In martial arts, innate talent was crucial. Without it, hard work would go to waste. But if one had exceptional talent, they could easily surpass others with years of practice!Eric felt excited listening to Sylvia's explanation. Every young person dreamt of being a hero in their childhood. The ultimate hero was one who traveled the world, defending justice and fighting evil.Eric even wondered if he could become like those TV heroes once he became a martial arts grandmaster.-After breakfast, Eric and Sylvia headed to Williams Corp. together. When they arrived, he got a call from Elly. It turned out that Richard and his group had already reached the nail salon.Elly's shop wasn't far from Williams Corp., so they arrived in just over 10 minutes by car.Outside the salon, several Johnson family members were waiting. Seeing Eric and Sylvia get out of the car, Gavin and Kayden were amazed and jealous of Eric's achievements.Delilah and Ruby were busy with the cosmetics on the shel
Upon seeing Blake's imposing stance with the hockey stick, Delilah and Ruby stood their ground. They readied themselves to pass him, aiming to take items out to the car.Blake's expression grew darker as he raised the hockey stick. "Let's see who's bold enough to move!"Delilah and Ruby hesitated briefly."Blake, the shop is closing soon. What's wrong with us taking something we can use?" Ruby asked.Blake's anger flared. "Anyone daring to steal from my daughter's shop will get a thrashing! I'll call the cops on you for robbery! I'll tell them you're thieves!"Upon hearing Blake's threat of police involvement, Richard intervened and grasped the hockey stick."Blake, we're family. Must we resort to this?" Richard smiled, adding, "Plus, we didn't come to discuss this."He signaled to Delilah and Ruby, who placed their bags on the floor.Blake glared at Richard. "Then why are you here?"Frustration boiled within him as he was aware of some online issues, although his limited inte
Eric opened it slowly and finally saw what was inside.They were some cut-out newspaper clippings, with advertisements placed by Blake in search of Eric's biological parents. The advertisement had been carefully cut out and preserved for nearly 30 years.Blake sighed. "We never gave up on trying to find your biological parents but never received any replies. We published these ads in newspapers for several years and searched for just as long, but your mother and I eventually gave up. I hope you won't blame us. We already did our best.""Dad…" Eric's voice was choked with emotions. His parents had done much more than he had ever imagined.The mobile phone number in the advertisement was the same number Blake had been using all these years. It was only then Eric understood his father's earnest efforts.In that era, one might not be able to afford a mobile after working for a year. Yet, his father had managed to buy one, and he had been using the same number until now.Blake shook h
As the saying went: 'A guilty conscience needs no accuser.'They were trying to falsely accuse Eric, Elly, and Sylvia. However, their fear grew when Sylvia hired a lawyer.Their fabricated lie was fragile. Once investigated, everything would come to light. The two brothers quickly escorted the remaining Johnsons away, and the nail salon finally quieted down.Elly looked at Sylvia with gratitude and said, "Thank you for your help, Sylvia."Sylvia had done so much for their family, and Elly didn't know how to repay her.Sylvia smiled. "We're family. Moreover, I believe they won't give up easily. That's why I've decided to end their schemes once and for all."Eric raised his eyebrows. Sylvia's determination to confront his uncles didn't surprise him. What surprised him was her reference to them as family.'Does that mean she's finally accepting me?' he wondered.Blake nodded silently. His disappointment in his brothers was evident. Unless they were taught a lesson, they would stop
Eric did not share blood ties with the Johnsons, so it was more convenient for him to handle this matter.-At night, Eric tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Sylvia's words from earlier in the day occupied his thoughts. He thought she might be one of those people who appeared cold on the outside but warm inside.It differed from their high school days or early marriage when she had been quite distant. He considered trying something tonight—slipping into Sylvia's room quietly.This idea ignited like a spark in a dry field, and he swiftly got out of bed, taking a deep breath. Approaching Sylvia's door, he reached for the doorknob and turned it gently, but it remained immovable despite his efforts.Eric sighed, and suddenly, his mind cleared.Just as he was about to return to his room, he heard Sylvia's voice from inside her room. "Who's there? Eric, is that you?"Embarrassment washed over Eric—he had assumed Sylvia was already asleep. He made an effort to compose himself
Sylvia's cheeks were flushed. She gritted her teeth and muttered, "What a jerk!"Eric's attempt to do that kind of thing with her had left her quite irritated. However, a notification on her computer screen caught her attention.After having her meal, Sylvia had been searching through newspapers from 20 years ago in Salt City. Apparently, her diligence had paid off, and she managed to find the advertisements Blake had placed. She also had someone check the little bear pacifier that Eric had as a baby.That pacifier was her only lead.This investigation yielded some interesting findings. Twenty-eight years ago, the economy was not doing well, especially in rural areas. People mostly used wooden sticks from the pepper tree as teething toys, and pacifiers were a luxury that few people could afford. They were scarce because they cost money and were hard to find back then.Only a few domestic manufacturers produced pacifiers, and the one Eric had was likely made in King City.While mo
'Is he holding a grudge?' she thought. In the end, they did not spar. After breakfast, they headed to Williams Corp.Meanwhile, Sylvia's lawyer filed a lawsuit against Richard and his group.-Sylvia sat at her desk and rested her chin in her hands, lost in thought. When Sylvester came in, he asked, "Vee, is something troubling you?"Sylvia snapped back and asked, "Sylvester, can you produce energy bursts with punches now?""Energy bursts?" Sylvester shook his head and smiled bitterly. "Nope. I'm afraid I'll never achieve that in my lifetime. Have you already achieved it? You're our family's only hope now. If you can't do it, the rest of us don't stand a chance."Sylvia shook her head, "I can't do it either. But when I was teaching Eric martial arts this morning, he managed to produce energy bursts from both Jab Punch and Eagle Claw.""What?!" Sylvester was astonished. "Are you sure about that, Vee? Didn't you say he's only been practicing martial arts for less than three mo
After the court's decision, Eric and Sylvia left immediately. They needed to return to their hometown due to the lack of updates from the police, which suggested slow progress in the case.As they were about to enter their car, Richard and his group hurriedly approached.Seeing Eric about to get in the car, they urgently called out, "Wait, Eric, wait for us!"Eric turned and asked, "Uncle Richard, is there something else?"With a friendly grin, Richard replied, "Eric, you still call me 'Uncle Richard'. Your father and I are brothers. Given our family connection, could you reconsider the lawsuit? We won't pursue the money anymore. It wasn't meant for me, after all.""I'm sorry, Uncle Richard." Eric chuckled. "It's too late now. I won't withdraw the lawsuit. I never expected you to mention that you're my father's brother. Please prepare for a public apology, remove all the Internet posts, and..."He smiled at Richard and continued. "Be prepared to pay 70,000 dollars. Otherwise, the
In terms of innate talent, Eric was unparalleled, having reached the pinnacle of martial arts. With a single punch, he sent the 'God' flying."Good!" Stealthbane shouted with excitement.The ultimate enemy had finally been defeated, bringing peace to the world. Eric sighed in relief.However, in the next moment, the 'God' stood up again. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he revealed a bloodthirsty smile. "You have successfully enraged me!"Everyone braced for a potential massacre, but instead, the enemy turned and fled.Could Eric let him escape?"Chase him!" Stealthbane commanded.Allowing this foe to escape would spell endless trouble.A group of people pursued the enemy, who soon reappeared clad in iron armor."Not seen this before, have you?" The 'God' seemed to have recovered somewhat. "Did you think I only research viruses? Wrong! I control global resources and global wealth!"This is our newly developed Doomforge Exosuit which amplifies a person's battle prowess tenfol
The sturdy floor lay in utter disarray.In desperation, Ruth shouted, "Eric, don't give him any more chances! Finish him off swiftly, or we'll face endless trouble!"Eric was well aware of this logic. As he fought, he said, "He's incredibly strong. Taking him down quickly isn't possible! We must fight to the death!"Eric had never feared battle. Besides, this might very well be his final fight.Their fists clashed fiercely.The 'God' also noticed that Eric was growing more formidable as the battle progressed."How do you have so much strength? Wouldn't it be better if we joined forces to control the world? We could have anything we desire!"All the world's wealth, women, and resources would be ours to enjoy. Why won't you listen to reason?" he roared.Eric's momentum didn't falter. "I don't share your grand ambitions. I just want a simple life with a job that pays 1,000 dollars a month and a warm home with my wife and kids. But you, you've disturbed my peace!"The 'God' was fu
The 'God' grew more courageous as the battle raged on, causing Stealthbane to worry incessantly.In another high-stakes clash, Eric and his opponent both retreated. Eric sensed his opponent's growing strength, finding it rather peculiar.The 'God' clenched his fist. "I must thank you! My techniques were slightly incomplete, but I've managed to fill the gaps through this battle!"Eric marveled at his opponent's genius. To mend something incomplete was indeed a rare talent.Despite Eric training with the complete manual, he could only match the 'God' blow for blow. This person was terrifying!The opponent's confidence soared. Although Eric had trained with the full manual, the 'God' felt his innate talent far surpassed Eric's. If he could match Eric with an incomplete manual, now that he had perfected it, wouldn't he be unbeatable?"I thought you had potential and considered inviting you to share this world with me," the 'God' said, his tone turning icy. "But now, I see it's unnece
Stealthbane even felt that Eric might not be a match for the "God."The power was overwhelming.The terrifying aura was enough to crush everything. To an ordinary person, this was a real deity—the strength possessed had already transcended human limits.Eric made his move with a burst of speed. The clash of their fists created a thunderous explosion, and the sound was so intense that Stealthbane felt his eardrums might shatter.This was a battle of the highest caliber, one that even a legend like Stealthbane could not hope to join.Seeing the two evenly matched, Stealthbane sighed in relief. At least there was a chance that the strongest combatants were neutralizing each other. The outcome was still uncertain.Eric shook his aching fist, his expression grave. The opponent's strength was as he had anticipated. If the ultimate boss of the Luminous did not possess such combat power, it would be absurd.Clearly, this "God" had also gauged Eric's strength.He extended a hand toward
Stealthbane knew that the figure facing them must be the ultimate leader of the Luminous.Suddenly, he no longer wanted to die. If he could hold on just a little longer, it would all be over."Mr. Johnson, these people don't seem ordinary. Could that leader be the ultimate figure of the Luminous? Are we about to complete the game?" he whispered.To him, this mission to the Ark felt like a game: defeat the final boss, and victory is achieved."If I'm not mistaken, it should be. This person gives me... a sense of danger," Eric said.Upon hearing this, Stealthbane felt reassured.Just a sense? That meant the problem wasn't too grave!The leader on the opposite side turned to Eric. "I didn't expect you to make it this far. I underestimated your strength, believing my Ark was impregnable, that no enemy could breach it. But why are you so persistent? Why such determination?"He suddenly screamed in a fit of hysteria, "I have so many people! Such a grand scheme! It has all succeeded!
Brent shouted desperately, "After you get on your knees, they'll kill you all, and we won't survive either! Kill them! Kill them all!"He understood the situation with stark clarity. Kneeling meant certain death. If they had to die anyway, fighting back would be their only chance of survival.Eric sighed. "Mr. Rogers, in the end, it was we who implicated you. But this place must be eradicated, and the Luminous must be destroyed as well! Everyone, attack!"As the battle commenced, the masked man immediately struck Brent with a punch.Eric charged in. "Die!"He knew that Brent was unlikely to survive. This punch was his way of avenging Brent.The masked man spun around, trying to block Eric's punch. But the speed of the blow was too much—the gust of wind from the punch arrived before the fist did.It was an instant kill.The masked man had no time to react before Eric's punch collided with his chest. The terrifying force shattered the mask on the man's face, revealing an unfamili
Stealthbane was blinded by rage. He was killing anyone in sight, his fury unrelenting. They had ventured deep into enemy territory, where every encounter seemed to be with an adversary.Eric and his team from the Combat Department showed no mercy.Yet even Stealthbane's resolve was wearing thin."I can't kill them all! It feels like every master in the world is concentrated here!" he shouted in frustration.He felt the number of people he had brought was insufficient. If he had brought a few thousand more, he might have been able to overrun the place.Stealthbane was overwhelmed by the sheer horror of their situation. Fortunately, they had arrived. If anyone else had come, they would have met their end here.The numbers of the masters seemed endless."Damn it!" Stealthbane cursed angrily. "There are too many of them, and they're all exceptionally powerful. What kind of game is this?"He was tempted to retreat, but where could he go?Eric sent an enemy flying, pushing forward
"I was opposed to coming in from the start, but as you all know, the Rogers family is extremely complex. If we hadn't entered, I might have ended up dead. At least if the virus isn't a threat, that's something!" Brent poured himself a cup of coffee and continued. "These people are ruthless! They want to kill everyone outside the Ark and establish a new order, managed by a select few. It's insane!"You don't need to tell me—I know you're here to kill them."He then pulled a small token from his pocket. "This is our Rogers family's privilege here. It allows us to move freely between different levels. With this, you can go anywhere!"Stealthbane grabbed it eagerly. "Why didn't you mention this earlier? Things will go much smoother with this!"Brent sighed. "Once you've handled everything, could you take me out with you? I really don't want to stay in this dreadful place any longer.""Sure!" Eric nodded. "We'll definitely call you when we leave. For now, we're heading out."Brent e
Everything was ready, but they couldn't just walk in.Ruth instructed the Combat Department to conduct a three-day intensive training for everyone, focusing on coordinated combat.-After three days, the forces led by Stealthbane moved out, first dismantling the outer defenses of the Ark. This was their specialty!A large group of several hundred arrived in front of the Ark's entrance. At first glance, it resembled a mountain.Jack scratched his head and said, "Is this the gate? I don't see any door."The Holy Templar's people arrived as well. St. Pius said, "Everyone, don't rush. Wait for two minutes. Once the gate opens, we need to get in quickly. I have other plans inside, but once we're in, it's going to be a life-or-death battle! No one should show any mercy!"Stealthbane flexed his fists and replied, "Do I look like a good guy to you? Just watch me deal with them!"No sooner had he spoken than there was a tremendous roar. The ground shook, and the door of the Ark swung