| propose that this challenge be solely between the disciple of FlHoly Land and of Vasteras Holy Land.
What's your opinion, Steward Gren? You regard Austin as useless as rubbish. Are you brave enough to accept his challenge?"
The old man let out a fit of hearty laugh after speaking. He appreciated Austin's courage and determination in raising such a
seemingly impossible challenge.
"Why should | refuse such an interesting challenge? | accept it!"
Steward Gren uttered in a grim tone.
"Since you are shameless enough to raise such an absurd challenge, | will grant you the opportunity to harvest the subsequent
consequence of your arrogance.
| accept your challenge, Austin, and one year later, I'll prove how bad of a cultivator you are.
I'll prove to you that rubbish will always be rubbish. You have nothing to prove! Stop dreaming!"
Howard gravely shouted and then burst into blaring laughter loud enough for everyone to hear.
All spectators felt stunned at the exchange of those two young men. They all motionlessly stared at the several figures in the
middle of the arena with their mouths half agape.
They never knew that a warrior at the preliminary stage of Semi-holy Realm would ever challenge a much mighty warrior--
someone at the premium stage of Emperor Realm.
The majority of the audience thought that Austin was a complete lunatic for being that tactless.
"We can leave now, sir."
Austin paid no attention to Howard anymore. He just turned around and left with Caroline's hand in his.
He was not in the mood to talk nonsense with those arrogant warriors. He grew more determined to show who the real rubbish
warrior was. And the only way to prove himself was to fight and defeat Howard on the sbattle ring.
Soon enough, they ultimately left the place with the old man leading the way. After walking through several streets in the imperial
capital city, they stopped in front of a quiet compound, far away from the bustling street.
This compound was the old man's dwelling in the capital of the Solamnia Kingdom.
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As soon as they entered, they were greeted by the scents of various flowers planted in the courtyard. Four or five stone chairs were
erected around a stone table on one corner.
The old man sat on one of those chairs, taking out a gourd from a pocket in front of his chest. As soon as he opened its cap, a
sweet smell of wine wafted and spread through the air.
He brought the gourd to his mouth and gulped the wine down. Then, he asked Caroline and Austin to sit with him.
"Letask you something, Austin. You have, of course, identified him as a warrior at the premium stage of Emperor Realm from
the Vasteras Holy Land. But do you know how many advanced martial skills he has mastered? A lot! Among all the young
generations of warriors, he is one of the most adroit and skillful.
Are you really that confident about your impending match?" asked the old man.
He seemed very concerned about this new disciple.
"Yes, of course.
| was severely injured seven years ago because someone setup and damaged my brain severely. | was almost a brainless idiot
after the injury.
And | had led the life of an idiot for nearly three years, not knowing what was happening toevery day. And after a long time, |
gradually healed.
| was able to practice my martial arts then. It tookfour years to advance from the medium stage of Energy Gathering Realm to
my current cultivation base, and | did it totally on my own.
)o you know what I've gone
hrough? | metterrible enemies and
vas alwaysin grave danger with N
nly little Chance of surviving. It ©
seemed\as if every encounter would
e théeath of me. On top of that, |
vas ust on my own, with none to
pide and help me. But, | never lost
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vhat the adversities were. Content
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So to answer your question, hell, yes, | am confident, sir. Confidence has been my best friend all those years.
I'm fearless in the pursuit of martial arts, and | fear no man no matter how powerful they are. | always put my best foot forward,
even though | might be inferior to them.
know well hgw capable Howard is
ind that ne mich better than me
1 every aspect. But he humiliated;
ne todaffin the presence of every’
varrignin the competition arena.
fees no way I'm going todet it
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practice partial arts to protect
nyself from being bullied by others,
ind thats my principle. It would'be
:owardice and against my belief if |
vont challenge him to provemyself
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
ing fight off bullies like him Conten
5élongs to english©
This confrontation is a must as it is the only way to wipe out the humiliation he imprinted on me. The only way to settle this is to
defeat him next year, in front of everyone.
I'll try my best to practice and improve my strength as much as | can. I'll fight Howard, defeat him, and step on him as a winner. |
can only feel like a real warrior myself if | manage to do that."
Without any stop, those words poured out from Austin's mouth like waterfalls. He had been keeping those sentiments for a long
time, and it was the perfect tto let it all out.
"That's good of you, Austin. Your aspiration to be a real warrior is impressive.
| trust that you will never fail me.
| know you have faith in yourself, but fighting relies on ability, and that's an undeniable fact.
As far as I'm concerned, you should improve your vital energy before the match. That's the most important thing you need to pay
attention to.
You have weak vital energy that needs significant development.”
The old man sounded like a true master and superior to Austin.
"Yes, | understand," replied Austin, nodding.
He ultimately agreed with the old man. His weak vital energy was really his Achilles heel.
"It seems you and the girl from the Xiao Family in the Solamnia Kingdom are in good terms."
Suddenly, the old man raised another topic out of Austin's expectation.
"We're friends. | was able to participate in the tournament because she helpedin applying as part of the Xiao Family."
Austin wondered the old man's real intention in asking such a question out of the blue.
"I'm afraid that the Xiao Family is in danger now.
The royal family in the Solamnia Kingdom will soon witness a storm that will tically alter the course of things."
Suddenly, Austin felt his body turned cold upon hearing the old man.