Chapter 73: The Four Great Families

Chapter 73: The Four Great Families

With a few finishing touches, Nyren stepped out of her room and entered the brightly lit corridor.

Her silver silk robes moved elegantly with every step, the fabric flowing around her like frost carried by the wind.

"Good morning, Senior Nyren."

The maid bowed respectfully as she passed.

Nyren only nodded before stepping into the courtyard.

A lush, green fragrance filled the air, followed by a faint chill that drifted from the deepest part of the stronghold. The cold didn’t bother her. If anything, it made her feel more comfortable.

The Glacial Cave located deep within the Glacial Spirit Stronghold had become a sanctuary for Nyren.

Inside, she could temper her Ice Manipulation and improve her control over her Qi. So far, she had only explored the outer areas, but her experiments had already revealed something important.

Not everyone could enter the Glacial Cave.

Only cultivators who had reached Level 5 or above were able to cross its entrance. Nyren suspected that the cave itself was divided into several layers, with each section requiring a higher cultivation realm to access.

She crossed a moon gate and turned toward the meeting hall.

Even from a distance, she could hear voices coming from inside.

"I don’t see any reason to wait for your daughter, General Ashford."

The speaker was an older man.

Nyren immediately recognized the voice.

Lemo Drackar.

Before the apocalypse, the Drackar family had been one of the most influential families in the country and possessed extensive influence throughout the world.

After the apocalypse began, the family established its own cultivation faction—the Heavenly Thunder Sect.

Lemo Drackar and his heir had both awakened Thunder Manipulation. However, what truly established the family’s power was the ability awakened by Lemo’s First son, Justin Drackar.

He had awakened Purple Lightning Manipulation.

During numerous battles, Justin’s purple lightning had demonstrated far greater explosive power than ordinary lightning, especially against zombies and mutated beasts.

When the sanctuaries appeared, the Drackar stronghold had also received a strange lightning portal that periodically released violent streaks of lightning.

This development had made the Drackar family even more arrogant. They had begun looking down on anyone they considered weak.

"There’s no need to drag this out, Lemo," another woman said. "The meeting still has a few minutes before it officially begins. Just wait until then."

Nyren recognized the woman as well.

Estelle Argon.

Before the apocalypse, the Argon family had controlled several estates and development projects. They had also owned a massive stretch of land that had been under construction when the outbreak began.

When the world collapsed, the Argon family had opened the estate to the public, saving countless people. Eventually, the estate was transformed into a cultivation faction known as the Azure Wind Sect.

It was now considered one of the Four Great Sects.

When the sanctuaries descended, their Family had received the Eye of the Storm Sanctum—a colossal, eternal cyclone hovering directly above their estate.

In the completely calm center of the tempest lay an ancient stone shrine rich in high-purity Wind Qi, while the surrounding raging wind currents served as a natural tempering ground. Furthermore, because wind naturally fueled fire, the thermal updrafts within the storm provided the perfect environment for Estelle’s youngest daughter, who had awakened a rare dual manipulation of Wind and Fire and had already reached Level 5.

All three daughters of the Argon family had awakened Wind Manipulation. Estelle Argon, the family matriarch, had already reached Level 6.

Her youngest daughter had awakened two abilities—Wind Manipulation and Fire Manipulation—and had already reached Level 5.

"Estelle, you should know how Lemo behaves by now," another voice said. "He wants everyone to follow his orders as if he owns the world."

Nyren recognized that voice too.

Uncle Roan Blackwood.

He was Asher and Adrian’s father.

Like his sons, Roan had awakened Metal Manipulation. He was also a powerful swordsman.

The Blackwood family had established the Myriad Sword Sect, a name Nyren thought suited them perfectly.

Their sanctuary was a floating golden tower that hovered above the family’s stronghold, providing them with powerful resources and cultivation opportunities.

Two soldiers stood outside the meeting hall.

The moment they saw Nyren approaching, they bowed and opened the doors for her.

Nyren stepped inside.

Her cold gaze swept across the room.

The heads of the four great factions sat around a circular table, while their strongest younger generation stood behind them.

Lemo Drackar had brought his two sons, Justin and Jules. Both wore golden silk robes that marked them as Level 5 cultivators.

Estelle Argon had brought her three daughters, along with two other talented young women from the Azure Wind Sect.

Roan Blackwood stood with Asher and Adrian behind him. Their black and silver robes complemented their sharp features and calm demeanors.

General Ashford sat at the head of the table.

Two young soldiers stood behind him, with Oren positioned in front of them. Judging from his bored expression, he clearly didn’t want to be at the meeting.

His white robes complemented his handsome features, while his white hair had been tied into a small ponytail.

As Nyren crossed the room, several gazes followed her.

Some people looked at her with surprise.

Others stared with open admiration.

After reaching Level 5, Nyren’s appearance had become even more striking. Her silver hair, elegant robes, and cold aura made her look like an ice goddess who had stepped out of an ancient legend.

Asher couldn’t help staring at her.

He had been too busy recently to visit the Glacial Spirit Stronghold. Seeing Nyren again after her breakthrough left him momentarily speechless.

Nyren ignored the attention and walked toward her seat beside Oren.

Before she could sit down, Lemo Drackar spoke.

"Don’t you think you owe us an apology for arriving late?"

Nyren stopped and turned toward him.

"Pardon?"

"Ridiculous," Jules Drackar said, his tone filled with arrogance. "Is this how the Ashford family teaches its younger generation to treat their elders?"

He turned toward General Ashford.

"You’ve really opened my eyes, General."

Adrian immediately stepped forward.

"And who are you to interfere with how the Ashfords train their daughter?"

Jules glared at him.

"The last time I checked, your surname was Drackar, not Ashford," Adrian continued. "Or is it that the Drackar family’s son doesn’t value his own family name?"

Jules’ face reddened.

Adrian placed a hand dramatically against his face and sighed.

"You should have said so earlier. The Ashfords might gladly take you in since you seem so interested in their lineage."

Pfft.

One of the young women behind Estelle covered her mouth, but she couldn’t hold back her laughter.

Jules’ face twisted with rage.

He hadn’t expected Adrian to turn his words against him so easily.

"You—"

He took a step forward, but Justin immediately grabbed his arm.

"Enough," Justin said quietly.

Jules clenched his teeth.

Justin turned toward General Ashford and bowed slightly.

"General Ashford, please accept my apology for my younger brother’s behavior."

Then he turned toward Nyren.

"I hope Young Miss Nyren will overlook his words so we can proceed with the meeting."

Nyren hadn’t even glanced at Jules during the exchange.

She simply took her seat.

"There’s no need," she said.

Her voice was calm, but her words carried a sharp edge.

"From what he just said, it’s clear that the Drackar family is lacking in education."

Several people around the table lowered their heads to hide their smiles.

Nyren turned toward Adrian.

"Unfortunately, the Ashford family doesn’t accept discarded products."

Jules’ face turned crimson.

"You!"

He pointed toward Nyren as silver lightning flickered around his fingers.

Against an ordinary person, the display would have been intimidating.

But to the people in that room, it was nothing more than a child’s tantrum.

"Enough."

General Ashford’s voice echoed through the meeting hall.

A terrifying Level 7 aura erupted from his body, accompanied by the heavy pressure of his military presence.

The entire hall fell silent.

Jules’ lightning disappeared instantly, and his face paled under the pressure.

"My daughter is not late," General Ashford said, looking toward Lemo Drackar. "If you check the time, you’ll see that the meeting is scheduled to begin now."

Lemo’s expression stiffened.

No one replied.

After a few seconds, General Ashford withdrew his aura and leaned back in his chair.

"Good."

His gaze swept across the representatives of the four great factions.

"Then let the meeting begin."​