Petrin Wilder was to the world of martial mastery what a top celebrity was to the masses. He was the pinnacle of his era, a name synonymous with greatness. Over the past decade, he had created countless legends, each more remarkable than the last. Meanwhile, the once-glorious Asher Pearce and Scott Chilton had long faded into obscurity, their glory buried thirty years ago.
Three years ago, two Adept Earthly Sovereigns, each possessing unbreakable physiques, dared to challenge Petrin Wilder. The result? They were both slain with a single stroke of his sword. That battle alone propelled Petrin Wilder’s reputation to its peak. And that was three years ago. Who could imagine what terrifying heights Master Phoenix’s skills had reached since then?
Even if Petrin Wilder had stagnated since that fateful duel, those two Earthly Sovereigns he defeated were far stronger than Lord Valerian Nox. Ten years ago, those men had already reached the Earthly Sovereign level, sweeping through countless overseas rivals and slaying powerful figures like Dario Bragg. Yet, they had been sliced in half by Petrin Wilder in an instant.
When compared to such overwhelming power, Lord Valerian Nox’s chances of victory seemed impossible-like climbing to the heavens. The consensus was clear: Lord Valerian Nox stood no chance. Not even a sliver of one. The disparity between the two was simply too great. Even three Lord Valerian Noxes fighting together would not be a match for Petrin Wilder.
The public opinion was unanimous, harsher than before Lord Valerian Nox’s battle with Dario Bragg. Back then, at least some believed he could pull off a miracle. But this time, there was no such optimism. Petrin Wilder’s legend alone, which had been frozen in time for three years, was enough to obliterate any hope. His strength was unimaginable, an enigma that forced people to imagine the worst. Against such an unknown, Lord Valerian Nox had no chance.
—
The news spread quickly to Slatin. Within the grand hall of the Clark family estate, the Clark and Woods families had gathered to discuss the upcoming birthday celebration for Tessa Watson. Since Lord Valerian Nox was expected to attend, every preparation had to be perfect.
But when news of Petrin Wilder’s challenge reached the room, the joyous atmosphere vanished. Silence fell. Everyone froze, their faces pale and expressions blank. Layla’s teacup slipped from her trembling fingers, shattering on the floor.
Lord Valerian Nox-her future husband. And Petrin Wilder-a man who could kill Earthly Sovereigns with ease. If Lord Valerian Nox accepted the challenge, death was certain.
Vicente Clark stood stunned. Lord Valerian Nox wasn’t just a mentor to him-he was his godfather. Vicente had dreamed of training alongside him after the birthday celebration. Now, that dream had shattered before it had even begun.
“Find out immediately-what did Lord Valerian Nox do to provoke Master Phoenix?” Paxton, the Clark family patriarch, barked. His command sent the Clark family guards into action, while the Woods family mobilized their connections.
Reports began to pour in. Layla sifted through the chaotic information, her face growing more alarmed with each revelation.
“Zion Watson? Harriet’s death? Molly’s injuries?” The puzzle pieces started to fit together in her mind. Harriet had sought Lord Valerian Nox’s help to kill Zion Watson’s wife. Molly, Lord Valerian Nox’s disciple, was severely injured in the process. Zion Watson held a grudge against Lord Valerian Nox. And Zion Watson’s master was none other than Petrin Wilder.
It all became clear. Petrin Wilder was seeking revenge for Zion Watson. He wanted Lord Valerian Nox to experience the pain of losing a disciple, just as Zion Watson had. But when his initial attempts failed, Petrin Wilder escalated matters, issuing the challenge to force Lord Valerian Nox into a battle he could not win.
“Zion Watson… How could his master be so powerful?” Paxton slammed his fist on the table, his frustration evident. He had thought Zion Watson’s previous backers-Jack Jenkins and Dario Bragg-were no longer a threat. But he hadn’t anticipated this. Zion Watson’s master was Petrin Wilder, an unstoppable force.
“I’m doomed! My future son-in-law is doomed! Against Master Phoenix, Lord Valerian Nox has no chance!” John Woods collapsed into his chair, his despair overwhelming.
Vicente, however, refused to accept this. His fists clenched tightly as he shouted, “I refuse to believe it! My godfather has achieved the impossible time and time again. This will be no exception. He can win! He will win!”
For a brief moment, hope flickered in the eyes of those present. But it was quickly extinguished.
“Vicente,” someone said quietly, “I admire your faith, but facts won’t bend to our will. Petrin Wilder’s strength is beyond comprehension. Only an Adept Semi-Heavenly Sovereign could possibly challenge him. And your godfather is still in his twenties-he can’t be one.”
“No one in the past eight hundred years has reached Semi-Heavenly Sovereign before the age of thirty.”
The cold reality crushed Vicente. He wasn’t worried about Lord Valerian Nox’s safety-he was worried about his own future. If Lord Valerian Nox died, Vicente’s path to becoming an Earthly Sovereign would be severed. Without his godfather’s guidance, what would he do? He might wait a decade for another opportunity, but that kind of delay was unbearable to someone as ambitious as Vicente.
Layla’s face was equally pale, her eyes filled with despair. Petrin Wilder was the strongest swordsman of their time. His legendary duel three years ago, where he killed two Earthly Sovereigns with a single strike, had shocked the entire Ostrad. His name alone was enough to strike fear into anyone.
How could Lord Valerian Nox, an Adept, possibly compare? Even someone of the same rank as Petrin Wilder would struggle. And with Phoenix Blade-his fabled sword that had been nurtured with spirit energy for decades-Petrin Wilder’s power was incomprehensible. That blade alone was said to be the strongest of its kind, its sword energy unstoppable.
—
That night, neither the Clark family nor the Woods family could sleep. Despite their certainty that Lord Valerian Nox would lose, they still bought a yacht and arranged to witness the battle at Redcloud Island the next day. They needed to see it with their own eyes to accept the inevitable.
As dawn broke, Layla sat by her window, her thoughts consumed by Lord Valerian Nox. Throughout the sleepless night, she had dreamed of his tall, commanding figure, always just out of reach. No matter how hard she ran, she could never catch him.
“Is this dream trying to tell me… that I’m about to lose him?” she whispered, staring at the pale light of the rising sun.
—
Meanwhile, atop Jade Dragon Mountain, the heavens raged. Thunder rolled endlessly, and lightning danced across the sky. The ground trembled beneath the storm’s fury.
As the first rays of sunlight pierced the horizon, forty-nine bolts of lightning struck the mountain, illuminating the Dragonsfire Cauldron where Flynn sat motionless. His crimson eyes snapped open, radiating an icy, ancient light.
“Today’s forged sword,” he murmured, his voice low and resolute, “will be called Sky Ripper. With this sword, I will kill Petrin Wilder.”