In the Champions Village, there was a service not listed on any official brochure—one could hire an assassin.If one's pockets were deep enough, they could hire a killer to kill anyone—even a grandmaster. The cost of defeating a grandmaster was high. Only a grandmaster could handle another of their kind, and just getting one would cost Howard too much to afford.He emptied his life savings, and it was just enough to hire an inner strength cultivator.Howard was a newbie to the martial arts scene and did not understand its pecking order. So after he handed over the cash, he skipped the scrawny-looking inner strength cultivator and went straight to a hulking brute of a horizontal cultivator.The shopkeeper did not know whether to laugh or cry. Did Howard know what he was doing?Looks could be deceiving—that phrase was tailor-made for some of the greenhorns in the martial arts world.There were those muscle-bound cultivators who looked like they could squash their opponent, but most

"At last, I have found you." A deep voice from behind interrupted the manager mid-sentence.The restaurant went quiet when he arrived.The manager's face went pale. "Evil Wolf?"She knew him, and the fear in her eyes was unmistakable.Evil Wolf shot her a look. "Ah, someone I know? Don't sweat it. I'm not here for you. You're not on my radar, so stay cool. Just don't get in my way."The manager was quick to agree. "Lord Wolf, you have my word. I'll turn a blind eye to whatever happens.""Good girl," Evil Wolf said and gave her a thumbs up.His eyes locked onto Ashton as if he was worried he might slip away again."You need something from me?" Ashton asked. He vaguely remembered the guy—he had been jeering when he helped that old man. However, Ashton did not care enough to remember him well.Evil Wolf rubbed his chin. His eyes gleamed with greed as he looked at Kendra and Cassia."Seeing the company you keep, with their soft, smooth skin, you must be loaded, huh?" he asked."

"Welcome to the Green Vine Club's finest offerings, Mister Levin. Please, enjoy to your heart's content," Solax said, beaming.His two young apprentices knelt at the side, unfazed by the scene, as if it was just another day at the office.Alara had a clear hierarchy—the strong ruled and enjoyed their power, and no one dared criticize them. Thus, whatever happened in public was accepted as normal."Where's the manager?"Ashton was not interested in the women."Just a moment, Mister Levin. We have a bit of a queue, and we need to serve everyone in turn. Make yourself comfortable, and I'll bring the manager once he's finished with the other cultivators," Solax said, then signaled his apprentices to hurry out.Ashton was left in the room with the two scantily clad maids."Sir, I am Snow Aerwynn, and this is my sister, Blossom Aerwynn. We are at your service, untouched and pure," the woman in the flowing white robe said with a hint of an accent.Her sister in the soft pink robe nodd

Suprone was the Guardian Choplain's revered disciple, their nation's and order's shining Golden Warrior, destined to challenge for the Sword Saint's title.Yet, a simple snap of the fingers killed him?"Killing him was no different from swatting a fly. So why act like you're all-powerful when you're not? Always talking about ordinary people as if you're some deity in charge of the cosmos, blind to the fact that to others, you're just another bug." Ashton shook his head, his tone dismissive, as if he had merely brushed away a speck of dust."Grandmaster! It looks like we are in the presence of a grandmaster. We were blind to your greatness. Our ignorance is unforgivable. Grandmaster, please, your wrath is not needed. We will provide a resolution that will meet your approval." Fajar, ever the adaptable leader, quickly assessed his opponent's strength. He apologized to avert any further loss of control over the situation."Absolutely! We have offended a grandmaster. I'll report this a

"He gave you that cultivator?" Alora's face showed shock and disbelief."Ashton knew I was looking for a cultivator, so he sent one my way. It's really that simple," Ophelia said casually.She was deeply grateful. She was surprised that Ashton sent a cultivator to her so easily. His action had put the Latham family in third place. She owed him and knew she had to make amends, probably through Yanne.It was just a deal, right? She owed him nothing more.Ophelia reassured herself with those thoughts."Okay, Alora, I have to head back."As Ophelia turned to leave, Alora grabbed her from behind."Ow, Alora! What's the big idea? That hurts." Ophelia winced."Where's Ashton? I need to talk to him." Alora demanded; her breaths were quick and uneven."How should I know? His phone is off. I can't track him down," Ophelia said as she pulled away.He was unreachable when she tried to call to thank the mysterious powerhouse who had elevated the Latham family. She could not read minds, so