Chapter 322
Chapter 322 Venomancer of Taybourne
“Back to the Ashcroft family p>
Leander’s expression flickered slightly at her words.
“Of course we’re going back p>
Florshet
Lydia grasped his arms firmly, her voice steady and resolute. “You once had everything. You were destined to be the Ashcroft family’s greatest prodigy, unmatched by anyone–neither Daphne nor Ethan could compare.
“But because of a single prophecy–true or false–your grandfather and father threw it all away. They took from you your martial power and stripped you of the Ashcroft family’s protection.
“Now that you’ve returned, I can’t restore what was lost, but I can make sure you take your rightful place as the heir of the Ashcroft family. That is yours by right.
“Everyone in the Ashcroft family must answer for what was done. The full weight of the family’s power must be behind you, ensuring a life of wealth, safety, and happiness.
“This is the only thing I can do for you. Even your grandfather won’t be able to refuse me p>
Leander smiled faintly at her unwavering determination and said nothing.
When Gareth had stripped him of his martial power, it had meant the end of his ability to train. Martial power was the essential lifeblood of any warrior–without it, one could not cultivate, could not practice, and could never achieve greatness. Losing it meant losing everything, a lifetime barred from the path of martial excellence.
Throughout Astria’s martial history, and even across the international martial world, there had never been a single case of someone regaining their abilities after losing martial power. None.
Ever.
But what Lydia didn’t know was that Leander had already transcended those limitations. Through life–and–death trials, he had forged a new path, breaking free of all constraints–and his martial skill had become unrivaled.
Seeing Lydia’s fiercely protective expression, Leander ultimately said nothing, only smiling faintly, “Mom, I honestly don’t care about the Ashcroft family.
“The moment I was cast out, I told Gareth that from then on, the Ashcroft family had nothing to do with me.
“My body and blood come half from you, half from him. He stripped me of my martial power, and that meant I already repaid him for the gift of life. From this point on, we’re done-
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Chapter 322 Venomancer of Taybourne
separate paths, no ties p>
CID
Hearing him speak, Lydia felt her eyes softening with a hint of sorrow, Leander and Gareth had been close father and son, yet a single prophecy forced Gareth to follow Reginald’s orders and strike such a cruel blow. The rupture between father and son was a tragedy.
“Leander, I know you’re angry, but your father and grandfather–they were cornered. They had no choice. They had to obey the family’s code and the guidance of the Celestial Mirror,” Lydia said firmly, gripping his hands, her gaze unshakable.
“Don’t argue with me. I won’t force you to feel a certain way about the Ashcroft family or your father and grandfather. But as for the Ashcroft family itself, you’re going with me.
“Tomorrow, there’s a family gathering, and I’ll take you there. What’s yours is yours, and no one can deny you p>
Her long hair fell over her shoulders, no longer the worn and fragile look of a nun. Instead, she radiated authority, the same commanding presence Leander remembered from the past–the Ashcroft family matron who fiercely protected her children.
Unable to resist her, Leander nodded in reluctant agreement. To him, the Ashcroft family was inconsequential–going or not wouldn’t change much. With his current strength, status, and skill, even facing the entire family posed no threat.
They talked for another hour, deep into the night. Finally, Leander gently urged, “Mom, you’ve been eating poorly, sleeping too little, your body is weak. It’s time for you to rest p>
Lydia’s eyes were filled with reluctance. After nine long years, seeing her eldest and most cherished son again, she naturally didn’t want to let him go. But Leander’s gentle words coaxed her, and finally, she stood.
“All right, I’ll rest now. Tomorrow at noon, make sure you come get me. I’ll take you back to the Ashcroft family p>
Leander hesitated for a moment, then nodded firmly.
He left his contact information with her and watched her fall asleep before quietly leaving the place.
Outside Durham Abbey, only a few dim lights flickered. Nearly everyone was asleep. Leander stood atop Westvale Peak, looking down at Highcliffe. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
“The Ashcroft family p>
He clenched his fists, his gaze steady. The Ashcroft family had once been a source of pride and faith for him. He had once been proud to call himself an Ashcroft.
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But now, in his eyes, they were just a small ordinary family. All their former dignity and authority were gone.
He withdrew his gaze and cast a sidelong glance at the shadows around the abbey. A cold smile curved his lips as he began descending the mountain steps.
Halfway down, a sudden wind swept through the forest. In an instant, all paths forward and backward were blocked.
Four figures emerged flanking him from front and back, trapping him in the middle.
They looked strikingly similar, their builds nearly identical–like a set of twin brothers.
Each carried a different weapon: spear, sword, staff, and blade. Their auras were solid and intense, radiating formidable power. Each had reached at least half–Sovereign cultivation.
Leander’s eyes remained calm. He had noticed them as soon as he arrived at Westvale Peak. They had been hiding around Lydia’s place, but there had been no trace of hostility—only a silent watch over her.
It was precisely for that reason he had not eliminated them earlier. But now, they had come seeking him.
“What are you trying to do p>
Leander’s gaze remained calm as he spoke lightly.
The four middle–aged men felt a flicker of tension. In this remote wilderness, they had suddenly surrounded Leander. By all logic, he should have been startled, even fearful.
But Leander, he was unnervingly calm.
One of them stepped forward, his voice heavy and deliberate. “Young man, tell us who you are. Why did you approach Mrs. Ashcroft, and what was your purpose p>
They had been assigned to protect Lydia all these years, and for the past nine years, that had been their sole duty. When Leander had entered the chapel, he hadn’t emerged for four or five hours. If there had been any disturbance inside, they would have stormed in long ago.
“Mrs. Ashcroft?” Leander murmured, realization dawning.
“So… you work for Gareth p>
At his words, the four exchanged glances.
Leander had spoken Gareth’s name freely, clearly knowing much about both Gareth and Lydia. That confirmed their suspicion–this was no ordinary man.
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Chapter 322 Venomancer of Taybourne
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“Young man,” another said, voice sharp, “if you don’t explain yourself today, we can’t let you leave p>
They tightened their formation, weapons raised, their auras converging, completely blocking any escape. Each of their gazes was cold and unwavering.
Leander chuckled softly, not answering, his eyes drifting toward the mountain’s base.
The four men, seeing his silence, prepared to seize him. But at that moment, a strange, piercing roar echoed through the forest, shaking the trees and grass violently, reverberating across the mountainside.
A tremendous wave of sound surged upward. The men’s faces went pale. From below the stone steps, a figure leapt into the air like a great eagle spreading its wings. Covering more than fifty feet in a single bound, the figure landed just a short distance in front of them.
He wore a black robe, his hands hidden within the long sleeves. A chilling aura radiated from him, and wherever he stepped, the grass and flowers withered before their eyes. His eyes were unlike any normal human’s, glowing green in the darkness, striking terror into anyone who saw them.
A harsh, mocking laugh cut through the night.
“Heh… heh p>
He turned toward the four men, a cruel smirk on his lips. “Since when do Gareth’s Four Dire Wardens trouble ordinary people p>
The four men who had been surrounding Leander instinctively abandoned their positions around him, forming a line before the newcomer. Each face was grave, their expressions wary, as if confronting a formidable enemy.
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