Chapter 293: LOGAN’S REFUSAL

Logan stared at the young girl and the young man, his eyes widening in shock. “Golden Dragon’s Legacy? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

The two exchanged a glance before the young man stepped forward and spoke.

“It would be better if you discussed this with our family head. We only know the gist of this, but if you want the full picture, he is the best person to explain it.”

“Then bring him here. We can talk face-to-face.”

The young man shook his head. “I’m afraid that won’t be possible. There is a powerful formation surrounding Spirit Mountain to protect it from outside and also stop the leakage of spiritual energy. If a strong person like our family head leaves, the barrier will weaken significantly.”

Logan narrowed his eyes. “And how exactly am I supposed to trust you? What if you’re just like the three I killed a moment ago for hurting my friend? If I follow you, what’s stopping you from trapping me?”

Though he questioned them, Logan already knew they were different. He hadn’t killed the three from the Evil Spirit Families just because they hurt Rowan — he killed them because of the aura they carried. It was foul, twisted, unmistakably tainted. Only those who cultivated through wicked means reeked of such darkness.

Usually, cultivators absorbed spiritual energy and refined it into internal energy. But there were others — those who fed on blood, those who devoured souls of the dead, those who twisted life itself to grow stronger. Logan had met many such people in his past life, and that dreadful aura was etched into his memory forever. The moment he sensed it, he knew those three weren’t good people.

The young girl spoke this time, her tone steady. “Why would we resort to underhanded tactics? If we wanted to capture you, only the two of us wouldn’t have come. We know how strong you are — we aren’t foolish enough to think we could match you alone. But do you think you can fight dozens of Martial Saints at once? What about fifty? Or Martial Emperors?”

She continued, “If we wanted to abduct you, we could simply send a group. We came because we hoped you would come willingly. Even those three from the Evil Spirit Families came for the same purpose. Had they intended to force you, they would have brought more people too.”

Logan fell silent, sinking into thought.

’I still can’t be completely sure about them. Yes, they could have sent stronger people if they truly meant to abduct me… but sending one Martial Saint and one Martial King isn’t weak either. Before my breakthrough, I was only an Ultimate Grandmaster. It’s hard to judge their intentions. Though I can’t sense any foul stench from them, I can’t be sure about their intentions.’

“I’m not interested in this so-called legacy,” Logan finally said. “And I have no intention of joining you. So you can leave.”

He didn’t wait for their response. Turning his back on them, Logan walked away without hesitation.

“Wha… wait, but—” The girl tried to speak, yet no words came out. She looked utterly lost.

“But why would you decline without even thinking about it?” the young man asked beside her, frustration leaking into his tone.

“Why would I decline?” Logan replied, still walking forward without sparing them a glance. “Simple. You said those three didn’t bring their full force because they also wanted to recruit me,. But they still hurt my friend and tried to use him as leverage. I don’t know you. And I’m not about to walk blindly into something I know nothing about.”

Saying that, he continued walking ahead under their watchful gaze.

After walking a little, Logan reached where Rowan was. He then carefully lifted him into his arms and headed toward the Smith Villa. He didn’t have to walk far before spotting the horse Rowan had arrived on.

He gently placed Rowan over his shoulder, mounted the horse, and gave a light tap to its flank.

The horse neighed sharply and began moving forward at a steady pace.

Meanwhile, the girl and the young man remained where they stood, unsure of what to do. “Che.” After a moment of silence, the young man clicked his tongue and spat on the ground.

“What an arrogant bastard. Just because he has some talent, he thinks he’s invincible.”

“What should we do now?” the girl asked softly.

“What else? His attitude made it clear he won’t change his mind. Let’s go back and report everything to the family head.”

“Alright.”

With that, the two turned around and slowly made their way back.

Shortly after the two left, Gazel and Syrus arrived at the scene, and both froze, dumbfounded.

Before them stretched a massive crater, at least a hundred meters in radius. Trees were either blown apart, uprooted, or reduced to charcoal-black stumps. The earth was scorched, cracked, and uneven as if lightning itself had raged across the land.

Since neither Gazel nor Syrus possessed the physical strength of cultivators, they had arrived late and were utterly stunned by the aftermath.

“What the hell happened here?” Gazel muttered.

“Like I’d know!” Syrus shot back immediately.

“I wasn’t asking you, you idiot! I’m just… shocked.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

They began wandering through the devastated area, hoping to find something — anything — useful.

Their luck wasn’t bad.

After a few minutes, they stumbled upon two corpses — the remains of the Evil Spirit Family members Logan had killed.

“These guys were strong,” Gazel said quietly.

“Strong? They were monsters in their own right,” Syrus corrected.

Gazel crouched down to examine the bodies more carefully. Suddenly, his eyes widened, excitement flashing across his face.

“I think…” he whispered. Then louder: “I think they were cultivators. And strong ones at that. Exactly what we’ve been looking for.”

“Seriously?”

“Yes,” Gazel replied with certainty.

“Then merge with them. Quickly,” Syrus urged.

Gazel nodded.

A moment later, thick black smoke unfurled from their bodies, twisting, writhing, and flowed into the corpses like living shadows.

Their bodies tensed violently, muscles contorting. Skull fragments cracked into place as new heads regenerated. Their pale skin darkened in patches, streaked with sinister black patterns.

Then…

Both of their eyes snapped open.

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