Teams of soldiers were patrolling. The police department was surrounded by over a thousand soldiers.Suddenly, Spencer received a call from Caius, warning him not to act recklessly."Mr. Grayson, what's going on? Why is this happening? Goldspire is not a small city. It's a major international metropolis. The impact is huge. The public is bound to panic!""I'm not sure. This is an order from the top. The governor left for Drammore long ago. From what we can tell, it seems to be related to a very important person.""What important person could justify such a mobilization from above?""Who knows?""What happened to this important person? Did he die or something?""It seems he was arrested.""Arrested?" Spencer's heart clenched.Arrested? Wasn't that a police matter?Could it be that the police department arrested the important person? No, that couldn't be right. Someone that significant wouldn't be arrested by the police. It couldn't have been them.Maybe some criminal underwor
"Now you understand why we urgently summoned you," Marco said in a deep, intense, dissatisfied voice.Keith was drenched in cold sweat.At this moment, one of the Elders, Amelie Patel, spoke up sharply, "Don't you want to know why that important person was arrested?""Y-Yes," Keith stammered. "Ms. Patel, please enlighten me.Amelie coldly said, "Five wealthy men in Goldspire openly assaulted two young women in broad daylight. Those women are the female companions of the important person."He stepped in and injured the five men. Later, they gathered over a hundred security guards and, in full view of the public, tried to attack him violently, but he defeated them all."They then used their connections with the Goldspire police chief to have him arrested. That's the situation. What do you have to say for yourself?"Keith felt as though his breath had stopped. He had initially assumed that the important person had committed a crime and was arrested, which would have been out of his
No one could have anticipated that Gideon's return would turn him into the King of all Kings. It was unbelievable.With just one word, Gideon could upheave Goldspire or even the entire Verdura. In fact, he could negotiate directly with the country's leaders since his status was already on par with theirs.It was simply terrifying."I always knew Gideon was outstanding. After being missing for five years, I thought he had died somewhere. Who would have expected that he has fully matured?" Caius immediately contacted the Horne family.He was acquainted with Gary Horne, the head of the Horne family."Mr. Grayson, I was just about to call you. What's going on in Goldspire? Why are so many soldiers patrolling the city? Is there going to be a war?"Caius had no time for idle talk with Gary and instructed, "Something major has happened in Goldspire. It might even bring about a complete upheaval. I need your help."Gary's face grew serious, and he spoke with conviction, "Mr. Grayson,
"Damian, get ready. We're going to the Snow residence in person," Gary urged.Damian was confused, reluctant, and unhappy, but he couldn't defy Gary's orders. It was clear Gary was determined.…Half an hour later, five large red boxes were lined up in the front yard of the Horne residence. Three boxes were filled with cash, while the other one contained gold and silver, with jewelry and antiques in the other.The entire Horne family gathered, filled with confusion.Many had voiced objections just moments ago, but Gary's determination had silenced them all."Gary, are you really going through with this just because of a phone call from Mr. Grayson? We can't trust these officials. Who knows if they're trying to set us up?""Yes. Please think this through, Gary.""Dad, these antiques are priceless, and the gold, silver, and jewelry are worth astronomical amounts. The three boxes of cash alone are worth 300 million dollars. "Altogether, this is at least two billion dollars in to
Gary smiled and said, "Fred, don't overthink it. This gift is my way of establishing a good relationship with the Snow family."Fred's voice was sharp. "Mr. Horne, even though the Snow family has fallen, we are still a dignified old lineage. Your actions are an insult to us. Our head of the family won't forgive you!"Damian shouted, "Fred, have you lost your mind? The Horne family is giving these gifts willingly, and you're still talking nonsense. Look at what we brought."Men, open the boxes!"The five large red boxes were opened instantly, revealing their contents in a dazzling display of gold and jewels.The Snow family members were stunned.Gold, silver, jewelry, priceless antiques, and three boxes full of cash… It was enough to break their minds.The spies from other powerful families who had managed to sneak in were equally stunned and speechless."Fred, these gifts are worth two billion dollars. This is the Horne family's way of wishing the Snow family a swift recovery a
Fred wanted to contact Gideon, but it was impossible. At that moment, Gideon was locked up in a small dark room at the police department.The storm was brewing outside, but he had no idea. He wasn't anxious. He simply lay back and fell asleep.Goldspire had undergone a seismic shift. Underneath the surface, dark currents surged. The arrival of the soldiers and the takeover of the War General Troop was already enough to shake the city. Still, the Horne family's actions had caused an even greater uproar.Seven billion dollars!Good gracious!Even if the Horne family was a top clan, they couldn't afford such reckless spending. Gary and the Hornes must have lost their minds!"Mr. Grayson, I've followed your instructions and delivered the substantial gift to the Snow family. It's worth seven billion dollars.""Seven billion dollars, huh? You're so generous.""Wasn't it your idea?"Caius laughed. "Gary, since you trust me so much, let me tell you this. Your family is in for good f
Gary was very fond of Xena."Denzel, I want Xena to have a good future, and Fred is a suitable match. We all need to persuade her. Feelings can be cultivated over time even if there's no love now.""Sure.""Good. Call Xena back immediately. What is she still doing at the company? What's so busy that she can't come home?"20 minutes later, a beautiful and competent young woman entered the hall, exuding the air of someone in power."Uncle Gary, what did you need me for?""Xena, you're quite composed. Don't you know what the Horne family just did?""I heard about it—gifting the Snow family a seven-billion-dollar substantial gift!""If you know, do you have no questions?""You have your reasons for what you do. I trust you know what you're doing, so I don't need to ask."Gary's face lit up with joy. He grew even fonder of her."Xena, I need to talk to you about something important, and I hope you'll agree. You must agree.""Please go ahead, Uncle Gary.""You probably guessed t
"Fred!""Fred!"In the Snow residence, Fred and others were still enjoying the gold, silver, jewels, and stacks of banknotes.Suddenly, an elder came running, shouting, "Fred, the Horne family is here again with a grand procession of cars!""What?""Again?"Fred was taken aback.Someone called out, "The Horne family can't be trusted. Are they here to take back the gifts?""That can't happen!"Instantly, the Snow family was in an uproar.Fred furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice, "They won't be taking back the things they gave us that easily. What do they take us for? Move the boxes to the storage room immediately!"Soon, five large boxes were moved out of the front yard.Fred and the family stood at the entrance, watching as dozens of luxury cars sped toward them.At the front was a Rolls-Royce. Gary and Damian got out, followed by a Bentley with Denzel and Xena."Mr. Gary, why are you here again? Don't tell me you've had a change of heart." Fred's expression was u
Gideon declared coldly, his voice void of any sympathy, "That's not something I can allow. I'm afraid this is the end for you." The instant the young man clad in black stole the inner core, his fate was sealed."No!" The man screamed in desperation, his face contorted with unwillingness.Suddenly, a fighter jet roared into view, and a startled voice called out, "Giles, what are you doing here?"The young man in black, Giles Terrell, looked up to see a figure dressed in purple standing at the jet's cabin door. Hope surged within him, as if he'd found a lifeline.Giles cried out, "Francis! Help me!"However, Francis Hurst's eyes were riveted on the inner core, a greedy gleam flickering within them.Francis thought that it was fate for him to stumble upon the alpha beast's inner core. If he seized it and used it for his cultivation, he'd surely surpass the young leaders of factions like Martialgarde and Warbringer Gate. Giles had truly given him a wonderful opportunity.Wi
"Why are you pursuing me so persistently? Whoever reaches the inner core first should rightfully claim it. You were careless, so consider this a learning experience. Isn't that reasonable? Must we really end in a situation where both of us lose?" the young man taunted. "A learning experience? That's truly amusing. You steal my inner core and have the nerve to call it a lesson. You certainly have a lot to say," Gideon retorted coldly. He extended his hand, and a massive shadow hand materialized from above. It was the Clausum Palm. The alpha beast, ridden by the young man in black, sensed the immense power of the handprint and froze in fear, dropping to the ground. "Blast it!" The young man in black was so furious that he nearly coughed up blood. Forced to leave the alpha beast, he continued fleeing on foot. He retaliated with a punch, smashing the hand. "Oh? You still have the energy to fight back. Impressive. You're quite the young talent. What a shame you chose to seek you
Out of nowhere, a chain shot up from below, snagging the inner core and swiftly dragging it away. "What?" Gideon erupted in fury. Who would dare snatch from a tiger's jaws? This person had some guts. "Stop!" he roared. With a thunderous force, he cut through the toxic miasma, reaching for the chain. But the thief was no ordinary being. They were a formidable opponent, retracting the chain with remarkable speed. Gideon caught a glimpse of a flickering figure in the jungle. "The inner core I captured isn't something just anyone can take. Let's see if you can escape my clutches," Gideon threatened, his voice resonating with intensity. The figure in the jungle hesitated, a chill running down their spine, yet they didn't relent and fled with the inner core.The fighter jet descended rapidly. But with the dense canopy of ancient trees in the jungle, aerial navigation was not possible. Gideon landed a backhand strike on Kori, rendering him unconscious to prevent any interferenc
Jake let out a terrified scream. He quickly adjusted the fighter jet's course, but just then, a tentacle burst forth from the dense, poisonous fog. The tentacle was black and moved with alarming speed, reaching the jet in mere moments as if intent on tearing it apart. "Fire!" Jake activated the attack system, and over a dozen missiles were launched. The attack was successful, as the tentacle was blown into a gruesome mess. In the distance, a thunderous roar echoed, shaking the heavens and earth—the Shadowgnaw Overlord had felt the pain. Suddenly, more than 30 black shadows emerged from the toxic cloud."Damn it!" Jake swore. He struggled to continue operating the fighter jet amid the overwhelming number of tentacles. Their firepower was no longer enough. Desperately, he called out, "Sir!" At that moment, Gideon sprang into action. Rather than destroying the tentacles, he reached out and seized the one lunging at them. With a powerful yell, he unleashed the strength of
Luckily, Gideon's fighter jet was a state-of-the-art model, so flying through the poisonous haze wasn't a significant problem. Suddenly, a piercing scream reverberated inside the jet, making it shake violently. Kori's face went white as he yelled, "This is bad! It must be the Shadowgnaw Bug. They're venomous creatures that can survive in this toxic fog. An adult Shadowgnaw Bug can reach the size of a lion or tiger, and the Shadowgnaw Overlord is even scarier, being as big as an elephant." Just as he finished speaking, another high-pitched cry sounded. The fighter jet shook uncontrollably and began to dive. Jake did everything he could to keep the jet stable. If the jet had been a regular aircraft, it would likely have broken apart by now. Kori looked deeply concerned. "Based on the strength of that cry, it seems we've run into the Shadowgnaw Overlord." "What's the big deal about one bug? Can it really be that dangerous?" Gideon scoffed, signaling Jake to open the cockpit door.
Gideon trusted Kori completely, as Kori's life depended on him, leaving no room for hidden agendas. The fighter jet soared eastward at high altitude. Gideon was immersed in studying the Book of Medicamentum. He vaguely remembered Titus once mentioning the pure-essence physique and other rare physiques, such as the pure solar physique. These were subtly referenced in the Book of Medicamentum. His current task was to uncover information about the pure-essence physique in the latter part of the Book of Medicamentum. If successful, he might learn how to harness the methods concerning the pure-essence physique himself, enabling Elara to fully awaken and transform. Silence enveloped the entire fighter jet.That evening, the jet touched down on the summit of a large mountain. The pilot, Jake Clythe, was weary from hours of flight, was instructed by Gideon to take a one-hour break. Gideon and Kori also disembarked from the aircraft.The landscape was filled with overlapping mountains
Kori was overwhelmed with fear. "What are you doing? What have you done to me?" he exclaimed. Gideon smirked. "Don't worry. I've just set up three 'fuses.' As long as you behave, nothing will happen. But if you try anything funny, I can make your head explode with just a thought. And don't think about removing the golden needles. I won't be responsible for what happens if you do." Kori's expression flickered between anger and resignation. It was deeply humiliating for someone who had traveled the world all his life to be treated as such in his later years. However, he had no other options. Taking a deep breath, Kori calmed himself and dismissed his hostile thoughts, turning his focus to assess Elara's condition. Gideon observed from the side. No one could tell what secret method Kori was using, but gradually, the air temperature rose. This was due to the contraction of pure essence energy. Half an hour later, Kori wiped the sweat from his forehead and smiled. "It's done. The
"Do you want me to be honest with you?" Kori prodded. "What? Can't you solve it? Then, you're destined to fail." A fierce, murderous intent flashed in Gideon's eyes. Kori quickly responded, "The pure-essence physique is extremely rare. If it were a martial artist with a robust constitution, I could safely help them awaken it. But your wife is just an ordinary person. Her body is too fragile, and I can't take that risk. "Though your medical skills are impressive, you can't guarantee her safety. The only solution is to find Mr. Ruggeweyn or Mr. Warth. They possess secret techniques that can awaken the pure-essence physique without risk. "However, I'm not entirely helpless. I can use a secret technique right now to suppress the essence, preventing any leakage of pure essence energy. This could safeguard your wife's body and possibly help her regain consciousness. Do you want me to proceed?" Gideon asked, "Where are Mr. Ruggeweyn and Mr. Warth? If you can reach them, do so qu
"Who on earth are you?" Kori asked. His face twisted with fury as he ran desperately, with Gideon relentlessly pursuing him like a hawk after its prey. It was both insulting and disgraceful! "Argh!" Eventually, Kori couldn't bear it any longer. He stopped and bellowed, "I'd rather die than be shamed. Kid, I'll fight you to death!" Kori spat out a mouthful of blood, unleashed a secret technique, and launched a powerful attack. Gideon's expression turned serious at that moment. He calmly extended his fist and declared, "Doombringer Knuckle!" The brilliant glow of his fist surged forward with determination. Kori's attack was instantly destroyed, and he was sent flying, his body nearly breaking apart. He crashed hard into a dirt pit and couldn't rise again. "Sir, watch out!" Harper yelled with all her strength just then. Gideon raised an eyebrow. More and more advanced weapons were being launched. Several missiles sped toward them. In fact, the high-tech weapons had been re