Chapter 54: The Hidden Monster

WHOOSH!

At this moment, Ryan had no idea what the City Watch Captain was thinking.

Taking advantage of the Captain’s stunned state, he didn’t even look back.

He simply seized the opportunity and fled.

After the series of intense battles, Ryan could clearly feel his Origin Energy nearing depletion.

The weakness of having such a low cultivation realm was becoming painfully obvious.

Although the C-Rank Top-Tier Overlord Body Bloodline possessed astonishing explosive power, it also consumed an enormous amount of Origin Energy.

With his current cultivation at the Origin Sea Convergence Realm Fifth Stage, Ryan simply couldn’t sustain prolonged combat.

His cultivation realm determined not only the quantity of Origin Energy he possessed, but also the intensity of the power he could unleash and how long he could maintain it.

The stronger the Bloodline, combat technique, secret art, combat artifact, or secret treasure, the greater the Origin Energy consumption.

Therefore, a cultivator’s cultivation realm and total Origin Energy reserves formed the foundation of sustained combat strength.

And right now—

Ryan was running dangerously low.

The moment he disengaged from battle, his exhaustion became apparent.

His body felt heavy, and his breathing was slightly labored.

He was already nearing his limit.

If another powerful opponent appeared now, the consequences would be disastrous.

Ryan didn’t dare look back.

He simply ran.

After a long time, once he was certain that no one was pursuing him, Ryan finally slowed down.

"Hoo..."

He released a long breath, expelling the stale air from his lungs.

Only then did he relax slightly.

However, he still didn’t head directly toward Winters Manor.

Instead, he deliberately took a winding route through the southeastern part of Ashfall City.

He had no intention of allowing anyone who might be tracking him to discover where he lived.

So Ryan deliberately changed routes several times, weaving through large streets and narrow side roads.

As long as he didn’t actively release his power, the Gray Light Shield concealing his aura should make it extremely difficult for ordinary cultivators to determine his true strength.

Still, Ryan wasn’t willing to take unnecessary chances.

There was always someone stronger.

And there was always another level of Heaven beyond the one you had already reached.

After taking a long, circuitous route, Ryan finally hailed a Wind Wolf Express.

After paying the coachman one Low-Grade Origin Stone, he instructed him to hurry toward Winters Manor.

...

City Lord’s Mansion

Meanwhile, deep within Ashfall City, the grand and luxurious main hall of the City Lord’s Mansion was brightly illuminated.

A slender man dressed entirely in black sat upon the seat of honor.

A black mask covered the lower half of his face, leaving only his eyes visible.

His eyes were deep and cold, like an unfathomable ocean, with an occasional sharp glint flashing within them.

Although his figure was somewhat slender, an oppressive aura of killing intent faintly surrounded him.

It resembled dark thunder silently gathering in the depths of a storm.

He didn’t need to display any anger.

His mere presence was enough to make those around him instinctively feel fear and submission.

This man was the true ruler of Ashfall City.

The iron-fisted City Lord whose name alone was enough to inspire fear in countless people—

Lucian Crowe.

"Ryan."

Lucian’s deep voice echoed through the silent hall.

"Origin Sea Convergence Realm Fifth Stage. Double Bloodline."

His gaze remained fixed on the intelligence dossier in his hands.

"One is a D-Rank Ordinary Spider Bloodline."

"And the other is suspected to be a C-Rank Top-Tier Enhancement-Type Bloodline."

He paused.

"Recently became embroiled in a conflict with the Sterling Family..."

Lucian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he carefully reviewed the information.

Not far below the steps, a City Watch Captain in full armor was kneeling on one knee.

His head was lowered deeply.

He didn’t dare make a sound.

If Ryan were here, he would immediately recognize him.

This was the same City Watch Captain who had pursued him earlier.

Silas.

Beside Silas knelt a burly man whose upper body was still bound by Blood Thorns.

It was Hank.

After narrowly surviving Ryan’s attack, Hank had been captured by the City Watch and brought directly to the City Lord’s Mansion.

His face was pale.

His eyes were dull.

He looked completely defeated.

Knowing that he was already at the mercy of others, Hank had wisely chosen to cooperate.

Before any interrogation or torture began, he revealed everything that had happened during his confrontation with Ryan.

He also disclosed the conflict between Ryan and the Sterling Family.

Silas subsequently added Ryan’s household registration information and the relevant records available to the City Watch.

Before long, the scattered information had been compiled into a detailed intelligence dossier and placed in Lucian’s hands.

Thus, the current scene had come to pass.

"Silas."

Lucian suddenly raised his eyes.

His gaze became sharp.

"You said this Origin Sea Convergence Realm Fifth Stage boy named Ryan escaped from you?"

His tone was calm.

But there was an unmistakable pressure behind it.

Silas’s heart tightened.

In Lucian’s eyes, this was difficult to understand.

Silas was not the strongest among the City Watch Captains, but his Blood Thorns Bloodline gave him an exceptional ability to capture and restrain opponents.

Among cultivators of the same realm or below, very few could escape once they were caught in his Thorns Cage.

Yet someone at the Origin Sea Convergence Realm Fifth Stage had actually escaped from him.

Lucian couldn’t help but wonder whether Silas had deliberately held back.

"Reporting to the City Lord, that is indeed the case."

Silas lowered his head even further.

"This subordinate also never expected Ryan’s Bloodline power to be so overwhelming."

"Based purely on its physical power, I believe it may even surpass an ordinary C-Rank Top-Tier Bloodline."

"He broke through my Thorns Cage with ease."

A trace of shame crossed Silas’s face.

"This subordinate failed in his duty. I ask the City Lord to punish me."

He possessed Origin Spirit Realm Middle Stage cultivation.

His Blood Thorns Bloodline was also exceptionally suited for capture and restraint.

On top of that, he possessed several high-level Bloodline combat techniques and secret arts.

Yet he had still failed to capture a young man at the Origin Sea Convergence Realm Fifth Stage.

For Silas, this was a humiliating defeat.

If word spread that an Ashfall City City Watch Captain had failed to capture a cultivator several stages below him, it would inevitably damage the reputation of the City Watch.

To Silas, it even felt as though he had indirectly embarrassed the City Lord himself.

However—

Lucian didn’t appear angry.

Instead, his eyes flashed with interest.

"A commoner who awakened a mixed Bloodline..."

"Yet he somehow possesses two Bloodlines."

"And one of them is actually a formidable C-Rank Top-Tier Bloodline."

"Interesting."

Lucian’s fingers lightly tapped against the armrest.

"His cultivation is still too low, though."

His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

A moment later, another thought surfaced in his mind.

This Ryan could be useful.

If he secretly recruited Ryan into his faction and provided him with sufficient resources, perhaps he could help him break through to the Origin Spirit Realm quickly.

If Ryan’s growth continued at its current pace, he might become useful for the major event approaching Ashfall City.

A talent like this appearing out of nowhere was extremely rare.

And if Lucian personally invested in him at this stage, Ryan might become fiercely loyal in return.

The potential benefits were obvious.

As for Ryan killing someone within the city—

Lucian had already dismissed the matter.

Compared to the value of a potential talent like Ryan, a single dead Sterling Family guard was insignificant.

"City Lord."

Silas was completely unaware of Lucian’s thoughts.

After hesitating for a moment, he cautiously raised his head.

"I am willing to make amends for my failure."

"Should I immediately issue a wanted notice and conduct a city-wide search for Ryan?"

He was carefully observing Lucian’s expression.

Under normal circumstances, anyone who openly killed within Ashfall City and challenged the authority of the City Watch would face severe punishment.

Especially if they lacked a powerful background.

Yet Lucian didn’t seem angry.

Silas wasn’t sure what to make of it.

"No."

Lucian’s response was calm.

"I already know about the conflict between Ryan and the Sterling Family."

"Since this is a private feud and no innocent civilians were harmed, let them resolve it themselves."

His gaze became slightly colder.

"Warn both sides."

"If they cause trouble in the city again, I will deal with them personally."

Lucian casually flipped his wrist.

A green token flew toward Silas.

"You will also inform the Sterling Family that they are to bring 1,000 Low-Grade Origin Stones to redeem their man."

Silas caught the token.

Then Lucian continued:

"As for Ryan..."

"Find him."

"Give him this City Lord’s Token."

"Tell him that I wish to see him when he has time."

Silas was stunned.

"Yes..."

He stared at the green token in his hand.

It was engraved with a simple letter—

C.

The City Lord’s Token.

Silas’s heart was filled with confusion.

The City Lord had not only chosen not to punish Ryan for killing within the city, but had actually given him a City Lord’s Token and requested a personal meeting.

This was completely outside Silas’s expectations.

Still, he didn’t dare question the order.

"Yes, City Lord."

He bowed deeply.

Silas then stood, respectfully saluted, and left after receiving Lucian’s slight nod.

However, even after leaving the hall, his mind remained filled with questions.

Why had the City Lord shown such unusual interest in Ryan?

Why had he completely ignored Ryan’s violation of city law?

And why had he even given Ryan a City Lord’s Token?

Silas couldn’t understand it.

Inside the main hall, Lucian continued watching his retreating figure.

His deep eyes narrowed.

A faint, unreadable glint flashed within them.

...

Approximately half an hour later.

Owen arrived at the City Lord’s Mansion with 1,000 Low-Grade Origin Stones to redeem Hank.

He had no choice.

The City Lord had personally given the order.

Besides, Owen desperately wanted to learn more about Ryan’s current strength from Hank.

After entering the City Lord’s Mansion, Owen was given a stern warning by Lucian.

Owen could only nod repeatedly.

His face was pale.

The idea of ambushing Ryan within Ashfall City had already been completely abandoned.

However, on the journey back to Gareth’s residence, Hank recounted everything that had happened.

The more Owen listened, the darker his expression became.

He had never imagined that Captain Marlow and Hank, despite having a massive advantage in cultivation, would fail to capture Ryan.

Two people had attacked one.

And both were several stages above Ryan.

Yet Ryan had completely overturned the situation.

Not only had he concealed his cultivation, but he also possessed a second Bloodline.

And one of them was a terrifying C-Rank Top-Tier Bloodline.

Most importantly—

His cultivation had risen to the Origin Sea Convergence Realm Fifth Stage in only a day or two.

For a commoner without a powerful background or abundant resources, such growth was astonishing.

Owen finally realized just how careless he had been.

Ryan was far more dangerous than he had anticipated.

The two sides had already formed a deadly enmity.

If Ryan wasn’t eliminated early, the Sterling Family’s position would only become increasingly difficult.

After a long period of thought, a sinister plan gradually took shape in Owen’s mind.

He immediately urged the Wind Wolf Express to accelerate toward Gareth’s residence.

...

Meanwhile, Ryan remained completely unaware of everything that had happened inside the City Lord’s Mansion.

Nor did he know what Owen was planning.

By now, evening had already fallen.

After spending a considerable amount of time taking a circuitous route through the city, Ryan finally arrived near his destination.

He jumped down from the Wind Wolf Express.

Before entering Winters Manor, he carefully checked his surroundings.

He repeatedly confirmed that no one had followed him.

Only then did he finally relax.

Ryan quickly entered Winters Manor.

For the moment, he was safe.