Legend of Wyatt-Chapter 1502: Demonic Ridge of the Shadows

No wonder Milan Reid thought this way.

In the Moon Radiance Sect, even the Saint Realm experts, including the Sect Leader, couldn’t necessarily possess a Three-star Attack Dao Talisman.

As for Trevor Baillie, being a ’Three-star Saint Marking Master,’ perhaps he had other ways to obtain a Three-star Attack Dao Talisman.

"Young Master Barnes, this matter is indeed our Howard Family’s fault... Even I, as the Family Head, hadn’t expected Koen Howard to be so audacious, daring to covet Young Master Barnes and even attempt to harm you."

Valentin Howard looked at Wyatt Barnes with an apologetic expression and said.

As he continued, he feigned a look of relief, "Fortunately, Young Master Barnes has heaven’s protection, and Koen Howard has paid the price with his life. This truly is a happy ending for all."

"A happy ending for all?"

Wyatt Barnes sneered, looking at Valentin Howard with deep meaning, causing Valentin Howard to feel a tinge of guilt.

"Nonetheless, Koen Howard was still the Second Elder of the Howard Family. Although his death puts an end to things, our Howard Family must bear the primary responsibility for this... While we may not be able to present a Three-star Attack Dao Talisman, we are willing to offer other compensation."

"Additionally, we are prepared to provide more items to ease Young Master Barnes’s distress."

As the current Family Head of the Howard Family, Valentin Howard was a shrewd and calculating man.

Seeing that his son’s life had been spared, he had already deduced Wyatt Barnes’s and Milan Reid’s motive.

It wasn’t difficult to figure out—they wanted to extort the Howard Family.

So, without waiting for Wyatt Barnes to bring it up, he proactively addressed it.

As for Leslie Howard, Valentin Howard didn’t mention much, as he knew it wasn’t necessary for now.

"Family Head Howard is indeed a straightforward person! Since Family Head Howard is so forthright, I naturally won’t keep holding on to this matter... Leslie Howard can leave with you. However, I hope Family Head Howard handles certain issues with sincerity; otherwise, this matter might not end so smoothly."

Though surprised by Valentin Howard’s initiative, since his objective had already been achieved, Wyatt Barnes didn’t intend to push the issue further.

However, he subtly hinted at Valentin Howard.

The underlying message was clear—don’t plan to offer some token gestures and expect him to be placated.

"Certainly! Certainly!"

Hearing Wyatt Barnes’s words, Valentin Howard broke out in a cold sweat. He had indeed considered offering some less valuable items to settle the matter earlier.

But now, it was apparent that such a course was impossible.

Offending Wyatt Barnes was something he couldn’t afford, nor could the Howard Family as a whole.

"Three days from now, I will visit with Senior Brother Milan... At that time, I hope Family Head Howard has prepared your ’sincerity.’ Personally, I am quite interested in items that ordinary people might not be able to recognize."

Wyatt Barnes cast Valentin Howard a penetrating look as he spoke.

The implication behind his words was tied to the Seven Treasures Exquisite Tower. Perhaps within the Howard Family’s unknown inventory, there might be materials needed to restore the tower.

Currently, while the Seven Treasures Exquisite Tower had its third layer repaired, Wyatt Barnes wasn’t satisfied.

The Seven Treasures Exquisite Tower had seven layers in total. Even with the third layer restored, it hadn’t even reached half its potential.

"Young Master Barnes, rest assured, I will make sure to satisfy you."

Despite feeling like his heart was bleeding, Valentin Howard managed to put on a smile as he responded to Wyatt Barnes. After bidding farewell to Wyatt Barnes and Milan Reid, he took Leslie Howard away.

As Leslie Howard departed, he displayed a look of relieved excitement, obediently following behind Valentin Howard, without speaking a single word.

This entire fiasco, after all, was of his own making, leaving him feeling deeply guilty.

"Father, if you want to scold me, go ahead."

After leaving the Nine Sect Alliance headquarters, Leslie Howard, seeing Valentin Howard’s silence, grew uneasy and took the initiative to speak.

"I want to know the truth."

Valentin Howard finally spoke, but his tone was unnervingly calm.

Leslie Howard dared not continue lying and proceeded to explain everything about the incident in detail.

When he brought up the moment Koen Howard was killed, he noticed his father’s body slightly tremble. He quickly added, "It’s my fault that Grandfather Mountain died—it’s all my fault! It’s all my fault!"

"You understand it’s your fault, which means there’s still hope for you... This time, because of you, the Second Elder was killed. It’s not just you—his death brings shame upon me as well."

Valentin Howard spoke in a detached tone.

"Yes, I am ashamed of Grandfather Mountain."

Leslie Howard nodded quickly, not daring to argue.

"When we return, I plan to send you to the Demonic Ridge of the Shadows."

Valentin Howard’s eyes flashed with resolution as he made his decision without reservation.

"The Demonic Ridge of the Shadows?"

Leslie Howard, who had been compliant moments earlier, instantly turned pale upon hearing those words. He screamed in protest, "No! Father, I won’t go to the Demonic Ridge of the Shadows! Father, you can’t do this! I am your only son!"

Valentin Howard’s face turned icy cold.

Only son?

Perhaps before.

Recently, his mistress had birthed him a son.

This matter was known only to him and his confidants within the Howard Family.

Out of concerns that Leslie Howard might harm his younger son or that the family would marginalize the child because of Leslie’s position, Valentin Howard hadn’t publicly acknowledged the child.

When the boy was born, Valentin Howard had been delighted, but he never intended to bring him into the Howard Family.

The Howard Family had always been meant for Leslie Howard to inherit.

However, Leslie Howard’s recent behavior had deeply disappointed him, prompting this decision to send him to the Demonic Ridge of the Shadows.

If Leslie Howard perished there, it would simply be bad luck.

At that time, Valentin Howard would bring his younger son into the Howard Family to groom him as heir.

"Father, I’ll die there! In the history of the Howard Family, none who’ve ventured into the Demonic Ridge of the Shadows have ever returned alive."

Leslie Howard shouted desperately, unwilling to face the prospect of entering the Demonic Ridge of the Shadows.

"You’re wrong. Once, a member of the Howard Family did survive and return from the Demonic Ridge of the Shadows."

Valentin Howard replied indifferently.

"But that was tens of thousands of years ago, and they were a one-off case. Over the past tens of thousands of years, the Howard Family has sent nearly ten thousand members into the ridge, yet not one returned alive."

Leslie Howard’s face grew visibly pale, his voice trembling. Suddenly, he shot a wary glance at Valentin Howard and attempted to escape.

But escape was impossible under Valentin Howard’s supervision.

Effortlessly stopping Leslie Howard, Valentin Howard declared, "This decision is final... Don’t be so pessimistic. The Howard Family’s ancestor who survived the ridge was, like yourself, a direct descendant."

"So, your chances are significant. After all, the area within the ridge reportedly has ties to the Howard Family’s founder. Perhaps he will favor direct descendants like you."

Valentin Howard explained.

"Moreover, if you return alive, given time, not just Wyatt Barnes—even the Moon Radiance Sect and the entire Nine Sect Alliance might be beneath you. Our family ancestor, upon his return, managed to defeat Saint Realm experts from Sixth-rank factions in his prime!"

"If not for provoking a major figure within a Fifth-rank faction, he wouldn’t have met his tragic end... and our Howard Family wouldn’t have fallen from grace."

Initially, Valentin Howard spoke with excitement and pride, but as he continued, his tone turned wistful, finishing with a sigh.

"Leslie, I genuinely believe you have the potential to become the second member of the Howard Family to emerge from the ridge."

Valentin Howard addressed Leslie Howard.

"Father, don’t think I don’t know—nearly all members of the Howard Family who entered the ridge were direct descendants. What became of them? Within three months, their soul beads shattered one after another."

Leslie Howard, stricken with fear, protested, his body writhing in Valentin Howard’s grip as he struggled to break free.

Finally, Valentin Howard struck him unconscious.

"Leslie, don’t blame me. If there’s anyone to blame, it’s the magnitude of the trouble you caused... Your statements at the Nine Sect Alliance headquarters aren’t believable—not by me, nor by the family elders. This matter requires closure."

Muttering softly, Valentin Howard sighed deeply.

Although he could have released Leslie Howard outright, he knew without a doubt that the family elders would unite to oust him immediately.

Howard Family rules dictated that a family head who committed grave errors would lose the privilege of their lineage’s priority inheritance of the family head position.

Within the Howard Family, several influential elders shared his lineage but were from different branches. They had always waited for an opportunity to strip him of his position and transfer it to their branch.

To protect his branch’s rights, Valentin Howard resolved to make this difficult choice.

It was a choice that satisfied the elders and preserved a sliver of hope for his son Leslie.

The hope was indeed slim, and even he doubted Leslie could survive.

But at least it was better than meeting death at the Nine Sect Alliance headquarters.

"The Demonic Ridge of the Shadows..."

Reflecting on his family’s infamous "land of peril," Valentin Howard couldn’t help but tremble involuntarily.

The Demonic Ridge of the Shadows was said to have ties to the Howard Family’s founder.

Among the Howard Family members for generations, a legend had circulated: anyone who managed to walk out of the ridge alive would undoubtedly become a top-tier powerhouse.

Initially, as no one successfully emerged from the ridge, people began to dismiss the legend.

Then, tens of thousands of years ago, a direct Howard Family descendant walked out of the ridge alive, showcasing immense power, and proving the legend was not baseless.