandmaster. Compared to the other so-called prodigies, his presence felt overwhelming. The gatekeeper did not dare act rashly."Go on. Let's head inside."Daphne walked forward and nudged Aria gently. Aria snapped out of her daze and led Grant into the VIP seats.The gatekeeper started to move again, but one look from Leander struck him like a blow. His breath stalled, and his limbs refused to respond.Only after Leander and the others sat down in the VIP area did he finally regain control of his body. Cold sweat drenched his back.Who is that man? A single glance froze me in place, as if he stole my will. With power like that, he might be on par with the old Grandmaster. How can someone that young be this strong?Still shaken, he prepared to report the incident when a graceful figure appeared at the front of the hall.A thin veil hid her stunning face, and her pale dress drifted around her, showing off long legs and curves that didn't quit. She looked like someone straight out of a fantasy—gorgeous and out of reach. Every man in the place whipped around to check her out.Daphne shot Leander a playful wink."Ander, that's the Dual Meridian Sect's heiress for this generation."Leander nodded slightly. Her cultivation had already reached the Martial Sovereign realm, matching Daphne's level. There was no question she was the sect's new heiress.But beyond that, she possessed an air of power and mystery, and combined with her natural beauty, she was devastating to most men.To Leander, however, someone at her level did not warrant more than a passing glance. He looked at her once, then leaned back and closed his eyes.Most of the VIP guests wore luxurious robes and ornate accessories. Only Leander appeared plain, yet no one in the hall dared show even a trace of disrespect toward his table.Disciples from major sects even bowed politely to Aria and Grant, their smiles sincere. The siblings felt deeply honored and quietly proud.They assumed all the attention came from Daphne's status. They never realized it all stemmed from the young man they had dismissed at first sight."That should be the Dual Meridian Sect's heiress," Aria whispered, nudging Grant. "Grant, that's your target. Understood?"Grant nodded quickly. He had been dragged here at first, but once he saw the heiress' beauty, his heartbeat kicked hard in his chest.Onstage, the heiress offered a graceful bow to the hall, and half the audience seemed instantly enchanted. Even a rising star like Kian nearly lost his composure. This is trouble, he thought.Her gaze moved across the crowd until it settled on Daphne's table."Daphne!"She rushed down from the stage and headed straight toward her, her voice bright with excitement."Ela, it's been a long time."Daphne smiled and waved her over."I didn't expect you to show up today. If I'd known, I would've met you at theentrance myself."The heiress voice was soft andyouthful, light enough to draw attention. Ignoring the curious-looks from nearby tables, she sat right beside DaphneAria and makingGrant perk up. fre"Ela, we haven't seen each other since Jowale two years ago. Your cultivation has grown so much."Daphne sighed quietly. Two years earlier, while training in Jowale, she had run into the Dual Meridian Sect's heiress by coincidence.Back then, both of them were barely touching Grandmaster level. Now, the heiress felt outright dangerous."Don't tease me," the heiress laughed behind her hand. "You've improved just as much."There wasn't a trace of arrogance in her; she and Daphne interacted like lifelong friends.She raised her eyes, taking in Aria and Grant. After sensing their strength, she gavea polite nod. But when her gaze landed on Leander, she hesitated. "Daphne, who is this?"All she could sense from him was a calm, unreadable stillness-like water without ripples."Right," Daphne said with a smile. "Ela, let me introduce you. This is Leander Ashcroft-my future husband.""Your future husband?"The heiress's brows drew together, genuinely stunned. If not for the shy, pleased expression on Daphne's face, she would have assumed it was a joke.No one knew Daphne better. Not even when Ethan had been by her side had she ever seen Daphne behave this way.She studied Leander more closely, trying to read him. But there was nothing-only the aura of a quiet, scholarly man.It was hard to believe. With Daphne's pride and standards, she chose him.Unless he's hiding something enormous.Just then, Leander opened his eyes and looked directly at her."You're Dani's friend-the heiress of the Dual Meridian Sect?"His voice was calm and flat."That's me she replied, though irritation flashed beneath her polite tone. His attitude carried no hint of respect as if she were just anotherstranger at the table.Leander didn't seem to care. He leaned forward and went straight to the point."Since you're Dani's friend, that makes things easier."Do me a favor-summon the Dual Meridian Sect's master. I have questions, and Iwant the answers directly from them."Her expression turned rigid.Her grandparents were the sectmasters legends in the martial world, respected throughout Astria. Yet Leander, just a junior, spoke as if he were summoning them for casual errand. Who on earth is this man?