After they exited the car, they were directed to the living room."Welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson!" A middle-aged man chuckled. He was James, Jessica's father and the head of the Watsons.Prior to Eric and Sylvia's arrival, James had already prepared snacks. In the presence of a young physician like Eric, James displayed the due respect required by his status.All of the key figures of the Watsons, including Jessica and Trevor, were present.Once they were seated, Eric got straight to the point. "Mr. Watson, I'd like to inquire about the owner of the underground arena in King City."James was slightly taken aback, showing hesitance in addressing this topic. After a brief pause, he asked, "Hol. Johnson, why do you suddenly ask about this? It's been a long time since anyone inquired about the owner."He couldn't fathom why a renowned physician like Eric would be interested in the affairs of the underground arena.Eric explained, "Last night, I had a match in the underground arena.
As Eric listened, a deep furrow appeared on his brow. After all, James had not mentioned anything about the missing fighters.Where had they gone? Were they still alive? Did no one care about this matter?Even James, the head of the prestigious Watsons, lacked answers to these questions."You should be cautious, Mr. Johnson," James remarked. "Fortunately, you wore a mask last night, and hopefully, the person behind the underground arena doesn't know your identity. But I'm afraid they didn't anticipate that you could unleash an energy strike.""Thank you for the information," Eric replied.James' information only deepened the mystery of the situation. If even a family like the Watsons couldn't find answers to these questions, Eric wondered who could.After their brief visit, Eric and Sylvia bid farewell, with Jessica escorting them out. She gazed at Eric and advised, "Eric, you should be careful. Perhaps it's best to avoid the underground arena for now to avoid exposure."Eric no
Finding someone capable of unleashing energy strikes proved difficult, and the cost of hiring such a person was surprisingly high. The expense of employing someone with such prowess could cover the salaries of all the Montgomery guards.Yet, Grace recognized the importance of having such martial strength within the family—the benefits would undoubtedly outweigh the costs.Regrettably, Grace was aware that Eric wouldn't stay with the Montgomerys indefinitely. If anything were to happen to the Montgomerys, it might be too late for Eric to come from Salt City.With this concern in mind, Grace asked, "Eric, can you pass on your martial arts skills to others?"Eric understood that his mother wanted him to train the Montgomery guards. He responded, "Mom, I can stay and teach to some extent, but I can't guarantee the same skill level in others. Achieving this level comes easily to me, but it's not necessarily attainable for everyone. Some people have trained in martial arts for decades an
"Okay!" Urias nodded in agreement. He wouldn't miss such a chance. Even if there was just a glimmer of hope, he would pursue it.Grace and the others departed. If Urias could grow stronger, it would benefit the Montgomerys. However, they didn't have overly high expectations. Everyone knew that mastering energy strikes was challenging.Now, only Eric, Sylvia, and the Montgomery guards remained on the scene.Urias glanced at the guards and said, "Continue your training. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, please come with me."After moving a distance away from the training area, Urias expressed his admiration, "Mr. Johnson, I envy you. Unleashing energy strikes at 30 is incredible! With your current level, you'll be unmatched when you become a grandmaster."Eric and Sylvia were puzzled.After a moment, Eric asked, "Mr. Doberman, doesn't mastering energy strikes mean one becomes a grandmaster?"Urias's expression froze as he looked at Eric. After a pause, he asked, "Mr. Johnson, do you really th
"Are there any legends?" Urias chuckled. "In the realm of martial arts, grandmasters are already top-tier fighters."In the decades I've been around, I've rarely seen any fighters who can execute energy strikes, let alone legends. It seems like they have disappeared, or perhaps they discovered there are other martial realms beyond legend and pursued those paths instead."He looked at Eric and continued. "Mr. Johnson, never underestimate human greed. Take earning money, for example. When you earn your first hundred thousand, you desire a second hundred thousand. But once you make a million, you surely want to make tens of millions."Greed is a bottomless pit. It's what drives humans to keep moving forward. For example, aren't you curious to become a legend after knowing that there's something beyond the grandmaster level?"Eric nodded without hesitation. "Exactly. I'm very curious how powerful they are."Urias waved his hand and said, "Legends engage in more than just martial arts.
Urias nodded, acknowledging Eric's words. "I relied on my martial arts to counter the attack, but comprehending energy strikes remains challenging," he admitted.It was clear that some things would forever elude certain individuals. While Eric had developed his unique punching style, Urias had adhered to traditional techniques, and Eric had surpassed him in understanding martial arts.Eric sighed. "Mr. Doberman, please don't give up just yet. There's still hope for you."Urias smiled, appreciating Eric's encouragement. "At my age, I don't have many pursuits left, but your future is limitless. Just be cautious of those connected to the underground arena, and I hope your mask can protect your identity for a while."Eric nodded.Considering the power of the underground arena, if someone intended to find him, they likely would have done so already. The fact that no one had come looking for him indicated that his identity remained concealed.Eric had no intention of participating in a
Javier's eyes lit up with understanding, and he exclaimed, "Exactly! Even if we can't confirm it's him, we still have room to maneuver! The person behind the underground arena wants to find him, right? Then he must be Eric! At the very least, it can cause him quite a bit of trouble!"Javier's plan sounded good, but he soon realized the challenging part of it: How could they find the person behind the underground arena?Even a prominent figure in the underworld like Matteo did not know who he was, let alone him. However, Javier knew there must be a way to find out who owned the underground arena.-At Salt City.Sylvia gathered the executives of the Innova Group for a meeting about their new strategy. After reviewing the latest market reports, she said, "According to the latest data, our group's market share in domestic equipment has reached 3%, and it's still rising!"Applause filled the room as her words landed—3% might seem small for a company specializing in equipment, but it
Sylvia was planning ahead. Moreover, the technology required for chip manufacturing wasn't as advanced as that needed for processors.As Sylvia spoke, the executives grasped the idea that they were going to develop their own chips. However, the challenge lay in their lack of technological expertise in this area.While they were knowledgeable about chip technology, stepping into chip production required a significant investment that the current funds of the Innova Group couldn't cover.Sylvia reassured, "Therefore, I've found a domestic chip company. My plan is to establish a deep collaboration with them, and I've already reached out to them. They are open to the idea. The purpose of this meeting is to brief everyone on our company's next steps."The executives nodded in agreement. It would be easy for the three major international manufacturers to cut off their supply. If the Innova Group continued to grow stronger and the international giants resorted to such tactics, it would cre
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