"Aria Lond!" Frank's fist was still awash with blood as endless rage flared within him.He had been careful last night during the banquet at White Hall. He inspected every kitchen utensil and piece of food to ensure there was no poison before setting his mind at ease.The only thing he did not take notice of was the wine Aria served him.Despite Aria's endlessly devious nature, he thought he could forgive Aria since she was Winter's friend. After that shenanigan of hers, she should be turning over a new leaf and genuinely reflecting.That was why Frank did not expect her to poison him instead!Thud! Thud!Frank started to hit himself with Sage Lake Sect's Lotus Poke, striking various acupoints to fire up his vigor and dispel the poison. "You useless scum! He's been poisoned! Get him right now!"On the other hand, Quinn was yelling at her father's men since they were backing down instead.The black-clad men all traded glances but eventually braced themselves and charged."M
The middle-aged man folded his arms before his chest as he slowly approached, his eyes flashing coldly.Still in Frank's arms, Burt quickly warned Frank with his last sliver of strength, "Watch out, Mr. Lawrence… T-That's Eiger Ocean, Bocek Ocean's other brother… He's an elite Birthright… I'm no match for him… Urk…" Frank frowned. "Just shut up and lie down, or your meridian nexus will break. If that happens, you won't even be able to wipe your own butt!"Eiger was actually surprised to see that Burt's meridian nexus did not break either. "I'm surprised that you know how to seal vigor meridians, though one must expect nothing less from the last apprentice of Mystic Sky Sect.""Mystic Sky Sect?!"For the umpteenth time of the day, the old man behind Frank was staring in disbelief."What's wrong, Grandpa? What's Mystic Sky Sect?" his granddaughter quickly asked.The old man was stuttering in astonishment, "M-Mystic Sky Sect of the South Sea… It's Draconia's oldest and most enigma
Quinn quickly yelled loudly to warn Eiger, "Be careful! That bastard's strong, and he caught Uncle Sal off guard!""Hah! Sal was a piece of shit who'd never hope to match me." Eiger snorted, his vigor burgeoning as he crushed the floor tiles as he feet, and he shot forward toward Frank like a missile. "I will avenge your fiance right now, Quinn!""Be careful, Mr. Lawrence! Eiger stands among Sage Lake Sect's top five!" Burt cried out in warning despite being told not to talk."Top five?" Frank snorted coolly. "It seems like we landed quite the big fish!""Big fish? What the hell are you—"Eiger's face fell even as he kept charging at Frank.He could see the projected vigor around Frank solidify into a dazzling golden dragon."Such solid pure vigor! He really mustn't be trifled with… Miasmic Fists!!!"Eiger was suddenly on alert, immediately using his best move.His fist carried pure vigor, shrouded in waves of darkness that the naked eye would have a hard time seeing through.
When Mystic Sky Sect was wiped out three years ago, it was rumored that their chief and senior disciple had gone missing.Could this young man be the missing disciple Donn Lawrence, the man who carved a bloody path out of his enemies despite the South Sea Four's encirclement?The man had already topped Skyrank as a Birthright martial elite. One could not even begin to fathom his depth!In fact, Aion Fairfax was already no longer worrying about what Sage Lake Sect would do. Instead, he now feared that after Donn Lawrence wiped out Sage Lake Sect, he would silence Aion and his granddaughter… forever!On the other hand, Eiger was on his last breath after Frank's single punch.He was also on his knees in a grotesque posture as he screamed in panic, "I'm Bocek's sworn brother and the sect chief's comrade! Sage Lake Sect will kill you if you kill me!""Those are your last words?" Frank asked as he leveled Eiger an icy look, chuckling coolly. "It's as if you're saying that Sage Lake S
Frank turned just as the doors were kicked open, and a middle-aged man strode in.His hair and clothes were gray, and he carried the air of mastery.His hawkish eyes were fixed on Frank, his expression dark.It was none other than Bocek Ocean, high elder of Sage Lake Sect."Dad!"Quinn appeared euphoric to see him, even scrambling as she dashed toward him, bawling, "Dad, you have to save us! F-Frank killed Uncle Eiger!""What?!" Bocek turned where her daughter was pointing, his gaze darkening as he saw Eiger's corpse laying limply in the crater."You wretch! You slayed an elder of Sage Lake Sect!""So what if I did?"Frank chuckled coolly, not holding back since he knew Bocek would be the worst opponent he faced today. "Shame your top five didn't even last a punch. I'm really disappointed.""Hmph. So you are as conceited as my daughter says," Bocek growled, quickly composing himself. "You have now murdered three vital figures of Sage Lake Sect, and there's no way for you to
Death meant compensation for their families, while desertion meant death to them and their families.Sensing the change in attitude among the black-clad men, Frank did not hold back as he charged his Five-Peat Archaeus, his Birthright rank might overwhelming them.It was a headache now that they were suddenly fearless even in death, especially since some were vigor-wielding elites.A group around ten would be no issue, but even he was hard-pressed against dozens, even hundreds—not even a lion could stand against a horde of hyenas alone.Seeing that Frank was a little overwhelmed, Aion's granddaughter cried, "Help him, Grandpa!" Aion, however, stood his ground.He appeared troubled and was clearly not intent to get involved.If Frank won, he and his granddaughter must come up with something to appease the last apprentice of Mystic Sky Sect. And there was still a chance he would kill them so that they would not tell on him.Naturally, things would not bode well for them if Sag
Meanwhile, a guest has arrived at White Hall. It was Shane Tomen, the heir to a rich family in Southstream.He was in his twenties, having recently returned after completing a master's degree abroad.He was classmates with Kim during their middle school years and had been infatuated with her since Kim was already pretty maiden since then. He confessed his feelings to Kim when they graduated and was devastated when she rejected him, saying that she was underage.It was why he chose to further his studies abroad, and years had passed when he learned that Kim was engaged to the heir of the Yaffe family of Riverton.He was once again miserable, as the Yaffes were backed by Flying Sword Sect.His family consisted of generations of business folk, but they stood no chance against the Yaffes, who had the edge in physical violence. Hence, Shane had to give up under his father's stern dissuasion.But he soon heard news of the entire Yaffe family being wiped out. "Could someone up there
Eron's blunt tone left Shane at once surprised and angered."Don't you think you're exaggerating, sir?" he demanded. "Why don't you mention the name of the fiance who could make me appear insignificant?'Eron glanced between Shane's defiant visage and Kim's look of melancholy.Considering the timing, Sage Lake Sect would be done with Frank by now."Ahem." He cleared his throat and grinned. "My daughter will be marrying Maron Ocean, the son of Sage Lake Sect's chief. You really should look yourself in the mirror and decide if you can ever win against Sage Lake Sect… If the answer's no, then just give up on your pipe dreams already."Kim did a double take at his mention of Maron before slamming her palm on the table as she sprang to her feet, furious. "You're out of line! You can't do this!"Moran was known to be prodigious and had reached Birthright rank early in life, but word from every place he ever traveled to pointed to a terrible personality. Not only would he frequent red
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