Knox's eyes were bloodshot.
His thoughts raced wildly, yet no solution came to mind. The pressure bearing down on him made every breath feel heavy. If Isolde lost the Seven Orifices Divine Heart, many of his future plans would collapse before they even began.
Panic spread through him like fire.
But at that moment, something changed.
The crushing pressure that had been pressing him into the floor suddenly loosened.
It did not disappear completely, but it eased just enough for him to breathe.
"Please."
A soft, melodious voice echoed through the hall.
Gentle, calm, and clear.
Then everyone noticed.
Inside the grand hall of the Hale family, a graceful figure had appeared without anyone sensing her arrival.
She stood quietly near the entrance, as if she had always been there.
She was an unparalleled beauty.
Her eyes were bright and clear, carrying a faint coldness like moonlight over snow. Her hair flowed like dark silk, her skin smooth as jade. Her tall and slender figure formed elegant curves, refined and flawless.
An aloof temperament surrounded her. She felt distant and untouchable, like a snow lotus blooming atop an icy peak.
The entire hall fell silent.
Her gaze shifted slowly and landed on Knox, who was still kneeling on the ground.
A hint of gentleness flickered in her eyes.
"This child is my disciple," she said calmly.
"Please, for the sake of the Divine Blade Sect, forgive his offense."
"Master!"
Knox's face lit up with joy.
The moment he saw her, all his anxiety vanished.
He immediately struggled to his feet, as if the appearance of this woman had restored his courage.
His master had arrived.
His greatest support had come.
No longer did he need to endure humiliation in silence.
The atmosphere inside the hall changed.
The members of the Hale family recognized her instantly.
"Iris, the Saintess of the Divine Blade Sect!"
"Knox is actually her disciple? How could that be?"
"The Divine Blade Sect stands at the peak of sword cultivation within the Heavenly Flame Dynasty. Even our Hale family cannot easily suppress them."
Murmurs spread among the elders and disciples.
Respect and caution filled their gazes.
The Divine Blade Sect was a top-tier power, equal in standing to the Hale family. The Saintess herself held a noble and untouchable position.
Ordinary members of the Hale family would never dare to offend her.
Isolde also noticed Iris.
Hope surged into her eyes.
With such a powerful figure stepping forward, perhaps her situation would change.
Perhaps Alex would finally retreat.
Alex had already noticed Iris's arrival long before she spoke.
He observed her silently.
Even he had to admit that her beauty was extraordinary.
Her presence felt almost unreal, like a fairy who had descended from the heavens.
For a brief moment, Alex felt a faint sense of admiration.
She truly deserved to be called one of the unparalleled beauties of this world.
Compared to her, the beauties from his previous life felt insignificant.
Iris.
Alex naturally knew who she was.
In the original novel, she was Knox's master. Noble, pure, powerful, and surrounded by the taboo of a master-disciple relationship. Her character alone had attracted the attention of countless readers.
Yet in the end, she still became one of Knox's women.
No matter how sacred her image seemed at the beginning, the story eventually led her into the protagonist's harem.
Her cultivation was formidable. She had reached the Mahayana Realm.
But compared to Alex, who stood in the Supreme Realm, she was still a level below.
Even so, Alex could not ignore her.
Behind Iris stood the Divine Blade Sect, and the sect master himself was a Supreme Realm expert capable of rivaling Alex.
"So it is Saintess Iris," Alex said calmly, his tone indifferent.
In the original storyline, Iris's appearance had been one of the main reasons Alex allowed Knox and Isolde to leave. Of course, the biggest factor had been Alex's indulgence toward Isolde.
But now, things were different.
Alex was no longer that foolish version of himself.
He had no intention of allowing Iris to take the adulterous pair away so easily.
Instead, he began to think.
Iris was not just Knox's master. She was also one of Knox's major sources of fortune.
A powerful backer.
A future harem member.
If Knox lost her support, his rise would slow dramatically.
Alex's eyes flickered faintly.
If he could sever this connection, the system reward would certainly be immense.
But such a goal could not be achieved through force alone.
It required patience.
A plan formed quickly in Alex's mind.
He spoke slowly, his voice calm yet sharp.
"Saintess Iris, do you truly believe a few words are enough to make me forgive your disciple?"
His gaze met hers directly.
"Do you not think that is somewhat arrogant?"
Iris was momentarily stunned.
She had expected resistance, but she did not expect Alex to reject her so openly.
Knox, however, reacted differently.
With Iris standing behind him, his confidence returned immediately.
"Alex Hale, you are the one bullying the weak!" Knox shouted angrily.
"What right do you have to talk about forgiveness?"
His tone grew arrogant once more.
The fear he felt earlier seemed to vanish.
But the moment his words left his mouth.
Iris's expression changed.