Riverdale, Commercial Street.
A mighty entourage moved down the upscale avenue, turning heads everywhere they passed. Dressed uniformly in sleek black suits, the group exuded wealth and style, their hands laden with designer shopping bags of various sizes.
At the helm walked Leo, clad in a tailored black windbreaker and leather gloves, his calm expression illuminated by a faint, mysterious smile. Despite his gentle demeanor, he radiated an aura of effortless confidence and power.
After nearly an hour of relentless luxury shopping, Leo and his entourage had effectively cleared out most high-end boutiques in Riverdale's commercial hub. Their approach was simple—Leo would glance at an item, nod, and the shop assistant would immediately package it up without question.
Shen Fei, a loyal follower, trailed behind Leo and respectfully inquired, "Brother Leo, where to next?"
Leo paused. Where to next?
He recalled that Ava Carter, his lady, had a known fondness for antiques, rare books, and classical scrolls. If she liked such things in the original story, then it only made sense to buy some special treasures for her now, using the black card she had given him.
Just then, a mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
[New Mission Released: Activate plotline 'The Miracle Doctor Descends the Mountain' in Antique City!]
[Objective: Publicly humiliate the Chosen Son, Dr. Victor Hale!]
[Reward: Thirteen Taixuan Needles + a complete set of Xuantie Silver Needles!]
Leo's eyes flickered.
"Eh? Another main character?" he muttered to himself. "The system's getting aggressive. Ava just offended the Dragon King, and now she's provoking a miracle doctor too?"
His lips curled into a smirk. "Even better."
Leo snapped his fingers and declared cheerfully, "Let's head to Antique City. I'm picking out a gift for Ava."
Half an hour later…
Riverdale's Antique City Fair bustled with the charm of bygone eras. At its entrance strode a statuesque woman with a proud gait, a luxury bag on her wrist. Her face was sharp with confidence.
Following her, reluctantly, was a man with tousled hair and a helpless expression. He was dressed plainly, but his eyes hid secrets most could never comprehend.
The woman spun on her heel and glared. "Victor Hale, can you move any slower?"
"I've been eyeing a particular antique for months at the Antiques Merchant Association. If someone gets it first, I swear I'll hold you responsible!"
She huffed and flipped her hair dramatically. "Why did my father even assign you as my bodyguard? You don't look like anything special!"
Victor Hale, known in underground circles as the Ghost Immortal—the King of Hell—sighed. If it weren't for his master's instructions, he wouldn't be here babysitting Julia Grant, the heiress to the Grant Corporation.
But Julia wasn't just a spoiled heiress. She carried an innate poisonous constitution, rare and potent, capable of enhancing one's mastery over toxins. Victor licked his lips subtly. "She's not bad. If I cultivate with her, my poison arts will reach terrifying new heights."
"I'll make sure you're safe, my dear Julia," he thought wickedly. "No one else will touch you."
---
Meanwhile, inside the Antique Chamber of Commerce...
Mr. Harris, a plump middle-aged man in a traditional tunic, wiped beads of sweat from his forehead as he addressed Leo with nervous courtesy.
"Mr. Leo, I-I apologize, but this vase… it's already been reserved."
Leo turned the ancient vase over in his hands, examining its ornate detailing. His smile deepened as he calmly asked, "So what you're saying is... you're willing to cross Ava Carter?"
Mr. Harris paled. "No, no, Mr. Leo, that's not what I meant!" he stammered. "It's just... this particular vase once belonged to a master from the Dacheng Realm. It's a valuable artifact and was preordered by Miss Julia Grant from the Grant family. If we give it to someone else, it might spark a feud between the families..."
Before he could finish, Leo's eyes turned cold.
"So you're saying Ava is afraid of Julia Grant?"
He slammed the vase gently but firmly on the counter. "Even if Julia herself were standing here, I'd still take it. This gift is for Ava. And I don't care who gets in the way."
Mr. Harris looked as though he might faint. "Since when did Riverdale produce such a terrifying follower?" he thought. "Or... is this the true will of Ava's family?"
As the poor manager struggled to find a solution, a crisp, authoritative voice rang out from the entrance.
"Uncle Xu, where is the vase I ordered?"
All heads turned.
Julia Grant strode in, sharp-eyed and regal, her long legs leading the way. Behind her trailed Victor Hale, eyes scanning the room lazily.
[Alert: Chosen Son Victor Hale detected!]
[Host, your stage awaits.]
Leo's smirk returned.
He raised the vase toward Julia and said with exaggerated innocence, "Miss, I believe this is what you're looking for."
Julia blinked. Then her eyes narrowed.
Turning to Mr. Harris, she asked coldly, "Uncle Xu, did you sell it to him?"
The poor manager waved his hands frantically. "No, no! It's yours! I had it set aside, but... but... Miss Ava Carter seems to want it as well."
He subtly glanced at Leo, then sighed heavily.
Julia's scowl faded into calm arrogance.
She extended her hand. "Listen, handsome. Give me the vase. I reserved it. If you don't want to ruin your future, you'll step aside."
"Don't think whoever's backing you can protect you from the Grant family."
Her voice held no trace of doubt. The Grants were top-tier in Riverdale. Even Ava's family knew better than to cross them openly.
Victor raised an eyebrow. "Who is this guy? Bold enough to challenge Julia?"
But then—
Leo's expression turned razor-sharp.
"Who do you think you are?" he said icily. "You think you deserve to buy the same vase as my lady?"
He stepped closer, voice cold enough to freeze air.
"Julia Grant, hear me clearly. No one—no matter their family—gets between Ava Carter and what she wants."
"You're just a failed heiress who can't even cultivate, let alone compete with my lady!"
The room froze.
Mr. Harris gasped audibly. Julia's hand, still outstretched, trembled in the air.
Victor stared, dumbfounded. "Did he just insult Julia to her face? Has this guy lost his mind?"
Or... was this Ava Carter's will at play? The woman was infamous for her arrogance and dominance. If her follower was this unrelenting, she had to be ten times worse.
---
Meanwhile, at the Carter family estate...
Ava Carter, mid-conversation with her parents about the family business, suddenly shivered.
Her eyes darted around. "Why do I feel like something just exploded?"
"Mu Wan? What's wrong?" her mother asked gently.
Ava forced a smile. "Oh, nothing. Let's continue discussing my succession plans."
But deep inside, unease coiled in her chest.
"Leo's okay… right? Why do I feel such a chill all of a sudden?"
---
To be continued…