The Bikmans were not wealthy. They lived in a newly built two-story house in the village, which was considered better than most local homes.Andy hailed from a rural background and maintained a simple and humble demeanor. His parents were aware of Andy's visit and had been busy preparing lunch since early morning.Around 10:00 a.m., an Audi A6 and a Mercedes-Benz parked in front of the Bikmans' yard, attracting the attention of many villagers.Typically, the villagers would discuss Andy's success, mentioning that he had made a name for himself by owning a big company in the provincial city."Dad, Mom." Andy assisted Elly with the luggage.Eric and Sylvia had also brought numerous gifts for them.Colin Bikman and Lily Turner hurried over to help. "You're here now. Why did you buy so much? No need for extravagance! We can't spend money recklessly!"The elderly couple was careful with their finances.Eric and Sylvia politely greeted them and entered their house.Colin brewed tea
Elly sighed and glanced at Andy. The elderly couple's reactions, especially Lily's words, matched Elly's expectations.Andy had anticipated this as well. "Dad, Mom, times have changed, and who we marry doesn't matter that much. Besides, Elly is pretty good."Let's not even consider other factors. She can significantly help in my career. Moreover, there's something I've been hesitant to tell you. In fact, I've been married and divorced."Lily and Colin were both taken aback."When did this happen? Why haven't we heard about it until now?" Colin asked.Andy sighed. "This happened before we founded our company. I had planned to introduce her to you, but she thought I was too poor. We got married, but the marriage didn't last long because I couldn't earn much."He adapted Eric's story and made it his own, putting in a lot of effort to persuade his parents. Colin took another sip of wine and remained silent. Lily, however, had teary eyes and appeared somber. During the latter part o
Sylvia was busy with her work while Eric received a message from the holistic medicine community. Lately, there had been a sudden surge on the Internet, questioning the effectiveness of holistic medicine.In the past, Eric wouldn't have paid much attention to such matters. He had been more focused on challenges related to martial arts.However, now that Eric was also a practitioner of holistic medicine, he understood its importance. Clearly, some individuals on the Internet were trying to discredit holistic medicine and had employed internet trolls to fuel the controversy.Holistic medicine was struggling, and for various reasons, no one was coming to its defense.This was mainly because holistic medicine had a limited reach and a high entry barrier, while modern medicine had become dominant. As a result, holistic medicine had become a niche practice for the elite.The idea that holistic medicine was ineffective was gaining popularity. Some experienced holistic physicians tried to
The research, development, and technical specifications of the products were all customized there.When Sylvia took charge, even Eric became busier. Sylvia pointed out that Eric needed to shoulder more work and responsibility, no longer able to be as lazy as before.After a few hours of work, the assistant entered and said, "Mr. Johnson, an elderly gentleman named Mr. Clarke is waiting for you outside. I've shown him to the reception room.""Alright, I'll head over immediately," Eric replied. He had already guessed it was probably Winston.Upon reaching the reception room, he found Winston sipping tea. When Winston saw Eric, he quickly stood up.Eric welcomed him, "Please take a seat, Hol. Clarke."Winston sat down and exclaimed, "Mr. Johnson, I didn't expect you to hold a high-ranking position at our city's best high-tech company in addition to your medical expertise."He had only recently learned that Eric was the apprentice of the late Orion Thornfield and had no idea that Er
At King City International Airport.A group of more than a dozen people from the holistic medicine field had come to pick up Eric. They had all left their names in a notebook. Initially, they planned to take Eric to a fancy hotel in King City, but he had his own place in the city, so he directed the driver to his villa.-Meanwhile, at the Hernandez residence.They received news about Eric's arrival in King City.Javier said, "He can head to Salt City now."He was talking about Kenneth.-Eric didn't know about Javier's plan at this point. He was busy listening to information from the holistic physicians. Without many prominent holistic physicians present, he had become the most influential figure in the field.These holistic physicians had attended Orion's retirement event and had seen Eric's remarkable medical skills. As Orion's only apprentice and successor, he was well-qualified to lead the field in terms of reputation and competence.Based on what the holistic physicians
Eric turned to Jessica and said, "Let's just forget about it."Jessica felt frustrated. She had some clues and wanted Eric to apologize without asking for too much. However, Eric's attitude was too indifferent, and she couldn't understand why he didn't seem to care at all.Was Eric resistant to beautiful women? He didn't even want to talk to her anymore.Eric didn't mind, but Jessica couldn't bear it any longer. Keeping this secret was causing her great discomfort, and she needed to speak out.Thus, she blurted out, "Some time ago, the Hernandezes acquired several high-tech companies, including a network company. They can manipulate online opinions easily, including using internet trolls to boost popularity."Eric frowned upon hearing that. Jessica's information was somewhat expected, but it also had unexpected elements."What's their purpose behind this?" he asked.After some thought, he realized that this matter required a lot of effort with uncertain rewards. Why would the He
Grace sat down and remarked, "There have been numerous recent incidents of holistic medicine being suppressed, with capital playing a significant hidden role."In addition to domestic capital, foreign capital is involved, but there were usually warning signs. This time, however, it was sudden and unusual."Grace had a deeper understanding of the situation, often seeing things from perspectives that Eric couldn't grasp.Eric was about to respond when the Montgomerys' housekeeper entered the room and said, "Mr. Montgomery, Ms. Watson has arrived."The Montgomerys and the Watsons had connections. Alexander knew why Jessica had come but couldn't stop her.Shortly afterward, Jessica arrived, full of energy."Mr. Montgomery, Madam Montgomery, my dad asked me to come and check on you."Alexander and Grace smiled, realizing that Jessica had ulterior motives.Grace cautioned, "Jessica, please avoid wandering around too much lately. There's someone in King City who looks exactly like Eri
Eric didn't pay much attention to the Hernandezes' affairs. As long as they didn't harm the people around him, he wouldn't take any action against them. From his mentor to the impostor, he might consider showing his skills to the Hernandezes in his own way.After dinner, Eric prepared to leave, but to his surprise, Jessica followed him. He turned abruptly and asked, "Ms. Watson, what do you like about me? I can change it. How about that?"He used the words Sylvester had once said to Seraphine, which seemed fitting for the current situation."Are you not going to Matteo Deluca's place?" She said, "They are a group of thugs, and I'm going with you to protect you!"Eric was astonished, wondering what Jessica, with her petite frame, could protect him from. At that moment, Jessica's phone rang—it was a call from her family. After answering the call, Jessica decided not to follow Eric any longer.-At the Montgomery residence.Grace put down her phone and remarked, "Jessica is quite
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