Alan and Sonia had made too much noise.
The higher-ups of the Demons family received the news and rushed over.
Four figures emerged from the teleportation array one after another.
The elder in the lead was tall and thin.
His skin and bones were emaciated, his eye sockets sunken, like a living skeleton!
Upon seeing the withered old man, Simone hurriedly bowed, his voice trembling.
"Clan leader!"
Herent also saluted the old man and whispered to Alan and Sonia:
"Our clan leader has arrived!"
"With him are the first, second, and third elders!"
"The three elders' cultivation levels are all in the late fifth stage."
"The clan leader's grandfather's cultivation level... is in the early sixth stage!"
The clan leader of the Demons family had long since withdrawn from worldly affairs.
Most of the younger generations in the family had never seen him!
It was said that the old man was over a hundred years old.
Knowing his lifespan was drawing to a close, he retreated to a secret realm.
The patriarch's retreat was completely different from the Blood Pond Secret Realm!
Time flowed more slowly there than in the outside world.
One year in the secret realm equated to ten years in the outside world!
For the patriarch himself, this didn't actually extend his lifespan.
But for the family, the old patriarch's lifespan was ten times longer!
Especially when the family faced a crisis or a powerful enemy invaded, calling upon the old patriarch to take charge was like a stabilizing force!
It could be said that the old patriarch spent the rest of his life entirely dedicated to the family's interests.
Patriarch Demons, leaning on his cane, his face expressionless.
Simony stuttered and trembled as he recounted the entire farce.
Helen, with the elders' approval, made appropriate additions.
After hearing this, the old patriarch extended his withered hand and beckoned towards Allen.
"Child, come here. I have something to tell you."
Hearing the old man's gentle tone, Allen stepped forward and bowed in greeting, showing every courtesy.
At the same time, he secretly activated his "Soft Bone and Flesh Armor" to guard against any unforeseen events!
"Child, I heard you're a rising star at Silver Moon Monastery?"
"Then, I presume you're Brother Tiger's newest student."
"How's Old Cat doing?"
Alan was stunned for a moment, then quickly explained, "Old Master Tiger, you were my teacher Shiva's teacher and the former dean!"
"I'm not lucky enough to have the opportunity to listen to the old dean's teachings!"
"Huh?" the old man was stunned. "Old Cat...could he have passed away?"
"Our old dean left for Origin City many years ago!"
"Wow... Old Cat, you're still more promising than me after all!"
The old patriarch sighed, his expression a complex one.
"Young man, I understand what happened."
"You and that little girl are not to blame for this."
"Repaying kindness and revenge is only natural."
"Old Four, though not very capable, has great ambition."
"He's been tyrannical and deceitful for years, deceiving his superiors and subordinates. It's outrageous!"
"Many people in the family have complaints against him, and they've already brought them to me."
"Because he's a relative, I've always tolerated him." , repeatedly warned him to restrain himself, but he refused to listen!"
"The fourth son is disrespectful himself, and his son is also a prodigal!"
"He's committing crimes outside and robbing decent women. How despicable!"
"This father and son have long sown the seeds of their own demise."
"They deserve this retribution today. They don't deserve any sympathy!"
"That's my stance. Who agrees? Who disagrees?"
The old patriarch glanced around at the younger generation, his gaze stern.
The three elders chorused their agreement.
The rest of the younger generation didn't dare to utter a word!
Alan and Sonia exchanged a glance, both surprised.
How could the old patriarch of the Demon Family be so easy to talk to?
If he were known for his ability to distinguish right from wrong, his integrity, and his willingness to side with the right, then what kind of "demon warlock" would he really be?
This is strange; there's probably something fishy going on! After a brief hesitation, Sonia stepped forward and said, "Old sir, I apologize for my impoliteness in coming to your house today."
"Young lady, you were indeed rash. Don't be so impulsive in the future," the Demons Patriarch gently rebuked Sonia. "If it weren't for my good temper, you'd be dead!"
"Never mind. You can't be blamed for this. After all, the vengeance for stealing your mother is irreconcilable."
"The culprit has been brought to justice. Please don't bear any grudge against our Demons family. How about we shake hands and make peace?"
"I will obey your orders, old sir. I dare not disobey."
Sonia's face was full of respect.
The old patriarch nodded with satisfaction and turned to look at Allen.
"The old gentleman is a friend of our old headmaster, so of course I must obey your orders."
"That's good. Come home and have a cup of tea with me and chat."
"Simonie, you and Helen are here to entertain the distinguished guest."
"Thank you, Patriarch, for your appreciation!"
Simonie was trembling with excitement.
He had spent most of his life frustrated and cautious.
He never dreamed that one day he would receive such high-level treatment and become the Patriarch's guest of honor!
Thanks to my precious daughter, I've made a good friend and helped my father gain honor!
...
The Patriarch's banquet is scheduled for the evening.
Before the banquet, Alan and Sonia will accompany Helen home.
Mrs. Anna regained consciousness and saw her biological daughter and stepdaughter standing side by side by her bed, like a pair of sisters.
Tears welled up in her eyes!
She reached out her arms and embraced both of her precious daughters.
She had lived a life of wandering and suffering, but in her later years, she finally enjoyed the joy of family.
Sonia embraced her long-absent mother and recounted her experiences.
Anna, upon learning her ex-husband had died of alcoholism, sighed, tears welling in her eyes.
Sonia quickly changed the subject, asking her mother if she wanted to go with her.
Simone, upon hearing this, felt uneasy and quickly glanced at Helen.
Helen hesitated, unable to speak, unable to stop her stepmother from following her daughters off Winter Island.
Simone had no choice but to swallow his pride and plead with his wife not to abandon him.
Anna, seeing her husband's pitiful appearance, couldn't help but soften her heart.
Her daughter had grown up and could take care of herself without her mother's presence, but her husband and unborn child needed her care.
Anna hesitated for a long time, tearfully holding Sonia's hand and gently shaking her head.
Sonia was saddened by her mother's choice, but not surprised.
As the old saying goes, "A distant relative is not as good as a close neighbor."
After more than a decade of separation, how could even her biological daughter compare to the closeness of her second husband, the one who saved her from the flames, lived with her day and night, and nurtured their child together?
Since her mother, reluctant to leave her husband and adopted daughter, had decided to stay in the north, and was pregnant with a baby, Sonia couldn't force her way in and disrupt this harmonious family.
With the old clan leader's care, her mother's family seemed safe from oppression and ostracism from the tribe.
This reassured Sonia, and she no longer pressed her mother to live with her.
...
That evening, Patriarch Demons hosted a feast for Allen and Sonia.
During the meal, the old Patriarch solemnly introduced his eldest grandson, Burke Demons.
Old Burke was a plain-looking, middle-aged man.
Tall and thin, with a mustache, he was taciturn.
Burke was a prominent figure of the third generation of the Demons family, reaching the early fifth stage of cultivation, just half a step away from advancing to the late stage.
Burke was undoubtedly exceptional, a true genius. However, the awkward part was that he was just at the age limit.
In two weeks, Burke would be forty!
Origin City had strict age requirements.
You must advance to the late fifth stage before you turn forty, otherwise you will be ineligible to participate in this trial!
If you miss this one, you'll probably have no hope in your life!
According to Burke's own estimation, if he were given another two months, he could definitely advance to the late fifth stage.
Unfortunately, time waits for no one!
Even if he practiced tirelessly before reaching the age limit, it would be too late.
If the gap were too great, he could only blame his own incompetence, which wouldn't matter.
The problem was, Burke was only just a tiny bit short!
Therefore, missing the Origin City Trial would be a lifelong regret.
At this point, if he had an anti-aging potion, his fate would be completely changed!
At this point, Allen understood.
No wonder the old patriarch was so polite to him, overlooking the killing of Kambion and Solang and his son, and treating him so graciously.
There's no such thing as a free lunch; it truly comes with a price.
"Brother Allen, I heard you're the most outstanding alchemist of the younger generation at Silver Moon Monastery."
Burke came over politely to offer a toast.
"If you could sell me an anti-aging potion, the price is negotiable!"
Alan clinked his glass with him and gulped down the drink.
"Brother Allen, it's so vulgar to talk about money between friends!"
"I have a first-grade anti-aging potion on hand, and I can give it to you for free."
"But I have two small favors I'd like to ask for your help."
"Brother Allen, just tell me what you have to say. I'll do my best!"
Burke's face flushed with excitement, and he patted his lean chest.
"Brother Burke, to be honest, Helen is my senior. She took great care of me when I first enrolled."
"My senior has had a difficult time within the family. She's suffered a lot of bullying. She was even denied the right to enter the Blood Pond Secret Realm for cultivation by the Cambion father and son. I think this is unfair."
"I hope Brother Burke can speak up for my senior in front of the elders and give her a chance to participate in the trial."
"No problem!" Burke said sternly. "From today on, Helen is my biological sister! She can enter the Blood Pond Secret Realm for cultivation at any time. Anyone who dares to bully my sister will be killed!"
As soon as these words left his mouth, everyone in the banquet hall looked at him with awe.
Burke, as the third-generation leader of the Demons family and the successor chosen by the old patriarch, had the right to speak so.
Helen promised to protect her. From now on, she would be a bona fide daughter of a wealthy family. Who would dare to mess with her?! Alan nodded in satisfaction and continued.
"In addition, Sonia and I plan to use the Blood Pond Secret Realm of the Demons Family to accompany our senior sister in cultivation, helping her quickly advance to the late Fourth Stage and meet the requirements for participating in the Trial."
"Well... brother, wait a moment!"
Burke had no authority to bring outsiders into the Blood Pond Secret Realm; the old patriarch had to make the decision on this matter.
He trotted over to the old patriarch and whispered Alan's request.
The old patriarch leaned on his cane, stroking his beard. After a moment's hesitation, he smiled and nodded.
Burke let out a long sigh and excitedly waved his fist at Alan.
Alan smiled faintly and pulled out two first-stage anti-aging potions from his storage bag.
One for Burke, the other as a tribute to the old patriarch.
"Very good, very good boy, very sensible!"
The old chief accepted his gift, his face beaming.
"Old man, you can't take something from a junior without a reason. I have three Super Magic Awakening Potions here. Pick one."
Alan already had two of them, the "Shaping Super Magic" and the "Expanding Super Magic."
He naturally chose the last one, the "Silent Super Magic."
When casting a spell, it costs an additional 2 mana points to negate the spell.
Combined with Spanna's sapphire dagger, this allows for silent casting within the "Silent Ward," a tremendous strategic advantage!
Chief Demons not only made an exception and allowed the two outsiders to enter the Blood Pond Secret Realm for a year of training, but he also generously gifted Alan, Herent, and Sonia, one thousand magic stones each, as training resources.
Burke was an impatient man. After receiving the anti-aging potion provided by Allen, he couldn't wait even a minute and rushed back to the secret realm to retreat.
…
Two days later, Helen returned to the Blood Pond Secret Realm, accompanied by Allen and Sonia.
The small room she had originally lived in was too shabby.
The old patriarch granted her special permission and moved her to a larger house, complete with a swarm of maids.
Not only that, the patriarch thoughtfully invited Simone and Anna into the secret realm as well, allowing the family to reunite.
Alan was pleased with the old patriarch's arrangement, but there was no need to be overly flattered.
As the new generation leader of the Silver Moon Monastery and the founder of the Panthers family, his status was worthy of such generous treatment!
Of the three, Sonia was under the greatest pressure.
The year in the secret realm had not been easy for her.
During this period, she must advance to the late Fourth Stage!
Alan and Sonia, sensing her concerns, told Helen the shortcut of "gathering meditation."
For the first few days, Alan presided over the gatherings, guiding Helen and Sonia through their training.
However, he soon realized that he felt somewhat redundant among the two sisters...
The ancestral spirits of Helen and Sonia coincidentally flourished in the same era.
The major events they experienced, such as the Nth "blood war" between the Abyss and Hell, also overlapped in time and space.
This shared stage laid the foundation for their close cooperation.
Sonia's succubus ancestral spirit had grown into a full-fledged Hell pilot.
Piloting the "Hell Angel," she galloped across the battlefields of bloody battles.
Meanwhile, Helen's fused succubus ancestral spirit was in charge of intelligence work within the Abyssal Legion.
They are actively recruiting subordinates, attempting to infiltrate the Devil's camp and obtain valuable intelligence.
The two women hit it off instantly!
Sonia provides Helen with intelligence on the Devil's side.
Helen also provides Sonia with information of interest.
The two are on opposing sides, publicly hostile to each other, but privately they are a close sisterhood, secretly sharing benefits.
Thanks to the intelligence Sonia provides, Helen shines in the Abyss Intelligence Department and rises through the ranks!
Utilizing the clues Helen provides, Sonia always anticipates the enemy's moves, repeatedly excels in combat, and becomes an ace pilot.
She even enlists Helen's help to assassinate her immediate superior, who was trying to sabotage her, and replace him, earning a promotion!
In this situation, Alan couldn't do much more than yell "666" at the sisters...
Since Herent and Sonia hadn't encountered any formidable opponents yet, Alan didn't waste his energy.
He withdrew from the meeting and entered his own meditative world.
He continued to serve as an ogre wizard, acting as a "traitor" and "guide" for the Demon Lord Anzus.
Leveraging the power of demons, he continuously expanded his territory in the Underdark and secretly accumulated strength.