A haunting silence enveloped the space between heaven and earth. Not a single noise broke through. Bennett's mind went blank, and he suddenly felt warmth on his face—it was Derrick's blood. Moments later, as his senses returned, Bennett was so terrified that he felt as if his very spirit had left his body. He screamed, "You… You killed Derrick! It's all over!" Bennett's face turned pale. Gideon sneered. "So what if Talonclaw has a top expert? He dared to touch my woman. Giving him a swift death was more than he deserved. If it weren't for Mr. Foley, you would already be dead, too." Ronan exhaled quietly.Gideon's respect for Ronan showed he held him in high regard, indicating he hadn't overlooked Ronan's kindness in teaching him the Doombringer Knuckle. Unfortunately, Bennett's ambitions were unchecked. "Mr. Foley, take care of the next steps. Umbra and Apollo, you're both seriously injured. Once things settle down, come to Drammore to see me, and I'll heal your wounds
"You're joking, right, sir? It's all down to luck," Gideon replied, shifting the conversation. "Since you experienced folks are here, I have a question about something I don't quite get and could use your guidance.""Feel free to share," Alessandra encouraged, nodding. Gideon then revealed his inner core and asked, "At the dragon vein, I aimed to reach the Supreme level, but I was unsure how to form a supreme core. So, I attempted it myself and created this inner core. I'm curious about how it compares to a supreme core." The four elders were taken aback. They all looked surprised. After examining it for a bit, Lorenzo stroked his beard and clicked his tongue. "This is really unusual. What kind of inner core is this?" Alessandra added, "It's completely different from a supreme core." Ezio noted, "Even though it's not a supreme core, it holds destructive energy. Logan, what's your take?"Logan, known for always napping, thought for a moment and replied, "Creating a core in a
"Seriously, we can't waste our energy following you on this futile quest." Logan sighed, rolling his eyes. Then, with a serious tone, he cautioned, "I need to warn you about something. That old monster from Talonclaw is ruthless and dangerous. Staying in Imperial Palace won't stop him from trying to kill you.""Sir, I get your concern. You're afraid that a major confrontation with him at Imperial Palace could lead to significant damage. Rest assured, that won't happen. I won't remain in the palace. I'm intending to travel westward." "Travel westward?" "Exactly. I'm heading to Mount Immortal."Gideon had devised this plan previously. Now, with his inner core condensed and his strength significantly enhanced, it was time for him to visit Mount Immortal, a place linked to clues from his parents. The expressions of the four influential figures shifted slightly. Ezio remarked, "Kid, Mount Immortal is dangerous. Even the most skilled experts risk their lives there. What's your pu
"What?" Umbra exclaimed in shock. "You're being too reckless. If we get caught, it'll be a grave offense!" "Trust me." Gideon chuckled confidently. His words sent Umbra's heart racing, leaving her deeply moved. Meanwhile, Jessica watched with envy. "Let's not waste any more time. I'll assist you." Gideon indicated for Umbra to take a seat. He then absorbed the dragon vein energy, carefully channeling it into Umbra's body, allowing her to slip into a meditative state."You sit down as well," he instructed Jessica. "Why?" she asked, bewildered. "I'll strengthen your body," Gideon replied, leaving Jessica completely baffled.When the dragon vein energy flowed into her, Jessica felt dizzy and soon lost consciousness. She hadn't completely healed from the poison incident yet. Taking this chance, Gideon helped her fully recover. Additionally, he enhanced her body, elevating her physical condition to a higher level. Gideon was capable of achieving this. Meanwhile, somewhere
"There are mainly two things. First, may I ask, Your Highness, are you familiar with Mount Immortal?" Gideon inquired. "Mount Immortal? Yes, I am aware of it," Edric replied, nodding. "It's a perilous place where no one should dare venture. Marshal Snow, why do you ask about it? You aren't planning to go there, are you?" "Indeed, I am. I have business at Mount Immortal. Therefore, if Your Highness possesses any detailed information about it, I would appreciate it if you shared it with me." Gideon's every word and action was intentional. When he informed Jonathan that he had taken Jessica beneath Colossus Dragon Mountain to heal her using the dragon vein energy, his primary aim was for Jonathan to report back to Edric and Freddie. It was to ensure that princes like Edric were aware of his status. Thus, when asking about Mount Immortal, Edric and his peers would be more inclined to divulge all they knew. Gideon had astutely noticed that both the four elders—the Nexus Four—and
Freddie said, "In Kitherglen, the only woman considered the head of the Jaeger royal family lives in isolation and rarely interacts with the outside world. If you want details about the Empyrean Atlas, your only option is to go to Kitherglen." He added, "If an outsider visits without warning, the Jaegers might not be welcoming, even to someone like you, the High Marshal. So, the three of us will draft a letter together. You can deliver it to Lady Talia." He continued, "We hold some sway, and with all our signatures, Lady Talia should receive you favorably." Gideon chuckled and replied, "No need for that. Lady Talia will likely be thrilled to see me when I visit the Jaeger royal family. By family ties, I should refer to her as Aunt Talia." Talia and Gideon's mother, Annalise, were sisters, not by birth but by direct lineage. Gideon indeed planned to see Talia. "What?" Edric and the others were taken aback.Gideon asked, "My mother is Annalise Jaeger. Have Your Highnesses hear
Out at the open sea was a massive island, untouched and pristine, showing no signs of development.Deep within the island, houses stood in dense rows, all built from trees, bamboo, and vines—natural dwellings with a raw, organic beauty.At this moment, by the central blue lake, Harmoni looked at Brantley, who had just finished meditating. She asked, "Brantley, how's your injury?"Brantley opened his eyes.A sharp gleam shot out from them. He said in a deep voice, "Thanks to the herb given by Mr. Reeve, I'm fully healed. In fact, I broke through, and my strength has improved."Harmoni smiled. "Of course. That was a mystic herb. Our clan only has three and a half of them. Originally, Mr. Reeve was going to give you a half-mystic herb, but I figured it wouldn't help you much. I begged him over and over, and he finally agreed to inform Mr. Tallon Senior."It was Mr. Tallon Senior himself who gave the nod. That's how you got the mystic herb. Brantley, that thing's incredibly rare. Eve
"Revenge for Mr. Tallon!""How dare Marshal Snow come after us? Even if we kill him, His Majesty won't say a word. We have nothing to hold back!""Please wake Mr. Tallon Senior up!"Everyone was seething with killing intent, their words full of fury.At the head seat, Herebert looked down at Brantley standing at the center of the hall. His voice was icy cold. "Brantley, are you absolutely certain about what you said?""Absolutely. I've already lost contact with my father. I believe, Mr. Reeve, you also haven't been able to reach Mr. Tallon, right?"Herbert clenched his jaw in silence.It was true. Derrick and the others had gone dark. If just one or two couldn't be reached, that was normal. But when they were all unreachable. Something had clearly gone wrong."Mr. Reeve, I agree with the others here. I request that Mr. Tallon Senior be awakened and take down Marshal Snow!" Brantley dropped to one knee.With a clatter, all the power-holders in the hall stood up at once and look
The old man didn't stop Gideon. Instead, he laughed weirdly from behind. "Young man, you're definitely screwed. You're getting thrown into hell.""What a nutjob!" Gideon pushed the nonsense out of his mind.The third floor didn't have many martial arts techniques, but the ones there were clearly high-level."Soaring Immortal's Blow." Gideon stumbled on one technique by chance. What surprised him was the name signed underneath—Annalise Jaeger."Did Mom create this secret technique?"He quickly grabbed the book and skimmed it. It turned out that the Soaring Immortal's Blow was incomplete. This was only a fragment of it. Even so, he could tell it was terrifyingly powerful."Mom was a badass." Gideon was seriously impressed.Annalise had left the royal family in her 20s, which meant this technique was created before that. She probably came up with it when she was still a teenager. She was a total prodigy and stunningly gifted.Edric's and the others' praise of Annalise was clearl
"It's no wonder they are a royal family. The heritage here is insane. There are so many resources." Gideon strolled through the Sutra Library, full of praise.Then, it hit him.He had built his own force, packed with world champions and elite soldiers. But in terms of martial arts resources, he had almost nothing. He lacked top-tier martial arts.He couldn't just hand out his own secret techniques. Even if he did, it would only be to his most trusted inner circle. There was no way it would be public."It looks like I need to start paying attention to this. It's time to stockpile martial arts techniques," he thought to himself.The Sutra Library had three levels. The first floor was all basic stuff. By the second, the quality shot up, and there were a few techniques Gideon found interesting.However, it didn't move him. Sure, it was interesting, but it wasn't enough.He headed toward the third floor and finally noticed an old, wiry man lying in front of the entrance."Even a pla
"That's because…" Clementia trailed off. A cold sweat broke out on her back.If she spilled that Gideon had just mentioned taking the family head position, the fallout would be huge. That was far more serious than any assault. The elders would come charging in, ready to kill."Clementia, go on.""Don't be scared, Clementia. We need him to apologize today.""The royal family cannot be insulted!"Seeing the younger generation yelling and shouting in the square, Gideon couldn't help but chuckle. "Are you all that bored? This has nothing to do with you. Get lost.""Insolence!""Arrogant bastard!"The hot-blooded youths were fired up.Gideon let out a cold snort. A sharp pressure swept over the entire square, instantly silencing everyone."You haven't trained your strength, but your mouths sure work fine. Be glad I'm not interested in the family head position. Otherwise, I'd show you what real discipline looks like."He glanced at Clementia.She immediately led Gideon away from
Gideon stared at Talia's retreating figure, lost in thought. He couldn't figure out what she was really up to.The position of the family head in the royal family was something prestigious and powerful, yet Talia was willingly handing it over. Something didn't add up.If something was too strange, there was probably a trap.Still, Gideon wasn't in a rush to leave. Since Talia had the idea to pass the family head position to him, he might as well collect some interest first. If there wasn't even a little interest, the offer had to be a fake.As he walked out of Daysia Tower, a graceful woman approached. Gideon recognized her. During the Martial Arts Tournament of the Eight Major Royal Families, she was the leader of the Jaeger royal family's younger generation. Her name was Clementia, if he remembered right."Mr. Snow, we meet again.""It's been a while. Ms. Jaeger, you've become even more beautiful.""You flatter me, Mr. Snow." Clementia smiled and added, "But it's you who des
"Then, why did you force my mother to leave?" Gideon questioned"No, no, you've got it wrong. Annie's leaving wasn't because of me. It was her choice. From the beginning, she never planned to fight me to be the family head. As soon as the struggle began, she quietly left with the Empyrean Atlas," Talia explained.Giden frowned slightly.Suddenly, Talia smiled. "Besides, if Annie hadn't left, she would've never met your father, and you wouldn't even exist, right?""I've been searching for my parents all this time. Do you have any leads?""None." Talia shook her head and sighed. "I want to find Annie just as badly as you do. But all these years, I've come up empty."Gideon, I've known for a long time that you're Annie's son, but I never made a move against you. That's because I hoped you might find her."Gideon didn't doubt this. With Talia's influence, confirming his identity would've been easy. Back when he was still weak, she could've captured or even killed him at any time.
"Wait here for me," Gideon said softly to Adrelda, then walked step by step into the main hall.Callan and the others were also waiting outside the hall.The hall was deep and imposing. Around it stood tall bronze pillars, carved with strange patterns. At the very end stood a majestic stone statue.The statue depicted a woman. It had one hand pointing skyward while the other held some kind of artifact as it gazed into the sky.Gideon instinctively guessed this was the founder of the Jaeger royal family, worshipped by generations of descendants.Beneath the solemn statue stood a throne. On the throne sat a stunning woman, upright and dignified, dressed in a lavish white phoenix robe.Gideon stopped walking. He stared straight at Talia, his expression slightly dazed.Talia looked just like Annalise—those eyes, that nose, and those brows. For a moment, Gideon thought the woman on the throne was the very mother he had longed for all these years.The hall was silent. Talia was als
Gideon stomped his foot.In an instant, it was as if he tapped into the Jaeger royal family's dragon vein. A dragon's roar shot straight into the sky."What the hell?" Callan and the others were shocked.The ancestral ground was shaking."This is bad. The dragon vein is acting up! What's going on?""Damn it!""Lady Thalia's meditating right now by the dragon vein. This will definitely disturb her. What do we do?"They couldn't wrap their heads around it. Why would the dragon vein suddenly act up?All of it was Gideon's doing. He used his inner core to link with the dragon vein, calling upon its power to boost himself.Faintly, a dragon phantom rose into the air behind Gideon."Destroy him." Gideon slowly threw out a punch.He wasn't being careless. Aside from not activating the Solar Titan Physique, he was giving it everything he had.The punch was stunning. The divine dragon soared into the sky, unstoppable.Countless bolts of lightning were instantly wiped out under the
"Thunder Tempesta Physique, huh? Yeah, it's strong. Being able to tap into nature's power is no joke." Gideon nodded to himself.Still, even now, he hadn't activated his Solar Titan Physique.Oscar barked, "Marshal Snow, I heard you've got the Solar Titan Physique. Go ahead. Activate it.""You know I have the Solar Titan Physique, and you're still this confident?"Oscar laughed. "This is Kitherglen. There are snowstorms and thunder rolling everywhere. This is not the best place for a solar-heavy physique like the Solar Titan Physique. However, my Thunder Tempesta Physique thrives in this."Gideon gave a calm smile. "These environmental factors can be ignored. As for whether I activate the Solr Titan Physique or not, it depends if you've got what it takes.""Arrogant fool!" Oscar roared.The next second, he stomped on a thunder dragon and charged like lightning.Instantly, he clashed with Gideon. The punch, laced with electricity, numbed Gideon's arm. Lightning tried to surge
Silence fell the moment those words dropped. Everyone turned to stone.Gideon just called Oscar a simp! It was insane!Adrelda's lips twitched. She was speechless but weirdly thrilled. She felt her blood pumping.Gideon was untouchable and untamed. Even the top ministers in court—Morgan, Samson, the Cabinet Elders—wouldn't dare to call Oscar a simp. As for Chase, it was even less likely for him to speak that crudely.However, Gideon had mocked Oscar ruthlessly.Adrelda loved every second of it. She looked at Gideon with newfound reverence and awe.This was what it meant to be the High Marshal—defiant and unbound. Gideon was worthy of the title."I see how it is!" Oscar was so furious that he laughed. His eyes radiated icy light and bloodlust."Marshal Snow, I wasn't at the enfeoffment ceremony. I only heard stories about your strength. Today, I'd like to see for myself what kind of prodigy His Majesty puts so much stock in.""To be honest, at half-Supreme level, you're not wor