"Get out of my way!"Kairo shoved Horey aside, ripping open his shirt to reveal his muscular chest. He marched toward Frank, his face twisted with rage."I don't care where you're from or if you've bribed Kornac's Keep to conspire against me. I won't let you off easily today!"Before Frank could respond, the crowd erupted into murmurs."Kairo, you lost fair and square. Are you trying to weasel out now?""Yeah, we all saw what happened!""We saw how you tried to trip him up. Are you seriously still trying to say that the situation was unfair to you?""I thought he had some skill, but his character is laughable.""Look at Frank. He's calm and composed despite the harassment...""I was wrong. The real shameless clown here is Kairo. Frank is the one with true dignity…"The crowd's chatter only fueled Kairo's fury. He could not hear their words, for he was consumed by his refusal to accept defeat. If he lost, he would have to kneel before Frank and lick his shoes.How could a nob
Seeing how everyone feared Cloudnine Sect, Kairo became even more brazen. He shouted, "My junior and I came here for training, and you've unjustly targeted us!"If you don't hand over that thousand-year-old Bloodcrane Spiritbloom today, I'll bring Cloudnine Sect warriors to flatten your gate tomorrow!""What?!"The Kornac's Keep elders turned pale at Kairo's threat. The existence of the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom was a closely guarded secret within the Keep. Even some of the elders and apprentices did not know about it.How had Kairo, an outsider, learned of such a well-kept secret? And why was he brazenly demanding it?Could there be a traitor among them?!The elders exchanged worried glances. Yosil was overcome with shock. He felt darkness creeping into his vision and coughed up a mouthful of blood.His anger flared as he pointed a finger at Kairo and shouted, "You... you treacherous fiend! You've come to Kornac's Keep with the intent to steal our treasure. I'd rather destro
Take, for instance, the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom.It had to be grown in unsullied water and watered over a hundred years by the blood of a dying Bloodcrane. Then, it had to endure a millennium of trials such as natural disasters and human calamities. Anything one could think of, nature could bring about.And only after a thousand years could it finally bloom into a genuine Bloodcrane Spiritbloom suitable for medicinal use.And this intricate process was just one ingredient in that prescription.The others were even harder to find.That was why Frank had never considered refining such a pill. Gathering all these ingredients was as challenging as achieving the Transcendent rank.So even now, Frank was unmoved when he heard about the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom. His demeanor remained calm and unaffected."Wait... Did you also hear the rumors? Are you also here for Kornac's Keep's treasure, the Bloodcrane Spiritbloom?" Yosil finally turned to Frank and asked.Considering Frank's earlier
"Oh my God, did he not realize that Kairo was deliberately slandering Kornac's Keep just now?""That’s clearly a sign he wants to weasel out and deny responsibility!""He even brought up Cloudnine Sect. Is this kid really going to make Kairo kneel to him, even when he has Cloudnine Sect's backing?""My goodness, this guy is too arrogant, isn't he?"Even the bystanders around thought Frank was too audacious. After all, Kairo had even directly involved Cloudnine Sect. Even if Frank was not afraid of Kairo, was he not afraid of Cloudnine Sect?!"Do you have a death wish, kid?"After a while, Kairo finally realized that Frank had really intended to make him admit defeat and fulfill his promise. Immediately, a murderous intent rose within Kairo."Don't try to find other excuses to slip away. If you lose, you have to admit defeat and keep your promise."If you obediently admit defeat, then I might generously tell you an unpleasant truth."With that, Frank glanced at Horey, who w
Frank's annoying face would crumble beneath his iron fist. Then, Frank would collapse in submission, begging for mercy on the ground…Kairo kept fantasizing about what would happen next.Meanwhile, Yosil stood nearby, utterly at a loss for words. Watching Kairo disregard his shouts and prepare to strike, Yosil tried to rush forward to intervene. But his aging body betrayed him—his limbs simply would not obey.Despite being a Birthright-ranked martial artist himself, age had rendered him little more than a figurehead."Mole, stop Kairo!" Yosil barked, turning to the elder in the black robe beside him.Mole heard the command but did not look up. Instead, he said in a low voice, "Chief, do you realize the consequences if we stop Kairo now? It would only validate his claims that Frank conspired with us, Kornac's Keep. And with Kairo's talent and Cloudnine Sect backing him, it would mean disaster for us all."Yosil froze at Mole's words. If they dared to intervene now, it would on
Kairo's punch sounded like it had shattered bones. There was no way Frank could survive that."Man, he's done for. He's going to die because he showed off..." Ira muttered and closed his eyes, fear creeping across his face. "Why provoke Cloudnine Sect of all people..."It was not just Ira. Everyone believed Frank was dead meat. After all, the sickening sound of bones breaking confirmed it for them. How could anyone survive such a blow?But just as the crowd resigned themselves to Frank's demise, a scream that did not quite fit the situation pierced the air."Huh?""What?"Everyone's eyes flew open, confusion and shock written all over their faces.The scream had not come from Frank—it was from Kairo!Frank, who was supposed to have had his skull shattered, stood tall and completely unharmed. He had not even flinched and maintained the exact same posture as before the punch.Or more accurately, it was as if Kairo's powerful punch had done nothing at all to Frank!On the ot
Horey's shout caused an uproar among the onlookers. Finally, they understood why Frank, who should have been knocked down by Kairo's punch, stood there as if nothing had happened, while Kairo was the one in shambles. It turned out Frank was a martial artist too—and stronger than Kairo!"Oh my God!"Ira was dumbstruck, staring at Frank in disbelief and muttering to himself, "How can he have such amazing medical skills and still be a stronger fighter than Kairo? Is this guy even human? Am I dreaming?""This is crazy! This is just too crazy!"While everyone was in shock over Frank being a martial artist, Mole had a peculiar look on his face. He knew that Frank's feat was not just because Frank was a martial artist and stronger than Kairo.No, it was because Frank's strength was on a completely different level—at least a whole rank higher!Kairo was Birthright. To stand still and take Kairo's full-powered punch without budging meant Frank had to be at least at the Ascendant rank. O
"You're not my apprentice, but you've learned some medical skills here. I have something important to entrust to you," the Lord of the Southern Woods had said. "If Mystic Sky Sect ever falls, deliver this item to my apprentice. He'll know what to do with it."Yosil's mind replayed the lord's words as he stared at Frank. There was something familiar about Frank that he could not quite place. It felt like they had crossed paths before.But he never imagined that Frank would be the Lord of the Southern Woods' son, who was once an apprentice in Mystic Sky Sect! This realization brought back memories of the commotion during Frank's initiation within the sect years ago. He remembered leaving the sect and seeing the boy, his eyes filled with determination and resentment. It had been many years. Who would have thought that boy would grow into the man standing before him now, appearing by a twist of fate?"It's fate…" Yosil sighed deeply, his eyes reflecting a mix of nostalgia and reli