Sean Sterling pointed at the pale-eyed figure watching Step, but his words were chilling. Step's expression changed dramatically, and he felt a chill in his heart: "Hawk, there's no doubt this mysterious person is Hawk. I didn't expect him to actually follow me."
Seeing Step's sudden change in color, Sean Sterling chuckled softly and continued, "I used Mental Power to probe the area. With my formidable Mental Power, I couldn't detect a hint of abnormality. This person is very strong... so strong that even I cannot see through his true power, which surprises me greatly.
It is precisely for this reason that although I sensed him beforehand, I did not act hastily. Instead, I pretended not to notice and allowed him to follow you all the way into your room."
"Into my room?" Step gasped.
He had previously used Mental Power to thoroughly investigate the room; it would surely be a joke in Hawk's eyes if he knew about this action.
"Then he..."
"He has already left," Sean Sterling clearly understood what Step wanted to ask and waved his hand with a smile.
Step sighed in relief, but soon felt an overwhelming pressure again. Hawk was too terrifying—elusive and unpredictable. If it weren't for Sean Sterling's appearance today, he would probably still be in the dark, unaware that Hawk had followed him into the room.
"How did you know that after Peak Showdown would be my time of death? The person following me is actually a hidden expert from the Aldra Family, monitoring me all along. But even so, there seems to be no reason for them to choose to kill me right after Peak Showdown...
After all, with my strength, the end of Peak Showdown would only bring endless benefits to the Aldra Family." Although Step was well aware that Warren Earl's ruthless nature would definitely instruct Hawk to take action against him after Peak Showdown, he still wanted to hear Sean Sterling's perspective on why he was so certain that Hawk would strike.
After all, Sean Sterling had no idea about the grievances between him and the Aldra Family.
"Hahahaha..." Just as Step finished speaking, Sean Sterling burst into laughter, pointing at Step and unable to speak for a while.
Step felt confused but realized that Sean Sterling must have guessed something from his reaction.
"I don't know what your relationship with the Aldra Family is. But since they have sent a powerful expert to follow you, could it be just for monitoring? A master whose strength is so great that even I cannot discern his true nature has been dispatched merely to watch over you?"
If I am not mistaken, you must have had conflicts with the Aldra Family before this, which has led to extreme distrust.
A head of a Major Force cannot be someone who is soft-hearted. You have exceptional potential, and there will surely be a place for you at the Holy Light Academy.
If you were the head of the Aldra Family and had a grudge against someone with limitless potential who would achieve great things in the future, even if it was just a minor grievance, what would you do?
Would you let him go? Then when he rises to prominence in the future, even if he doesn't destroy your family, he will certainly cause you a lot of trouble and make it hard for you to sleep peacefully.
So, do you still plan to let him go?
Being the head of a family is not that simple. You either win people over with virtue or are ruthless. Clearly, the head of the Aldra Family is the latter; he will not let you off easily.
The reason that person left without taking action earlier is obviously that you still have some value to be exploited. Once you are no longer useful, that will be your time of death." Sean Sterling spoke with a smile, discussing matters as if he understood the world completely.
As Bu listened, his eyes gradually brightened. Previously, he thought Sean Sterling was just making random guesses, but now it seemed that their thoughts were aligned.
He was not some naive fool; he understood the meaning of the phrase "the human heart is treacherous."
Like last time when Warren Earl made a big show of attacking him but ultimately chose not to kill him and instead collaborated with him again, Bu was well aware that this was merely temporary peace.
This temporary peace was only due to interests; it was because he suddenly revealed his Intermediate strength, which exceeded Warren Earl's expectations and made him see great value in Bu, hence sparing his life.
But this mercy was only temporary.
For someone like Warren Earl, a Heroic Leader, if he has offended someone, he would offend them thoroughly. It would be best to eliminate any future troubles after using them up.
"Senior's teachings today will be etched in my heart. I ask for your assistance in overcoming this calamity; in the future..." Although Bu already knew how dangerous his situation was, he was still quite grateful for Sean Sterling's warning. At this moment, he sincerely bowed in respect. However, before he could finish his words, Sean Sterling raised his hand to stop him.
"I help you because I admire your determination to fight for what you want. As for any gratitude you wish to express in the future, that is a matter too distant. By the time you achieve something, I may have already reached High-Level and entered a higher realm, making it difficult for you to repay me." Facing the puzzled gaze of Bu, Sean Sterling spoke casually, his tone filled with confidence, as if reaching High-Level was merely a hurdle he would inevitably overcome.
Although Sean Sterling spoke so openly, Bu would not take it lightly and refrain from expressing his gratitude. He was someone who clearly distinguished between kindness and enmity, adhering to his principles; whoever treated him well would receive a hundredfold in return, and those who wronged him would be repaid in kind.
"Regardless, I will remember the favor you granted today, Senior," Bu said earnestly, his expression sincere.
Sean Sterling was the first person Bu encountered after arriving in Fran Continent. They had no familial ties, yet he was willing to lend a helping hand without seeking anything in return.
This kindness was etched in Bu's heart. If given the opportunity, he would repay it with gratitude.
"Alright, since I have agreed to help you, I will not change my mind halfway. Take this item; you will understand how to control it once you channel your Mental Power into it. Now, you may go," Sean Sterling said, seemingly unaccustomed to Bu's serious demeanor. He pulled an item from his pocket and handed it to Bu, waving him off impatiently.
Receiving the item from Sean Sterling with some surprise, Bu felt relieved by Sean's reassurance. His heart lightened significantly, and he decided not to linger any longer and took his leave.
Back in his room, Bu held a Magic Scroll and examined it closely.
This Magic Scroll contained a Level 4 defensive spell—Storm Barrier. It could be triggered instantly with just a bit of Mental Power and could withstand a full-force attack from an Intermediate Level 5 expert.
This was precisely what Sean Sterling had handed over earlier. After channeling a bit of Mental Power into it, Bu understood how to activate and control it. Moreover, there remained a trace of Sean Sterling's spiritual imprint on the Magic Scroll; once activated, Sean would be able to sense it through his Mental Power. At that time, no matter what danger arose, as long as Bu could hold on for a few more minutes, Sean Sterling would come to his rescue.
With this item in hand, Bu's safety factor increased exponentially. The Intermediate Level 4 Magic Scroll was invaluable; even an Intermediate Level 5 mage attempting to create one would have less than a thirty percent success rate. Furthermore, the higher the level of the Magic Scroll, the more precious the materials required for its creation—some even needed dragon blood or dragon skin.
The Magic Scroll that Sean Sterling casually gave to Bu was conservatively estimated to be worth over eight hundred Silver Kall. Perhaps for a powerhouse like Sean Sterling, eight hundred Silver Kall was nothing significant; however, for Bu, it represented a substantial favor.
Unbeknownst to Bu, that night saw an undercurrent of activity in the Imperial City as all participants of the Peak Showdown arrived. Major factions began mobilizing their forces to gather intelligence outside; information flowed continuously as updates came in.
In a secluded courtyard in the western district of the Imperial City Inner City stood three houses. The innermost house glowed with bright yellow light. Surrounding this house were six formidable guards keeping watch. Additionally, several experts secretly guarded both the main entrance and the rooftop of this courtyard; under the cover of night, one could hardly detect their presence without careful observation.
"Young Master Kevin, now that we have discovered the whereabouts of that Brent, why not go meet him? After all, Earl Warren Edra had also instructed us to provide him with some conveniences." In a brightly lit room, a young man wearing a Pointed Hat spoke to a figure sitting at the table, pouring himself a drink.
The owner of the figure appeared to be around thirty years old, with a handsome face and a hint of menace in his brow. His eyes were bright and spirited, but judging by his strength, he seemed to be only at the low-level rank one, quite ordinary.
From the way the young man with the Pointed Hat addressed him as Young Master Kevin, it was clear that this figure must be Kevin, the eldest son of Warren Earl and the next heir of the Aldra Family.
Aside from these two, there was another person in the room. This individual wore a black eye patch over his left eye, leaving only his right eye visible. There was a strange black glow flickering in his right eye, and judging by the powerful energy waves emanating from him, he was at least an Intermediate-level strongman.
Hearing the young man with the Pointed Hat speak, the one-eyed man remained silent and did not even glance at him. He stood motionless behind Kevin.
Kevin rhythmically tapped his fingers on the table, producing a clicking sound. Ignoring the question from the young man with the Pointed Hat, he leisurely closed his eyes and began to ponder.
Seeing this, the young man in the pointed hat felt it inappropriate to press further. He suppressed his curiosity and respectfully stood in place waiting.
"As for Brent, I will go meet him. However, before that, I need to wait for Hawk's news to see if Brent is indeed as outstanding and difficult as my father said. If he truly is remarkable and can bring glory to our Aldra Family, I would like to try bringing him under my wing. But I wonder if he knows how to recognize opportunities."
After pondering for a while, Kevin finally spoke slowly, revealing a hint of interest in his eyes as if he was looking forward to what lay ahead.
Comment 0 Comment Count