Chapter 15 Adrian and the Grand Elder’s Shock, the City Lord’s Visit

Chapter 15: Chapter 15: Adrian and the Grand Elder’s Shock, the City Lord’s Visit

"Pure Yang Technique?"

"Great Sun Body Refining Art?"

Adrian Mercer looked at the two manuals in his hands with a confused expression.

As a member of the Mercer Family, he had never heard of these two Cultivation Methods.

As for Julian’s earlier claim that the Mercer Family looked down on the Cultivation Methods of the Aldercrest Order, Adrian had not entirely believed him.

After all, despite his unwillingness to admit it, the truth was that the Mercer Family was still considerably weaker than the Aldercrest Order, a force whose influence stretched across several cities.

Perhaps the Patriarch had only said those words to comfort him.

With these thoughts in mind, Adrian opened the two manuals and casually read through them.

At first, his expression was calm.

Then his eyes gradually narrowed.

The deeper he read, the more profound the mysteries contained within became.

His breathing slowly quickened.

"This..."

After only a few breaths, Adrian’s eyes widened.

Shock filled his face.

His arm trembled slightly, almost causing him to drop the manual.

He could hardly believe what he was seeing.

Earth Rank, Top Grade!

Not one.

Both Cultivation Methods were Earth Rank, Top Grade!

"How is this possible?"

A storm erupted inside Adrian’s mind.

At this moment, he suddenly realized something.

He did not understand the Mercer Family at all.

What kind of secrets did his Clan still possess?

Could the Mercer Family have a hidden background that outsiders knew nothing about?

The more Adrian thought about it, the more shocked he became.

After finally calming himself, he understood the source of Julian’s confidence.

No wonder the Patriarch had looked down upon the Cultivation Methods of the Aldercrest Order.

One Earth Rank Cultivation Method was already enough to surpass the vast majority of the Order’s techniques.

And Julian had casually given him two.

Adrian swallowed nervously.

He looked toward Julian.

"Patriarch... these really were given to me?"

Even though the two manuals were already in his hands, he still found it difficult to believe.

Having once been an Inner Disciple of the Aldercrest Order, Adrian’s horizons were naturally not narrow.

He understood exactly what an Earth Rank, Top Grade Cultivation Method represented.

If a Cultivation Method of this level appeared publicly, it would attract countless powerful forces.

The Aldercrest Order might fight desperately for it.

Even forces far stronger than the Order would be tempted.

And if word spread that the Mercer Family possessed not one but two such techniques, the consequences would be unimaginable.

The Clan might be torn apart by forces seeking them.

Julian naturally understood this better than Adrian.

Yet despite knowing the risks, he had still handed such precious Cultivation Methods to him without hesitation.

That trust caused Adrian’s heart to burn with emotion.

Julian looked at him calmly.

"Why would a member of the Mercer Family need to cultivate the crude techniques of the Aldercrest Order?"

His voice carried complete confidence.

"It would only disgrace your identity."

"Take these two Cultivation Methods and keep them safe. This Patriarch has no habit of taking back something once it has been given."

Adrian finally understood.

The Patriarch truly intended to give them to him.

A surge of joy swept through his heart.

He dropped to his knees with a thud.

"Patriarch, I will remember this kindness for the rest of my life!"

"I, Adrian Mercer, swear that I will never disappoint your expectations!"

Julian nodded.

Then, as though remembering something, he reached out and took a sword from beside him.

He handed it toward Adrian.

"As a Heavenly Pride of the Mercer Family, how can you not have a proper weapon?"

"This sword is yours."

"It will accompany you as you carve your own path through the world."

Julian’s expression became slightly more serious.

"And remember this."

"No matter how far you travel or how strong you become, the Clan and I will always be your strongest support."

Adrian subconsciously raised his head.

His eyes immediately landed on the silver-white longsword.

His entire body trembled.

How could he not recognize it?

This was Julian’s personal weapon.

It had been forged by Julian at enormous cost and after countless hardships.

Its grade was Profound Rank, Low Grade.

Apart from the ancestral sword kept by the Mercer Family, it was the only Profound Rank weapon the Clan possessed.

And now...

Julian was giving it to him.

Adrian’s mind went blank.

Was this really happening?

He stared at the sheathed sword.

His heart was filled with shock.

Yet despite his excitement, he did not immediately take it.

Instead, he looked at Julian.

"Then what about you?"

"If I take your personal sword, what will you use?"

Although Julian had already broken through to the Purple Mansion Realm, losing a Profound Rank weapon would still have a considerable impact on his combat power.

It could even make him more vulnerable in certain situations.

Julian stood with his hands behind his back.

"Since I told you to take it, then take it."

"Why are you hesitating?"

His tone became slightly stern.

"Are you still a member of the Mercer Family?"

Adrian scratched his head awkwardly.

Julian continued.

"Rest assured. This Patriarch has already reached the Purple Mansion Realm."

"Do you really think I would be lacking a weapon?"

Only then did Adrian finally relax.

He hurriedly accepted the sword.

The moment it entered his hands, he hugged it against his chest as though he had just obtained the most precious treasure in the world.

He was reluctant to let go.

Then he lowered his head slightly and glanced toward Julian from the corner of his eyes.

A grin appeared on his face.

"Thank you for the gift, Patriarch."

He had never imagined that in a single day, not only would his cultivation miraculously recover, but he would also receive one opportunity after another from Julian.

At that moment, the System’s voice sounded inside Julian’s mind.

[Ding~ Investment successful. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Heaven Rank, Top Grade Dharma Treasure: Shadowbound Sword.]

[Ding~ Investment successful. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the Heaven Rank, Top Grade Sword Technique: Ten Thousand Blades Return.]

[Ding~ Investment successful. Congratulations to the Host for obtaining one strand of Solar Raven Essence.]

[Solar Raven Essence: Upon activation, it can manifest the phantom of a young Solar Raven possessing strength comparable to a Sun Wheel Realm cultivator. The phantom will disappear after ten breaths.]

Julian’s eyes brightened.

Three excellent rewards.

The Shadowbound Sword was a Heaven Rank, Top Grade Dharma Treasure.

Ten Thousand Blades Return was a Heaven Rank, Top Grade Sword Technique.

And the Solar Raven Essence could summon a phantom possessing Sun Wheel Realm strength.

His investment in Adrian had clearly been worthwhile.

However, Adrian was still standing in front of him.

Julian did not want to casually reveal the Shadowbound Sword and attract unnecessary attention.

He temporarily placed the reward into the System space.

Then he turned his attention back toward Adrian.

He was just about to speak when footsteps suddenly came from outside.

Julian turned his head.

The person approaching was the Grand Elder.

Julian’s Divine Sense swept over him.

His eyes immediately showed a trace of surprise.

The Grand Elder’s aura was considerably stronger than before.

He had clearly broken through.

Heavenly Origin Realm 9th Layer, Perfected.

The Grand Elder soon entered the room.

His heart was still filled with excitement.

After consuming the Marrow Cleansing Pill, the foundation damage caused by his repeated failed breakthroughs had completely recovered.

Then, relying on the powerful medicinal effect of the Qi Enhancement Pills, he had broken through in a single night.

The realm he had dreamed of reaching for years was finally within his grasp.

He had many things he wanted to tell Julian.

However, he knew there was more important business to handle first.

The Grand Elder respectfully bowed.

"Patriarch."

"City Lord Darius Fenwick has arrived."

"He has been received in the council hall."

Julian’s expression remained calm.

The City Lord’s visit was hardly unexpected.

After all, the Mercer Family had caused an enormous disturbance in Wexford City.

The Rourke Family, one of the city’s four great families, had been completely annihilated.

If the City Lord’s Mansion had shown no reaction, that would have been stranger.

Still, compared with this matter, the Grand Elder’s breakthrough was obviously more important.

Julian immediately took out a Medicinal Pill.

A faint purple glow surrounded it.

He handed it to the Grand Elder.

"Your Heavenly Origin Realm has already reached the 9th Layer, Perfected."

"Now, hurry and break through to the Purple Mansion Realm."

The Grand Elder froze.

He had only just broken through.

His new cultivation had not even stabilized.

Yet the Patriarch was already telling him to attempt the Purple Mansion Realm?

He instinctively wanted to say something.

But then he looked down at the Medicinal Pill in his hand.

His expression suddenly changed.

"This is..."

The Grand Elder carefully examined it.

His eyes gradually widened.

"Purple Spirit Pill?"

At first, he was confused.

Then his brows furrowed.

Something was wrong.

An ordinary Profound Rank, Low Grade Purple Spirit Pill had only one medicinal pattern.

Even the highest-grade Purple Spirit Pills normally possessed no more than three.

But the pill in his hand...

Had four medicinal patterns.

The Grand Elder’s pupils contracted.

"Could this be... the legendary Top Grade Purple Spirit Pill?"

His breathing became heavier.

He had heard of such a treasure before.

It was so rare that it was almost limited to ancient records and legends.

The Top Grade Purple Spirit Pill could increase a cultivator’s chance of breaking through to the Purple Mansion Realm by an astonishing ninety percent.

In other words...

As long as he consumed this pill, the path to the Purple Mansion Realm would practically be opened before him.

Even without completely stabilizing his current cultivation, his chances of breaking through would be extraordinarily high.

The Grand Elder suddenly felt that the small pill in his palm had become incredibly hot.

He immediately looked toward Julian.

He was about to ask whether this was truly the legendary pill.

But when his eyes met Julian’s calm gaze, he understood.

It was real.

The Grand Elder’s heart trembled.

He did not ask another question.

Julian withdrew his gaze.

Then he looked toward Adrian.

"Adrian, you come with us as well."

"We’ll go meet the City Lord."

Adrian quickly collected his emotions.

He lowered his head and respectfully replied.

"Yes, Patriarch."

The three of them then left the room together.

None of them knew that waiting in the council hall was the man who currently held authority over all of Wexford City.

City Lord Darius Fenwick.