"Oh… Uh, okay…" Yosil sighed exasperatedly at Frank's refusal.There was nothing he could say now.As time continued to tick away, Frank threw all the mudroots into the cauldron and cooked them with a huge fire.His desperate reaction left Kairo's sinister smile broadening.Beside him, Horey Lindt was frowning instead. "Could it be…"Catching her murmur, Kairo turned toward her with a look of surprise. "What is it?""It's nothing…" Horey shrugged. "But I think there's this technique of using contravening medicinal effects…""What?!" Kairo's heart skipped a beat, at once uncomfortable.Still, Horey quickly assured him, "Oh, don't worry about it. Not many people would even be aware, let alone him. It's just something I read from an old book—the technique itself has been lost to time.""I see…"Kairo nodded, but he remained uncomfortable as he saw the confidence in Frank's expression.Did Frank perhaps know that contravening technique by chance?However, while Kairo was busy
Despite everyone's effort to tell Frank to concede, he breathed a long sigh and turned toward Mole. "Why is that so? I haven't given up yet.""Huh?!"Mole was left frowning, as Frank was still being stubborn even now. "Understand your position! I'm telling you to forfeit so that you won't die senselessly—I'd rather not have your death tarnish our reputation, even if this is your own fault."Suddenly remembering how Frank drank the entire cauldron of poison, Mole smirked at him.His miserable state now was certainly hilarious!That was when Frank said, "I don't need you to worry about my life."His calm words jolted Mole out of his thoughts, and he was left staring at Frank in shock. "Do you have a death wish?""Of course not."Frank looked at him confidently. "But the trial isn't over yet, is it?""No…"Mole frowned, glancing at the hourglass on the table beside Yosil. "But there's only five minutes left. What are you going to—""You don't have to worry about that."Frank s
Yosil had never seen such a technique being employed and therefore presumed it to be nonsensical just like everyone else.Mild flames were used in pill refinement to extract the medical essence within herbs and combined with other essences to shape a pill.It was not just a technique, but a task that required delicate precision.Frank was behaving just like some flunky in an exam, filling in random answers just before the time was up.But this was no exam, and random answers would not do Frank any good.To no surprise, just as Mole announced that the time was up, Frank extracted a jet black pill.Unlike Ira or Kairo's pills that swirled with a herbal aroma, Frank's pill smelled charred like burned minced meat, leaving a stink in the air."Hahahaha!!!"Kairo and the rest of the participants were all laughing when they saw Frank's black pill.The man was certainly amusing and so stubborn that he would cook a mud ball with what time he had.What a laugh!Even Yosil was sighing
"After all that effort, don't tell me this mudball is just a joke?""Look at it, the surface is even losing its color. Anyone who doesn't know might think it's a chunk of coal. But at least coal can burn—what can your mudball do?""Haha..."Kairo laughed without caring about his image. The crowd around burst into laughter too, teasing and gesturing at him.Some even urged the black-robed elder to quickly check the medicinal properties of this mudball. After all, Frank had been wearing a serious expression since the beginning. Now, many people wanted to see the look of panic and embarrassment on his face once he was exposed.Surely this would bring another wave of amusement to everyone."Hmm..."This time, Mole was clearly disappointed by the pill that Frank presented.He did not even reach out to take it and examine it carefully, perhaps afraid of getting his hands dirty.Instead, he let Frank hold it and stood in place to inspect it closely.After staring at it for a while,
"What?!"Everyone present heard Frank's casual words clearly.While others were stunned, Ira gave Frank a thumbs up in surprise."Damn, I didn't expect this. This kid has reached this point, and he's still showing off and pretending!""He really is so damn talented!"Kairo heard Frank's disdainful words. He stepped forward to snatch the pill from Frank's hand and inspected it closely. "You're too arrogant!"After a moment, he threw it to the ground."Hmph, it's just a mudball covered in charcoal ash with no medicinal properties or any effect!"With this kind of trash, you'd dare to criticize the elder who serves as a judge?!"Faced with Kairo's questioning, Frank looked at the pill he had thrown away and did not bother to argue.Seeing Frank's attitude, Kairo became even more furious."Hey, look at me!"Kairo was livid. He stepped forward and stomped on Frank's pill. Then, he sneered and bellowed, "I don't know who gave you the audacity to be so arrogant, but you're going t
Upon hearing Mole's words, everyone present quickly understood.Of course!The purpose of the second trial was to refine pills that could detoxify their bodies, yet Frank had only crafted a mudball using mudroots. How could it possibly have any effect?Due to the nature of mudroots, if Frank were to ingest this mudball, it was likely to be ineffective. And that was not all—it could even trigger the outbreak of the poison.So, when Mole made his suggestion, the crowd cheered and applauded.As expected from an elder who had lived for so many years, he was truly cunning.With just a few words, he had backed Frank into a corner.Frank thought Mole was incapable and could not see through the secrets of his pill, right? Then, Frank should eat it!If it did not work, not only would Frank have to force down a mudball that was obviously hard to swallow, but he would also be utterly embarrassed!How dare Frank utter such disdainful words about Mole's skills and abilities to judge. H
Just as Frank nodded and was about to swallow the pill in one gulp, someone called out, "Hold on!"Yosil had been quietly observing, but he had suddenly shouted out.The audience turned their heads in surprise and looked toward Yosil."Chief, is Kornac's Keep deliberately favoring that kid?""Yeah, Chief! He criticized an elder for lacking skills and abilities since he couldn't see through the secrets of his pill. Do you really want someone like that?"As the crowd buzzed with discussion, Yosil remained composed. He approached Frank slowly and carefully took the pill from Frank's palm.He raised the black mudball slowly, allowing the sunlight to shine through. Yosil narrowed his eyes as he examined it closely and felt a sudden jolt in his heart because he faintly saw it.Encased within the pitch-black mudball was a pale yellow liquid that swirled with the movement of the pill."This..."Although Yosil maintained a calm demeanor, he was deeply shocked inside.Was that… the mar
As Yosil uttered these words, a wave of unease washed over Kairo. During the first trial, Yosil had changed Frank's score from zero to over a hundred because he had detected toxicity in the medicinal soup. Was this stubborn old man stepping in again to overturn the already settled outcome? Would he give Frank a high score?At the thought, Kairo began to sweat profusely and forgot to sniff back his runny nose, with his snot almost dripping onto his lips. Kairo was genuinely anxious now. If this old man intervened again and gave Frank a score exceeding a hundred, would he have to kneel down and lick Frank's shoes?!The image of himself mocking Frank flashed before Kairo's eyes, causing him to sweat even more. If this happened, Cloudnine Sect and Kairo himself would truly become a laughing stock in everyone's eyes. This label would likely haunt him indefinitely. He might as well die now.Just as Kairo nervously stared at Yosil, the elder regretfully shook his head in front
Frank snorted. "Alright, I'm hanging up. I'm getting started over here soon.""Yeah. Good luck," Jouri replied.Hanging up, Frank looked up at the waterfall overhead, and then at Skyler, who was standing beside him. "So? Is it time yet?""Almost… Now!" Skyler's eyes were glowing even as she stared at her watch."Alright."Frank looked up just as the skies abruptly darkened. "Ah, there it is—the eclipse."The sun seemed to disappear, and the world was suddenly shrouded in darknesses.And beside him, a stone door imbued with the power of the spiritron vein also rumbled as it parted."Got it!" Frank rushed inside without another word as soon as he saw it."Hmph. I'm surprised that you could reach this place." A cold, wrathful voice resounded inside even before Frank got a hold of his surroundings.Looking up, Frank found a youth in a black cossack and sporting grey-white hair, standing upon a cliff as he looked down on him.Frank chuckled. "Hehe. Like I said, I've come to kill
Frank narrowed his eyes. "Is that so?'Crane shrugged. "I don't mind giving it to you straight—members of Torrent are actually… Ahem. A part of Torrent himself."Frank paused. "What's that supposed to mean?""You don't get it, do you?" Crane grinned. "Then let me put it to you this way—every member is a clone of Torrent.""A clone?" Frank gasped in realization."Yes," Crane nodded. "That's why I believe that challenging Crane is just suicide. You have no idea how powerful he is—only death awaits you down that path."Frank smirked. "Oh, but I don't think so."Crane rolled his eyes. "Fine, whatever—now listen closely. You will find Torrent in the Mystic Trail, but you would only find that place when the sun and moon coincide, and the entrance is beneath the waterfall south of Horton."As he finished, he snorted coldly. "I have no idea if you can actually do it, but I'm hoping you do kill him… Heh. I'm getting tired of being stuck under his control for so long."Then, waving off
Frank abruptly turned, immediately noticing one of the Cranes crouching, ready to spring forward and blindside him."Got you!" He laughed."Hah! You fell for it!"Just as Frank swung a punch to pulverize that Crane, he suddenly burst into pus that splashed at Frank's face."Damn it!" Frank took a step back, surprised that the clone's presence was identical to the real Crane, and a trap on top of that!"Die!"The Cranes around him each whipped out a dagger, all of them stabbing at Frank at the same time."Get off!" Frank bellowed, unleashing a shockwave that sent all the Cranes flying across all directions."Frank! Above you!" Skyler suddenly shrieked."Yes! I'm right here!" A strange laughter sounded above Frank just as he wiped the pus off his face.Crane was suddenly directly above him, launching an aerial kick straight at Frank's head, and Frank had no time to dodge!"Die!" Crane's smile curled into a twisted angle as he saw that too.He was very confident with this kick
"Disgusting…" Skyler murmured through her hand.Despite being skinned and scalped, the women were all still alive and singing to the music that was playing despite their anguish."Talk about a terrible fetish."Frank was scowling too—why were all the members of Torrent such sick deviants? It seemed like his plan to wipe them out was absolutely correct!"So, you killed my clone?"The lanky man on the couch slowly turned to level his bloodshot eyes at Frank.His lips were wet with bed as they curled upward into an eerie smile."Clone?" Frank narrowed his eyes."Hehe. It's a sage art."Crane shrugged as he stood up and wiped the blood off his lips. "It's only natural that you don't understand… Still, you deserve praise. If you can kill my clone, that means you're not just slightly stronger than Ghost."Naturally, the man was none other than the real Crane.Still, as Skyler studied him from a corner, even she could notice the strange twitch of his fingers, and his veins were pro
Even as Crane ran, he was looking over his shoulder, his heart pounding. "No… I won't win in a one-on-one!"No, as long as I get back to my real body… we can do this together!" He frowned, having seen how Frank sliced off the pinkies of those hood rats. It hence quickly dawned on him that Frank was not just slightly stronger than Ghost, as Torrent had put it!"Almost there!" He gasped when he saw the signboard of Pegasus Showtown in the distance. "As long as I get there and rendezvous with my real body, that brat will lose—"That was when he turned and saw that a shadow had caught up with impossible speed."What?!" Crane's eyes almost popped out in bewilderment. "What speed is that?! Are you kidding—"Even as he spotted the shadow, the shadow turned into a youth with an impassive visage.His fist outstretched, he was clearly punching toward Crane's forehead!"Argh…"Even as Crane looked on, the youth's punch slowed down by tenfold, but his fist kept closing in.Then, whe
Seeing Skyler sigh, the tattooed thug presumed that his extortion worked.He strode up, grabbing Frank's shoulder. "No one's gonna help you, boy. Pay up, or you're not leaving.""Exactly! You're not getting away!" the crowd of hood rats hollered. "Last chance."Frank's eyes were cold and fixed on Dani, however. "Are you going to intervene? If you do, you can keep that check. If you don't…""Ugh. Fuck off! I don't care!" Dani spat, her expression smug as she folded her arms before her chest. "Who do you think you are to threaten me?!""Exactly! Pay up, and you can leave!""Yeah! Ten grand, at least!""You probably don't know my boss Wyvern, but when he's here, you won't get away with just ten grand!"Even as the crowd closed in, Frank shook his head. "Well, you had your chance. Don't blame me for what happens next.""You're giving us a chance?! Hah! Who—argh!"Even before Dani could finish gloating, Frank was suddenly in front of her, grabbing her viciously by the wrist."Arg
"Five grand?! Did you hear that?! He just threw five grand!""Must be a rich kid coming here for a secret rendezvous, out of prying eyes? Those types are the easiest mark!""Fuck! And Dani got one of us… It hurts me more than losing at the races!"Frank could hear the buzz around him but ignored it as he strode past the men flanking him and headed toward the street that stank of blood."Stop!" A big tattooed man grinned sinisterly as he intercepted Frank.As his buddies encircled Frank as well, Frank snorted—it seemed that they took his reaction for a sign of weakness and thought that he could be cowed.The tattooed man rubbed his chin as he leered at Skyler's voluptuous figure, chuckling. "Look, boy. I'm short on cash, so let me take a loan. I'll pay you back some other day, how about that?"His friend laughed. "Exactly! You just gave Dani five grand, and we won't ask for more… just four, how about that?"Skyler scowled in turn and glanced worriedly at Frank beside her—was he
Frank himself had just stepped out of the nightclub when his eyes narrowed."Blood," he murmured, his nostrils twitching."Blood?"Skyler sniffed the air, puzzled. "I can't smell it.""It's from the opposite street… I smell the blood of over a dozen people.""A dozen?!" Skyler did a double take.He could identify the number of people who were killed?! That was just ridiculous!"Come on, let's take a look."Just as Frank led the way toward the source of the stench, a woman suddenly came up, catching Frank off guard and throwing herself into his arms."Hmmm?" He looked down to see that she had thick makeup, average looks, and a rather pudgy belly."Argh! He touched me!" she pointed at Frank and shrieked even before he realized what was happening."What?!" Skyler was staring at the woman too, mystified."Oh, sister! You just didn't see it!"The woman kept hollering, pointing at Frank's face. "Your boyfriend grabbed my ass! Is that how you teach him manners?!""Teach him ma
Wyvern screamed even as he clutched the stump that was his hand, screaming so shrilly one might mistake his voice as inhuman."Oh, just shut up." The lanky man glowered and launched a kick, reducing Wyvern into puddles of blood and pieces of innards, splattering all around the lobby. "Argh!!!" the devilish lady screamed as she watched the carnage unfolded."Another sound, and you'd end up just like him." The lanky man turned and frowned at her impatiently."Hngh…" The devilish lady promptly clasped a hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes as she trembled."What the hell?!"Outside, Wyvern's lackeys heard the screams and ran inside, looking for him. "Hey, where's Wyvern?!"However, the lobby was too dimly lit for them to notice the blood and guts scattered around the walls, and they only sensed that terrible stench."Hngh…" The devilish lady was too scared to speak, and tears trickled out of her eyes."Fuck!"One of the lackeys strode up and seized the lanky man