Garcia Coleman quickly bobbed his head. "Got it, Senior Leaders. I''ll track down Mason Raymond immediately."
The officials said nothing more. They melted back into the shadows and vanished.
Even in their silence, Garcia could sense their disappointment.
Their regret over losing Mabel Sean.
...
At the same time, somewhere else.
I was racing toward the location the Pavilion Master had given me.
I kept my energy locked down tight as I moved, terrified someone might notice me.
——
Paul Randall had tucked himself away in a hidden corner, feeling the shifts in the world as he tried to break back into the Martial Saint Realm.
Deep in the woods sat a in farmhouse.
Someone had built a small yard there, filled with chickens, ducks, and geese. It looked exactly like any other country home.
Paul sat with his legs crossed, eyes barely open, sensing the thin spiritual energy in the air.
His eyes snapped open suddenly.
He looked sideways. "You''re here. Might as welle out."
Before he finished speaking, Star stepped from the shadows.
Paul''s face showed no surprise at Star''s sudden appearance.
"So it''s Lord Star," Paul said calmly, his eyes opening a fraction wider.
Star walked over and sat beside Paul.
"What brings you here, Lord Star?" Paul asked casually.
"You know why I''m here," Star answered evenly.
Paul snorted quietly, eyes nearly shut. "How would I know what you want with me?"
Star stayed quiet for a moment, then sighed. "Paul, you should remember I once helped you."
"I''ll never forget your kindness," Paul said tly.
"But you also know there''s no making peace between me and the Capital City Martial Arts Association."
Star''s expression hardened. "If I hadn''t seen your incredible talent, you''d be dead already."
"True," Paul said without argument.
"But you''re also why I never made it to the Martial Saint Realm."
Anyone overhearing this would be stunned!
These two weren''t even from the same generation, yet they shared such a deep history!
"The Association ordered it. I couldn''t refuse," Star said.
"So we''re done," Paul whispered.
Star sighed. "You''re a genius to me, and I don''t want to kill you. I..."
Paul cut him off. "Lord Star, just tell me what you need."
Star''s voice turned serious. "Garcia Coleman sent me to invite you to join the Capital City Martial Arts Association."
"You know the Association is gathering talent and wants to train this era''s strongest cultivators."
"If you join, with your abilities, you''ll reach the Martial Saint Realm quickly."
Paul sneered. "Lord Star, do you really think I''d agree?"
Star frowned. "Paul, the Capital City Martial Arts Association has never tried to kill you."
Paulughed bitterly. "No, but they''ve forced me to hide here for years."
"If Mason Raymond hadn''t shown up, I might never havee out of hiding."
Star''s voice dropped. "You really won''t join the Capital City Martial Arts Association?"
"You already know my answer. No point asking," Paul said, closing his eyes.
Star''s face went ice cold.
He shot to his feet. "Things have changed, and you''ll eventually reach the Martial Saint Realm."
"Since you won''t join the Capital City Martial Arts Association, you''re a future enemy."
"So... you have to die!"
Paul stayed calm, eyes slightly closed. "Then do it. I can''t fight back against you."
Star''s killing intent flooded the entire forest.
A soft wind moved through the trees, and the heavy atmosphere made the ground hum and shake.
Star slowly lifted his palm, a faint light gathering there.
Paul had no way to resist Star.
"Paul, this is yourst warning."
After a moment, Star lowered his hand.
"If you don''t want to die, stop fighting the Capital City Martial Arts Association, or I will kill you."
He left those words behind and walked away.
Paul watched Star''s retreating form, worry flickering across his face.
——
Right now, I was still rushing to that location.
The Divine Alchemist Pavilion was far from here, and I didn''t dare use any transport, so I had to walk.
Even with my abilities, the long trip would take several days.
About three dayster, I reached a river.
To get where I needed to go, I had to cross it.
Standing by the water, my face was full of worry.
"Looks like I need a boat," I muttered.
Several boatmen and many tourists were in the area.
I spread my divine sense, covering the whole riverbank.
"Huh?" I frowned.
This riverbank actually had several Peak Military Marquis cultivators!
"Weird," my expression darkened.
Even with Martial Saints around now, Military Marquis were still rare.
But how could such a small river have so many Military Marquis Realm cultivators?
"Have they found me?" my face looked grim.
I worked hard to hide my aura and found a rtively safe spot to sit.
Luckily, I''d prepared a hat earlier, so I put it on and pulled the brim low.
"Damn!"
Right then, I felt an incredibly powerful aura!
This aura belonged to a Martial Saint!
My expression got even worse. I pulled my hat brim lower and carefully watched my surroundings.
Soon, Star appeared on the riverbank.
"It''s him," my heart started racing!
With Star''s power, finding me wouldn''t be hard, even with my hidden aura!
Star walked to the riverbank, and several Military Marquis cultivators gathered around him.
"Lord Star," the Military Marquis bowed.
Star spoke coldly. "Paul has the Nine Secrets and got away."
The Military Marquis looked at each other and frowned. "Even you couldn''t catch him?"
Star''s voice was grave. "The Nine Secrets are Taoism''s ultimate arts. Only Paul has mastered them in this era. Their depth is unimaginable."
Then Star waved his hand. "Let''s go."
The Military Marquis didn''t say much. They followed Star, ready to leave.
Hiding in the shadows, I couldn''t help but breathe easier.
"Hold on."
Star, who''d walked a few steps, suddenly stopped.
Everyone halted and looked at Star in confusion.
He was staring in one direction.
That direction was exactly where I was hiding.