"Whether I can do that tonight depends entirely on you. Hahaha…" Maron laughed heartily as he strode off, leaving Frank standing there, clenching his knuckles as his visage flashed murderously.One way or another, Maron would die tonight!-Soon, Frank followed the Sage Lake Sect apprentices to the enclosed dojo, where he immediately spotted the white-dressed figure drawing her sword.A faint pure vigor wafted among the Sage Lake Sect elders even as they encircled her, resonating harmoniously somehow."A combat ward…?" Frank narrowed his eyes.It was commonly practiced by sect apprentices, requiring resonance in pure vigor and psyche. Moreover, most combat wards would enhance the individuals within while diminishing any disadvantages—pushing them beyond what they were usually capable of."Don't worry, Lady Silverbell!" one of the elders barked. "This Divine Lotus Ward has never been beaten since its conception!""Hmph."Both Frank and Silverbell snorted at the same time—no s
Seeing that Maron actually knew his place, Silverbell nodded impassively. "In that case, your application to the Martial Alliance is now forfeited. Only approach us in Morhen again if one of yours actually reaches Ascendant rank. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."She started to drift away, but Maron stopped her again. "Please wait, Lady Silverbell.""What?" Silverbell's expression cooled, staring pointedly around at the Sage Lake Sect apprentices. "Is there anything else you have to add?""Certainly." Maron strode forward, shaking his head. "Like you said, my sect's right is rightly forfeited. But won't you agree it's a pity when my father just happens to be incapacitated, and the chance that Cloudnine Sect fought for us would only come to waste?""What are you trying to say?" Silverbell growled impatiently."Patience, Lady Silverbell." Maron smiled politely. "Even if current members of my sect have failed, my friend here is willing to join and help us
As Frank looked up to meet Silverbell's eyes, he said quietly, "No, Lady Silverbell. It's our first encounter, just as this is my first time hearing about the Martial Alliance.""The Martial Alliance." Silverbell spaced out for a moment and started explaining for some reason, "The South Sea Four founded the alliance, and only notable sects or factions in Draconia are offered a place…"It was only at the end that she came to her senses, frowning as she wondered why she would explain the Martial Alliance to some punk she did not know.Swish!She whipped her sword, speaking quietly, "Less talking. Since you're representing Sage Lake Sect for their trial, you must be prepared. Show me what you have and whether the Sage Lake Sect is worth the alliance's time!""Go, go, Frankie!" Maron cheered for Frank with fake enthusiasm, waving his phone at Frank at the same time to warn him against pulling anything funny.Frank was not actually going to do it—if he were to be honest, he would like
Elder Huxley walked up to Maron, his tone hesitant. "Master Maron, isn't Frank Lawrence…"Maron shrugged. "He's better than I thought, able to challenge that bitch as an equal.""But what about the chief—""Silence," Maron growled as he shot him an icy look. "He's barely alive, so shut it unless you want all of us dead!""Yes, Master Maron." Elder Huxley sighed heavily."Come on, Elder Huxley." Maron chuckled, seeing his concern. "I know that it's hard on you as an elder of our sect, seeing how things have turned out… but would you rather have Sage Lake Sect stay stuck in measly Southdam for another hundred years?!""Just think about it in another way," he continued with an enigmatic smile. "Bocek Ocean is dead, and my father will soon be too. Who else would know what we did? And once this match is over and I have my way with Silverbell, do you know what's going to happen?"Elder Huxley shook his head. "I'm not sure… and I'm confused. Wouldn't Lady Silverbell punish us?""Punis
As Frank and Silverbell's sword duel intensified, Maron grew more wary of either of them.At the same time, he felt lucky he had never fought Frank directly… or he would end up a corpse already!"Take this—Thousand Mile Burst!"A blur shot down from the above. Too fast for Frank to avoid, he had to raise his sword to parry in the heat of the moment.Clang!The silver beam shattered the sword even as Frank looked on, and it never stopped as it kept pressing toward Frank's face."Oof—" Frank grunted as he stepped backward, and he touched his forehead to feel blood welling out of a shallow scratch."I lost," he said, throwing the hilt on the floor and openly admitting defeat."No, you've won," Silverbell said even as she landed, her fingers twitching around her sword.She leveled a look of mixed emotions at Frank before shaking her head. "It's the rule—anyone in any sect who can last twenty strikes from my blade earns their sect a place in the Martial Alliance. And you've survi
Silverbell's bellow actually gave Maron pause, but he wheeled on Frank again. "It was during the last blow—Frank released some sort of powder out of his sleeve. I thought I was seeing things, but it's real!""I saw it too!" Elder Huxley bellowed and pulled Frank's sleeve, knocking off a pile of Passion Dust from Frank's sleeve."What…" Frank was dumbfounded, as he clearly saw Elder Huxley sprinkle the powder on his sleeve right then.Elder Huxley simply leaned close, growling a threat under his breath, "Don't you dare argue. You know what happens if you do.""F-Frank? Why…?!" Silvebell was wheezing, sweating buckets as her gaze turned unfocused.Frank remained silent—if he maintained his innocence, Maron would retaliate by hurting Helen and the others."See? He's silent because he's caught red-handed!" Maron laughed darkly at Frank and carried Silverbell to the infirmary. "Don't worry—our best healers will cure you soon enough!""So that's what he's up to." Frank's eyes flashed
Seeing that one of the Sage Lake Sect apprentices was ready to run and tell the others, Quinn snapped, "Stop! Master Ocean has spoken—anyone who sees this must never breathe a word! Maron Ocean intends to kill him to claim the title of chief, a crime most unforgivable! Stay here and keep watch. Make sure no one comes in!"Quinn's orders worked—at her words, the Sage Lake Sect apprentices stood in silence. All Maron told them was that the chief had been injured and incapacitated, not such outrage within their enclave!"Heavens… Maron tried to kill the chief?! That's his own father! How could he do this?!""I-I don't know… What the hell…""Wait, wasn't Maron saying that Quinn Ocean died too? She's alive and kicking!"While the sudden turn of events left the Sage Lake Sect apprentices dumbstruck, Quinn herself was anxious too, forgetting honorifics as she asked, "Frank… What do you think? Can you save him?""Yes." Frank nodded, while subtly impressed at how low Maron would sink.
There was a sickening crunch as the Sage Lake Sect apprentice's hand started to ice up, his skin soon freezing into a dried blackness.It was a sight of sheer horror, and the other Sage Lake Sect apprentices promptly backed away in fear."Urgh…" Dahok groaned as he stirred, pushing himself up to his seat in the shrine."Ingrate!!!" he finally snapped after mumbling the word repeatedly before coughing another mouthful of black blood.This time, everyone stayed well away, having learned their lesson.Dahok wheezed even as the black blood iced up on the floor, finally able to speak again."Go!" he bellowed. "Take down that bastard Maron and bring him to me!"Quinn and Frank traded glances, and both strode up."No, absolutely not!" Frank barked, holding up a hand."What… Why?" Dahok wheezed through shallow breaths but forced a smile nonetheless. "I haven't met you, sir, but I'm grateful that you saved my life. However, I shall have that treacherous boy… Today…""Are you sure the