Under Lyla's guidance and with Kairos' colossal funds, the Hope enterprise was quickly started towards returning to its former glory.

Cannot Hope and his father became silent throughout this period, and whenever they met Lyla, a look of discomfort would surface.

They could remember how badly they treated this woman before, but now, she allows them freedom, not unlike the past.

When the father and son asked themselves honestly, if they could act as Lyla did should their roles reversed, the answer is a flat no.

At the start, they are still rather conceited, behaving as though everything is still theirs, but they quickly come to realise that not one face is familiar in the mansion.

Every staff they had in the past has been changed, to those loyal to Kairos. The original employees are either absorbed by the Snowdrifts or plainly asked to leave.

Though the new staff still responded to their needs, they no longer receive the fawning they are so used to, and if they were overly impolite, even butlers and maids would start ignoring them.

This complete loss of power forced the two to adapt to their new status in the family, and old memories that were long forgotten resurfaced.

The father and son had remembered the time before they met Lyla when the Hope business had just gone bankrupted.

During those days of nightmare, loaners were hounding down Cannot Hope all the time, and his father, Failto Hope were reduced to work as a fighter in different noble homes to repay the debts.

The cultivation level of a Double S ranker might sound illustrious, but for powerful families, they are merely a more powerful tool to be used.

Especially for those practitioners that are steep in debt, they could not protest even if they were sent on a mission to die.

Alas, because a dead mule earns little coin, the nobles did not give any suicidal missions to him, and that was how Failto Hope eventually survived.

Cannot Hope spent more time brooding than his father. In the Hope family, he has two wives and four children, with Jim as the youngest among them.

For some reason, those two of his wives were unable to bear him any children, and there were no new Hopes.

But now he understands that among his family, besides his father, only Lyla had ever treated him dearly.

His three children from his late wife took after his own character. The two women he married after, were more interested in what he had than who he is.

Cannot belatedly realise, the irony of everything. The only woman who loves him is the one he mistreated and did not give her a proper status.

But now, even if he asked her to marry him, will she still say yes?

Will she still love a man as unsavoury as him?

Now, whenever Lyla toiled to recover the businesses they lost, Cannot Hope will stand silently by her side. He would take documents and contracts in hand, as he did when he was the head of the Enterprise. But this time, he merely arranged them neatly by their priority and piled them into two stacks. Those that are urgent are placed on the top and the ones that are workable on one side, while those that are not, on the other side.

Lyla quietened her heart that was pounding when seeing the man whom she loved for so many years, slowly reverting to who he was before.

She had seen him arrange documents this way before. In fact, it was when she was teaching him the ropes to the trade that she made him organise his table in this manner.

Now, he is doing it for her, allowing her to choose the directions for the Hope enterprise to grow.

Even taking over the massive enterprise, Lyla is still the same soft-hearted individual, loved by all the farmers and the employees of Snowdrifts. But this time, she hardened her thoughts towards Cannot Hope. The man she calls her husband, yet was never officiated the title.

Because of her tragic background, she had never known how to value herself. When Cannot Hope treated her and even her son badly, she felt that it is deserved, because of who she was. Though she is apologetic to Jim, she felt that their predicament is because of her sin.

But when Cannot Hope became the driving force that forced the innocent employees of Snowdrifts into incarceration and when she found out the things said to Jim, she knows she could not forgive him so easily.

.....

The three families that once could summon the wind and rain in the market, as they pleased are now forced into hiding. After the trade war, the funds they have left are only barely enough for their family's need. But with their background and position, it is a matter of time before they will recover. Knowing this, Kairos did not choose to pursue and destroy his opponents. Because if he causes the situation to worsen and it comes down to their survival, the nobles could muscle their way through with martial prowess, but the members of Snowdrifts are not ready.

However, at the very least, Kairos knows that whatever plans that the house of Devilheart has are set back because of this result.

Due to everything that happened, Kairos and the group are already two weeks overdue for school. Principal Gai had permitted them to skip the introductory classes, but their deferment is over, now that the cultivation test and fundamental courses are beginning.

During the time when Snowdrifts were counterattacking, his brothers were busy, seeped in their training, and when it came to the time for school to start, each of them applied for a deferment and was approved.

They believed that at their current rank, introductory classes would not be that helpful. However, they are unable to skip the testing crystal.

The group said goodbye to Vouno and went together towards school.

Kairos' father decided to go back into isolation training, leaving Snowdrifts' assets to be taken care by Lyla and Xuan Xian.

After heading to school, the boys dropped off their baggage in their dorm room and went straight to a large and short building that is used for the students' aptitude test.

This time, an even greater crowd than half a year ago, gathered in front of the entrance.

Not only are the students of Kairos' age group here, but everyone is here to test for their improvements after the 6-months break.

Then, as they are awaiting the test to begin, a shadow suddenly popped up from the side.

When the group turned to take a closer look, they saw a familiar but unexpected face.

"Ho Kairos," Jones said nonchalantly.

"Don't Ho Kairos me! How are you still here? You didn't head to the Immortal Realm yet?"

The group stared at their friend disbelieving their eyes.

"No.. I ... uhh.."

Behind Jones, an old man with an otherworldly atmosphere about him revealed himself before their eyes.

"Old Ye!" The guys exclaimed.

The old immortal easily prevented any mortal he wished from noticing his presence.

It is only when he saw the small group of boys that he allowed them to see him, for others, even if they placed their eyes on him they would immediately forget.

The Immortal had an upset look on his face, and he said hesitatingly, "Y...young master... It's because of ..."

"...?!"

Before he could continue, Jones suddenly threw a Ki sword at Old Ye.

Though their cultivation levels are worlds apart from hurting him, the sneak attack was powerful enough to blast the immortal into the air.

"..."

The guys looked speechlessly at the flustered Jones. It is evident that he wanted to keep the immortal from revealing something.

But, it was still enough for Kairos realised what is happening with a glance, and he exclaimed with an 'ah!'

Jones shot him a dangerous glare that was promptly ignored.

"Jones, you're here looking for the girl?"

*Gah!!*

"What girl?" The others asked excitedly. Especially Jim and Alan who have looks of mischief on their faces, while Edward rolled his eyes upwards.

And somehow, Tommy who is usually stoic is giving Jones side glances. As though he is trying to say, 'I feel you, buddy... I'm in the same situation.'

Kairos grinned, saying, "Our friend here has been smitten with a mysterious girl for a while now. And he dragged along Old Ye to this place... probably to show off to her that he is going off to the Immortal Realm to train."

The Immortal Realm is a legendary place to those from Saint Empire, only the most talented individuals among them are invited there. For many, they will live out their lives without ever setting their eyes on a true immortal.

The status of any immortal beings is higher than any Lord in this place, yet Jones attacked without fear.

Just a few months ago, except for Kairos, all of them were all in awe and fear at Old Ye who first appeared hovering above them.

At that time, he easily nullified everyone's Secret Arts and saved the Orc King, then grabbed Jones like a harmless doll.

Until Kairos shouted at him to let his brother down, the others were paralysed at the immortal's otherworldly aura. But now, in their eyes, Old Ye is as harmless as any kindly old man in Rutea Village, except for being much more durable.

While they are talking, Old Ye walked towards them. He had flown a rather good distance thanks to Jones' attack. Though he could return in a breath with his speed, he had to come back slowly to keep his energy usage in check.

Because of Jones' request, he extended his time in the Mortal Realm that is already far overstayed, and his immortal energy sapped by the land has become nearly intolerable.

If not because of the powerful Yggdrasil fruit he ate sustaining him, he would have already grabbed Jones and ran back to Immortal Blue.

But it is also because of receiving the fruit, a favour he considers owed to Kairos, that he could not reject Jones' request to stay a little longer. Fortunately, Old Ye was able to limit the amount of cultivation loss he suffered by minimising his activity.

On the other hand, Jones stood with his back straight and proud, then looked directly in Kairos' eyes, then stuttered, "I..I... uhh... I can't l...leave... without knowing her name..."

His shy tone of voice did not match his gallant exterior.

Kairos rolled his eyes at Jones. Ever since the two had heard the legends of ancient heroes, Jones had not quit trying to be one. Even when chasing after a girl, he had to put on a heroic persona.

"Have you spotted where she is already?"

"Y...yeah.. my goddess is over there," Jones pointed at a young girl standing by the 14-years-old student group with a trembling finger.

"Well, go speak to her!" Tommy cried out suddenly, in a loud voice. His face has changed into a look that says, 'I'll be rooting for you brother!'

A confident smile appeared on Jones' face, but the corner of his lips began to quake.

"S...s..sure!"

He turned towards her, behaving like a wooden puppet, and was unable to take a step forward.

Though the distance between them is rather short, it seemed to be an expanse impossible for Jones.

Rolling his eyes even more than before, Kairos grabbed Jones by his arm and within a few steps, pulled him before the girl.

All it took was three steps, and Jones has perfectly mastered the form of a statue.

Then, when they stood in front of the girl, Kairos said, "Hi, my friend here has a crush on you."

Kairos actually had no experience with the ladies, and he spoke quickly. Each word that Jones heard was like a chisel that struck him on his heart.

His face turned beet red, and he felt his vision narrowing.

But Kairos was not finished, "He is leaving for the Immortal Realm soon, but he wishes to know your name lest he regrets."

Catching the cue, Old Ye manifested before the girl and allowed a tinge of his immortal aura elude.

The girl put on a wide, surprised, grin.

And without a hint of shyness, she looked at Jones and said, "I'm called, Jaina."