Among the Northern Faction's partisans, Christian Cox and his ilk had turned deathly pale, cold tendrils of dread gripping their cores."Sweet heavens...can this be real?"Benjamin Howard could only gape in stupefied awe. This whelp's ferocity knew no bounds! He had already witnessed Jason's prowess firsthand, yet never could he have fathomed such transcendent might. His power rivaled even his formidable brother Arthur!On the other side, old Stewart and Julia Stewart's expressions shone with ill-concealed elation as they scanned the crowds, seeking the unassuming stranger who had presaged this very outcome.Yet the prescient seer had long since vanished into the dispersing masses."Hack...cough...cough..."Albert choked out a thick gout of blood, his every ragged exhalation a tortuous strain. Agony lanced through his battered form, his bones all but shattered, his musculature turned to enervated gelatin.That single strike had nearly ended his life outright - he had been overwhelmed
"Swish...swish!"In a blurring whirlwind, Albert channeled the last dregs of his energy into an explosive charge, his legs turned to whip-crack springs propelling a blinding onslaught."This is...""The Fourth Killing Art - Whirlwind Taekwondo!""He speaks true!" the witnesses cried out in awe, for this was indeed the signature art of one of the Northern Faction's elite overlords, ranked among the hallowed Ten Supreme Masters. As the preeminent progenitor of the Taekwondo factions, his influence had extended even to Emerald City through now-exterminated offshoots.The culprit behind that massacre still remained an unsolved mystery.Jason too recognized the technique's formidable aura - yet Albert's crippling injuries rendered such a gambit pointless against his transcendent dominion."Futile fool!"Though Albert's velocity seemed blinding, Jason's explosive acceleration far outpaced his foe. With an arcing whipcord of sheer annihilating force, a single sweeping kick detonated against
Emily too scrubbed and blinked her eyes in a vain attempt to unseat the implausible mirage. She even tugged insistently at Jason's hair, as if reassuring herself of his substantive corporeality, earning her an exasperated glare and reproachful grimace.Only when the truth became incontrovertible did the two women exhale in relief, exchanging rueful shakes of their head at the unnerving episode. "Well, with identical appearances, I must say the similarities end there," Emily commented with a disdainful sniff towards Jason's disgruntled frown. "Just imagine if you had his prowess! How much more fortuitous that would be."Jason rolled his eyes, grinding his teeth in silent outrage. After the invaluable aid he had rendered her, she dared express such scathing ingratitude?But Susan only pursed her lips in gentle reproof. "He is himself, just as Jason is Jason. Whether mighty or meek, his worth outstrips all else - as yours does in my eyes." A teasing smile played over her lips. "If his a
Christian Cox and others couldn't help but break down in tears."Why? Ahhh..."Soon, this incident shook the martial arts world. Countless Martial Arts Masters were stunned, marveling at Martial Saint's discernment. The disciple he had chosen was indeed formidable!Possessing limitless potential and a promising future!Long after, when Albert awoke from his unconscious state and learned of this tragic, humiliating outcome, though his life was spared, his eyes were hollow, like a walking corpse. He had lost not just the match but all his arrogance, confidence, and perhaps even his soul!Representing Arm Fist Boxing, he no longer wished to continue. Forget being incapable, this single battle had repaid his dues. Martial Saint's disciple was indeed spectacular and formidable."Cough...cough!" Albert coughed up some blood. He knew that from this day forth, his martial path might be severed by half.Becoming one of the top ten Martial Arts Masters was now a distant dream!"Let's go. Hen
Had any denizens of the underworld witnessed Jackson Gray stripping off his mask, they would have gasped in disbelief. For he was the legendary figure rumored to lurk unseen in one's midst, his true identity forever obscured – the man known as Thousand Faces, ranked ninth among assassins.A formidable presence in that dark realm, Thousand Faces excelled in disguise, capable of seamless deception. Impersonating Jason was child's play. His most astounding feat involved living an entire year posing as a wealthy tycoon, undetected until he wearied of the charade and slipped, revealing his true nature.None were more stunned than the tycoon's wife, who had shared his bed for nearly a year, oblivious her husband had been supplanted – a mere thought that chilled the bones...Yet here stood the infamous Thousand Faces, revered in the underworld, deferentially addressing Jason with an obsequious smile. "Boss, that Albert was small fry. Why all this trouble when disposing of him would have been
Jason's gaze hardened as his face darkened with a cold scoff. "So you killed him, then tried framing me? But I don't understand – if you meant to provoke the Northern Faction against me, why reveal yourselves now?"In his view, having achieved their aim, they could have simply watched the tigers battle from the mountain. Why this unnecessary escalation?Unless their scheme truly was incomplete, and he was the missing piece!The diminutive elder and the masked man sneered mockingly. "Simple – if we're going to play, we may as well go big. What fun is pitting the Northern Faction against you? But if you die, and they're framed for it? Now that would be entertaining!""Just imagine – Martial Saint's disciple slain by the Northern Faction. As his master, the esteemed Martial Saint would surely unleash his wrath. Not only would it conceal our true intent, but it would throw the entire martial world into chaos! Why not seize such an opportunity?"Hearing this, Jason froze, his expression da
Legend told of his bitter enmity with the Black Lotus Sect, never once showing mercy to its adherents. "He...he's Martial Saint?" Poseidon's mind reeled into stupefaction as shrill terror contorted his features. Without hesitation, he too turned to flee, drenched in a cold sweat.One man, one title – yet enough to paralyze two formidable foes with dread. Likely only Martial Saint could inspire such reaction. "A pack of vermin plotting against me, and you think to flee?" The unassuming man's eyes flashed with arctic chill as he moved, a blur.Before Poseidon could gather his wits, that imposing figure loomed before him. Too swift – a sweeping palm struck, effortlessly swatting him skyward like swatting a gnat. Fragile, pitiful – a mere flick of the wrist from a colossus against a child.With a muted thump, Poseidon crumpled unconscious, his mask shattering upon impact."No!" Vulcan shrieked in horror, eyes bulging as one of similar prowess was rendered a beaten wretch with trivial e
The master he spoke of remained a shadowy enigma. Jason's sole impression was of profound mystery, ignorant of that elder's identity or current whereabouts.That curative prowess, those arcane disciplines – all had issued from that source, whose mastery likely rivaled even Martial Saint's renown."Very well, I expected as much – you declined me once before, after all." Martial Saint shrugged dismissively. "But if you ever change your mind, you need only say the word." "He...he actually refused? More than once?" Vulcan's mind reeled, utterly dumbstruck. To reject Martial Saint's offer of tutelage? Such folly defied comprehension!Were word of this to spread, the outcry would be deafening – to spurn such a peerless opportunity branded one as woefully short-sighted, unworthy of the privilege.To serve as Martial Saint's disciple eluded most; even tending to his most mundane needs would be an honor to die for!"Enough of that. How did you come to be here? Wait – you witnessed the match?