The Frigid Fortress headquarters sprawled across the northeast part of Demonrealm City, covering hundreds of thousands of square meters. Among the estate’s modest houses, numerous Western-style buildings of varying sizes stood tall. At the heart of the estate loomed a magnificent castle, serving as the official structure of Frigid Fortress.
Meanwhile, as Billy and his mother made their way, Lord Ode, the leader of Frigid Fortress, sat on a sofa in the northwest corner of the first-floor lobby. Before him stood a seductive and fiery lady, reporting various matters.
“That’s enough, we can discuss those matters later!” Ode interrupted the woman, his voice tinged with impatience. “How is the preparation for tonight’s banquet?”
Ode couldn’t shake off the unease that had settled upon him today. He sensed that something was about to happen, but he couldn’t quite pinpoint it.
“Everything is ready, my lord. We are just waiting for the guests to arrive!” the lady responded respectfully.
“Good!” Ode nodded, his mind still troubled.
“Inform everyone that tonight’s guests are of utmost importance. I want everyone on their toes. Any mistakes will have consequences!”
In the battle a few days ago, all of Frigid Fortress’s elite fighters, except for Ode and the four Sixth-rank Saints who stayed behind, had perished in Skydragon City. It was a devastating blow for Frigid Fortress.
Amidst his grief, Ode had to remain vigilant against an attack from Skydragon City. This was a prime opportunity for Skydragon City to seize control of Demonrealm City.
For the past few days, he had sought support from Mysthaven City. He believed that Mysthaven City, with its conflicts with Skydragon City, wouldn’t sit idle.
However, when he contacted the other side, they showed no intention of taking action. Only after offering a considerable price did Mysthaven City reluctantly agree. They sent a powerful Late Stage Eighth-rank expert, accompanied by Asher, to Demonrealm City.
Though not the most ideal outcome for Ode, he had to be content with it. Based on his understanding of Skydragon City’s strength, they had at most two Eighth-rank Saints. Taking down Demonrealm City wouldn’t be so easy for them.
He also considered that as long as Asher and his group were satisfied, he could seek their assistance in launching another attack on Skydragon City in the future.
“Yes, my lord!” the lady nodded solemnly.
“Call Tain and inform him that the guests can come now!” Ode checked the time and continued.
“Yes!” the lady nodded and dialed the phone.
However, after ringing for a while, there was no answer.
“my lord, no one is answering the phone!” the woman reported, her voice tinged with concern.
“Try calling Nocker. He went with Tain!” Ode frowned slightly.
“No one is answering Mr Nocker’s phone either!” the woman spoke again after a while.
“Hmm?” Ode’s unease grew stronger.
“Sir, something has happened!” At that moment, an old man rushed in from the entrance, his face filled with urgency.
“What happened?” Ode felt a strong sense of foreboding.
“Master Tain… he… he’s dead…” the old man struggled to speak.
“What?!” Ode roared angrily, his voice filled with disbelief. “What the hell are you saying? Say it again!”
As he spoke, an overwhelming aura of terror swept through the lobby, filling every corner.
“Not… not only is Master Tain dead…” the old man trembled, swallowing hard before continuing, “Even Lord Asher and the people he brought from Mysthaven City have been killed…”
“What?!” Ode shouted, his anger escalating. “What the hell happened?!”
“I don’t have the specifics yet… I’m sorry, my lord,” the old man shivered once more. “The estate is devoid of any survivors. I’m currently having my men investigate what exactly happened…”
“Bunch of pussies!” Ode, on the verge of madness, struck out with his palm, sending the old man flying.
With a heavy thud, the old man crashed onto the concrete outside the castle, blood spewing from his mouth, lifeless.
“Please calm down, my lord!” the woman trembled as she spoke, desperately trying to diffuse the situation.
“Notify everyone to gather now!” Ode roared once again, his voice filled with rage and despair.
In that moment, he finally understood why he had been feeling uneasy all day.
Setting aside his own son’s fate, the mere fact that Asher had been killed in Demonrealm City was enough to plunge him into despair. He knew all too well the position of Asher in Mysthaven City. His death would undoubtedly trigger a furious retaliation from their side.
“Goddamn it!”
Ode had been counting on them to help defend Frigid Fortress, but they arrived today and ended up meeting the grim reaper instead. What a bad luck!
On the other hand, he couldn’t help but wonder who had the ability to pull off such a feat. He was well aware of the powerful martial artist in Asher’s group, who was at the mid-stage of the Eighth Rank and no pushover. So who in Demonrealm City had the strength to kill them?
“Yes… my lord!” The woman quickly got up and rushed towards the main gate upon hearing his words.
“Hmm?!” Just as the woman had run out for a while, Ode’s pupils constricted in cold realization. He sensed several powerful auras sweeping towards the estate, with one of them even surpassing his own.!
Without much time to think, he swiftly dashed out of the castle gate. Almost at the same time, forty to fifty people descended from the direction of the estate gate, each with a cultivation level of at least the Half-Step Saint stage.
When he saw the person leading them, his pupils constricted once again. It was someone he knew, Lady Stuart from Skydragon City!
“Lord Ode, long time no see!” Stephanie led the group and landed not far from him.
“How is this possible? You’ve already recovered your cultivation?” Ode roughly examined Stephanie’s martial aura and exclaimed in shock.
He couldn’t help but be astonished! According to the information he had received, just a few days ago during the battle in Skydragon City, Stephanie was only at the mid-stage of the Fifth Rank. But now, in just a few days, she had directly recovered to the Ninth Stage of the Saint realm!
Only now did he understand why Asher and his son had encountered trouble. The woman before him, before her mishap, was one of the few powerhouses in the Central Part!
In her prime, it would have been as easy as flipping her hand to kill an opponent at the mid-stage of the Eighth Rank!
“Surprised?” Stephanie responded calmly.
“When you decided to send troops to Skydragon City, you probably didn’t expect today, did you?”
Ode let out a heavy breath and began, “I surrender! I accept my defeat at your hands, Lady Stuart!” After steadying his own emotions, Ode continued speaking. “What conditions do you need to spare me?”