I shot up from the ground, eyes locked on the vision zing across the sky.


    Mabel Sean got pulled in by the strange cloud too.


    The glowing cloud vanished fast, swallowed up by rolling ck storm clouds.


    "Crack!"


    Then thunder exploded overhead!


    The sound hit like a hammer, loud enough to crack the earth in two!


    I had no clue what this vision meant, but dread twisted in my gut.


    "Someone is ascending to Martial Saint," Spike Viktor said quietly.


    My face went white!


    The thing I''d been dreading had actually happened! I never thought someone would really break through to Martial Saint!


    "Spike, we need to move faster, please!" I turned to Spike Viktor, desperation in my eyes.


    Spike Viktor nodded back. "Don''t worry. One day max, and I''ll get you safe inside the Mystic Realm."


    This kind of vision naturally drew crowds.


    Martial artists from noble families across the world spotted the weird phenomenon.


    In Capital City, inside some fancy vi.


    Ignacio Richard stared up at the vision and muttered, "Someone broke into Martial Saint territory."


    Down in the South West, middle of nowhere.


    The vision caught Paul Randall''s attention. He shook as he spoke. "After all these years... someone finally made it to Martial Saint..."


    Old monsters who''d been stuck at Half-step Martial Sage for decades cracked their eyes open.


    "Someone stepped into Martial Saint! This proves our era can birth Martial Saints!"


    For many people, this was cause for celebration! For the martial arts world, this was definitely good news!


    Right then, under some ind, a young man stepped out of the Immortal ying Sect''s gates.


    He looked noble but carried a chill that made your skin crawl.


    Dozens of skeletons trailed behind him!


    This was Iris Darren!


    "Finally... someone reached Martial Saint," Iris whispered.


    "Hehe...hahahaha!" A momentter, Iris''sughter rang across the seas.


    Inside the Divine Alchemist Pavilion, the Pavilion Master looked worried, talking to himself. "Once a Martial Saint is born, the Guardian agreement dies."


    "Mason Raymond, you better stay hidden..."


    ——


    In the Second Secret Realm.


    Garcia Coleman sprawled on the bed like roadkill.


    His injuries were worse this time and he couldn''t even talk.


    Broken bones covered his whole body and healing would take forever.


    Seeing Garcia Coleman in this shape, Jensen Coleman scowled.


    "Losing face once is bad enough, but twice!" Jensen Coleman snapped.


    He couldn''t get it. If you can''t win, why stick your face out to get smashed again.


    Garcia Coleman pushed through the pain and used every bit of strength to whisper, "Kill...Kill Mason Raymond..."


    "Just rest. You didn''t die this time, so count yourself lucky. Mason Raymond isn''t your problem anymore." Jensen Coleman said.


    Then Jensen Coleman got up and walked out.


    The second he hit the Great Hall, a guy named Barret burst in, all worked up.


    "Sir, great news! Great news!" Barret said, buzzing with excitement.


    "Someone broke into Martial Saint!"


    Jensen Coleman jumped to his feet, yelling in shock. "You telling the truth?"


    "Absolutely! I saw the Martial Saint vision myself!" Barret said, voice shaking with excitement.


    Jensen Coleman''s eyes turned to slits.


    He chuckled. "Good...good...finally, the Guardian limits...are gone, hahaha!"


    "Go get Star for me!"


    A few minutester, Star showed up in the Great Hall.


    Jensen Coleman ordered Star to take two Martial Saints out of the Second Secret Realm to kill Mason Raymond!


    At the same time, The Baton Family gave the same order!


    Saumel Baton led two Martial Saints out of The Baton Family to hunt down Mason Raymond and grab Mabel Sean!


    All the major Secret Realms were sending out Martial Saints with one target: Mason Raymond!


    ——


    Right now, I sat by the Spiritual Spring, waiting quietly.


    "Wonder who made it to Martial Saint." My thoughts were all over the ce.


    Someone advancing to Martial Saint was probably going to flip the whole martial arts world upside down.


    I looked at Spike Viktor. "Mr. Viktor, how much longer till the Mystic Realm''s ready?"


    Spike Viktor said, "Two more hours."


    I took a deep breath and just said, "Okay."


    I sat there, waiting for the Mystic Realm to open.


    Two hours flew by in a sh.


    Right at the two-hour mark, light started shimmering around Spike Viktor''s face.


    Then a huge entrance appeared in front of me.


    "It''s open!" Spike Viktor said, clearly pumped up.


    I nodded at him. "Give me the Mystic Key."


    Spike Viktor didn''t waste time and quickly handed me the Mystic Key.


    Then I turned to Mabel Sean. "Mabel, you go in first."


    "What about you?" Mabel Sean asked, looking confused.


    I answered seriously, "I need to hit the Divine Alchemist Pavilion first."


    If they couldn''t find me, they might take their anger out on the Divine Alchemist Pavilion.


    I owed the Pavilion Master too much. I wouldn''t let him get dragged into this because of me.


    Mabel Sean was smart enough to get the big picture. She knew I had to go.


    So she didn''t argue, just told me to be careful before stepping into the Mystic Realm.


    After Mabel Sean went into the Mystic Realm, I turned to Spike Viktor.


    "Mr. Viktor, you..."


    "Want me toe with you?" Spike Viktor cut me off.


    I nodded. "How''d you know?"


    Spike Viktor said, "Because you''re worried I''ll spill where the Mystic Realm is."


    "Yeah." I didn''t try to hide it.


    "I''lle with you then," Spike Viktor agreed, which surprised me.


    "Thanks for understanding." I gave a small bow, then me and Spike Viktor rushed toward River Town.


    ——


    At the Capital City Martial Arts Association, at the Second Secret Realm exit.


    Star appeared suddenly with three Martial Saints.


    "Man, it''s been forever since I left the Second Secret Realm." Someone sighed next to Star.


    "Yeah, exactly a hundred years, all thanks to the Guardian," another person sighed.


    Star shot them a look. "You should be happy you didn''t die in thest hundred years."


    When that topic came up, all three couldn''t help but shake.


    The scene of countless Martial Saints dying a hundred years ago was still burned in their minds.


    "Don''t waste time, let''s go find Mason Raymond," Star said coldly.


    Meanwhile, on top of some high mountain, Saumel Baton led two Martial Saints out.


    "Mason Raymond... I''ve finally waited for this day." Saumel Baton took a deep breath, ruthlessness shing across his face.