“Ethan Langley is here? Wasn’t he training at The Edge Facility?”
“Probably on leave. I heard he’s reached the pinnacle of Grandmaster. Not sure if it’s true.”
“It’s true! Mr. Langley treated me to drinks yesterday-he couldn’t stop smiling. The Langley family has truly produced a dragon!”
The room buzzed with chatter, eyes filled with admiration. Comparing their own children to Ethan Langley was like comparing the heavens to the earth.
At just thirty, he had already become a lieutenant colonel and ascended to the pinnacle of Grandmaster.
Becoming a Great Grandmaster and possibly a major general was only a matter of time.
When that day came, the Langley family wouldn’t just have a Great Grandmaster but also two generals in their ranks.
Even Lysander King, known for his sharp judgment, would surely offer praise.
After all, achieving greatness in cultivation was far harder than excelling in business.
Take Rolando, for instance. His capabilities were undeniable, but much of his success relied on family influence.
Cultivation was different-it was a road fraught with difficulty, and breakthroughs were rare.
“Congratulations to Mr. Langley for reaching the pinnacle of Grandmaster! A true blessing to your family and a shining light for Pelens!”
“Mr. Langley, how long will you be staying? Perhaps you could visit my home sometime?”
“With a genius like you, the Langley family is bound to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Gray family in the future!”
Ethan Langley and his brother Jiri walked from the courtyard to the main hall, their path lined with praises and flattery.
For this prodigy, admiration poured forth freely. Though the Langley family ranked only tenth among the families of Pelens, everyone knew that Ethan Langley’s Grandmaster pinnacle status would propel their family’s standing like a rocket.
Hearing the compliments, even the Gray family didn’t take offense-what was being said was simply the truth.
At this moment, Ethan Langley possessed the strength to rival Rolando.
Given Lysander King’s appreciation for cultivators, even he would view the Langley family in a new light.
“My brother appreciates everyone’s goodwill,” Jiri Langley said with an air of aggression. “But today isn’t the time for such discussions.”
“My brother is here to deal with the thugs who disrespected the Langford family!”
Jiri’s expression turned fierce. Known as the “Little Tyrant of Pelens,” he had wreaked havoc alongside Felix Langford for years. What happened earlier that morning, however, had been a humiliation he had never experienced before.
Now that his elder brother was here, he was determined to reclaim his pride.
And through this, he would also bolster the reputation of the Langley family, proving to the wealthy elite of Pelens the might of a Grandmaster pinnacle!
“Ethan Langley has arrived.”
Peyton’s eyes lit up. She had admired Ethan Langley since childhood but had never expressed her feelings due to her reserved nature.
Now that Ethan Langley had reached the pinnacle of Grandmaster, her admiration for him had grown to its peak.
But recalling the events earlier, her excitement quickly faded.
Ethan Langley aligned himself with the Gray family, while the Sheppard family stood with Flynn.
Caught in the middle, Peyton felt torn.
She glanced at Flynn, her heart filled with an indescribable frustration.
Both were Grandmasters, yet Flynn’s arrogance and wild claims couldn’t compare to Ethan Langley’s steady and humble demeanor.
Look at Ethan Langley-calm, composed, and modest even in the face of endless praise.
This was how a true prodigy should carry himself!
Enough! Since her father supported Flynn, she couldn’t remain indifferent. With her relationship with Ethan Langley, she believed she could convince him to remain neutral.
But beyond that, she wouldn’t help Flynn further.
What a disappointment he was!
No matter Flynn’s fate, she resolved to speak to her father when she got home-there could be no future with someone like Flynn.
“Rolando, go greet him,” Peter said softly.
Rolando understood his father’s intentions immediately.
Ethan Langley was no longer the same as before. His future achievements would rival, if not surpass, his own.
A talent whom even Lysander King would respect was someone the Gray family had to befriend wholeheartedly.
Who knew when they might need his help for a difficult cultivation matter?
“Ethan, you’re here.”
Rolando stepped out of the hall, meeting Ethan Langley on the steps with a warm smile.
Ethan returned the smile but then his expression darkened. “Mr. Gray, I hear the man who injured Mr. Langford was brought here by your fiancee?”
Rolando froze for a moment, then nodded awkwardly.
This kind of scandal was hardly something a prestigious family like the Gray family wished to discuss.
“No problem. I’ll handle him for you today,” Ethan said confidently, his tone brimming with authority.
Relieved, Rolando smiled and gestured toward the hall. “Thank you for your help. Please, come in.”
With Ethan Langley’s assurance and the presence of over a dozen officers, Flynn wouldn’t stand a chance. He’d have no choice but to surrender!
If Flynn dared to resist, Ethan Langley could kill him on the spot, ending the matter once and for all.
Flanked by Rolando and Jiri, Ethan Langley climbed the steps and entered the hall.
“Peter, Nick… hmm? Mr. Clark? Instructor, you’re here?”
Ethan began greeting everyone but froze when his eyes landed on Flynn, who stood surrounded by officers.
For a moment, he was stunned.
His instructor? Here, in Pelens?
If Mr. Clark was present, was there any need for him to deal with a mere thug?
As the thought crossed his mind, the room fell eerily silent.
“Mr. Clark? Instructor?”
What was going on?
Could it be…
Ethan noticed the shocked expressions around him. His smile stiffened as he turned to Jiri, his voice filled with confusion.
“The man who injured Mr. Langford is…”
He raised his hand slightly, pointing toward Flynn’s feet, not daring to gesture directly at Flynn’s face.
Seeing his brother’s trembling hand, Jiri felt a chill run down his spine. “Yes, that’s him. Brother, why did you call him… the instructor?”
Ethan Langley gasped, his legs trembling as rage erupted from him.
“Slap!”
His hand lashed out, striking Jiri so hard that he was sent flying eight meters through the air.
Jiri crashed to the ground in front of Peter, his body writhing in pain, his mind blank.
“Brother, you…”
“Shut up! Do you know who he is? He’s the chief instructor of the Blade Special Forces! Everything I’ve achieved is thanks to Mr. Clark!”
“You disrespected him this morning, didn’t you?”
“Get over here and apologize to Mr. Clark immediately! Crawl if you have to!”
Ethan pointed to the floor in front of Flynn, shouting with a trembling voice.
His anger was palpable, his voice thunderous, yet laced with fear.
As a squad leader in the Blade Special Forces, he knew Flynn’s temperament all too well.
Sullivan Cox had been reduced to pulp for repeatedly provoking Flynn.
And now his own foolish brother had dared to offend him? How could he not be terrified?
Thank goodness Mr. Clark hadn’t struck with full force. If he had, and Jiri ended up dead, the Langley family would have no choice but to accept it!
“Wait… Mr. Clark… Ethan Langley’s Grandmaster pinnacle… was trained by Flynn? Then what does that make him…”
Holger’s trembling voice broke the silence, leaving the room deathly quiet, the tension suffocating.