Chapter 1601: Grandfather, you can't do this to me. Before he knew it, another day had passed.
At noon, Velin got dressed and left his room, planning to take a stroll outside.
He had barely stepped outside when he met his grandfather coming toward him.
"You're awake."
"Mm."
Meeting his grandfather's amused gaze, Velin nodded instinctively, then shook his head. "Grandfather, I wasn't sleeping. I was cultivating. It might have looked like I was asleep, but I was actually cultivating in an illusion."
Duke Moravia did not call him out on that shameless claim.
"Come along. Let's meet your younger cousins."
"They're here already?"
As soon as he entered the Central Mage Tower's hall, Velin saw four people kneeling in a row.
Their posture was impeccable, clearly perfected through countless rounds of practice.
"Get up."
At those words, the four who had been studying the patterns on the floor with their heads lowered slowly rose and looked up at their grandfather.
"Now, let me explain why I summoned the four of you." Duke Moravia clasped his hands behind his back and spoke slowly. "I'm very disappointed in you."
All four lowered their heads in shame.
"Don't think I don't know what you've been up to."
Standing on the far left, Melissino turned deathly pale and began trembling uncontrollably.
The other three were no better off. Panic gripped them, and they feared their grandfather would throw them straight into the Magic Flame Cave at any moment.
"So, I've decided to have your cousin knock you into shape."
"You may return when he decides you're fit to do so. If you fail to earn his approval, you'll stay in Qixing Territory forever, and I'll consider you no grandchildren of mine."
Those mildly spoken words struck their ears like a bolt from the