Chapter 67
Linda Barber. Marietta almost blurted out the name. Even as she looked into Linda’s eyes, she could still see that same familiar aloofness and sense of superiority, just like the first time they met.
She remembered Linda standing on the white marble steps, looking down at her. Linda’s features were delicate, and her eyes were shining. Standing beside Matthew and the others, she was the jewel everyone admired, the center of attention. Back then, Linda had lowered her gaze, looking thoughtful, and asked, “Are you the new disciple?”
‘It’s her. It really is her!‘ Marietta’s heart raced as the realization hit.
Every fiber of Marietta’s being was screaming. ‘She’s getting back at me for what happened at Misty Lake, when Master forced me to admit I was wrong. She wants to see me bow my head, wants me to kneel and admit I was wrong!‘
Marietta was fuming. ‘She wants me on my knees, begging for forgiveness! She wants me to kneel right in front of her! She’s trying to humiliate me!”
“I refuse!” Marietta’s voice shook, but she refused to back down. “I did nothing wrong!”
Matthew and Toney were both taken aback.
Even Homer and Robin were stunned. They didn’t know why Marietta was so worked up. It was just an apology.
Marietta’s face twisted, her voice cold as ice. “In the Veil, it’s survival of the fittest. Sure, I lost to you, but that doesn’t mean I did anything wrong.”
She added, “Winning and losing is just part of the game, isn’t it, Linda?”
Marietta spoke with a mocking tone, making sure that Linda could understand what she meant.
Linda caught on immediately, a smirk playing at her lips. “So, what are you getting at?”
Marietta dropped the act, her voice sharp. “Let’s be real. You guys poisoned us because you didn’t want anyone finding out you had the Guardian of the Veil. You just wanted us dead! Cut the act!”
“The Guardian of the Veil?” The crowd erupted in an uproar.
“Wait, do you mean that ancient spirit, the one that only appears after a thousand years inside the Veil?”
“I heard if you claim it, you can control the Veil itself and come and go as you please… Is that really possible?”
“They took forever to show up at the stone gate. Could it be that…”
Everyone’s eyes were glued to the rings and storage pouches on Linda, Laura, and the others. They wondered if those things. were packed with treasures.
Greedy eyes flickered all around, and some people started inching closer, hoping to score something while things got messy.
Rafael sprang to his feet, eyes sharp and wary. Laura and Craig kept their faces cold and unreadable. Claudio slipped in beside them, quietly joining their ranks.
But right then, Linda let out a cold, sharp laugh. “And then what?” she asked, her voice cool and mocking
She strode forward, and glowing sigils shimmered beneath her boots.
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Linda swept her gear the end, wat anyone wis dared eyes instantly rected. The pressure riding not be
She had reached mid–age Astral Sverige.
Marietta’s face turned athen, barely wide to get the words ww. “You!
No way! This can’t be happening There’s no way she’s an hatral Soverdigst Marietta was stunned.
Linda strode forward, appearing right in front of Marietta the wrapped her hand around Mariess’s theo ngecher tighter bit by bit
Her voice was low, almost seductive, bun laced with deadly intert. “I really do want to just snap your neck right now
Matthew and Toney rushed forward, but Linda’s voice cut through the air like ice, “Knee”
Both of them dropped to their knees, hitting, the ground with a heavy thud.
The sound of their knees slamming into the ground made everyone’s teeth ache.
Everyone recoiled in unison, taking a step back. Two steps. Three steps.
Linda swept her gaze across the crowd. She smirked. “If you think you can snatch my stuff, go ahead and try. I swear. I’ll take you down one after another
“And when I’m done, I’ll even bury you myself,” she added, her voice dripping with mockery.
Linda kept that smile on her face, but everyone’s hair stood on end.
Marietta rasped out, “She used some secret art… brute–forced her cultivation… Don’t be afraid…
Linda tightened her grip, and everyone watched as Marietta’s face slowly turned a sickly shade of purple. Her breath was coming in short, desperate gasps.
With Linda’s Astral Sovereign pressure crushing down on her, Marietta’s spiritual energy was completely suppressed. She was utterly helpless.
Everyone just stood there, watching as Linda looked ready to end Marietta’s life right there.
Marietta was certain her life was about to end. But Linda didn’t go through with it.
She leaned in close, her voice a chilling whisper against Marietta’s ear. “You really think I’d just kill you like this? Don’t kid yourself. After all the pain I’ve endured, you think I’d let you off so easily? Dream on.”
Marietta’s pupils contracted in panic. “What are you… What are you trying to do?”
Linda pressed her other hand firmly against Marietta’s abdomen.
“Of course I’m taking back what’s mine,” Linda said, her tone almost nonchalant, but the words sent a chill down Marietta’s spine.
7:39 pm P P P M
Chapter 67
Marietta’s voice broke as she screamed, “No!
With a sudden, savage thrust, Linda’s hand stabbed straight through Marietta’s stomach.
Blood gushed out in a torrent.
Linda’s hand, so slender and beautiful, was now stained crimson. She had just pierced right through Marietta’s core
With a merciless motion, she dug out the Gilded Core.
An uproar swept through the crowd.
Every cultivator in front of the glowing stone gate was thrown into a frenzy.
“She dug out the Gilded Core!” someone cried out.
Matthew and Toney were frozen in shock, unable to believe what they were seeing. They couldn’t even move. All they could do was watch as Linda ripped Marietta’s Gilded Core right out of her.
The small Gilded Core sat in Linda’s palm, cold and gleaming.
It glowed with a vivid blue, overflowing with pure water essence. And it didn’t put up the slightest resistance.
Homer shouted at Laura and the others, “First Unity Coven, what the hell are you doing? Aren’t we all supposed to be orthodox clans? Are you just going to stand there and let Linda rip out someone’s Gilded Core?”
Someone screamed, “Malefic Caster!”
Another voice trembled with fear, “This is a den of Malefic Casters for sure!”
Someone else rallied the crowd, “Everyone, let’s stand up for the High Sanctum of Archmagi’s lady and get her justice!”
“Today it’s Marietta. Tomorrow it could be any of us!” someone shouted, panic rising in their voice.
Some people tried to rush forward, but the array flared to life and blasted them straight back. Over a dozen were sent flying, crashing to the ground and coughing up blood. That brutal sight made everyone else freeze on the spot.
Meanwhile, Laura, Craig, and Rafael didn’t even flinch.
Not only did they stay put, but they also shot cold, warning looks at anyone who so much as twitched.
“You’re all lunatics!” the crowd roared, voices full of outrage.
“Lunatics?” Linda snorted, her laughter sharp and mocking. “Tell me, who’s the real Gilded Core thief here? Matthew!”
Her voice rang out, slicing through the chaos. “Go on, Matthew. Do you dare admit whose Gilded Core this actually is?”
Matthew’s face drained of all color as Linda called him out. He just stared at her, totally shell–shocked.
“You…” he managed, barely able to get the word out.
Linda locked her icy gaze on him. “Well? Do you
dare
say
it?”
Matthew’s whole body shook, lips trembling as dread crept over him. “No… No way… You… You can’t be…”
Toney looked dazed and confused between Linda and Matthew. He still couldn’t process what was happening.
7.39 pm P P Pм.
Chapter 67
POM
But there was one thing he knew for sure. He had to save Marietta.
Let her go! Toney shouted, his voice cracking with urgency.
Linda sneered. “I’ll let her go, but not right now.”
Linda tightened her grip around the Gilded Core, her Astral Sovereign aura pressing down hard. The core struggled desperately. The water essence was churning and surging, but it couldn’t escape from Linda’s palm.
Finally, it couldn’t withstand the force any longer. A sharp crack rang out.
Everyone froze in shock.
They all thought Linda had just crushed the Gilded Core right then and there.
But once all the water essence was spent, all of a sudden, a smaller, even purer Gilded Core revealed itself from within. And it was fire.
Everyone was stunned speechless.
Homer was totally stunned.
Robin stood there, mouth agape. That tiny, impossibly pure Gilded Core in Linda’s palm looked just like a little flame, leaping and swirling around her.
It was as if the little Gilded Core had finally come back to its master.
AD
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
