"They thought you were my dad? Really? They... They actually believed that?"Fred had returned to the attic of Elder Eisler's mansion on Brume Peak to continue his cultivation after dealing with Bernard. It was not long before Seelie came barging into his room, giggling as she looked at Fred.She asked, "How did it go? I heard that you experienced the power of a Holy Emperor from Bernard. You must have a preliminary assessment of your strength and Holy Emperor Agate’s now, right?""I do." Fred nodded slightly.Seelie immediately approached the man with a curious look on her face. "Tell me, tell me! If you were to fight against Holy Emperor Agate, who would win?""I haven't fought him yet, so it's hard for me to judge!" Fred replied calmly.Seeing Fred so composed, Seelie immediately looked suspicious and laughed. "Is that so?" Her brows furrowed immediately after. Technically speaking, Fred's journey to the Ancient Martial Realm this time was entirely related to the Holy Empero
These were not the words Seelie wanted to hear. Seelie had chosen to work with Fred in the first place because she had been deceived by Holy Emperor Howlite and Gregory. She wanted them to pay. How was she going to do that now that Fred had lost his strength?Would everything she had done before become meaningless?Fortunately, what happened next calmed her quite a bit.Just as Seelie was feeling anxious, Fred's body suddenly trembled before a familiar golden light began to emerge from him. The terrifying aura that represented Fred's formidable strength was gradually rising again within him."Are you recovering?" Seelie could not help but ask curiously."It would seem so.” Fred frowned slightly as he sensed his regained power. "While I’ve almost recovered my full power, it seems that Holy Emperor Howlite’s sneak attack has led to me being rejected by the Ancient Martial realm. If my guess is right, the rejection will intensify if I use my true strength and I'll lose it for a sho
"Highly skilled practitioners of formless divination?"Inside the main hall of the Triple Flair Sect, Malior and Elder Eisler frowned slightly when they heard Fred and Seelie’s request. Of course, they did not have any objections to Fred seeking someone proficient in the divining arts. Following the battle with Bernard, Malior had declared Fred a supreme elder of the Triple Flair Sect. It was a position even higher than his own.Fred's first request after becoming the supreme elder, however, was for them to look for someone proficient in formless divination. It immediately elicited creases on their foreheads. Malior immediately voiced his concerns, "Senior Fred, while there are quite a few experts on the subject in the Ancient Martial Realm, most of them are on Holy Martial Island. That's at the center of the Ancient Martial Realm. It's somewhat beyond our sect’s reach."Fred was not too surprised to hear that. The reason he approached the sect was because of the restrictions po
"Yes." Elder Eisler nodded and pressed on. A hundred years ago, the Triple Flair Sect was not a third-rate sect but a top-notch one named the Triple Flair-Cross Enigma Sect. However, due to ideological differences within the sect, it split into two factions that became hostile to one another. They even engaged in conflicts. The result of that division led to two separate sects—the present Triple Flair Sect and the establishment of a new sect named the Cross Enigma Sect.A point of interest was that the sect that represented the orthodox traditions of the Triple Flair-Cross Enigma Sect, now the Triple Flair Sect, was robbed of a significant number of their martial arts secrets during the split. This weakened the Triple Flair Sect, and over time, they declined into a third-rate sect. Meanwhile, the Cross Enigma Sect, benefitting from the wealth of martial arts knowledge, continued to grow and eventually developed into a top-tier sect.Any mention of the Cross Enigma Sect had beco
Challenging the Cross Enigma Sect was not something the Triple Flair Sect had considered ever since they became a third-rate sect. With Bernard’s suppression, they then fell further to become a fifth-rate sect. The Cross Enigma Sect, on the other hand, grew rapidly and developed into a first-rate sect after many years of evolution. After all, they had the vast resources they took from the original sect. In just a hundred years, they grew to become just as strong as the previous Triple Flair-Cross Enigma Sect.For a fifth-rate sect to challenge a first-rate sect—how could there have been any hope for them?However, with Fred now, everything was different! To Malior and the rest, Fred was a Holy Emperor! Regardless of what rank their sect used to be, with Fred as a Holy Emperor, they were now a first-rate sect!Thus, in his capacity as the sect leader, Malior immediately drafted a letter and handed it to Elder Eisler."Elder Eisler, I can't make the trip myself seeing that I'm th
Holy Emperor Agate clearly shared the same thoughts on this matter as he immediately snorted and said, "Looks like those four rule-breakers have entered my territory!""Rhodium has always been an elusive one, so it can't be him! Lazuli is a brainless dolt, and he only listens to Rhodium, so it's unlikely that it's him! That leaves the last two. Is it the bastard Onyx or Howlite, that fox?"Holy Emperor Agate looked through the folding screen and once again focused his gaze on Sheckie. "Regardless of the situation, I won't allow them to meddle in my territory! Go and investigate this immediately. As for Bernard, it doesn't matter whether he lives or dies.""Yes, Your Highness!”Sheckie immediately accepted the command and then turned to walk out of the room....One month had passed. Fred and the others at the Triple Flair Sect were, of course, unaware that Bernard's disappearance had led to Holy Emperor Agate believing the other Holy Emperors had intruded into the South Island.
The members of the Triple Flair Sect—including Malior, their sect leader, as well as the influential elders like Elder Tobiah—could not help but feel shocked at the suggestion. They all knew that the suggestion to initiate the challenge on their turf was just an euphemism. In reality, it meant going there to cause trouble.Even though they had witnessed Fred's formidable strength, Malior and the others still felt that they should follow the usual process when it came to dealing with the Cross Enigma Sect. The idea of directly challenging them on their turf had never crossed their minds.This was the mentality of the weak.Malior and the others were well aware that the Triple Flair Sect and the Cross Enigma Sect were once part of the same sect a century ago. However, the present Cross Enigma Sect had long since risen to become a top-tier sect, surpassing even the original sect.The Triple Flair Sect, on the other hand, was a small fifth-rate sect. What did they have to go and chal
Every high-ranking member of the Triple Flair Sect present had one recurring thought. They might be witnessing the birth of a Holy Emperor! Or perhaps the birth of a legend!…Just as Fred had said, now that their decision had been made, the Triple Flair Sect immediately sprang into action. Led by their sect leader, Malior, all seven high-ranking members of the Triple Flair Sect packed their belongings and set out.What surprised Fred was that they encountered people from the Nile family, whom they had not seen in a long while, on their journey to the Cross Enigma Sect.It was the Nile family's chief guard, Howard."M-Mr. Hoffman?" Howard himself was also greatly shocked. Especially when he saw a group of Ancient Warlords from the Triple Flair Sect descending Brume Peak. They were escorting Fred and Seelie.He could hardly believe his eyes. He had personally escorted Fred and Seelie to the Triple Flair Sect to be their disciples, after all.No matter how extraordinary Fred might
Marciella walking away did not bode well with the giant snake. Marciella was its food! How could it accept that its food had escaped?Marciella had not moved far yet. She reluctantly looked back at Fred.She did not know how Fred would handle the River God. She could only hope Fred would be okay!When Fred saw that she had left, he geared up, rubbing his palms in glee. He had an eager look on his face, which confused the giant snake.It was the snake’s first time meeting a man like Fred!How strange indeed!At this time!Suddenly, Fred said with hostility etched on his face, "Hey, Big Snake, what are you going to do now?"The snake's attention was entirely focused on him, which seemed off to Fred."What I’m going to do?"The giant snake fixated its eyes on Fred. It felt that it could handle a human like Fred easily.“I’m going to kill you with one bite! How dare you look down on me like this!"The giant snake rushed toward Fred fiercely at a speed so fast that no one could
Fred was annoyed by the giant snake's arrogant tone. Fred squinted his eyes at the snake and asked in confusion, "Why are you making that face?"“Huh?"The giant snake was shocked. He thought that Fred would submit to him, but to his surprise, Fred was not shaken at all.The snake was about to lose his temper.“Dirty snake, haven't I made myself clear enough? I think you are probably sleep-talking if you want me to hand over my people to you..." Fred said impatiently.At this moment…Feeling that it was being ridiculed, the snake said suddenly, "You punk, this is the first time anyone spoke to me this way. What is your name?"“Me?"Fred was stunned subconsciously, not knowing what the snake wanted. Suddenly, he understood.“Did you want to know my name so you can remember me, bow down before me, and become my follower? Sure, I’ll give you that chance!"He was adding fuel to the fire. The giant snake almost spat out blood in anger!"What? You want me to follow an immature bei
Huh!?Putting aside Marciella, even Fred could not hide his shock as a giant snake appeared from under the water!A giant snake!How could it be!?Fred's eyes widened at the sheer size of the snake. "A Giant Snake… Is this the so-called River God?"Moreover, the size was humongous. The snake must be at least ten stories high!What a huge snake!Fred finally understood why he felt a powerful force under the water!There was a sharp glint in the giant snake’s eyes! That was the blinking light from time to time!"Who comes here? Are you from the village? Who do you plan to sacrifice to me this time?" As soon as the giant snake spoke, Fred realized that this was not the first time it had done this.The snake seemed familiar with the ritual process. Obviously, the villagers had witnessed this giant snake before. This was the meeting between the two sides! Fred felt uncomfortable at this. As for the giant snake, it felt bemused when it saw Fred. The snake had never seen Fred befo
Fred was going to risk it all to open this girl's eyes!The force from the punch was extraordinary! As soon as the tree was hit by the seismic fist, it fell immediately and the whole tree split neatly in two!Marciella was dumbfounded!Although she knew how powerful Fred was, to witness his power was a different thing entirely!"Master Fred, your power is insane!"Marciella could not help but applaud.Fred seemed indifferent, as though he had no feeling at all about this."Is it? Why do you think so?"He looked so indifferent.For Ancient Martial Arts, things did not get any simpler than this!"You’re so strong. Anyway, I don’t doubt you anymore..." Marciella sighed, suddenly feeling very sad. "This is the reward of being educated. If we were more knowledgeable, we wouldn’t be so clueless.”"Haha, if you can't solve your issues, your descendants can work harder," Fred said with a wink.Marciella said, "Mr. Fred, I needed to ask you something! What if our luck was changed ju
What Fred said aroused her curiosity."What does it look like when you offer a sacrifice?"Fred knew he could not speak of this matter. Sure enough, Marciella felt a little downcast after Fred said the words. She did not know why Fred would say such a thing. Suddenly, Fred felt bad about it.He coughed and said, "Don't think too much about it... I just want to find a clue. Maybe we could find a solution. Why does it never rain in your village?""Huh?"Marciella's eyes, which were still a little dejected, suddenly realized what was important and asked hurriedly, "Mr. Fred, are you saying that the reason why it never rains in our village is because someone is behind it?"Although Fred was unwilling to admit it, he could not help but nod. "Yes, this is exactly what you thought!""For real?!"Marciella felt hopeful again when she heard this. She said hastily, "The thing you asked about is pretty simple. You can just check out that place!""That place?"Fred turned around to see w
Marciella found herself nodding in agreement with Fred's harsh assessment. "You're spot on," she said. "That woman is nothing but vile!"Seeing Marciella's reaction, a rare smile crossed Fred's face as he nodded back. "Glad you see it my way," he said.What caught Fred off guard was the villagers' reaction. One by one, their faces turned ashen with despair.It seemed to them that nothing could be worse than the predicament they were facing. The absence of the witch spelled doom for the village—it was like their last shred of hope had vanished. They had all put their faith in her to charm the River God into blessing them with rain, which would have brought some peace to their troubled lives. However, now their chances seemed to have dried up just like their fields. Fred stood there, his face a mask of serenity amidst the chaos.In the moments that followed, the village chief was a picture of despair, his only option was to send everyone home while he racked his brain for a backup pl
"What?"Fred did not even have time to blink before the witch suddenly made a move.It was like a bomb went off.Kaboom!Then, she was dead!Fred dusted off his hands, even surprising himself with his lack of tolerance for the witch.Now, though, he had a real headache. He had planned to clear the air with the witch and lay out the past so everyone would know the full picture.He thought that might just turn things around.The situation changed when she vanished, and Fred's plans were completely derailed. Then again, changing the villagers' minds was not going to be a walk in the park anyway. They were pretty set in their ways, thanks to all the stuff they had been fed.As such, just talking it out might not cut it. Heck, it could even mess with history!With the witch out of the equation, Fred figured he might as well try a different tactic. Maybe if he took out the guy in the cloak and worked his own magic to bring some rain, it could save a lot of hassle. The more he thoug
"No way!"The witch bristled with defiance. She could not accept that she was no match for Fred.As she noticed Fred's focus was locked on her, a sly idea popped up in her mind.Before she could act on it, though, she found herself pinned against the wall by Fred in a flash...Her face contorted in disbelief. She was pinned so tightly that she could not even move!The witch was completely overpowered, her heart racing with panic.How could he be so much stronger than her?Fred, on the other hand, seemed unfazed."What's going through your head? You don't seriously think you can take me on, do you?" Fred asked, his voice laced with skepticism.The witch felt utterly trapped, as if at any second, Fred might just finish her off."Look, I messed up, okay? Can we not do this? I'm old, just a pile of brittle bones—I can't take this kind of rough treatment!" the witch pleaded with Fred, trying a new tactic to get through to him.Fred was not falling for it. He looked at her with a
"Heh, I caught on to you a while back, you know. You've been tailing me, and I'm pretty sure you're here for me. Plus, you don't have the look of someone from our village. That means you are an outsider, and I'm your target, right? Listen, man, we don't have any beef with each other, so why are you sticking your nose where it doesn't belong?"The witch had sensed the raw power rolling off Fred, and it was enough to send shivers down her spine!At that moment, she knew that challenging Fred was not going to be a walk in the park! If she had spotted him earlier in the forest, it would not have been good news for her. For starters, she had no clue how many tricks Fred had up his sleeve, and if he took her down, she and her buddy would be toast.However, the witch was not about to let Fred take her out without a fight! She racked her brain and finally settled on one strategy!She would try to sweet-talk him, hoping Fred would fall for her words just like everyone else, and fall into he