"M-Mr. Zane actually… actually won?" Whitney couldn't believe what she had seen. That was Zane she was talking about!"Don't be quick to celebrate. There's more to come!" Sebastian patted the shocked Whitney on her shoulder and chuckled softly. "Who else would like to challenge Zane from Dramon?" the host in the arena asked, looking excitedly at the international experts."I will!" There was a loud yell as a Yutarian Warrior leaped into the arena. He didn't even give his name before pulling out his scimitar and charging straight at Zane.After what had happened to Pascal, Zane was now feeling more confident. He did as he had done previously and jumped up to swing his fist.The Yutarian Warrior was also wary of Zane's signature move. He had seen everything clearly when Pascal was beaten up in the arena.Although he didn't know what was special about Zane's technique, the force of it was always especially strong when he jumped up in the air before he slapped his opponent.That
Farrell stopped him quickly and said in halting Dramonian, "I hear that there is a saying in Dramon—never hit someone in the face. I feel that this move of yours is insulting to Warriors!" Zane frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that?""Can we avoid slapping each other in the face and just fight with punches and kicks?" Farrell asked, narrowing his eyes at him. He didn't expect Zane to agree, since slapping people from a distance was the main factor in his victory.Unexpectedly, Zane agreed. "Well, since you put it that way, I won't slap you. Come and try out my iron fists instead!" With that, he took a step back. Farrell stepped forward warily. He had no wish to follow in Pascal's footsteps. He also didn't attack rashly. Instead, he scrutinized Zane, as if he was looking for an opening. However, Zane wasn't going to wait around for him to attack. After retreating several steps backward, he suddenly rushed forward to Farrell.Farrell hastily changed direction and go
Farrell was about to get up when he collided with the sole of Zane's foot as Zane aimed a kick at him. Although Zane wasn't very powerful and wasn't even a beginner in martial arts, the kick encompassed the inertia that had built up over a long distance as well as the fact that Farrell had just rolled over. With his full weight behind it, the kick carried great force.A loud sound echoed through the arena as Zane's kick landed squarely on Farrell's face. The bridge of his nose actually collapsed."Aargh!" Farrell clutched his face, screaming in pain.Before he could recover, Zane gave him a spinning kick which hit him in the back of the head. The force knocked Farrell out cold. The moment he hit the floor, another bolt of intense energy struck him in the chest.The audience and the international experts in the stands only saw Zane kick Farrell, after which the latter spat out a mouthful of blood. Farrell didn't even struggle before dying in the arena.Thunderous applause bro
When the host saw that no one else dared to step into the arena, he immediately announced, "The match will end here for today. Each side will rest for three days each, and after three days, the matches will resume!"The three days' rest in between had been Phineas' idea.He still didn't feel assured. After all, Dramon only had Sebastian and the others, and today's battle was only the beginning. The really tough battle was yet to come.He had to fight for time so that the Martial Arts Court could send some powerful candidates.When the battle ended, Phineas finally snuck over to Sebastian and said, "Mr. Ballard, please wait."Phineas' passionate speech earlier had genuinely moved Sebastian, so his attitude had softened greatly."Mr. Tuxley, go ahead and say whatever you have to say." Phineas looked around. Upon seeing that no one was paying attention to him, he whispered in Sebastian's ear, "Mr. Ballard, you must be wary of Ezekiel. He is coveting the treasure in your possession.
Technically, this was gross negligence on Phineas' part. However, he had very little authority that he did not have the courage to ask for details.There were probably only very few people who knew Sebastian's real identity. It wasn't as if Phineas could go and ask Belinda. Would he dare to ask the elders of the Warrior League? Of course not!"Let's go to Ventus Estate," Melvin said as he stood up.He had to find out what kind of relationship Sebastian had with the Warrior League. In particular, he had to know whether Sebastian had latched onto the Warrior League or if it had been the other way around.He couldn't let himself make the wrong decision.Phineas hurried out of the lounge after Melvin.…Meanwhile, Belinda and Blake were at Ventus Estate, discussing the martial arts battle that had taken place that day."Madam Dragon, these people were much too ignorant. How could they have expected to do well when fighting against Mr. Ballard?" Blake smiled.Belinda looked at the
Melvin bowed his head and followed Blake into Ventus Estate. On the way there, he kept stealing glances at the black-clad men.The more he looked at them, the more shocked Melvin became. Where had the Warrior League gotten so many experts at the third level of the Celestial realm and above?In any other sect, they would be a deacon at the very least, but they were only fit to be guards for the Warrior League.He didn't know that these men hadn't previously been at such a high level. It was all thanks to Sebastian that they had been able to improve so swiftly.That was why everyone in the Warrior League respected Sebastian so much. Sebastian and the Warrior League relied on each other and helped each other. There was no imbalance in their relationship."Please come in, Mr. Cappell." Blake stood in the doorway to the hall and indicated for Melvin to enter.Despite Blake's politeness, Melvin knew that he had no right to walk in front.The Lucoxes weren't just the family who contr
"Yes. That's right," Melvin answered quickly.Blake nodded slightly and strode to the entrance. He said to Phineas, "Mr. Tuxley, Madam Dragon would like to see you."Phineas immediately puffed up his chest and straightened his clothes. When he finally felt presentable, he followed Blake to the hall.Meeting someone as important as Belinda was a matter of honor for Phineas. Therefore, he prostrated himself as soon as he entered and said to Belinda, "My name is Phineas Tuxley and I'm the head director of the Steinberg Martial Arts Court. Greetings, Madam Dragon."Belinda was startled to see him prostrate as soon as he entered. She suppressed a smile and shook her head slightly. "Mr. Tuxley, a bow like that is an outdated rule from hundreds of years ago. It is no longer appropriate in today's times. Please sit down," she said, pointing at the seat beside her."Thank you, Madam Dragon." Phineas stood up and glanced at the chairs. Where was he supposed to sit? Melvin had already ta
Blake bowed slightly to Belinda before turning and leaving the hall."Please sit for a moment, gentlemen. We'll discuss this matter once Mr. Ballard arrives." Belinda left Melvin and Phineas there on their own after she had finished. She didn't even give them a chance to reply before entering the back room with Elara.Melvin and Phineas sat awkwardly in their seats. It didn't seem right to either leave or stay."Relax, gentlemen. Madam Dragon is discussing some matters with a few elders. Have some tea and wait for Mr. Ballard," a maid said as she carried over a tray of tea. She served both Melvin and Phineas with a cup of fragrant tea.Melvin was pleasantly surprised. He took the teacup from the maid with both hands. Although she was a mere maid, the important thing was who she worked for. Belinda had a close relationship with the head director of Dramon's Martial Arts Court. It could even be said that the Martial Arts Court wouldn't exist without her.Even the national head dir
Whitney perked up at Sebastian's question. "It's all because you ran into the two monsters that day," she said. "I saw it on the surveillance footage. That was when I realized that the two women living in the store don't have that kind of relationship with you…"Whitney had never asked, and Sebastian hadn't bothered to explain who Nina and Lyanna were. That was why she had mistakenly thought that both of them were Sebastian's lovers as well.Realization had only dawned on her when she heard Nina address Sebastian as her master, even in her dying breath. Whitney had seen how powerful Nina was that day and how she had been willing to die in order to protect Sebastian.Nina and Lyanna weren't Sebastian's lovers. They were his servants. Not only that, Nina was a thousand-year-old giant snake!That had completely changed Whitney's view of the world. Although there had always been legends of mystical beings and ghosts, Whitney was an accomplished businesswoman who believed firmly in sc
Sebastian laughed wryly and shook his head. "I'm not from the Ballard Estate," he said. "My name is Sebastian, and it's better if my cousin weren't seen around me too much.""Oh, you're Sebastian."The two young women breathed a long sigh of relief. They looked him up and down for a long time before exchanging a glance. Then, they covered their faces and giggled.One of them stepped forward and said, "Come with me. Honestly… you seem pretty normal. I don't get why Ms. Sutton is yearning for you so much."Sebastian cleared his throat awkwardly and said nothing.The young woman led Sebastian into the house, where Whitney was sitting and reading a book intently. She said, "Ms. Sutton, look who's here."Whitney put down her book and looked up. When she saw Sebastian behind the young woman, she was both surprised and delighted. She got up and threw herself into Sebastian's arms."Sebastian, is it really you?"The young woman covered her face and chuckled before leaving the room sile
Sebastian watched Andreas leave and exhaled deeply. Preston wasn't the only one he didn't trust. No one in the Ballard Estate was worthy of his trust, including Andreas.Once Andreas had completely disappeared, Sebastian beckoned to the woods in the distance and said, "Come out!"In a flash, Duo appeared at his side. "My lord, why didn't you wipe out those people in the hall today?" he asked.Duo clenched his fists tightly, and there was a murderous look simmering in his eyes. Although he hadn't been in the hall, he had clearly heard everything the Ballards had said.Anyone who disrespected his master deserved death!Besides, neither Sebastian nor Duo would have had to lift a finger to kill them. All they had to do was to crush the Tribulation Avoidance Charm and trigger the divine tribulation. Once it descended, no one in the hall would have lived to tell the tale, including Arnaud."If we become hostile with the Ballards, it'll be almost impossible for us to leave in peace. Now
"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