“There’s nothing to worry about!” Black Tortoise responded confidently.
“Regardless of their cultivation level, this time, we will show them the glory of Glavale!”
“Black Tortoise, don’t let your guard down!” Casey added from the side. “In the previous Global Martial Arts Competition, Glavale suffered a defeat not only because of the biased referees but also because several countries, led by Northfortia, joined forces to target Glavale.”
“In a way, Glavale was fighting against odds of one to ten.”
“Casey is right!” Ivy’s face showed a hint of seriousness. “Unless something unexpected happens, the situation will likely be the same this time.”
“These scoundrels from Northfortia. If I encounter them this time, I’ll make them regret it!” Black Tortoise said angrily.
“Oh, Billy, there’s something else.” Ivy seemed to remember something and looked at Billy. “Minister Woolery asked me to tell you that tonight, we’re all invited to a banquet at the Cabinet.”
“A banquet?” Billy was slightly surprised.
“Yes!” Ivy nodded. “Aquilandia’s Prime Minister is visiting our country, and they should be arriving soon. The Cabinet has arranged a banquet tonight, and the Prime Minister invites you to bring everyone along.”
“The competition is in a few days, and Aquilandia’s people come to Glavale at this time. What are they up to?” Felicia asked.
“In the past year, Aquilandia has been trying to establish good relations with Glavale. This visit is probably to discuss the competition.” Ivy replied.
“Ivy, send a message to Minister Woolery, we’ll attend the banquet on time tonight!” Billy said with a faint smile.
“Okay!” Ivy nodded and took out her phone to send a message to the Prime Minister.
“Lord Dragon, there’s trouble!” Just then, Brigham Bush rushed into the council chamber, looking anxious.
“What happened?” Night Orchid furrowed her eyebrows.
“Somebody broke into the compound and is looking for Lord Dragon,” Brigham Bush paused before adding, “This person is incredibly powerful, able to knock down hundreds of our brothers with a single wave of their hand.”
“Where are they?” Billy’s brow furrowed slightly.
“They’re in the front courtyard. They said if they don’t see you within three minutes, they’ll level the entire compound.” Brigham Bush pointed outside the chamber.
“Damn! Who’s this audacious person causing trouble in SHADOW? Watch me teach them a lesson!” Judge shouted angrily, stepping towards the door.
“Let’s go out and take a look together!” Billy said, walking towards the door, with the others following closely behind.
Soon, they arrived at the front courtyard. Looking around, they saw over a hundred brothers lying in various positions on the square, each with severe injuries. In addition, hundreds of brothers were surrounding an old man, their faces filled with solemn expressions. The old man wore a gray robe, and it was hard to determine his actual age, but he appeared to be at least a hundred years old. He was thin and had deep, profound eyes, with no discernible fluctuation of aura.
“Brigham, have all the brothers step back and take the injured ones to the medical building first,” Billy instructed Brigham Bush. As he spoke, a cold anger emanated from him. The fact that this person attacked and injured so many people without regard for SHADOW meant that they had no regard for him.
Brigham Bush nodded and quickly went over. A few minutes later, only the old man and Billy’s group remained on the square.
“Are you the kid with a surname Gardner?” At this moment, the old man named Sterling Long looked at Billy and asked.
“You old immortal, do you think your life is too long? How dare you cause trouble in SHADOW and disrespect Commander Gardner? I think you’re asking for death…” Judge raised his hand and shouted at the old man.
“Shut up!” Sterling Long glanced at Judge dismissively. Unleashed without warning, a violent gust of wind swept towards Judge.
“Judge, get back!” Billy’s pupils slightly contracted as he took two steps forward, raising his hand to meet the powerful strike with his own palm.
Their palms collided, and Billy was quickly forced back several steps before stabilizing himself. Deep imprints were left on the solid concrete floor, and the surging blood and Chi in his body nearly spewed out.
With just one move, the verdict was clear – the opponent’s strength clearly surpassed Billy’s.
“Billy!”
“Boss!”
“Billy!”
Harleen, Casey, and the others simultaneously exclaimed in shock before hurrying over to Billy.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Harleen asked with a hint of worry.
“I’m fine!” Billy took a deep breath and suppressed his turbulent Chi and blood.
“Boss, can you determine his strength?” Casey asked with a serious expression. Among he and his fellows, Casey had the highest cultivation level, at the fourth rank of the Sovereign realm. However, he couldn’t sense any fluctuation of aura from the opponent. Based on his estimation, the opponent’s casual strike that pushed Billy back so far was at least at the seventh rank or higher.
“Eighth-rank Sovereign!” Billy replied in a deep voice. This was the strongest opponent he had encountered so far, without a doubt!
Stout and Soul Chaser both let out curses simultaneously. Casey and the others sucked in a cold breath, their faces filled with astonishment. Where did this old geezer come from?! An Eighth-rank Sovereign was just one rank away from reaching the peak of the Sovereign realm.
“Not bad, being able to withstand one of my strikes, but it doesn’t mean you’re worthy of your reputation!” Sterling Long, not far away, spoke with a deep voice. “However, even so, you will still pay the price for your actions today.”
“Are you from Genesis Sect or the Meskill family?” Billy looked at him and asked.
In the martial arts world, there were only a few forces that could possess an Eighth Rank Sovereign expert, and even fewer who held a deep grudge against him. The two most likely possibilities were Genesis Sect or the Meskill family. While Wind & Cloud Holy Sect also had such powerful individuals, considering his relationship with them, it was unlikely for them to send someone of this level to the capital to settle scores with him. After all, if they were to fall in the capital, it would be a loss they couldn’t afford, unless it was absolutely necessary.
“I have to admit, I admire your courage. Not only did you kill Kit Long, but you also dared to kill the Second Young Master. Do you really think that with Ether Mountain behind you, we wouldn’t dare to take your life?” Sterling Long continued, revealing his own background.
Kit Long he mentioned was the younger brother of the Sect Master of Genesis Sect, whom Billy had killed during his last encounter with the Stuart family. As for the Second Young Master, it naturally referred to the young man who had challenged Harleen and Ivy not long ago.
“You’ve got quite the audacity!” Ivy furrowed her delicate eyebrows and looked at him.
“After the arrival of the national fortune, Emperor Greenleaf has issued a decree. If the Sovereign-level experts of the super sects haven’t received an invitation, they are not allowed to step foot in the capital! Do you not know about this decree, or do you simply think you can ignore Emperor Greenleaf’s orders?”