"So, he's looking for a few males to help Mr. Smith secure his place," Jimmy said. They were all centuries-old therians, old enough to know everyone else's secrets. Jimmy knew exactly what Thero was thinking. "Ms. Emma Tibarn, if you're really looking for mates and followers, you should pick the males from the Ravaryns," he continued. "Ravaryn males are all broad-shouldered, long-legged, and incredibly good-looking. Strong, too. But most importantly, they know how to take care of females. Pick them, and I guarantee you won't regret it." Thero was fuming. He glared at Jimmy. "You old fool. You claim I'm finding males to secure Mr. Smith's place, but aren't you really just helping Mr. Draemont?" They were both just defending their own young heirs; neither had any claim to being nobler than the other. Jimmy was unconvinced. "Corvin isn't the same as Mr. Smith. When Ms. Emma Tibarn was in danger, Corvin stayed right by her side, sharing every risk and every triumph. And Mr. Smith? Where was he?" Thero fell silent. Listening to their bickering, Corvin squeezed Emma's hand and murmured, "Ms. Tibarn, don't listen to them. They have no good intentions. "Edric, Silas, and I will take care of you. You won't have to worry about your safety. Once we get back, I'll focus on building mechs and warships to make the Interstellar Hunter Alliance impregnable. You won't face danger again." Corvin felt like destroying both Thero and Jimmy. With just Edric and Silas, he already struggled to compete. Add a few more, and would there even be a place for him next to Emma? Emma nodded seriously. "I have all of you—that's enough for me." Drake? He was just a flashy coin-delivering mascot now. In truth, she barely even looked at the star coins he sent. If it weren't for the black crystal he gave to save her life—and if she weren't still relying on his clan's Second Elder—she would have cut contact long ago.His presence was too domineering, too overbearing. Too much pressure. Maybe after this meeting, she'd return the black crystal, give him one last mental comfort for free, and sever ties for good. They had dissolved the match anyway. The Gravicar weaved quickly between towering skyscrapers. Ahead, Edric, piloting the Gravicar, spoke up. "Emma, we've now entered Violet Obsidian Clan's territory." Corvin tapped the map on the Gravicar's screen, pointing out a huge area to Emma. "This entire region belongs to the Violet Obsidian Clan. That central point is where the clan's leadership resides." Emma's eyes widened. "No wonder they're the nobles of Central Planet. Their estate is enormous." She calculated in her head. The area was vast—comparable to a small planet. Corvin shook his head. "This isn't impressive. The Violet Obsidian Clan is a fallen noble house. Their land is big only because their population is large."But on Central Planet, having a large territory doesn't mean they're powerful. Wait until you reach Ravaryn. That's when you'll see what real nobility looks like." Nobility wasn't just a title—there were levels. The Violet Obsidian Clan's land was so large because their clan reproduced like rabbits. Other species might have two to six offspring at a time; sometimes only one. But cold-blooded therians—especially Ophidians—bred in massive litters. A single litter could produce twenty or thirty therians, sometimes even seventy or eighty. Still, the Violet Obsidian Clan hadn't produced a Rank 11 in many, many years. Their glory days were long gone. They were a shadow of their former selves. Corvin dared speak this way about the Violet Obsidian Clan in front of Edric because he already knew Edric had left them long ago. If not for recent events, Edric wouldn't have returned at all. "I see," Emma said, nodding. Another lesson learned. As the Gravicar approached Violet Obsidian Clan airspace, a small ship shot in front of them, blocking their path. "Who are you? What's your business here?" Emma ignored the ship, turning to Jimmy and Thero. "This is where you two step in." "Ms. Emma Tibarn, just watch." Thero stood, cracking his knuckles. "Time to show these little worms what's what." Polite greetings? Holding back their strengths? Forget it. If they were here for revenge and had the power to crush their foes, the simplest, most brutal approach was the way to go. Thero leapt from the Gravicar, instantly transforming into a massive black Drakonid. A deafening roar shook the Violet Obsidian Clan's grounds. The small ship before them was flung aside by his tail. Jimmy followed suit. A blue Ravaryn, his claws slashing through the air, unleashed a storm of ice spikes like freezing rain.