Chapter 461: Chapter 461 The Top Two Collide
I seized the energy orb and squeezed it gently, making it explode!
"Mason Raymond?" Walton Greer’s eyes narrowed as he sneered, "You finally have the guts to show your face?"
I pulled Conrad Schroeder to his feet, then fixed Walton with an icy stare. "Even if you don’t seek me out, I’ll hunt you down."
At this, Walton broke into laughter. "Hunt me down? Do you realize... I’ve reached the half-step Martial Marquis Realm!"
"I’ve taken down half-step Martial Marquises before," I replied coolly.
Walton scoffed. "You mean Joey Ebony? Sure, he broke into the half-step Martial Marquis Realm using a Magic Weapon, but he’s nothing compared to me!"
"Really?" My qi flared as I shoved Conrad aside and said icily, "Let’s test that theory."
Seeing me ready to strike, Walton suddenly raised his hand. "Wait, wait. We’re both well-known young talents. We can’t brawl in a dump like this."
I narrowed my eyes, sensing what Walton was after.
I pulled back my aura and said flatly, "You want to use me as a stepping stone? Fine. I had the same idea."
Walton smirked. "Perfect! Tomorrow at sunset, Yago Lake!"
"We’ll be there," I said coldly.
Walton said nothing more and walked away.
——
The hidden onlookers were stunned!
"Mason Raymond actually returned!"
"Damn, what a shock. I figured he’d stay hidden forever."
"Did you catch what Mason Raymond said? He claimed he’s killed half-step Martial Marquises!"
"Total BS, right? How could a Grandmaster kill a half-step Martial Marquis..."
"Real or fake, we’ll know tomorrow. This trip just got interesting."
——
I looked at Conrad. "How are you holding up?"
Conrad shook his head, pain flashing across his face as he glanced at Uncle Armando on the ground.
"Uncle Armando..." Conrad’s expression was pure anguish, heartbreaking to witness.
"Uncle Armando?" Seeing the man sprawled there, I remembered him too.
He was Conrad’s servant, fiercely devoted.
Initially, he’d tried to eliminate me, but I’d destroyed his dantian.
"Uncle Armando is my steward and my dear friend for years. I..." Conrad’s voice broke, unable to voice his anguish.
I said nothing, walked to Uncle Armando, and raised my hand, channeling qi into him to stabilize his life force.
"Relax, he’ll pull through," I squeezed Conrad’s shoulder.
Conrad jerked his head up, hope flickering in his eyes. "For real?"
"When have I ever lied to you? Just focus on recovering," I chuckled.
With that, I turned to leave.
"Mr. Raymond!" Conrad called out.
"Stay safe," Conrad exhaled deeply.
I nodded at Conrad. "Don’t sweat it. I’ll definitely take Walton down."
After dropping those words, I spun around and left.
When I got back, Victor Green and Mya Winona rushed out.
"I knew you wouldn’t run!" Victor shouted excitedly.
Mya bobbed her head. "Master Raymond, didn’t your dantian get wrecked? How can you still..."
I smiled. "It was an act. I’m fine now, stronger than before."
"An act?" Mya blinked.
She seemed to suddenly recall something and said quickly, "So getting kicked out of the Divine Alchemist Pavilion was also..."
"Also fake," I confirmed.
Mya’s face crumpled with regret. If she’d known, she wouldn’t have destroyed the token!
"Don’t worry, I’ll get someone to replace the token," I laughed.
"It’s late. Let’s get some sleep."
After days without proper rest, I headed to my room and crashed.
——
The next day.
Word of Mason Raymond’s return raced through Chuzzle!
The news of Mason Raymond and Walton Greer’s showdown at Yago Lake spread even faster.
The Martial Arts Forum exploded with activity.
"Mason Raymond’s back, no joke."
"Just heard some inside info. Mason Raymond apparently killed a half-step Martial Marquis."
"Looks like his dantian injury was all for show."
"Ha, I called it. Said he was faking before, but everyone ripped into me."
"Heard the River North Martial Arts Forum will stream it live. Don’t miss this epic battle!"
"The top two from the Potential Ranking are finally going head-to-head~"
At 2 p.m.
Nearly a hundred people had already gathered at Yago Lake, including many Grandmasters.
Though they masked their auras, their powerful presence was unmistakable.
At 5 p.m., Walton Greer finally showed up at Yago Lake.
"Mr. Greer’s here!"
"He’s number one on the Potential Ranking, a true half-step Martial Marquis!"
"What incredible presence! His power is beyond imagination!"
In the shadows, an old man quietly observed Walton.
"His strength probably matches yours," the old man said.
The young man beside him protested immediately. "Impossible! He just entered the half-step Martial Marquis Realm. How could he match me! Master, you’re seriously underestimating me!"
The old man shook his head silently.
Soon, my figure came into everyone’s view!
Unlike Walton’s overwhelming aura, I appeared completely composed, with barely any qi fluctuations showing.
"Peak Grandmaster?" The old man instantly recognized my strength level.
His young companion snorted. "Master, is this the Mason Raymond you always praised? That’s it?"
The old man glanced at the young man and stroked his beard, chuckling. "What if he beats this half-step Martial Marquis Walton while only at Grandmaster realm?"
