Beside Knox stood a tall woman with a flawless and striking figure.
Her expression carried cold arrogance. Her brows revealed a heroic sharpness that gave her a commanding presence. Her fiery red lips were alluring and seductive, enough to stir reckless thoughts in those who looked too long.
Wine red hair flowed behind her in the wind, displaying her bold and valiant temperament without restraint.
She wore a fitted red dress paired with a black cape. The design traced every curve of her exquisite body with precision, neither excessive nor concealed.
She was Aurelia's sworn sister.
One of the Four Great Princesses of the Heavenly Flame Dynasty.
The Jade Princess, Lily.
"Knox, do not be too impatient."
Seeing the ferocity in Knox's eyes, as if he wished to tear Alex into pieces on the spot, Lily spoke in a calm and steady tone.
"Do not forget Her Majesty's command."
"Our purpose today is not to kill Alex."
"It is to force him to personally admit the crimes he has committed over the years."
"Only then will Her Majesty have a legitimate reason to cleanse the Hale family in the name of the Heavenly Flame Dynasty."
"Understood!" Knox nodded firmly, a sinister smile forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Sister Lily, shortly I will make that old thief Alex confess with his own mouth."
"You must remain alert. Do not miss the decisive confession."
"Hmph, do you take me for a fool?" Lily snorted coldly. A strand of crimson light flickered faintly at her fingertips.
"My Flame Recording Talisman will miss nothing."
"Every word Alex utters will become evidence for Her Majesty to mobilize her forces."
"Excellent!" Knox nodded again, excitement flashing in his eyes.
"I truly wish to see the look on Alex's face when he kneels and begs for mercy."
Immediately, Lily closed her eyes. Her elegant figure gradually blurred and turned ethereal. In the next instant, she transformed into a dark red jade pendant and hung at Knox's waist.
Knox took a slow breath and steadied his emotions.
Maintaining a condescending and domineering posture, he rode his flying sword toward the Hale family's holy land.
Outside the holy land, two Hale family disciples stood guard with full vigilance. When they saw Knox approaching from afar, their expressions instantly turned cold.
"Halt!"
"Isn't this the lunatic who came causing trouble half a month ago?"
"The Saint Lord spared your life then. Why have you returned?"
Knox had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. He completely disregarded the two Qi Gathering Realm disciples before him.
Raising his chin slightly, he let out a cold laugh.
"I came today because I have matters to clarify with Alex."
"Go inform your clan head to come out and see me."
The two Hale disciples frowned deeply, anger rising in their eyes.
"You reckless madman. How dare you address the Saint Lord by name!"
"You are courting death!"
The two stepped forward at once, preparing to seize Knox and drag him before the Saint Lord.
Knox narrowed his eyes. Spiritual energy began gathering in his palm as he prepared to strike.
At that moment, a deep and powerful voice echoed from a distance.
"Stop!"
The two disciples immediately halted and retreated respectfully.
A middle aged man in Daoist robes descended from the sky on a flying sword. His hair and beard were streaked with gray, and his temperament was refined and immortal. His expression was warm, and a gentle smile rested on his face.
Landing before Knox, he cupped his fists politely.
"You must be Young Master Knox."
"This poor Daoist is Tobias, Third Elder of the Hale family."
"Young Master, please do not be angered. Why not come inside and speak calmly?"
Although Tobias appeared courteous and humble, the aura surrounding him clearly belonged to a cultivator at the second level of the Mahayana Realm.
Facing such a figure, even Knox restrained himself slightly.
He replied coldly, "Third Elder, I have heard of your reputation."
"I, Knox, have come today to ask your Saint Lord Alex several questions."
"Have him come out to see me immediately."
Upon hearing Knox once again speak the Saint Lord's name directly, the two young disciples behind Tobias showed undisguised fury.
Yet Tobias remained calm, neither angered nor annoyed. He simply nodded with a faint smile.
"So that is the case."
"I regret to inform you that our clan head left early this morning."
"Coincidentally, the Hale family has just received a fresh batch of immortal tea."
"If Young Master Knox does not mind, please come inside and rest for a while. You may enjoy tea while waiting. What do you think?"
Seeing Tobias so composed and courteous, Knox felt suspicion arise.
He had come intending to provoke conflict.
That was why he had deliberately displayed arrogance and dominance.
He had not expected this Third Elder to endure his provocation without a trace of displeasure, and even invite him for tea.
This differed greatly from what he anticipated.
"Knox, go inside," Lily transmitted from the jade pendant at his waist.
"I suspect Alex has already learned of your relationship with Her Majesty the Empress."
"That is why he treats you with courtesy, hoping to curry favor."
"Enter first and drink tea. Then act according to circumstances."
"Very well." Knox immediately felt satisfaction.
He looked at Tobias with a faint trace of disdain.
"Times truly change quickly."
"The last time I came, I suffered endless humiliation and nearly lost my life."
"And now I am treated as an honored guest."
"Third Elder, do you not find this amusing?"
"Very amusing." Tobias maintained his smile, nodding gently while gesturing respectfully forward.
"Young Master Knox, please."
Knox let out a cold sneer and cast a contemptuous glance at the two Hale guards. He then strode into the holy land with large, arrogant steps, as if the territory already belonged to him.
Watching his departing figure, a subtle trace of amusement flickered across Tobias's eyes.
He withdrew a communication jade slip from his sleeve and spoke softly into it.
"Saint Lord, Knox has arrived."
"Very good," Alex's voice responded from the other end.
"Serve him the finest tea and prepare the best spirit fruits."
"Let this brat enjoy the highest level treatment our Hale family can offer."
At this moment, Alex was already eighty thousand miles away from the Hale family.
From the easternmost region of the Azure Origin Continent, he had traveled to its southernmost region.
Standing upon auspicious clouds in mid air, he looked down at a massive and orderly fortress estate below.
Layer upon layer of defensive formations shimmered faintly around it. Guards patrolled in strict formation. The structure radiated solemn authority.
This was the holy land of the Blackwood, another saintly lineage.