Heart Snatching

In the time it takes to boil the tea water, no noise could be heard except for the occasional groans coming from the arena. The competition ended, and the unlikely happened. Three elite martial artists were defeated by a foreign quasi-non-cultivator who had earlier been despised.

The Bronze Body was the stage for the elites. In small clans, they would be the strongest artists, and even in the larger ones, they still represented the main force. In the overall power structure in Heli Domain, the Silver Bodies would represent high officers, Gold, generals and Platinum the higher rank of marshal. Since Javi was at the peak of Gold and would reach the next realm in a few years, he already held the position to fill the gap in the chain of command.

"I, Marshal Javi, announce that Ian from Earth has won the Martial Talent Challenge!" He declared loudly, breaking the silence and bringing everyone back to reality.

"You did it!" shouted Etri as she jumped into Ian's arms.

The crowd went wild; the status quo of the four major clans suffered a great loss due to a relatively weak young man. What people love most are the heroes of humble origins who defy the heavens.

After the injured junior was taken away, the previous participants from the original stage climbed into the arena. Most of them wore grim expressions, especially Patriarch Treon, who watched his daughter still embraced by Ian.

"Congratulations Ian, now that you have achieved victory I will keep my promise, but I would like you to rethink the question of the asylum. I think the Heli race has only lost out on this and I personally appreciate your attitude and potential. My Ravina clan would be willing to welcome you as a core member."A smile was on the Marshal's face, if could snatch up this specialist, in a few hundred years he might even aspire to take over the position of one of the major families. Since Ian's skill was not in individual power, but in the ability to increase the overall potential of an entire clan!

Ian was not foolish and knew Javi's intentions. The marshal hadn't actively helped but hadn't oppressed him either. That was the point that determined the effectiveness of his actions. Without a powerful neutral party lurking, he could have been executed without much explanation. After all, strength dictated the rules. The idea wasn't entirely bad, but he had made many enemies, and even if they didn't attack him directly, they would suppress him in every possible way.

"This junior deeply appreciate the senior's hospitality, but I won't have a safe land to develop peacefully in the Heli Domain." Ian raised his voice to be heard and stared coldly at the others on the stage.

"Marshal Javi, I didn't know Ravina Clan was so deficient in young talents that need to pursue a 20-year-old bone age in the Base Body. Don't be deceived; he only relied on tricks to defeat the competitors," The sly old fox from the Great Rock mocked, causing Javi to clench his fists.

"In less than two years, from the useless weakling that you summoned, I was able to defeat elites of the Bronze Body. I believe that in a few dozen years, you in the Gold Body won't be my match!"

"Arrogant!"

"He thinks too highly of himself!"

"He has the qualifications for it!"

...

Several comments were made, some positive, others negative. Even the elder who provoked Ian couldn't come up with a convincing reply since he couldn't dispute that possibility. A slight killing intent flashed in his eyes.

"But I also don't want to be entirely ungrateful, and I'm willing to make two concessions for the Heli race. First, I promise that in a few years, I will return to this Domain and compensate for the cost of the ritual. I am unable to refine your lineage like the God Hellgar, but I have other things to offer that are equally valuable!" Ian addressed the hundreds of thousands in the stands and was applauded. The genetic enhancement by the God Hellgar was only for direct descendants, and in a year, those common clans would hardly have two or more blessed individuals. Those who would truly benefit the most were the ones in command. In just two years, this man had already obtained items that could greatly increase the firepower of an army. If he had more time, what other wonderful things could produce?

"Second, as for the four maidens who were given as brides in the sacrificial act, three of them I am giving up and ask everyone to treat them well and return their bridal honor." The marriage system of that species was mostly polyandry, although they did not accept sexual relations outside of marriage and virginity had to be intact before the first husband or wife (in a homosexual marriage situation). The millennial ceremony took away the purity of these young women, even without the carnal act, and Ian asked for society's understanding.

The Patriarch and first elder of the Great Rock clan were relieved, one of the girls was the Patriarch's third daughter and this was one of the reasons they tried to get rid of the invocation. Ian didn't say which of the commitments he would keep, but it didn't take a fortune-teller to find the answer.

"Which of the young women do you want to keep?" the First Elder of the Dark Castle provocatively asked, openly mocking Treon's terrible luck.

"Etri Two Towers."

Loli's cheeks flushed; she had forgotten that was engaged to Ian. The time she spent with him was special, the several hours and days, perhaps because of her husband's special condition, Etri opened her heart and unheard of allowed someone of the opposite sex to come close.

"Of course, I won't force her."

Without knowing where to hide, Etri simply held Ian's hand and stood there awkwardly. Her actions served as a response. Loli knew that if wanted to stay with him, she would need to go to another domain and leave the Two Towers clan. But the events of this day showed the dirtiness of the four great clans, and her honest character couldn't accept the situation. She felt disgust and shame to be a part of one of these organizations. Moreover, a martial artist always sought adventure. How challenging would it be to explore new horizons?

Of course, not everything was friendship and love. Both Etri and Ian knew that he needed an additional layer of protection. The major clans would think twice before endangering the young lady of the Two Towers, not to mention her own family.

Another important point for Ian choosing to take Etri, was the need to maintain a certain bond to the Helis. Words can be spoken easily and at the first wind, be swept away in the distance. A marriage relationship, especially that of the first wife, was worth much more.

"Junior, you don't even have a clan and you want to think about matrimonial law?!" Can't stand it any longer, roared Treon.

"If that's the problem, then I, Ian, in the presence of all of you, establish the Haller Clan!" Ian quickly responded to his indignant father-in-law with a small smile.

"You are courting death!" The Patriarch of the Two Towers circled his Silver Body peak to the maximum, but had his momentum interrupted by his First Elder who shook his head and stepped forward.

"Ian, I admire your courage, but how do you intend to found a clan without at least having the competence to have descendants?"

"I admit that at first I won't have this ability, but I am confident about the future. Besides, I don't need to build the foundation of the clan solely based on blood offspring. I can very well adopt or add other members. As for the carnal relationship, in my origin world, there were people who loved each other not for sex, but for feelings. I believe that something like this is not forbidden in Sombreal, since various arrangements are allowed."

"And I approve and will be the main witness to the establishment of the new Haller clan!" Javi imposed himself, placing his hand on Ian's shoulder. Not only would he be leaving that strange junior owing him a favor, but also a chance to attack the Two Towers.

"The Golden Crystal clan agrees!"

"The Metallic Violet clan gives its blessing!"

...

Countless present expressed their support, even the three other main clans, how could they miss this opportunity? Their alliance was broken the moment the competition ended.

If the gaze of the Two Towers members could kill, Ian would have died countless times by now. But they couldn't do anything at that moment without facing the wrath of millions. Even Etri was on the enemy's side by her own choice. The best course of action would be for them to leave and wait for an opportune moment to settle the score.

"Ian, I need a week to gather my belongings and say goodbye to some people..." Etri said with a heavy expression.

"But your father..."

"They would have no way of not giving all these testimonies a face and arresting me." Loli answered confidently. After all, they were still a family, and she had always been the most beloved daughter of the clan.

"You can reside in the Ravina clan until your departure. I will personally escort you to the destination when the time comes." Javi said, concerned about the possibility of an attack.

"I accept and appreciate your kindness, Senior. I promise to repay the favor in the future!" Ian clasped his hands together and bowed slightly, which was well-received by the Marshal.