"He saw me!"However, Helen's blushing complaint looked just like child's play to Vicky.Walking up to Frank while shaking her hips ostentatiously, she giggled as she pointed at her own cleavage. "Oh, dear Ms. Lane… if you think that Frank has to obey you for looking, shouldn't I be higher in the pecking order? He saw everything, after all…""I…"Helen flushed as Vicky was using her own logic to argue. "I'm different! You don't care if he's looking, but I do!""Different, you say? How so? In shape, size, or… sensation?"As Vicky retorted, she lifted Frank's hands, pulling them closer to her own chest."Argh!!!" Helen turned and stormed off right then."Hehehe… You'd best come better prepared next time!" Vicky called out after her, laughing.Ultimately, that meant that Frank's hands had yet to reach Vicky before she won.And seeing her charming laughter and the ample bosom that was just inches away, Frank sighed in slight disappointment.Vicky turned and leveled a look of amu
Hiring a vigor wielder would cost upward of several hundred grand.Going up and one would have the Birthright rank, which cost millions.On the other hand, it was basically impossible to hire Ascendant-ranked elites as they would not be in need of money, and most would have other assignments issued by the Martial Alliance.Naturally, one could offer a huge sum on a bounty, hence hiring a martial artist on a short-term contract.It was the livelihood for most martial artists—indeed, that was what Glen Turnbull did when his family had last faced a crisis, recruiting martial artists from different schools and sects.-After around half an hour, Frank arrived alone at the Zamri branch of the Martial Alliance.Like the branch of any major company, the Zamri branch of the Martial Alliance was a grand office building, having a modern interior as well.The glass walls and the floors were bright and squeaky clean like that of major banks, and there were receptionists and staff just like
Chuckling coolly, Phoenix continued, "Also, we've decided to register in different branches so that we don't have to compete in the same local bracket, making it look as if it's the finals already. Get it?"Many of the martial artists nodded in understanding—so that was Cloudnine Sect's strategy for the martial tournament.Instead of having their apprentices participating in the qualifiers for a single city, they sent them elsewhere. As everyone took part in different qualifiers of different cities, that would greatly increase the chances that the apprentices would advance further. And with Cloudnine Sect having the numerical advantage in the elimination stages, one must admit that this strategy was flawless.In fact, it would not just be Cloudnine Sect—major martial clans down to the individual martial artist might choose to participate in remote cities too, so that they had a better chance of qualifying.After all, only the final two participants who survived elimination in eac
The old man then chuckled. "Phoenix Ardron is among the top three juniors of the Cloudnine Sect. But forget her personal merit—her fiance is even more outstanding! I mean, he's the commissioner of Hoxton despite his young age!""See?"The old man pointed at the men-in-black who cleared a path for Phoenix, grinning. "Those men are all the Hoxton commissioner's boys, and they're all packing heat. Who would have the balls to beat her when a commissioner has her back?"Clapping Frank on the shoulder and sighing miserably, he said, "So just forget it. We don't have a shot here.""So she's Mrs. Commissioner, and the commissioner even sent backup?"Frank was actually shocked—the woman had ties to the government too? Did that mean she had her finger in every pie?And if someone actually dared to defeat her in the martial tournament, they would be in for a lot of trouble too…"Make way!"Just as Frank was frowning and wondering what he should do about Phoenix, her bodyguards just happen
"Eh?"The bodyguard was left staring blankly, as he did not expect to see that Frank was quick enough to catch his punch.Even if he was not actually a member of Cloudnine Sect, he was still a Birthright-ranked martial artist and a bodyguard sent by the Hoxton commissioner.And to be honest, he really thought nothing of martial artists from a remote city like Zamri.It was not just Phoenix either—even he believed that he could emerge victorious in the qualifiers here.As that mindset made him arrogant, the fact that he tried a sneak attack that failed, with his opponent even calmly catching his blow with a single hand, left him feeling a little humiliated.This was not what he imagined would happen!"What, what is something I said that you found inappropriate, so you had to go for a sneak attack?"Even as Frank spoke calmly, the bodyguard could feel his immense grip strength, no different from a heavy-duty vice.And his own fist was being held fast, not budging no matter how h
However, the technique that left all the martial artists in awe disappeared by the next instant.The shockwave from the kick was gone, even before it reached Frank's neck!While everyone was left confused, some of the more keen-eyed martial artists noticed what had happened.The bodyguard did not withdraw. Instead, the kick was nullified…"Argh!"There was a blood-curdling scream as the bodyguard, who had been utterly pompous a second ago, was now kneeling before Frank.His lips were lopsided in agony, and tears were actually rolling down his cheeks from the sheer agony of his hand."Y-You brat…" the bodyguard growled as he glared murderously at Frank."Whoa!"The others soon noticed that Frank was still holding his hand… or what was left of it.After all, it had been a hand a second ago, but now it was nothing more than mush. It turned out that Frank had crushed the bodyguard's knuckle when he tried to kick Frank, causing him to stop in agony."I see…"While the crowd re
"The Martial Alliance's recommendation system?"Frank had not heard of it and was therefore surprised when Phoenix told him about it.She smirked at his reaction—seeing that he did not know that, Frank must at best be the apprentice of a hidden sect and not the heir to some major faction."Ahem… Sir?"And seeing Frank frown in confusion, the old man with a missing front tooth flashed a fawning smile as he approached Frank. Judging from Frank's attitude, he could see that Frank was not an ordinary youth but the apprentice of an important hidden sect. As such, he was keen to suck up to Frank now.Gulping to steady himself, he then explained softly, "See, the Martial Alliance's recommendation is a special seed in the martial tournament. Be it the heirs to a major faction, or famous martial elites listed on Skyrank, they can all advance beyond the qualifiers without participation."In other words, if you have the Martial Alliance's recommendation, you don't have to squeeze in here
One could expect nothing else of Silverbell—she had really covered all corners.Frank had yet to say anything, she had done everything necessary.On the other hand, Phoenix thought Frank was cowed as he stayed silent for a long while.Smirking at him, she then beckoned at her bodyguards to clear a path again, only to be stunned as Frank stopped them once more."Ms. Ardron, you don't have the Martial Alliance's recommendation, do you?" he asked. "In that case, please stop breaking the rules and take a number like everyone else, unless you're able to prove that you have one, you don't have the right to claim that you're superior to the rest of us!""How dare you!"Phoenix was really furious with Frank's interference this time and snapped at her entourage, "Go bring me the branch manager! Let me shoot this brat if I have the Martial Alliance's recommendation!" "Kid!"The old man with a missing front tooth was left flinching, seeing that Frank was messing with Phoenix again. "Why
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