Fred was done for! …The alliance’s venue looked grand, and the first thing anyone who entered saw was a huge battle arena, followed by rows of seats around it.Evidently, those seats were for insignificant powers who did not meet the criteria to join the alliance.True figureheads of the commercial circle were seated in luxurious private rooms with French-styled windows above the arena.As the crowd got to their seats, the private rooms lit up as well.Within each room stood people—men and women, old and young—with an air of superiority around them. Each of them had a fierce look in their eyes as they stared out of the windows at the arena below.There was also a burly man standing behind each of them, their representative in this competition within the alliance.“Not bad! Elaine is much weaker compared to him.”Fred did not go into the private rooms but instead sat below the arena to observe the fights.There were quite a few familiar faces. He saw presidents of a few fi
Against the Ryes right off the bat?The harmonic atmosphere grew tense as Saddle Mountain’s Lord Eland issued a challenge against Elaine.Everyone in attendance today knew that the San Hanna Ryes had profited the most during the last meeting five years ago.However, news of Prince Ryes lying bedridden and unconscious had spread, and everyone deemed the Ryes an easy target.All the guests in the private rooms had an expression of interest and mockery when they heard this challenge.“Damn it!” Elaine was well aware of how everyone was looking at her Despite knowing and preparing for this in advance, Elaine’s face still paled at the challenge.Ever since news of her father’s situation spread, there were no more fighters willing to represent the Ryes. It would be more accurate to say that Elaine had come alone with Fred.Beside her, Martin detected her embarrassment and said, “Don’t worry, Miss Ryes. Since the Biers have decided to ally with the Ryes, perhaps we could accept thi
‘If I truly want to, I can kill you too.’This sentence had the man exploding with fury as it echoed in his ear, and he flushed with infuriation.Utter and absolute infuriation.He was Mark Elledge, student of Master Halbert Guerrero, Somerland's Long Fist Master, prized student of the Heaven and Earth Society, and a master of the Heaven and Earth Fists among his generation!He had come to Astra with his martial sister because they heard that the Chamber of Commerce Alliance was recruiting new members and there would be an interesting gambled brawl being held. They had only come to experience the crowd.As far as Mark was concerned, there was nothing worth noting about these brawls and they were about as interesting as back alley fistfights. They were nothing impressive to true martial artists like him and Jade.Yet, Fred, a presumptuous idiot in his eyes, had threatened to kill him.Mark was furious.Even his martial sister, Jade, was surprised to hear such a thing from Fred
“Nice one! There we go! That was a good fight!”“I heard that the Ryes were the winner of the previous competition five years ago! Who’d have thought that they would end up losing the first challenge this time? What a surprise!”“Surprise? Didn’t you hear that the Ryes are waning? Especially Prince Ryes, he’s pretty much dead at this point! Who knows when he’ll take his last breath? It’s over for the Ryes!”Leaders of different forces in the private rooms could easily hear the commotion outside. Having won this round, Lord Eland laughed out loud. “Looks like I made the right decision asking Master Poe to represent us! Miss Ryes, since you’ve lost, I’m sure you know what to do, hmm?”“Of course.” Elaine clenched her jaw and took a deep breath to collect her emotions. “Since the Ryes have lost, it’s only right that we follow through. From today onward, the Ryes’ river trade business at the outskirts of San Hanna shall belong to Lord Eland.”“Very good! Looks like my luck is good t
‘Master Holden?‘Who’s that?’Confused, everyone turned to look at where Yves and the other two were bowing at.Not too far outside the arena, there was a small lake where a fierce-looking man stood on a boat as it slowly drifted over.This was Walter Whyte, the warlord who ran across the river that day in San Hanna.Lord Eland sneered. “Yves, Quintin, and Lyall, this is the Master Whyte you invited? Let’s not talk about his attitude, but he’s still riding his boat on his way here! Do you expect all of us to wait 20 to 30 minutes idly for him?”Everyone sneered.Their laughter did not affect Yves’ proud expression as the man smiled. “Don’t worry. Master Whyte is a powerful fighter. We won’t have to wait too long before he arrives in his special way.”‘Special?‘What does he mean?’Boom!Before everyone’s eyes, a loud sound rang out.The small boat on the lake suddenly broke apart in the middle and both ends slowly sank into the lake.‘The boat… sank?‘What’s going on?’E
Master Poe was doomed to die against him!Still, it was too late even if Lord Eland wanted Master Poe to retreat. With Yves’ reply, Walter had turned to look at Master Poe.“Will you walk down yourself or do I need to throw you off?”Walter asked, paying Master Poe no mind. The man had his back turned around when he asked arrogantly.Master Poe, who was ready to admit defeat, was furious now.As a master in Form-Intention Fists, he was used to being revered and respected wherever he went. People thought of him the moment they heard Form-Intention Fists.Taking into account the huge difference between their raw strength, the most Master Poe’s dignity allowed was accepting defeat, yet Walter had told him to get off the arena himself.If he agreed, he would be humiliating himself and every other person who practiced Form-Intention Fists in Somerland.Master Poe harrumphed. “Let’s fight…”Boom!Walter vanished and reappeared in front of Master Poe and kicked. Everything happened
‘W-What?!’Everyone fell silent with fear as the venue swayed and Walter roared. Some who were less bold had begun to shudder while some had even fainted over.Even the leaders of various forces paled and shuddered with fear despite the distance between them and the arena and knowing that Walter’s anger was not directed at them.“Master Andrus, c-can you defeat t-this Master Whyte?”Wilfred thought that by inviting a powerful fighter like Gilbert, he was destined to win this competition, but he was pale with fear now.Still, he asked with hope.However, Gilbert now lay limply on the ground. He did not even have the strength to answer Wilfred’s question.‘Could it be him? Just his presence alone i-is enough to keep me in place! O-Oh my God!’Gilbert’s heart shuddered in his ribcage as he mistook Fred for Walter.He did not think it was too likely for there to be so many powerful fighters in Astra, so he was certain that it was Walter who scared him away that day.This made h
“Who are you?”Walter frowned as he looked at this smiling young man who was not even in his 30s.He had rushed all the way back to Somerland to profit tremendously from the alliance’s gambled brawls and to avenge his martial brother, Master Nunez, by killing his murderer.Yet, Fred, a young man, was the one who walked out?Even Walter wanted to laugh.While Master Nunez was weaker than him, he was still a powerful fighter. To kill Master Nunez, one had to be a martial artist who had been cultivating for years.His murderer had to be at least 40, but Fred was only in his 20s.Fred replied calmly, “You’re looking for me, no?”Walter could not help but laugh. “You mean to say that you’re that Hoffman bastard who killed my martial brother?”Walter laughed out loud, and the arena resonated with it. A terrifyingly oppressive aura started oozing from Walter and spread throughout the venue, leaving everyone in fear.Yet Fred, who stood right in front of Walter, remained unfazed. His
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