Chapter 388: Chapter 388 - Leaving Sanctuary
The Johansson family had already established ties with the Martial Arts Association, making Vance Johansson’s entry relatively straightforward.
Yet this action revealed something significant.
The Mason Raymond they had consistently dismissed was now causing them genuine concern and even terror.
——
In an isolated mountain region.
No souls wandered here, yet a modest cottage stood prominently in the landscape.
"Master, your tea is ready." A boy of fourteen or fifteen approached an elderly man with snow-white hair, carrying a steaming cup.
The old man accepted the tea and asked, "How long have we remained here?"
"Master, fourteen years," the boy replied.
"Fourteen years... how swiftly time passes." The old man let out a weary sigh.
The boy remained quiet for a moment, clearly wrestling with unspoken words.
"Speak your mind if something troubles you." The old man could read the boy’s hesitation.
After several beats, the boy stammered, "Master, recently someone... has managed to ascend the stairway to heaven."
"Managed to ascend the stairway to heaven?" The old man’s eyebrows lifted as he smiled softly, "A chosen prodigy?"
"No... Like yourself, he forced his way through the stairway to heaven, but... he triumphed." The boy’s voice diminished to barely a whisper, as though fearing he might wound the old man’s pride.
"Crash"
Upon hearing this, the old man’s teacup shattered against the ground.
This elderly figure was none other than the renowned Paul Randall, celebrated as a prodigy.
He wasn’t truly aged, merely forty-eight years old.
His completely white hair resulted entirely from his previous failed attempt to storm the stairway to heaven.
"Fresh talent always rises," Paul Randall whispered after a long pause.
——
I remained within the Elder’s quarters for three solid days.
Nearly every day brought visitors seeking an audience with me. In their view, I had become a living legend.
Before I knew it, another month had slipped away.
Early summer had arrived in May, leaving just four months until September 9th.
On this particular day, I suddenly snapped my eyes open from deep meditation!
My energy was churning wildly, threatening to explode outward at any second!
"I’ve achieved the peak of the fasting period," I whispered quietly.
The transition from the fasting period to the enlightenment stage would prove the most grueling challenge.
I could sense clearly that I had hit a wall.
Pure meditation alone wouldn’t push me any further.
"At the peak of the fasting period, I should match a Peak Grandmaster’s power," I reflected silently.
But for me, Peak Grandmaster strength was sufficient to handle most grandmasters! Even those at their absolute peak!
"Four months remain; I wonder if I’ll manage to break into the Grandmaster realm," I murmured softly.
As someone with a chaotic body, I fear no one at my level!
Not even heirs of noble houses or contemporary prodigies!
"Mr. Raymond, you’ve emerged from seclusion." Spotting me, Victor Green rushed over eagerly.
I nodded and said, "I should also depart from the Divine Alchemist Pavilion."
"Leave the Divine Alchemist Pavilion?" Victor couldn’t hide his shock.
He quickly protested, "Isn’t it too risky for you to leave the Divine Alchemist Pavilion now? Many people are hunting you..."
I sighed, "The Divine Alchemist Pavilion has sheltered me too completely. If this pattern continues, I’m afraid I’ll become worthless."
Training isn’t just about isolation; one must engage with and experience worldly life.
Besides, I had more pressing matters to handle.
Seeing he couldn’t change my mind, Victor asked, "Mr. Raymond, when do you intend to depart?"
After considering briefly, I said, "In three days."
"Then I’ll accompany you," Victor declared immediately.
I studied Victor carefully, noticing he had already reached the Grandmaster Realm.
Though only in the early phases, both he and I cultivated using qi.
So compared to typical grandmasters, Victor might actually be more formidable.
"Agreed," I accepted.
I had a strategy forming, and Victor could prove useful.
In what felt like an instant, I had spent three months at the Divine Alchemist Pavilion.
During these three months, everything seemed transformed.
I had progressed from the beginning of the Monastic Stage to the peak realm in the blink of an eye!
This pace could only be called unimaginable!
My body had become nearly invulnerable! Even without activating the Saintly Body Skill, my physical form could now deflect bullets!
That evening, I made my way to the Pavilion Master Building.
Seated there, the Pavilion Master personally prepared tea for me.
"Grandmaster Peak, impressive," the Pavilion Master commented casually.
I sighed, "Yes, now when I face a Peak Grandmaster, even if I can’t destroy them, I can at least survive."
The Pavilion Master didn’t elaborate on this topic.
She abruptly shifted subjects and said, "I have troubling news for you. Vance Johansson has become Phoebe Billy’ student."
"Phoebe Billy?" I frowned slightly.
This name sounded vaguely familiar.
The Pavilion Master nodded slightly, "Yes, he serves as Vice President of the Capital City Martial Arts Association."
Hearing this, I remembered the "Mr. Billy" I had encountered at the banquet with Mabel Sean; that must be Phoebe Billy.
"It doesn’t matter," I laughed.
"Regardless of who he serves, I will eliminate him personally."
My tone carried complete confidence and composure, as though I didn’t consider Vance Johansson a threat at all.
The Pavilion Master nodded but remained silent.
She had always believed in me, and my performance only reinforced her faith.
"Departing in three days?" the Pavilion Master inquired.
I nodded, "Yes, I plan to spend a few more days preparing for unforeseen circumstances."
"Very well." The Pavilion Master rose.
She returned to her chambers and emerged moments later carrying a pill furnace.
This pill furnace was the one the Pavilion Master had personally used before! The carved divine dragon adorning it appeared almost alive!
"I’m giving you this pill furnace," the Pavilion Master said simply.
This time, I didn’t decline.
I accepted the pill furnace and said, "I will never forget the Pavilion Master’s tremendous generosity."
The Divine Alchemist Pavilion’s kindness toward me was immeasurable.
Even now, I didn’t know how to repay them.
Over the following days, I said goodbye to the many alchemists of the Divine Alchemist Pavilion individually.
Beyond that, I spent all my time confined to my room, with no one knowing my activities.
On the final night before departure.
Jerry Sean, Fifth Elder, and I gathered together.
However, the Pavilion Master didn’t appear, as she had always preferred solitude and avoided such gatherings.
"Once I leave this time, I don’t know when we’ll meet again." At the dinner table, I couldn’t help but sigh.
The Fifth Elder nodded and said, "Yes, I hope you achieve success."
"I will succeed," I stated with unwavering conviction.
"Even if I can’t topple the two great families, I can at least rescue Mabel."
That night, the mood was quite somber, and everyone drank heavily until intoxicated.
Early the next morning, I made basic preparations and readied myself to leave the Divine Alchemist Pavilion.
All the alchemists gathered at the entrance, sending me off.
Besides the Pavilion Master, this was the first time anyone at the Divine Alchemist Pavilion had received such treatment.
In just three months, I had become their inspiration.
"Mason Raymond!"
At this moment, Mya Winona suddenly rushed over, breathing hard.
"Can... Can I come with you?" Mya whispered.
"Come with me?" I shook my head with a rueful smile.
"I’m not going out for entertainment. If you accompany me, you might die at any moment," I warned.
Mya quickly said, "I’m not scared! I might even be able to assist you!"
I frowned and pondered briefly before saying, "Are you certain you want to join me?"
"Absolutely!" Mya nodded enthusiastically.
"Alright," I agreed.
Mya was a remarkably gifted alchemist; having her beside me might truly prove beneficial.
"Mason Raymond, the Sean family remains in the area," the Fifth Elder cautioned.
Hearing this, my eyes turned icy, and I sneered, "That’s perfect. I can use them to test my current abilities..."
