Read Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Novel by Only For You Updated 2025 -26 - Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3302

Rising from the Ashes (Andrew and Lauren) Chapter 3302

Jerome and the others couldn’t help but smile.

Nyx was a foreigner and didn’t truly understand Holtrien’s customs, but the way she carefully copied the gestures came across as genuine—almost endearingly sincere.

Luther smiled warmly. “Young lady, what’s your name?”

Nyx blushed. “My name is Nyx Kerrigan.”

Luther nodded, then glanced at Andrew with a trace of regret. “If she hadn’t broken her purity and come to cultivate at Mount Lourneau, she could have succeeded me as head of the mountain one day.”

He sighed softly. “What a pity…”

Andrew cleared his throat. “Mr. Johnston, honestly, a good husband might offer her a better future than spending years suffering through cultivation up here. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her yourself.”

Luther’s eyes widened in exasperation. “Andrew, if you’re going to talk like that, we can’t continue this conversation.”

He waved it off. “Fine. Besides the five major sects you mentioned earlier, there are also the Sword Sect, the Thunder Sect, and the Harmony Sect.”

Valerie leaned forward eagerly. “Mr. Johnston… is the Harmony Sect what I think it is?”

Luther’s gaze sharpened. “Yes—and no. You need to understand that dual cultivation has existed since ancient times. Its lineage has endured to this day, and its strength has not diminished.”

He paused before continuing.

“The leader of the Harmony Sect, Madam Dorothy Fontaine, is an expert whose abilities are not far beneath my own.”

His expression turned firm.

“If you assume the Harmony Sect is some indecent or corrupt faction because of that, you are gravely mistaken.”

Andrew nodded thoughtfully. “I’ve never actually seen anyone from the Harmony Sect active in the secular world.”

Luther stroked his beard. “Most of their disciples are exceptionally beautiful women. When they enter the world, they don’t appear in ordinary places. They move in extraordinary circles. And once their cultivation is complete, they withdraw from worldly life and return to the sect for secluded practice.”

Andrew inclined his head, indicating he understood.

Among Holtrien’s ancient sects, very few were like the Divine Alchemists—maintaining large-scale industries in the modern world. And sects like Mount Lourneau, widely respected by the public and regularly visited, were even rarer.

Mount Lourneau was one of the most successful ancient sects to transition into modern society.

Jerome spoke up. “Mr. Johnston, I heard you recently attended an assembly of the ancient sects. May I ask what was discussed?”

Luther sighed. “Even if you hadn’t asked, I would have brought it up.”

He turned to Andrew.

“There’s nothing wrong with you asking about the Eight Ancient Sects. Over multiple eras, they successfully repelled the Western Dark Clans. Even now, Mount Lourneau’s archives contain records from those battles.”

His tone grew heavy.

“But the overall strength of Holtrien’s Ancient Sects has declined.”

He paused before adding, “If we were to clash with the Dark Clans again, we would most likely lose.”

Andrew’s voice remained calm. “Even if defeat is likely, we can’t just sit back and do nothing.”

His gaze hardened slightly.

“War has already broken out at the Eastern Azure Gate. Those who live on Holtrien soil—especially the Ancient Sects that have enjoyed centuries of stability—should step forward.”

Luther shook his head. “That was exactly what the meeting discussed. But almost no one agreed to act. Every faction wanted to shut its gates and protect itself.”

Andrew laughed.

There was no humor in his eyes.

“Then what if I force them out of seclusion?” he asked evenly.

Luther’s expression turned serious. “If you do that, there’s a strong chance that before the external threat is resolved, internal chaos will erupt again.”

At those words, Jerome, Valerie, and Eric subtly stiffened.