Felix had not expected Ted and Perry to be meeting with Yvonne, but that was no longer important now.Ted's face darkened at Felix's sudden appearance. Cooperation with Stellar Group was a big deal. While their connections ensured it would not fall through, upsetting the president would certainly be bad. Besides, Ted had plans to pursue Yvonne, so Felix's intrusion would be humiliating."Felix! Don't you dare play the victim! Come outside with me." Ted walked over hastily. Perry put on a smile and said, "Ms. Cooper, please pay this no mind. It's just a minor conflict between young people." Yvonne nodded, curious about how Felix kept antagonizing these important figures. Did he really have such capability? She had intervened with Joshua, but what about the Glover family? Anyone who could contact their chairman was certainly of no simple character.Ted was relieved when Felix followed him out. Arguing in the private room would have damaged his image and embarrassed Perry. "Are
"Hurry! Drive faster!" Perry urged. Though he had martial artists protecting him, they were not nearly as good as Xena. Going to her was definitely the safest option.…Meanwhile, Xena was already waiting outside the Phoenix Legion headquarters, having received word of their arrival. "Xena," Ted greeted with a forced smile as he got out of the car. He could barely hide his panic. "Xena, I—" But before he could finish, he suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed. "Son!" Perry quickly caught him. Xena instantly appeared by their side. After extending her right arm, her eyes turned ice-cold. "Ted... is dead." What? Perry could barely breathe and nearly fainted. They had come as fast as possible, yet tragedy still struck. Belle watched in shock. Did Ted die from a sudden illness or something else? My God! As a cousin of Lady Summers, Ted had died right in front of her. What a catastrophe!Regaining his senses, Perry roared to the sky, "Felix! I'll have your life
At Tabiner Bay, Felix sat in the courtyard of his villa as if he were waiting for someone. His phone rang. It was Kane. "Mr. Zeller, Daniel just called. He said Belle came to ask him about last night's incident in the gala room. He told her Joshua died of a sudden heart attack and didn't reveal your identity." Felix knew someone was watching outside—someone Belle likely sent. Joshua's death could not be kept secret forever, as it would eventually reach Xena. This was why Felix had not immediately driven Daniel out of Avesburgh.Others' words might be useless, but Daniel was the chief of Dragon Alliance's Disciplinary Hall. His status spoke for itself. Belle would at most ask a few questions and would not dare verify personally. So, Joshua's matter was easily settled. "Tell Daniel to call Belle back and say this..." "Understood, Mr. Zeller." Felix was not one to always hide things. Sometimes, what had to be done should be done—just like Ted's death now. Xena's side surely h
"Mr. Rush.""Ms. Cooper, I forgot to tell you something last night. Felix is also a member of Dragon Alliance."What?Belle's mouth dropped wide open as she stared at Felix in disbelief. To be honest, she had never experienced such an overwhelming shock in her entire life.In her eyes, Felix had always been an ordinary doctor from the countryside. And now, she was suddenly told that he was a member of the extremely prestigious and powerful Dragon Alliance. Could there be anything more shocking than this?"What's wrong?"Seeing Belle standing there as if she had turned to stone, Xena frowned. Something important had clearly happened.Belle, being snapped back to reality, looked slightly fazed. She managed to gather herself. "Milady, just now... Daniel called me. He said..."Xena's expression darkened. "Don't make me ask a second time!"Belle swallowed. She really didn't want to say it out loud. "He said Felix is also a member of Dragon Alliance!"In an instant, Xena narrowed h
Xena gave a deadline of three days. She clearly wanted to test whether Felix had any real connection to Daniel or if he was genuinely a member of Dragon Alliance."Milady, you don't believe Felix is a member of Dragon Alliance?"Upon hearing Belle's question, Xena looked over and immediately sensed something off."Are you serious? You're my deputy, yet you're concerned about a member of Dragon Alliance? Why are you still so easily shaken?"Belle froze, carefully pondering the meaning behind those words."Whether he is or not is secondary. We'll know in three days. Let's deal with it then."After Xena left, Ernest came to the courtyard."Felix, things are so lively here! And all your guests are big names, too."Felix could only smile bitterly."Please, don't tease me."Sitting down, Ernest laughed. "With your reputation as a skillful doctor, even someone like Xena will eventually fall for you."Felix shook his head and sighed. "My mentor always taught me to follow my conscien
Even though Xena was reliable, with the halo of the goddess of war, she insisted on following rules and procedures. They found no signs of foul play in Ted's autopsy. In other words, it was impossible for them to arrest Felix.How could Perry just sit by and do nothing? His only son was dead. What was the point of making any more money now? At his age, it was impossible to have another child. So, he used all his connections to find the terrifying Inferno Clan, draining all his savings. Finally, they accepted the job.Normally, an assassin wouldn't cost much, but Perry wanted an ultimate contract. This meant that even if Felix killed the first assassin, Inferno Clan would keep sending stronger assassins until Felix was dead."Felix, I'm waiting for the day you die!…Meanwhile, Felix was drinking with Jack."Jack, you'll get drunk soon if you keep drinking like this. Don't you want to talk to me about it?"Jack kept gulping down one drink after another. His eyes were filled wit
When Jack returned, Felix could see that he was conflicted. Clearly, he truly loved Trina. Otherwise, he wouldn't be acting like this."I've thought about it. I want to give her another chance. I'll find some time and talk to her again.""Alright. Do whatever you feel is right. I'm always here if you need me."At that moment, Felix's phone rang. It was Kane."Felix, we found the old man."Previously, Kane had mentioned that there was an old man in a village on the outskirts of Avesburgh who possessed the rare herb, Shimmeroot. But even after offering ten million dollars in cash, the old man wouldn't budge, claiming it was a family heirloom.Felix had planned to visit the old man after dealing with Ted, but the man had disappeared. He had asked Kane to station people to watch the area, but they lost track of him. Now, unexpectedly, they had news again."Where is he?""You won't believe it. This old man actually owns a villa in Azure Residences. He's inside now, which explains
When Felix arrived at Villa No. 7, it was pitch dark inside, as if no one lived there.But since Kane had said the old man was inside, Felix would like to think he was right.He rang the doorbell. If he wasn't the one who needed the old man's help, he wouldn't have done so with such patience.After a full half-hour of ringing the bell, the courtyard gate finally opened, but no one came out. The door to the villa opened only after Felix had walked a few steps further.It was still pitch dark inside the villa, and there was no one around.A table lamp in the living room was turned on with a click, and there was an old man sitting in an armchair."You must be with them. Are you trying to buy my Shimmeroot? You're quite persistent. You've been politely ringing the doorbell for half an hour."Felix walked over and said earnestly, "Sir, I truly need the Shimmeroot to save someone's life. I hope you can make an exception. Name me whatever conditions you have."The fact that this old m
Felix had clearly found Holt's weak spot. These guys were so desperate to extend their lives that they turned the entire Aquamarinus into a breeding ground. Obviously, they were terrified of death. As long as there was even the slightest chance of survival, they'd take it.And sure enough, Holt immediately agreed. He pulled out some kind of device and flew off, clearly contacting his comrades."But even if I agreed," Holt said, "the three of us split up and searched in different directions. Even if they rush over, they won't make it until tomorrow."The fear in his eyes was obvious, so much so that Felix couldn't help but laugh."How interesting," Felix said. "You made a deal with the Ant Queen, right? Couldn't she at least give you something to help you move freely through Desolated Lands at night?"Holt shot him a bitter smile. "The Ant Queen's children—the soldier ants—are born hunters. That instinct can't be erased. And honestly, we've never needed to go out at night anyway."
Lumen flew out and quickly returned. Felix's expression eased completely, and with a step, he vanished from where he stood."Chasing me was fun last time, huh? Did you think it'd go the same this time?" he asked.When he reappeared, someone was already lying on the ground about ten yards ahead. It was a figure fully shrouded in a gray robe, a man named Holt Bovington.That was Felix holding back. Otherwise, Lumen's previous strike could've shattered Holt's soul on the spot."Felix Zeller? It really is you!" Holt's voice was full of shock. Whatever he'd planned to do was already too late. His soul had taken a devastating blow, and he no longer had the strength to fight."Yeah, it's me. Just like I suspected, you people really aren't all that strong when it comes to soul power."Felix had spared his life because he wanted answers."If you answer a few questions honestly, I'll let you live. Even with your soul badly damaged, I assume someone who knows about Nine Flames and Desolate
Three months later, deep within a mountain on Aquamarinus, a meeting was taking place. Who would've imagined palace-like structures hidden within the mountain itself?In one of the chambers, a sky-blue dome adorned the ceiling. Beneath it, three figures in gray robes sat cross-legged, their bodies cloaked in shadow. Their faces were completely obscured."I went to see the Ant Queen yesterday. There's definitely something wrong.""Enough with the vague talk. Be specific.""In just three months, the Ant Queen has lost millions of her children. Do you even understand what that means?"The atmosphere shifted as all three took a sharp breath. A long silence followed before one finally spoke, "Perhaps our earlier theory is right. Is someone hunting soldier ants in Desolated Lands at night?""It has to be. How else do you explain millions of casualties? At this rate, we're down to just a million soldier ants across the entire planet. If this keeps up, they'll be wiped out in a month. An
"I didn't expect you to be a doctor, too. Thanks," Myles said, but then suddenly froze. His mind started racing.Wait a minute! He took down a tiger of True Blood Realm. On top of that, he was extremely skilled in medicine. That could only mean…"You figured out who I am?" Felix asked with a smile, trying to put Myles at ease. Despite that, Myles couldn't hide his fear. "You're Felix Zeller?""That's right. Judging by your reaction, I take it I've become a traitor to The Recovery Association? Or maybe some kind of unforgivable villain?"The air grew a bit awkward, and Myles shot him a strained smile."Not exactly… It's just that you took down the Flame Monarch. That's kind of hard to wrap my head around."His expression shifted again."Actually, everyone's still pretty confused. When we woke up this morning, every city, town, and even the smallest villages received a message. Five days from now, the Flame Monarch is holding a Flame Ceremony."Felix paused, frowning. "What's t
With Lumen and Indigo attacking and the Infinite Shield defending, Felix held his ground. Occasionally, he cast minor spells that barely consumed any soul power. Even as the monsters surged toward him like a tidal wave, not one of them could so much as scratch him.Feeling the steady stream of energy flooding into him, Felix grinned. If things kept going like this, there was a high chance he'd break through to the next major soul realm—Soul Overlord Realm.If he could level up again during the elimination rounds, his odds of winning the whole thing would increase significantly. Especially since Soul Overlord Realm required soul enhancement, it was a whole different league compared to Aetherium Realm.Once he hit Soul Overlord Realm, he was confident he'd be able to go toe-to-toe in a soul battle with the powerful figure who had chased him during dusk.That guy didn't dare appear in Desolated Lands at night, which likely meant his soul wasn't strong. In that case, Felix might actual
The sun had already begun to set. After fleeing in a panic, Felix had no idea if there was even a single place ahead that could shield him from the coming darkness.A few minutes later, the presence chasing him within his domain disappeared. Logically, the pursuer should've caught up in less than ten minutes, but they gave up. Still, Felix didn't relax for a second. The darkness was about to fall, and that could only mean two things. Either the pursuer wasn't confident they could survive the desolate night themselves, or they assumed there was no flame nearby and Felix was as good as dead.Either way, this was the most dangerous moment yet.After sprinting several more miles, Felix finally stopped. All around him stretched a barren wasteland with no end in sight. Even though he had memorized maps to identify different areas, they were useless now. As darkness swallowed the land, all reference points vanished."Damn it! I guess I'll have to see for myself what the hell comes out i
When Eira and Luigi saw that Felix was determined to go through with it, they moved instantly. Appearing right in front of him, they dropped to their knees."Please, Felix! For the sake of all those innocent lives, stop.""If you're really set on taking this flame, then kill us first."Seeing the two of them so resolute, Felix hesitated. The lives of hundreds of thousands—maybe even millions—now hung in the balance, all dependent on one decision from him."I haven't known you for long," Eira continued. "But from the way you avenged the 200 people of Innswood Village, I know you're not someone who kills without reason. You'd never turn a blind eye to the lives of ordinary people. "Please show them mercy. They've already suffered enough."Tears streamed down her face. The purpose of The Recovery Association was clear—overthrow the Flame Monarch, destroy the Nine Flames, and return Aquamarinus to what it once was. However, when it came to principles and morals, they were unwaveri
Felix thought that Gerald's advice really was spot-on. If he hadn't achieved Extreme Mastery, he could still beat the Flame Monarch. However, his subsequent journey would have been difficult. Winning first place in the Rank-Ascending Competition to protect Earth would've been almost impossible.With a casual wave of Felix's hand, the Flame Monarch collapsed to the ground. Thankfully, no one was around to see it. Otherwise, they'd have been scared out of their minds.The most powerful being on Aquamarinus, the Flame Monarch, just got instantly wiped out by Felix. To Felix, it was like crushing an ant and required no effort at all."It's time to complete the mission," Felix said.Just like that, he vanished. His speed was insane because Nine Flames were all scattered far apart. Since travel was banned at night, he couldn't afford to waste even a second.Honestly, he was curious what it would be like to go out at night. However, after thinking it over, he decided it just wasn't worth
Under the sunlight, Innswood Village looked even lonelier. If it weren't for Felix standing in the open field, the place would've looked like a dead town. Soon, a sound broke through the silent air. A person stood 30 feet in front of Felix. It was the Flame Monarch, whom Felix had met once."I really thought you were a member of The Recovery Association and that you'd laid a trap here. But it turns out, you're really alone."Felix replied, "I am a member of The Recovery Association, but why do I need a trap to kill you?"Oh? A member of The Recovery Association? The Flame Monarch smiled. "You're really brave, you know. You're the first person in Aquamarinus who dares to face me like this. Even the leader of The Recovery Association had been in seclusion, trying to reach Heavenly Realm before facing me."I don't know where you get your confidence from."Initially, Felix wanted to attack immediately. But he still had questions to ask. "There are only the two of us here. Sinc