Chapter 544: Chapter 544 A Frightening Foundation
Cory Johansson let out a cold snort. With his hands clasped behind his back, he declared, "Klein, this is your final opportunity. If you can’t manage it, then Bryce will take over."
After saying this, Cory Johansson spun around and strode out.
Klein Johansson’s expression darkened with fury. He balled his fists tight, his teeth grinding audibly.
*Confronted by Old Master Johansson’s dismissal, Klein felt utterly helpless. The only outlet for his rage was to channel it completely toward Mason Raymond.*
"Mason Raymond... I promise you’re going to die!" Klein declared icily.
...
In what felt like an instant, I had been unconscious for a full week.
Thankfully, thanks to the Pavilion Master’s careful attention, my body hadn’t sustained any serious harm.
Finally, at noon on this day, I slowly came to.
As I surveyed the familiar surroundings, I felt momentarily confused.
"You’re awake?" The Pavilion Master’s voice drifted from nearby.
Suddenly snapping alert, I quickly pushed myself up and asked, "Lord Pavilion Master, where’s Mabel? Where is she right now?"
The Pavilion Master cooled the herbal brew she held and said, "Take this medicine first."
But I wasn’t interested in medicine. Frantically, I said, "Lord Pavilion Master, I need to see Mabel immediately."
The Pavilion Master hesitated briefly. Then, placing the medicine down, she said, "She’s currently at the Capital City Martial Arts Association, though I’m not certain why."
That’s when I remembered everything I’d overheard before losing consciousness.
My expression hardened, and I hastily rose from the bed.
"What’s this? Are you planning to get yourself killed?" The Pavilion Master said coldly.
Gritting my teeth, I said, "Even if it kills me, I can’t just sit here and do nothing."
"You should focus on yourself first," the Pavilion Master said with a frosty tone.
"Mabel Sean is the Sean family’s eldest daughter. Her circumstances are much better than yours."
"Right now, what you need to worry about is how to handle the fury of both the Sean family and the Johansson family."
I found myself at a loss for words.
*Still, it was impossible not to be concerned.*
"Don’t fret. I’ll have someone look into what’s happening at the Capital City Martial Arts Association," the Pavilion Master said.
I let out a long breath and nodded. "Fine. Then I’ll have to ask this of you, Lord Pavilion Master."
Though I was internally frantic, I also understood clearly that the Capital City Martial Arts Association was more dangerous than a tiger’s lair.
With my current abilities, it was completely impossible to rescue Mabel from there.
If not for the earlier fight with Vance Johansson, I’d probably already be dead.
The combined power of the Sean and Johansson families alone was enough to end my life.
I sat up in bed.
I stretched my frame. Apart from feeling somewhat rigid, there wasn’t any major discomfort.
"Come on. Follow me. Mr. Randall is expecting you," the Pavilion Master said.
"Paul Randall?" I thought of the veteran martial artist.
If he hadn’t stepped in, things would have become unthinkably catastrophic.
I trailed the Pavilion Master toward the back mountain of the Divine Alchemist Pavilion.
Right then, Paul Randall was seated on the mountain, meditating with closed eyes.
These past days, Paul had spent nearly all his time there, sitting peacefully in one spot.
"Mr. Randall," the Pavilion Master called from behind.
Paul gradually turned his head. Shaking his head with a chuckle, he said, "Pavilion Master, you and I are roughly the same age. Calling me ’Mr. Randall’ seems wrong."
To this, Finn Darby simply smiled without replying.
Though they were similar in age, from looks alone, it appeared more like grandfather and granddaughter.
"Greetings to Senior Paul," I stepped forward and bowed slightly.
Paul acknowledged this and said, "You’ve come around. Take a seat."
I moved forward and sat facing Paul.
"Thank you, Mr. Randall, for coming to my aid," I said with a bow.
Paul brushed off the thanks and instead asked, "What’s your next move?"
I creased my brow and coldly answered, "My top priority is getting Mabel Sean out."
"She’s currently detained in the Capital City Martial Arts Association. What if you can’t free her?" Paul pushed further.
Without any hesitation, I replied coldly, "Then I’ll destroy the Capital City Martial Arts Association!"
Upon hearing this, Paul couldn’t help but stroke his beard and chuckle.
"Years ago, I was exactly like you—born from humble beginnings but with dreams as vast as the sky, believing I could transform everything," Paul said slowly.
"The Capital City Martial Arts Association, the elite families of the Capital City—none of them mattered to me."
I furrowed my brow in puzzlement and asked, "Senior Paul, are you saying you also hold a grudge against the Capital City Martial Arts Association?"
Looking at me, Paul replied, "It’s more than a grudge. I’ve personally slain at least ten Marquises from the Capital City Martial Arts Association. Back then, I also dreamed of bringing it down!"
"Then... why did you eventually retreat into isolation?" I was confused by this.
Wasn’t Paul Randall once called Pyro’s most powerful martial artist? With his strength, surely he could at least make the Capital City Martial Arts Association surrender?
Paul raised his gaze toward the horizon, as if remembering something from long ago.
After a pause, he quietly said, "I eventually understood that regardless of what I did, I couldn’t change anything."
My face dropped as I quickly asked, "Do you mean even you couldn’t touch the Capital City Martial Arts Association?"
"Exactly." Paul didn’t conceal anything.
"The more you learn, the more you understand how frightening the Capital City Martial Arts Association truly is, and how deep the political currents in the Capital City run."
"So, ultimately, I decided to flee—to hide."
My expression grew dark, and what filled my heart was even more confusion.
*How could someone as powerful as Paul Randall feel so helpless?*
"Don’t underestimate the power of the Capital City’s noble families, and especially not the foundation of the Capital City Martial Arts Association," Paul said.
"They’ve existed for ages without crumbling, and they’ve become the ultimate refuge in martial artists’ hearts everywhere—a place everyone longs to join."
"This has caused the world’s finest talents to all swear loyalty to the Capital City Martial Arts Association."
The Pavilion Master next to him agreed and said, "Mr. Paul speaks truly. The Capital City Martial Arts Association’s influence is far beyond what you can fathom."
"Apart from the training resources visible on the surface, they also have an incredibly deep foundation."
Quietly, I absorbed the counsel of these two elders.
"Mason, tell me—what’s the highest level of power you’ve encountered?" Paul asked.
I answered seriously, "I’ve heard of the Martial Saint Realm, but it’s said that the Marquis level is already the limit these days."
Paul nodded and said, "Right. Marquis is indeed the current peak."
"However... that conclusion doesn’t hold for the Capital City Martial Arts Association."
My expression suddenly changed drastically. I quickly asked, "You mean... the Capital City Martial Arts Association has Martial Saints?"
Paul didn’t respond directly but said, "You’ll discover it eventually."
My face went pale. If what Paul hinted at was accurate, didn’t that mean I had no chance whatsoever?
*If even Paul Randall was this pessimistic, then what hope did I have?*
"You don’t need to worry excessively," Paul suddenly shifted his tone.
Looking at me, he said, "Your future accomplishments will definitely exceed mine. Maybe, you’re the one meant to shatter the deadlock."
