After wrapping up everything, I didn''t bother looking back and walked away.


    The Capital City Martial Arts Associationy in ruins, every purple-robed man dead!


    This shocking news spread like wildfire across the entire Martial Arts Forum!


    Everyone was talking about what happened.


    The big martial arts families felt even more anxious.


    Sure, they had military strength, but theycked the powerful connections the Sean family enjoyed.


    These people couldn''t shake their growing fears.


    By now, I had made it back to the Divine Alchemist Pavilion.


    Up in the Pavilion Master Building, I grinned and said, "Didn''t think I''d make it home for New Year."


    "Right." The Pavilion Master gave a nod.


    "I never thought you''d actually take out those purple-robed guys."


    I grabbed my tea and smirked, "That''s just the start."


    While we talked, my vision suddenly blurred, and blood shot from my mouth without warning.


    I wiped the blood away and scowled.


    "If that hits during battle, you''re dead." The Pavilion Master looked worried.


    I said grimly, "Yeah, we need to fix this somehow."


    The Pavilion Master spoke seriously, "Besides Pills, there''s one other way."


    "What way?" I asked quickly.


    The Pavilion Master exined, "Break through to the Martial Saint Realm and ditch the golden core."


    Hearing that, I gave a bitterugh, "Who knows when that''ll happen."


    "Didn''t the prophecy say you''d reach Martial Saint Realm next year?" The Pavilion Master chuckled.


    I said seriously, "That''s exactly what''s bugging me."


    "Oh?" The Pavilion Master raised her eyebrows.


    I went on, "The prophecy just says someone will hit Martial Saint Realm next year, not who."


    "If someone else beats me to it, that''s bad news."


    The Pavilion Master nodded, signaling me to keep going.


    I theorized, "This era doesn''t let new Martial Saints show up, but all the current ones are ancient."


    "I''ve studied martial arts history - nobody''s reached Martial Saint Realm in a hundred years."


    "Don''t know why, but once someone new breaks through, the Guardians'' rules crumble."


    "Then... the Martial Saints hiding in Mystic Realms cane out."


    Surprise shed across the Pavilion Master''s face.


    "You make a good point." The Pavilion Master said.


    I sighed, "Can''t promise I''ll be first to reach Martial Saint Realm. World''s huge, full of masters."


    This time, even the Pavilion Master couldn''t feel totally confident.


    She said seriously, "So what''s your n?"


    I said, "Got two backup ns."


    "Either rush to Martial Saint Realm fast, or find somewhere to hide."


    For hiding spots, I already had one in mind.


    The ownerless Mystic Realm in Green Moon Vi''s Spiritual Spring.


    Nobody knew about that ce - even the Capital City Martial Arts Association couldn''t track it down.


    "After New Year, I''ll hunt down Garcia Coleman and use him against Jensen Coleman." I said coldly.


    The Pavilion Master didn''tment.


    As we chatted, I suddenly sensed someoneing to the door.


    "Someone''s here." We both said at the same time.


    I slowly stood up and closed my eyes, reading the approaching aura.


    "Another Half-step Martial Sage." I frowned.


    The Pavilion Master grunted, "With things like this, someone''s bound to hit Martial Saint Realm soon."


    As we spoke, the Pavilion Master started heading downstairs.


    Iughed, "Lord Pavilion Master, might as well test this killing formation."


    The Pavilion Master paused, then smiled, "Good thinking."


    We both jumped down from the Pavilion Master Building to the square, quietly waiting for whoever wasing.


    Soon enough, a massive guy walked in.


    This man was built like a tank with incredible presence, totally intimidating.


    "Who are you?" I asked coldly.


    The guy stepped forward without a word.


    "It''s me."


    Right then, a familiar voice rang out.


    Looking over, I saw a familiar face entering.


    Seeing this person, I was pretty shocked.


    "Jerry Sean? What brings you here?" I quickly dropped my killing intent and hurried over.


    Jerry Seanughed and said, "It''s New Year, where else would I go?"


    I pointed at the big guy and asked, "Who''s he?"


    The massive man bowed and said, "I''m Mr. Sean''s bodyguard."


    I couldn''t help but gasp.


    Jerry Sean managed to get a Half-step Martial Sage as his bodyguard?


    "Mr. Sean, where''ve you been all year?" The Pavilion Master greeted him.


    Jerry Sean waved his hand and said, "Long story."


    "Let''s head upstairs first." The Pavilion Master said politely.


    The three of us immediately went upstairs.


    ——


    Three days remained until New Year.


    By now, news of the Capital City Martial Arts Association incident had reached the Second Secret Realm.


    Virtual shadows of high-ranking members materialized above Jensen Coleman''s Great Hall.


    Jensen Coleman and Garcia Coleman dropped to their knees and stayed down.


    "No matter what it takes, Mason Raymond must die." The high-ranking members issued theirmand.


    Though they didn''t spell it out, their meaning was crystal clear.


    Jensen Coleman and Garcia Coleman were sharp enough to catch what the high-ranking members really wanted.


    "You can count on us, high-ranking members." The Coleman father and son said, sping their hands.


    The high-ranking members said nothing more, their virtual forms slowly fading away.


    After they vanished, Garcia Coleman exploded with rage and cursed, "That Mason Raymond, I''ll kill him, I''ll kill him!!"


    Jensen Coleman''s expression was equally dark.


    Now that his son ran the Capital City Martial Arts Association, this disaster had struck.


    For the Coleman family, this was definitely terrible news.


    "Father, what are the high-ranking members really saying?" Garcia asked darkly.


    Jensen Coleman stroked his beard and muttered, "They want us to send out a Martial Saint to kill Mason Raymond."


    Garcia clenched his teeth and said, "Is killing one Mason Raymond really worth sending out a Martial Saint?"


    Jensen Coleman whispered, "Their message is clear - even if it costs us a Martial Saint, we must eliminate this Mason Raymond!"


    Jensen Coleman felt his spirits sink.


    He worried this move would provoke the Guardians.


    He feared even more that the sacrifice wouldn''t be just one Martial Saint but the entire Second Secret Realm.


    "Dad, this n could spell disaster for us." Garcia frowned.


    "If pushes to shove, I''ll take people and kill Mason Raymond myself!" Garcia offered boldly.


    Jensen Coleman stayed silent for a long time.


    He was wrestling with his conscience.


    Sending out a Martial Saint might anger the Guardians.


    But defying the high-ranking members'' orders meant certain death.


    After much internal struggle, Jensen Coleman said seriously, "The Guardians haven''t shown up for over a hundred years - whether they''re even alive is questionable!"


    "But disobeying the high-ranking members guarantees death! Let''s roll the dice!"