The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

The unmistakable energy Felix sensed could not have been wrong. It was the Dragonspine, the final piece he had been searching for, and it was in Martial City.

For a brief moment, he almost charged off to pursue it, but he forced himself to calm down. It might have been possible if he were alone, but right now, he was locked in a standoff with Jared.

If he revealed his strength recklessly, Felix would have to abandon his Harmony Clinic identity and all the advantages that came with it.

Worse, the Dragonspine's owner could be far more powerful than he anticipated. If he failed to take it, he would lose both the Dragonspine and his current foothold in the city.

Weighing the pros and cons, Felix reluctantly decided to hold off. At least he now knew the Dragonspine was in Martial City, which meant there would be more opportunities to claim it in the future.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of Harmony Clinic, Nellie stood by the window, arms crossed, watching the commotion outside with a puzzled expression.

"Ma'am, are we really not going to step in? Watching this is making my heart ache," she muttered.

Jared had not been entirely wrong-Harmony Clinic was not a babysitting service that intervened in every petty conflict. But the idea of ignoring a Heaven-grade alchemist in trouble was ridiculous. Under normal circumstances, someone would have intervened long ago.

The reason no one had acted was simple: it was by Delilah's order.

"Let him endure some hardship-it's good for him," Delilah had said.

Though confused, Nellie did not dare argue with Delilah, who was her superior. After all, their difference in rank was too vast.

"Jared is so annoying," Nellie grumbled. "He's only this arrogant because his father is a general in North City's garrison. One day, he's going to cross the wrong person and end up dead."

Ordinarily, such blatant behavior-detaining someone in broad daylight-wouldn't be tolerated in the city. But Jared was not just anyone. With his father as his backer, he acted so boldly.noveldrama

Laura, on the other hand, was seething. No matter how hard she tried to reason with Jared, he refused to back down.

Worse, she could not push too hard, fearing it might make Jared believe she cared too much about Felix. That would only make things messier.

"Jared, you're getting bolder by the day. Do you really think you can stir up trouble right at Harmony Clinic's doorstep?" A voice suddenly cut through the tension as a sleek Mercedes pulled up nearby.

A woman stepped out, her long hair swaying lightly in the breeze. She wore a flowing purple dress, and her features were so strikingly perfect that they looked almost sculpted. Her cold, detached expression radiated an air that warned others not to approach her lightly.

Jared's scowl vanished in an instant. He turned, ready to lash out, but froze when

he saw who it was. His entire demeanor shifted in an instant.

Jared blurted out, "Natalie? You're back in North City? Why didn't you tell me? I could've prepared a welcome party for you!"

The woman did not even bother hiding her disdain. "A welcome party? You don't have the qualifications for that. Let him go and don't make me repeat myself."

Though her words were scathing, Jared's expression only grew more fawning. He waved his men off and shouted, "Yes, of course! Let him go! Everyone, we're leaving now!"

As he departed, Jared shot Felix a cold glare, silently warning him that this was not over.

In

"I'm sorry, Felix," Laura said, stepping closer after Jared left. "I completely forgot about that obnoxious guy. His father's position as a general in North City's garrison is the only reason he gets away with behaving like this."

Felix smirked, his eyes flashing with a cold light. "It's fine-it's over now. But who was that woman? Do you know her?"

Given her appearance and Jared's reaction, she was clearly someone with considerable influence. Felix figured she had to be part of Harmony Clinic.

Laura nodded. "Oh, absolutely. There are probably only a handful of people in

Martial City who wouldn't recognize her. That was Natalie Earnhart.

"She's the only person to ever earn a spot among Martial City's Top Ten Menaces purely through pill cultivation. Even among the Top Ten Menaces, two of them are actively pursuing her. Compared to her, Jared really is nothing."

Laura paused, then added, "Oh, and she's also a member of Harmony Clinic."