"How dare the Warrior League try to control the candidate for the Martial Arts Association chairman for the state? You've already lost the hearts of everyone. Why are you still being so stubborn, Cillian?" the voice asked. Cillian's expression darkened at once. "Swordster, you know very well who is behind Sword Towers! Whether it's the Dragon Sect or the Sanguis Cult, they are all foreign powers. "They are the enemy of Dramon! You are publicly standing against the whole of Dramon! Aren't you afraid that you will end up losing your integrity?" Cillian demanded.Trafford Polene, known as Swordster, was one of the three top swordsmen of the Gladius Sect who had rushed to Sartvale. It was rumored that 15 years ago, he had already broken through the Celestial realm and attained the skill of a Martial Sage. Compared to the current standards for practitioners of the Way of Wisdom, the Swordster was also a top expert in the foundation phase.Someone as experienced as he was could not
Cillian thought that Sebastian saw the Nine Sects as just common sects, like Sword Towers, as he did not seem concerned at all."Sebastian, you may not know how powerful the Nine Sects are because you haven't had much experience in the world. They are the Nine Sects of the mystic martial arts sects, they're—" He was about to persuade Sebastian to give up on the martial battle when Sebastian cut him off and said, "Mr. Shields Senior, the Nine Sects aren't worth mentioning at all. Since they want to forget their roots, I won't mind teaching them a lesson again."Sebastian's expression remained impassive. Although he hadn't been trying to imply anything, Cillian, Wyatt, and Oliver all caught on to what he had said and frowned.Teach them a lesson again? What did Sebastian mean by that?The three old men looked at each other doubtfully.Sebastian was so young. Had he challenged the Nine Sects before?That was impossible! It couldn't be!If he had, why would Sebastian still be hi
Sebastian only recovered after a while. He refused quickly. "Mr. Shields Senior, I can't take such an expensive gift—""Take it!" Cillian didn't let him refuse. He looked stern as he clasped his hands behind his back and said, "This is the only thing that an old man like me can do."As long as that bunch of people from Sword Towers don't get their way, I'll be able to face the members of the Department of Defense."Remember, we must not lose the position of the chairman of the Sartvale Martial Arts Association. We can't let the Dragon Sect return either, or there will never be peace in Dramon!"Sebastian nodded heavily and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Shields Senior."Cillian and Wyatt nodded in satisfaction when they saw that Sebastian had put the crystal in his pocket.They all sat down once more and exchanged a few pleasantries before Oliver said to Rosalie, "Rosalie, it's getting late. Take Sebastian back to Steinberg and let him get ready.""Okay." Rosalie nodded
Ethan touched the Solispill that he had received and smiled coldly as he said, "Mr. Polene, I'll be honest with you. If Sebastian hadn't meddled in all this, we wouldn't have had to trouble you.""Oh?" Trafford raised an eyebrow and asked coldly, "Sebastian?"Ethan looked menacing as he said in a cold voice, "That's right. It's him! A few days ago, I met a woman with an ice disposition in Steinberg and was about to take her as my apprentice so that I could use her as a furnace for training, but Sebastian stepped in and snatched the woman away from me."When Ethan thought of Whitney's ice disposition, his eyes shone with greed. Women with that kind of disposition were very rare in the world.What was even more rare was how beautiful Whitney was. Even if she wasn't his furnace, she would be the perfect candidate to be his training partner.However, the appearance of Sebastian had made Ethan wary of approaching Whitney. After Terence's death, Ethan had been even more afraid of cove
However, practitioners of the Way of Wisdom were very different. As long as they broke through the foundation phase, every subsequent level could give them an extra ten years of life or more. Additionally, as they continued to rise through the levels, they could even reach a lifespan of more than 1000 years.That was why Trafford wanted to meet Raphael. He would be doing him a favor, and perhaps one day, he would be able to enter the mystic sects through him as well.Raphael sighed deeply at Trafford's question. He looked rather frustrated as he said, "It pains me to speak of it, but I'm sure you've also heard about the fact that over ten years ago, the Soulbell was lost. It is one of Demongate's sacred objects."We received news recently about it being in Steinberg with a young man named Sebastian. Upon the orders of my sect leader, I came down from the mountain to ask for it back."However…" Raphael instinctively touched his cheek, which Sebastian had slapped.Although it hadn
Trafford had been intending to intimidate Sebastian.Although letting Ethan take a swipe at Sebastian before the battle wouldn't decide the victory in the arena, they would be able to test Sebastian's attitude. Raphael was sitting opposite Trafford. He got up quickly and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your help, Mr. Polene. If we manage to get back Demongate's sacred vessel, my sect leader will be sure to thank you with a valuable reward.Trafford's eyes lit up. Gifts of gratitude from the mystic sects would probably at least be some kind of pill, or perhaps the knowledge of an amazing technique. Even a Breakthrough Pill would be able to help him enhance his abilities rapidly. He couldn't help flashing a satisfied grin. "You are too kind, Raphael. Both the martial arts and the mystic sects need to learn how to respect the teachers. Ballard's defiant rudeness to you has disgraced all martial arts practitioners." Turning to Ethan, Trafford added, "Mr. Whitehall, we'll have to trou
Ethan took Cecilia's hand and led her to the front room. When they arrived, he noticed that Trafford and the others had eaten most of the food. Upon seeing Ethan, Trafford asked rather tipsily, "Mr. Whitehall, have you done what I asked you to do?""I've sent someone to do it," Ethan replied. He bowed respectfully to Trafford and gestured toward Cecilia. "Mr. Polene, this is Cecilia, the daughter of Madam Dragon, the leader of the Warrior League." She happens to be my guest, so I brought her over to meet you. I hope you don't mind." He shot Cecilia a pointed look, and she quickly bowed. "G-Greetings, sir." Trafford waved dismissively at her. He said to Ethan, "Take her along with us later. Since she's Madam Dragon's daughter, she's no outsider."Cecilia was pleasantly surprised. Although she didn't know where Trafford wanted Ethan to take her, she was still delighted. To be with the three top swordsmen of the Gladius Sect was already an unimaginable honor to those in martial ar
Rosalie set her phone down. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, and she drove straight to Sebastian's convenience store. When Lyanna saw Rosalie's furious expression, she burst into laughter and went up to her, asking, "Ms. Griffin, why do you look so angry as soon as you walk through the door? My master hasn't offended you, has he? Come and sit down. My master is in seclusion, so please wait for a while." Lyanna led Rosalie to a chair and poured her a cup of tea. At that moment, the door to the inner room opened, and Sebastian strode out. Seeing Rosalie was there, he looked startled but quickly smiled. "What's wrong? I see that your complexion isn't looking too great."Rosalie took a sip of tea and frowned as she said, "It's nothing! It's just that Cecilia was being too rude. Not only is she getting close to Ethan, but she keeps saying bad things about you to my face.""I thought it was something serious. Let her say what she wants." Sebastian smiled wryly and
"It all comes back to Uncle Samson," Andreas said. "Great Uncle Arnaud already told you he'd let Uncle Samson have his freedom if you find the other emerald token, but then he brought up the marriage alliance. "It directly affects whether or not Uncle Samson can regain his freedom. So, why don't you think about it?"With a quiet chuckle, Andreas walked toward a grove of peach trees to the west.Realization finally dawned on Sebastian. Arnaud was a shrewd man. He wouldn't slip up like that. Besides, although the Ballards and the Yeomans had established a marriage agreement, they hadn't named specific individuals, only that the Blessed Child of the Ballards would fulfill it.The Blessed Child bore the duty of guiding the Ballards to revival. In other words, the emerald token would be better off falling into the Blessed Child's hands rather than anyone else's.Could it be that the final emerald token was with the Yeomans? If that were true, why hadn't the Ballards used their pow
"I'm sorry, but I have no interest in becoming the head of the Ballard family," Sebastian said impassively. "I only want my father to be freed."Arnaud's expression changed slightly, but his tone remained neutral as he said, "It's Braxton who owes you and your mother, not the entire family. Why must you do this?"Sebastian let out a cold snort. It was true that Braxton had been the one who had kicked them out, but weren't the true culprits the elders of the Ballard Estate?"If there's nothing else, I'd like to see Whitney," Sebastian said, rising slowly to his feet. As soon as he mentioned her name, Arnaud waved a hand at him and said, "Don't be in such a rush, Sebastian. Whitney is safe. The Ballards would never harm a frail woman."He added, "However, there's something I want to ask you. Is Whitney still your wife?"Sebastian frowned. "Whether she is or isn't, what business is that of the Ballards?""Of course it is," Arnaud replied firmly. "The Ballards and the Yeomans of
Arnaud led Sebastian into a secret room deep within the Hall of the Ancestral Dragon. Once inside, Sebastian saw a Cosmic Orbit Diagram. It was exactly the same as the records in the Sacred Medicine Secret Annals.However, the Ballards' Cosmic Orbit Diagram was divided into different sections. It looked even more three-dimensional."This is the Cosmic Orbit Diagram passed down through our family for generations," Arnaud said proudly. "The one that the Sacred Medicine Society has is just a copy."The legacy of the mystic arts in Dramon almost all came from the Ballards.The Ballards had withheld some things back then as well. As a result, all the legacies of the various secular sects only had incomplete Cosmic Orbit Diagrams. It was why there were very few experts at the fifth level of the Eldoria realm and above.Afterward, Arnaud led Sebastian into a library. Thousands of technical legacies lined the shelves. Sebastian flipped through them. The techniques recorded there were
Samson glanced at Sebastian. He took a deep breath and said to Arnaud, "Thank you for sparing me, Uncle Arnaud."He gave Sebastian a few final reminders before leaving the hall with Preston.Once they were gone, Arnaud pointed at Duo and said to Sebastian, "Tell him to leave too."Sebastian waved a hand at Duo."I'll wait for you at the entrance, my lord," Duo said. "If anything happens, I'll be here as soon as you call!"He gave Arnaud a cold look before striding out of the hall.Arnaud watched him leave and smiled approvingly. He beckoned to Sebastian. "Come, sit!"Sebastian didn't hesitate. He crossed the hall and sat in the chair opposite Arnaud."Do you know why I asked Andreas to bring you back here?" Arnaud asked impassively. Sebastian shook his head expressionlessly. He said in a cold voice, "It's probably because of the emerald token in my father's possession."Apart from using him and Whitney as leverage against Samson, he couldn't think of any other reason.Arnau
"The Blessed Child! The Blessed Child has finally come to our family!"The black-robed old man who had been sitting beside Arnaud stood up, looking pleased. He couldn't hide his excitement as he turned to Arnaud and said, "Arnaud, our family is going to prosper!"Only Rexton and Milton looked extremely displeased. Braxton and Roland looked pained, as if they had lost something of great value. They were practically thumping their chests in regret!The Blessed Child had been foretold by one of the heads of the family centuries ago. No matter how far the Ballards declined, the prophecy said that after a few hundred years, a Blessed Child would appear—someone who could lead the family's revival!The only proof of the Blessed Child was for him to enter a master-servant oath with a Devora."Prosper? What a joke!" Hugo scoffed, holding Virtus firmly. "Weren't you all just clamoring about killing the two of them?"At Hugo's words, Arnaud's expression changed slightly. "When did I say tha
"Hugo!"Arnaud, who had been sitting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them wide. He eyed Hugo with a conflicted expression as he asked, "Have you forgotten the agreement the Thornes made with us ten years ago?"Hugo smiled coldly and put one hand behind his back. "That was the agreement you made with the Thornes. I'm only following Ms. Thorne's orders to protect Samson and find the emerald token. If Samson dies in this battle, how am I supposed to explain that to her?"He pointed at Sebastian and added, "He's Ms. Thorne's flesh and blood. Your family has no right to punish him! If the Ballards insist on killing them today, don't blame me for going on a killing spree!"When Hugo had finished, Sebastian finally realized that Hugo was from Isabella's family and that he had stayed at the Ballard Estate to protect Samson.It was clear that Isabella hadn't held a grudge toward Samson. In fact, she had sent an expert to stay behind to protect him in case anything happened.Arnaud's
Sebastian threw his head back in laughter. He strode forward, standing in the center of the hall, and said coldly. "Ungrateful? How could you have the audacity to say such a thing?"Even if I'm surrounded by enemies, you Ballards can forget about making me submit! It's just death, after all. If I even blink, then I won't call myself a man!"Everyone there stared at Sebastian."How dare that brat be so cocky? If he's not punished, it'll be a disgrace to our family rules!""He should be given the death penalty!""It'll be a disaster if we just let him be, and it'll only bring trouble for our family. Please give the order, and we'll kill him at once!"The entire hall was in an uproar. Even Preston, who had been speaking up for Sebastian and Samson, sighed in resignation.Since Sebastian had already made his stance clear, Preston couldn't help even if he wanted to.Sebastian had roused the anger of everyone there, and Arnaud had closed his eyes and wasn't saying anything. He was cl
Sebastian was just about to step forward when Samson hastily waved a hand at him and said, "Sebastian, the grudges of the Ballard family from over ten years ago have nothing to do with you. Don't get involved!""But—"Sebastian's gaze sharpened as he turned to look at Milton. There was an icy glint in his eyes. Samson shook his head slightly at Sebastian. The Ballard Estate had at least ten experts at the eighth level of the Eldoria realm. At Sebastian's current level, trying to fight them would only bring him big trouble."Sebastian, one must learn how to adapt to the situation," Samson whispered into his ear using voice projection. "Today, I will exchange my legs for your and Whitney's freedom. Think of it as a payment for what I owe you and your mother."Sebastian clenched his fists tightly. He hated himself for being too weak. He couldn't even protect his own family in a place like the Ballard Estate, where many experts were gathered.However, he would never allow anyone to
"Do you accept it, Samson?" Arnaud asked harshly when he saw that Preston hadn't said anything else. He turned to look directly at Samson.Samson smiled bitterly and turned to look at Sebastian before raising his head to look at Arnaud, who was sitting high above them. He said, "Uncle Arnaud, I was the reason for everything that happened. I wish to ask you not to trouble Sebastian.""What are you talking about?" Preston was agitated. He stood up again and yelled, "There must still be an investigation about who was right and who was wrong. Why should they break your legs?"As he spoke, his eyes blazed with fury. He looked at the thin old man and said furiously, "Milton, you old bastard! How can you be so shameless at your age? Tell me! Did you embellish the story to Arnaud?""Uncle Preston!" Samson stopped him quickly and sighed slightly. "Forget it. It's my fault for bringing such huge trouble upon our family back then."I admit that I have let our family down. Since imprisoning m