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Novel Catalog
Chapter_216
Still reeling from shock, Skadi was jolted back to her senses by Justin’s voice. She blinked rapidly and muttered,
“I… I’m not quite sure… It seems… he might be in the Profound Reality Realm too?”
Her voice trailed off toward the end, lacking any real confidence. At the Zell family’s estate, she had seen how both Father Lloyd and Father Cillian treated Nash with profound respect. And Father Lloyd—whose cultivation had already reached stage nine of the Grandmaster Realm—would not act with such caution unless the man in question held power that exceeded his own.
In the center of the martial arts arena, Zakariah stood tall, placing a hand over his heart as he addressed the gathered crowd.
“When friends come from afar, is it not a joy? Today, we are honored to welcome Ihara Martial Arts School from Sagen. May this be a friendly spar between them and our Jonford Hero Martial Arts School. I extend a warm welcome to you all!”
Just as his speech ended, a long-haired youth wearing wooden clogs strode forward from Ihara Martial Arts School’s side. His eyes gleamed with arrogance as he declared,
“We’re not just here for a friendly match. According to the challenge letter, if you lose today, you’ll have to shut down your martial arts school!”
The entire venue fell into a heavy silence.
Zakariah’s expression darkened. He had expected a challenge, yes—but not such outright provocation. Still, before engaging in battle, he had hoped to uphold the tradition of offering proper words of respect. Martial ethics dictated that courtesy must precede combat.
And yet, this student of Ihara Martial Arts School had openly humiliated them.
What was worse, Newi Ihara—seated just moments ago—had not uttered a single word to restrain his disciple. His silence was tacit approval. They were not merely here to spar. They had come to crush them.
After a long moment with no response from Newi, Zakariah exhaled slowly and spoke with grim finality.
“If that’s the case… let the matches begin.”
He turned and walked off the arena floor.
At that cue, the long-haired youth gave a faint signal, and five students from Ihara Martial Arts School stepped forward.
Two of them had reached stage five of the Energy Cultivation Realm.
Two were stage five Grandmasters.
The last was already in the Great Grandmaster Realm—stage one.
On the Hero Martial Arts School’s side, Nash glanced toward their student ranks.
Most were still in the Energy Cultivation Realm. Three had reached the Grandmaster Realm, but only at stage three. Two others were Great Grandmasters, yet one was visibly injured, his gait uneven as he stepped forward.
Zakariah gave a small nod.
Two students—both stage five of the Energy Cultivation Realm—walked into the arena.
They were followed by two men in their thirties, the school’s three-stage Grandmasters.
And finally, the injured Great Grandmaster limped onto the floor.
Nash couldn’t help but comment dryly,
“Good heavens. Your martial arts school really is in rough shape.”
Compared to Ihara’s line-up, the disparity was overwhelming. Their stage five Grandmasters alone could suppress Hero Martial Arts School’s stage three fighters with ease. And the only Great Grandmaster they had… was a cripple.
Fortunately, at least, both sides had two fighters at the Energy Cultivation Realm’s fifth stage. That, at least, could be an even match.
Zakariah frowned, muttering under his breath,
“I hadn’t expected the Ihara Martial Arts School to arrive like this… Their strength is far greater than I anticipated.”
The two schools’ representatives now stood facing one another in the arena.
Just then, Nash rose from the Grand Chair, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Hold on a moment!” he called out, his voice clear and commanding.
“All martial arts contests should be fair and just! But the gap in strength between these two schools is far too great. This match is anything but fair! Either ban the use of inner energy or replace your fighters with ones of comparable cultivation levels!”
His words echoed through the arena, sharp as a blade. The audience stirred.
The long-haired youth scoffed and sneered,
“Is the Hero Martial Arts School so pitiful that they can’t even produce a single stage five Grandmaster?”
Nash turned toward him with an indifferent gaze.
“And who are you? Did I ask for your opinion?”
The young man flinched, momentarily stunned. Rage flared in his chest as he clenched his fists, ready to charge forward and teach Nash a lesson.
He wasn’t just anyone—he was the grandson of the Hidden-Ghost Juggernaut of the Green Bamboo Association. At stage nine of the Energy Cultivation Realm, he had long considered himself the overlord of Sagen. Even the most powerful clans and sons of wealthy families treated him with reverence.
How could he tolerate such disrespect?
“Step back,” Newi’s calm voice rang out.
“Grandfather, he—”
“I said enough.”
Newi’s tone grew cold, and the young man instantly fell silent, not daring to disobey.