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Novel Catalog
Chapter_285
The world of martial arts was vast, but to have experts like Sylvester Scott and Hector Nodrunk—ranked among the top martial artists in the world—gathered in one place was nothing short of extraordinary. Skadi couldn’t help but feel a sense of disbelief as she watched them, their powerful auras palpable even from a distance. Her grandfather, it seemed, had connections that even she couldn’t comprehend. Despite his age and unassuming demeanor, he had managed to attract such legendary figures. It was a mystery she hoped to unravel.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a familiar voice broke through the murmur of the crowd. “Senior, wait for me!” The voice was sharp, distinct, and immediately sent a shiver down Skadi’s spine.
She turned slowly, her eyes falling on the man walking toward her. He was striking—long flowing hair, sharp features, and an air of quiet confidence. His tight-fitting black outfit clung to his slender frame, making it clear that he had the physical presence of someone who had spent years honing his body and skills.
“C-Cillian!” Skadi stammered, her cheeks flushing as her heart raced. Cillian—the very man who had occupied her thoughts and dreams for so long. Standing before her now, he seemed even more enchanting in person, and she struggled to find the right words to address him.
“Miss Zabel.” Cillian’s response was calm, his expression as composed as ever, though Skadi could catch the slight furrow in his brow—evidence of his discomfort with the formality of her address.
Before Skadi could say anything further, Lloyd appeared, a cheeky grin on his face. “You guys talk. I’m going to disappear for a bit,” he said with a wink, and without waiting for a response, he leapt onto the roof of the villa with ease, leaving Skadi and Cillian to speak.
“Father Cillian, what’s going on today?” Skadi asked softly, her voice carrying the weight of curiosity and confusion. The whole atmosphere of the villa had changed, and it left her feeling somewhat unsettled.
Cillian gave her a look, his expression distant. “You should ask your grandfather,” he said, his tone detached. With that, he turned and effortlessly flew up to the roof, his back to her as he disappeared into the shadows above.
Skadi felt a pang of disappointment, but before she could dwell on it, she hurriedly wheeled herself into the villa’s living room. There, she spotted Justin coming down the stairs, his face flushed a deep red. Skadi raised an eyebrow at the sight of him—he didn’t seem to be in his usual martial artist attire.
“Jay, where’s my grandfather?” Bianca immediately asked, her voice sharp.
“The master… he’s upstairs,” Justin responded, his voice unsteady. He seemed a bit disheveled, his usual calm demeanor replaced by an unusual unease.
“Why are you acting like a thief?” Skadi quipped, noticing how he seemed to be avoiding her gaze.
From a corner of the room, a chubby figure called out, “Damn fatty, at least I’m better off than you. You fainted!” Justin immediately shot back, not backing down from the taunt.
Skadi ignored their exchange, trying to stand with the help of her wheelchair, but her legs were too weak to support her. Bianca leaned in and whispered, “Don’t worry. Mr. Zabel will definitely be down in a bit.”
Meanwhile, in a room upstairs, Zakariah was on the phone with Nash, his voice quivering with anxiety. “Mr. Calcraft, there are already more than 2,800 great-grandmasters here. How many more are coming?” His mind was racing, unable to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the gathering. It was beyond anything he had ever imagined.
The mention of so many great-grandmasters struck fear in Zakariah’s heart. These individuals were the elite of the elite, the pinnacle of martial arts, and yet he had yet to see a single one from the Jonford Martial Arts Association. Nash had somehow managed to pull together nearly 3,000 of them. The fact that such a gathering had come to be in such a short amount of time was both awe-inspiring and terrifying.
“So many?” Nash replied, surprised. He had anticipated a turnout of about 700 or 800, but 3,000 was beyond his expectations. Given the number of great-grandmasters in the world, it was an astonishing feat. Nash realized just how much influence his master had in this world of martial arts—how deeply connected he was to those at the very top.
Before he could digest this new information fully, a voice interrupted his thoughts. “Nash, you’re from the Young family, right?”
He turned around sharply, his senses immediately on alert. Lauren, standing at the door with an unreadable expression, had entered the room. The air around her seemed to crackle with quiet intensity. The conversation that would unfold next would determine more than just the course of the evening—it would set the stage for what was to come.