In an instant, Chris felt a surge of turmoil within his body, as though his blood was boiling.
A horrifying pressure descended upon him, weighing heavily on his shoulders. Beads of sweat dripped continuously from his forehead.
Such an oppressive force-Chris had never encountered anything like it before.
The power of Brian Jefferson was truly overwhelming. With his current strength, Chris feared he was no match for him.
Taking a deep breath, Chris said, “Patriarch, your strength is astonishing. I admit defeat.”
“Heh.”
Hearing this, Brian Jefferson let out a light laugh and withdrew his oppressive pressure.
Immediately, the suffocating force on Chris vanished like a receding tide.
Relieved, Chris exhaled deeply, his body finally relaxing.
Beside him, Esther quickly asked with concern, “Darling, are you alright?”
Chris shook his head. “I’m fine.”
Lifting his gaze, Chris looked at Brian Jefferson and asked, “Patriarch, do you know my master?”
Brian Jefferson nodded, a trace of nostalgia appearing on his face.
“Back in my youth, I competed for supremacy with your master. Unfortunately, I was no match for him.”
At this, a hint of melancholy crossed Brian Jefferson’s expression.
In his younger days, Brian Jefferson had been an extraordinary genius, dazzling in his era.
But compared to Archer Wintersong, he had fallen just short.
Chris was stunned.
He had never imagined that even Brian Jefferson, with his terrifying strength, had been defeated by his master. Just how powerful was his master?
Brian Jefferson looked at Chris with admiration. “Chris, your strength is impressive! To have such power at such a young age… even within the Jefferson family, there’s no one like you. Given time, you might surpass your master.”
His tone was filled with emotion.
Though the Jefferson family was full of talent, few could withstand his oppressive aura.
Chris’s astounding martial talent made him a rare gem among the younger generation.
At that moment, the butler entered the hall.
With a respectful expression, the butler announced, “Patriarch, Master Moonstone has returned.”
Hearing this, Brian Jefferson frowned slightly.
He glanced at Chris and Esther. “You two may leave.”
“Yes!”
At his command, Chris and Esther left the Jefferson family’s grand hall.
As they walked out, Chris asked curiously, “Esther, who is this Master Moonstone?”
He had clearly noticed the subtle change in Brian Jefferson’s expression upon hearing Master Moonstone’s name.
Esther thought for a moment. “I remember my grandfather mentioning that aside from the patriarch, Master Moonstone is the most powerful figure in the Jefferson family. It’s said that there’s some tension between the patriarch and Master Moonstone.”
“Oh,” Chris murmured, nodding thoughtfully.
It seemed the Jefferson family wasn’t as united as it appeared on the surface.
The two greatest powers within the family were the patriarch Brian Jefferson and Master Moonstone.
But who was Master Moonstone, and how could he stand against someone as terrifyingly strong as Brian Jefferson?
The deeper Chris delved into the Jefferson family, the more he realized how complex it was.
Could he, still so young, truly navigate such treacherous waters?
Chris and Esther made their way to a small courtyard.
Surveying the surroundings, Chris asked, “Esther, how big is the Jefferson family estate?”
Esther shook her head. “I don’t know exactly. Most of the estate is off-limits. Without permission, we’re not allowed to go there.”
Chris chuckled. “Esther, how about we explore a bit?”
“Well…” Esther hesitated.
“Come on, don’t overthink it. We rarely have the chance to visit. Let’s take a look around.”
“Alright,” Esther finally agreed, smiling.
The two wandered through the estate, marveling at its beauty.
The Jefferson family estate was like a paradise on earth, filled with the songs of birds and the fragrance of flowers.
Suddenly, they stumbled upon a sea of flowers.
“Wow, it’s so beautiful!” Esther exclaimed, her face lighting up with excitement.
Chris picked a handful of wildflowers and handed them to her with a smile. “For you, Esther.”
Esther accepted the flowers, her face glowing with happiness. “Thank you, darling!”
Taking a deep breath, she sighed. “This is the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.”
Chris laughed. “Same here! I never imagined the Jefferson family estate would be so breathtaking. No wonder they chose to live in seclusion here.”
Looking at the scenery before him, Chris felt as if the Jefferson family estate belonged to a completely different world.
The air, the plants, every blade of grass-it all felt distinct from the outside world.
Though he couldn’t quite put his finger on it, something about this place was different.
“Darling, look! There’s a small river up ahead!”
Esther’s voice broke his thoughts, and he followed her gaze.
Hand in hand, the two ran toward the river. The water was so clear it was almost transparent, its depths visible at a glance.
It was the cleanest river Chris had ever seen.
The pair strolled along the riverbank, hand in hand, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. The atmosphere was undeniably romantic.
“Darling, I need to use the restroom,” Esther suddenly said, hurrying off.
Chris watched her leave, a helpless smile on his face.
He continued ambling along the riverbank alone when, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a woman bathing in the river.
Peering closer, he realized she was stunningly beautiful-so much so that the phrase “a face that could launch a thousand ships” seemed inadequate.
Even Esther paled in comparison to her. She was like a celestial goddess descended to earth.
Suddenly, the woman turned her head.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
“Who are you?” she demanded, her voice sharp with anger.
Chris froze, captivated by her breathtaking face.
He had seen countless beautiful women, but never one like this.
Seeing his gaze linger, the woman’s expression shifted to one of fury and embarrassment.
“You dare!” she shouted, her voice trembling with rage.
She slapped the water, sending a spray toward Chris like an arrow.
Startled, Chris quickly dodged.
The water struck a nearby rock, shattering it into pieces.
Chris was stunned.
He hadn’t expected the woman’s power to be so terrifying. A casual slap of water had such destructive force-if he hadn’t dodged in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
As he gathered his thoughts, the woman stepped onto the riverbank, now clothed in a flowing purple gown.
Her face was filled with fury, and her eyes burned with a desire to tear Chris apart.