In a different room in the Bowen Estate....

Jenny slowly opened her eyes. The moment she did, she realized she was tied to a bed inside a luxurious bedroom. Confusion flashed across her face.

She turned her head slightly. Someone else was tied just beside her as well.

Jenny’s eyes widened. "Wendy?"

It was none other than her classmate. The one she couldn’t tolerate even a bit.

’What the hell? Where am I? And why is she here too?’

Before she could think further...

Creak!

The door opened. A familiar figure walked inside.

"Ah." The person smiled as he stepped into the room. "I see you’re finally awake."

It was none other than Sean.

His gaze lingered on Jenny. And the smile on his face immediately made her feel a little bit uncomfortable. "Why are you here?"

Sean slowly walked toward her.

"How long have I been pursuing you, Jenny?" he asked softly. "Wasn’t my devotion enough? Wasn’t my family rich enough for you? Why did you have to fool around with someone else?"

He leaned closer, his breath almost brushing against her face.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jenny snapped. "Who was I fooling around with? And even if I was, what does that have to do with you? Let me go immediately, or I’ll report this to the police."

Sean chuckled. "You still don’t understand the situation you’re in, do you?" Sean asked, amused. "You’re in my hands now, Jenny. I can do whatever I want with you. No one is coming to save you... because no one can."

A twisted smile spread across his face. "Today, you’re going to become mine. Whether willingly or by force is up to you."

His gaze swept across her restrained body.

"After that, you can decide whether you want to be known as my lovely girlfriend... or just a used product."

He leaned in even closer, his face slowly approaching hers.

Jenny immediately struggled, trying to throw him off. But it was useless. Her hands and feet were tightly bound. All she could do was watch his disgusting face inch closer and closer.

Just as his lips were about to touch hers...

Bang! Bang!

Someone knocked on the door impatiently. "Sean! Come out quickly!" a voice shouted from outside.

Sean frowned. "Father?"

He quickly stood up and walked toward the door. Since he had locked it after entering, he had to open it himself.

The moment he did, Simon hurried inside.

"Jenny Bale. Do you know someone by that name?" Simon asked immediately. "She’s supposed to be your classmate."

"Jenny?" Sean froze. "Why are you looking for her?"

"That girl’s brother, Leon Bale, is the one those assassins have been searching for."

"What?" Sean’s eyes widened in shock. "But weren’t they after Noah? When did their target changed suddenly?"

"Noah Hudesman was just a lead."

"Are you sure it’s really Jenny? My classmate?"

"Yes." Simon’s expression was grim. "Noah already spilled out the name of the person we are looking for. Leon. We abducted one of the female hunters who escaped the Hidden Realm. She confirmed that there was indeed a person named Leon with them. Leon Bale to be exact."

He paused briefly before continuing. "The Bloodhound Guild has an information network spread across the entire world. Alpha showed every Leon Bale from Delvan to that hunter. She identified the correct one immediately."

A cold glint flashed in Simon’s eyes. "And that Leon Bale happens to have a younger sister who’s your classmate."

He stepped forward. "Do you know where she lives? This is urgent."

Sean slowly turned toward the bed.

Jenny’s heart skipped a beat. She had heard every single word. ’Assassins are looking for my brother?’ Her face turned pale. ’Sean, you bastard... what kind of mess have you dragged my brother and me into now?’ Fear and anger surged inside her simultaneously.

Back inside the gate...

Fifteen more days passed before Leon finally opened his eyes.

The scorching heat that had once felt unbearable no longer affected him. The blazing fire surrounding his body felt no different from a gentle breeze.

A series of notifications immediately appeared before him.

[Fire Resistance: 100%]

[Host has reached 100% Fire Resistance.]

[Host has achieved Fire Immunity.]

[Host’s physique has evolved due to achieving Fire Immunity.]

[Physique: Heaven-Devouring Physique

Level: 2 > 3]

[Benefits of Heaven-Devouring Physique Level 3

1. The Host can absorb both cold and fire energy and refine them into Qi.

2. The Fire Element has awakened. The Host can now use both the Ice and Fire Elements to cast magic.

3. Cultivation speed: 10 times > 20 times]

[Host: Leon Bale]

[Cultivation Rank: Martial Apprentice — Level 9]

[Physique: Heaven-Devouring Physique — Level 3]

[Bloodline: Abyssal Adaptation]

[Bloodline Class: Rare]

[Rare Weakness: Battle Hunger]

[Soul Status: Nil]

[Special Abilities:

1. Berserk Mode

2. Self-Heal]

[Elemental Affinities:

1. Ice

2. Fire]

Leon stretched his body lightly.

"I really did it..." A grin spread across his face. "Now I have two elemental affinities. Dealing with opponents is going to be much easier from now on."

He rolled his shoulders and flexed his arms.

"More importantly, I can absorb fire energy now." Leon glanced at the flames surrounding him. "I should make full use of this Hell’s Pool while I still can. Who knows if I can achieve a breakthrough right now?"

Without wasting any more time, Leon closed his eyes and began circulating the Mystic Monarch Ascension Technique.

The moment he did, a powerful whirlpool formed around him.

Fire energy surged toward his body from all directions.

Leon’s left eyebrow raised a little. But then relaxed again.

’So this is what 20 times cultivation speed feels like.’

Notifications immediately appeared.

[You have absorbed Qi.]

[Qi: 108,321,890/655,360,000]

[You have absorbed Qi.]

[Qi: 108,322,290/655,360,000]

Four hundred Qi flowed into his body every second.

Leon remained seated in the lotus position as he cultivated continuously. Fire energy and spiritual energy from the surroundings poured into him without end.

Hours passed.

Then days.

Finally, on the fifteenth day, a flood of notifications appeared before him.

[Qi: 655,360,000/655,360,000]

[You have absorbed enough Qi for a breakthrough.]