Caleb hurriedly pulled the jade-like leaf from his tunic. The movement caused the Azure Gale-Wolf to pause. Wolves were naturally suspicious, and even after reaching the Silver Rank (The Ascendant Realm), this trait only intensified. It watched intently, wondering why this human would produce a seemingly ordinary leaf at the brink of death.

  Caleb stared at the leaf, momentarily confused. How do I use this?

  Without a second thought, he crushed it and swallowed the pulp.

  In that instant, a massive surge of Blood Energy erupted from the leaf, flooding into Caleb’s body. Both man and beast were stunned. As the energy coursed through him, Caleb felt his blood boil. His injured body suddenly exploded with its ultimate potential.

  In a heartbeat, his internal circulation returned to normal. Not only that, but his blood felt thicker and more potent, as if he had taken a significant step forward within the Late-Stage of Blood Condensation. His eyes shone with a fierce light, and a powerful fighting spirit erupted as he glared at the wolf.

  The Gale-Wolf stood its ground, baffled. It could not understand how a dying man could recover and grow stronger in an instant. However, the gap between them was not something a single leaf could bridge. Sensing the human was still fundamentally weaker, the wolf prepared to strike again.

  But then, Caleb produced another leaf in his hand.

  The wolf hesitated. It didn't know how many more of these "blessings" the human possessed. Just then, a long, piercing howl echoed from the distance. The wolf’s expression shifted. It cast one last lingering look at Caleb before slowly retreating into the dark forest.

  As the wolf vanished, Caleb let out a breath of pure relief. He wasn't truly a match for a Silver-Rank beast. He tossed away the leaf in his hand—it was just a common leaf he had plucked at random to bluff his way out.

  To avoid the wolf’s return, Caleb didn't linger. He hoisted the Giant Tiger’s carcass onto his shoulders, retrieved the hidden Dark-Metal Beast, and raced toward the secret tunnel. With the power of the leaf still coursing through him, he felt as light as a feather despite the heavy load.

  The moment he slid the stone slab back into place inside the Sanctum, the surging power vanished as if the source had been cut off. His blood energy plummeted back to its original state, and the pain from his wounds began to flare up again.

  "How is he not back yet?"

  In the Sanctum, Silas Thorne paced anxiously. York, the Guardian Tree, also felt a flicker of doubt. He had sensed the leaf being used half an hour ago. Did I not provide enough vitality?

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  Finally, Caleb’s voice echoed from the tunnel. "Father, I’m back."

  Silas rushed forward as Caleb emerged, covered in blood and tattered clothes. "Caleb! You’re hurt!"

  "It’s nothing, just minor wounds," Caleb wheezed, dragging the two massive carcasses out.

  When Silas saw the Giant Tiger, he gasped. "A Late-Stage Blood Condensation beast?"

  Caleb nodded and recounted the encounter with the Gale-Wolf. Silas was filled with awe and gratitude. "It is the Guardian’s blessing. If the tree can provide more of these leaves, our House might not only survive but strike back."

  Caleb turned to leave to tend to his wounds, but then he paused, looking at the tree expectantly.

  York, sensing the "hint," gave a mental sigh. Fine, since you brought back such a good harvest. He shook his branches, and several motes of green light drifted down, sinking into Caleb’s body. The pain vanished instantly. Caleb gave a silent, respectful nod and left the Sanctum.

  Darn, that cost me 0.4 Vitality. A whole night's work for nothing, York grumbled inwardly. But his attention soon shifted to the Giant Tiger. A Late-Stage beast would surely provide a massive amount of Blood Energy.

  Silas Thorne, meanwhile, was staring at the tree's leaves with a new light in his eyes. He knew the "blessings" were limited, but they were the key to their survival. Without hesitation, he personally sacrificed the Giant Tiger to the tree, keeping the Dark-Metal Beast as food for the clan.

  "Sensible," York thought as his roots pierced the earth to drink the tiger's blood.

  The energy was immense. York felt his Blood Energy points surging. When he checked his internal state, the numbers had shifted:

  Blood Energy: 20 (Convertible to Vitality)

  Spiritual Power: 6

  Deduction Points: 15

  The tiger had provided 20 points of Blood Energy and 5 points of Spiritual Power—far more than any previous prey.

  This time, York didn't choose to deduce new skills. He needed raw Vitality to fuel his existing powers. He converted all 20 points of Blood Energy into Vitality.

  His Vitality rose from 16.3 to 26.3.

  The ten-point increase didn't sprout new branches, but his roots expanded several meters further beneath the courtyard, and his leaves grew a deeper, more vibrant green. He felt stronger, more grounded.

  Shortly after, Silas approached the tree. They spent half an hour in a silent "negotiation." When Silas left the Sanctum, his face was set with grim determination. It was time for a final reckoning with House Lee.

  The next morning, a light rain began to fall. The Thorne clansmen patrolled with a new sense of resolve. By evening, the estate seemed eerily quiet, with only a few dim lamps flickering.

  House Lee

  "What do you mean they've disappeared?" Varick Lee barked, his brow furrowed.

  "My Lord," the scout reported, "since noon, the Thorne guards have vanished from the walls. No smoke from the kitchens, no movement at the gates. It’s as if the house is empty."

  Varick’s eyes snapped open. He crushed the prayer beads in his hand into dust. "The secret tunnel! I should have known!"

  He cursed his own patience. "They aren't starving; they’re evacuating! They’re taking the elderly and children through a hidden path. If they escape into the mountains, we'll never catch them."

  Varick stood up, his voice a roar. "Assemble everyone! Every warrior above the Mid-Stage of the Iron Rank! We attack the Thorne estate tonight! We will find that tunnel and burn them out!"

  The Lee family mobilized instantly. Thirty warriors gathered in the rain, led by three Late-Stage Blood Condensation masters. This overwhelming force marched through the mud, intent on ending the Thorne legacy once and for all.