"Kid, do you have a death wish? Believe it or not, I could turn you to dust with a single slap!" The bearded man, who looked like a martial god, puffed up his beard. Brian Carter was already used to it and just treated it as a show.

"Save your energy. The TV is on, do as you please. I need to do a round of practice."

Practicing the Blade Edge Technique had become a habit. The martial-god-like man nodded and said very seriously, "The early bird catches the worm, that's right."

Only Brian Carter was used to this. Otherwise, anyone else would have been so infuriated by this guy that they'd lose control of their cultivation.

"Xiao Jing, you seem quite interested in that person?" Leo Reese said. Because of Emily Bolton's status, even the captain had to try to get closer.

"Senior brother, don't you think it's a bit odd that this person actually survived in that situation?" As she spoke, Emily Bolton's eyes sparkled, as if she wanted to dig up some secrets.

"How so? I think it's pretty normal." Hiding in a mine shaft could indeed help someone avoid a Zago attack.

"He said he hid in the mine, but he has a lot of wounds on his body. Those are clearly signs of a fight, which is different from just hiding."

"That is strange. If he were an armed warrior with armor, he shouldn't have any injuries. If it was hand-to-hand combat, he definitely wouldn't be a match for the Zago. Tsk tsk, worthy of being a descendant of the Iron Curtain Zhang family—your insight is truly different." Leo Reese praised.

"Hehe, I'm just making random guesses. Maybe it really was just luck, and it doesn't have much to do with us anyway."

"True." Leo Reese didn't pay much more attention. As long as someone had a bit of fighting ability and managed to avoid the main Zago forces, surviving wasn't that hard—at least, that's what he thought.

Emily Bolton tucked her hair behind her ear. The Iron Curtain Zhang family, one of humanity's five oldest families, was a golden name wherever they went. No wonder Emily Bolton could come to the battlefield of Norton Star as a student, with a dedicated protector. The rank of second lieutenant was just for convenience; it meant nothing to someone from the Zhang family.

With just a casual gesture, Leo Reese was a bit distracted. As an outstanding member of the military, being assigned to protect Emily Bolton was an honor in itself.

"Thank you for your help during this time, senior brother. I need to go back and organize my thoughts."

"Alright, contact me anytime if you need anything." Leo Reese really wanted to talk more with Emily Bolton, but people from the Zhang family had the ability to see through others. If Emily Bolton wasn't interested in him, no matter how proactive he was, it would be useless.

In human history, the rise and fall of families is common, but only a handful have endured. These five great families have managed to do just that, influencing hundreds of years of human history. Their members are all important figures in human society, with complex and intertwined power. Even the most powerful emerging forces have to show them respect.

The Li family on Earth holds special significance for all of humanity. It was General David Thompson who led humanity to defeat the Zago, securing a future for mankind. The legacy of a family can't rely on glory alone—after all, centuries have passed. The key is the Li family's Wind God Technique and Witch Technique, both peerless martial arts and two of the five greatest techniques of humanity today. The Wind God Technique was created by General David Thompson himself, while the Witch Technique was created by General Grace Clark, the most powerful cultivation method for women, overturning tradition.

The Ma family, as General David Thompson's right-hand, has controlled the economic and technological lifelines for four hundred years and remains prosperous. FFC Corporation is a super financial giant. Although the Ma family doesn't have any martial techniques, the two families have been close for generations, and every generation of the Ma family can go to the Li family to learn either of the two techniques.

The five great families: two seats on Earth, two on the Moon.

Chapter 12: We'll See About That!!!

The Dorr family—without a doubt, General Landon Thompson and General David Thompson are the two brightest stars of their era. Even the boundless glory of General David Thompson can't overshadow Landon Thompson's achievements. The Heavenly King Technique he created has allowed the Dorr family to continue its legacy.

The Iron Curtain Zhang family—perhaps because they have always served as strategists, their position is unshakable. No matter how the government of the Ivantans changes, the Iron Curtain Zhang family is everywhere. The Heart of Heaven Technique is their family’s secret art.

The last seat among the five great families belongs to the Lie family of Mars. Four hundred years ago, in the final struggle for power on Mars, the Lie family emerged victorious—perhaps thanks to the great power of a Celestial Master. The Lie Fire Technique of the Lie family is incredibly fierce.

No matter how the times change, the five great families remain unshakable.

But the five great families are not the most mysterious or powerful. Within the system of human civilization, there is a place that shouldn't even exist: the Sanctuary.

The Sanctuary is a place to commemorate the invincible war god, the Blade Warrior. His strength, his mystery, his legend—all still influence the present. But as time flies, such miracles have never appeared again. Even a godlike Blade Warrior could not withstand the passage of time.

The Sanctuary remains neutral and does not participate in any conflicts, but no one underestimates its influence. Within the Sanctuary is a path to the Hall of the War God, which holds the greatest secret left by the Blade Warrior. Every generation, the five great families send elite armed warriors to guard the Sanctuary—a place beyond the reach of human power.

Emily Bolton had a habit of keeping records, which helped her think and analyze. In fact, that person shouldn't have caught her attention, but for some reason, his image kept appearing in her mind, as if there was some force about him that attracted her.