An Understated Dominance

Glenn and Fenley were top-tier geniuses in the martial world. Given the intense rivalry between the Sword Union and the Celestial Alliance, it was only natural that they saw each other as competitors.

Fenley was fired up with a fighting spirit after a recent breakthrough in his cultivation before the tournament. He was itching for a showdown with Glenn and could hardly wait to face him.

In contrast, Glenn wouldn’t back down from Fenley’s challenge. However, while Fenley was fired up with a fighting spirit, Glenn remained indifferent.

Since topping the Legendary List, Glenn had stopped regarded his peers as worthy rivals, except for Logan, who was his equal and had been missing for years.

At present, his focus was on the elites of the Champ-Tier List, the ultimate benchmark of power in the martial world. 1

He had to take down one top competitor after another and push through every obstacle until he reached the pinnacle of success. The past was irrelevant since he was laser-focused on the road ahead, with no intention of looking back.

Caleb, dressed in tattered robes, suddenly stood up with a yawn and stretched lazily. He accidentally blocked the line of sight between Glenn and Fenley.

Glenn averted his gaze and settled beside Cyrus. He closed his eyes to center his focus and block out the distractions around him.

Fenley quickly regained his composure. With Glenn in the tournament, Fenley knew their paths would cross eventually, so there was no need to rush things.

He aimed to defeat Glenn in the finals and claim the championship title. A win would secure him the highest honor and boost the Celestial Alliance’s reputation. This would silence any lingering doubts about his strength.

“Man, these guys are tough. I really shouldn’t have entered this tournament.” Caleb eyed Glenn and Fenley, shook his head, and let out a resigned sigh.

He wasn’t cut out for competition and only wanted a quiet life without drama. But after being pressured into participating by Humminghill, he had no choice. With high expectations on his shoulders, he knew he couldn’t just take it easy.

He needed to finish in the top three at the very least and secure a spot in the top eight to avoid letting Kaden down. If not, Caleb would face punishment when he returned.

His only hope was to avoid drawing Glenn or Fenley in the early rounds. Facing either of them would be the worst luck imaginable.

“Look! It’s Mr. Marshall from the Celestial Alliance!”

The crowd erupted in excitement.

In the southeast direction, a distinguished middle-aged man in white robes approached with a commanding presence, his features sharp. He entered with several elders.

The man in white walked through the crowd with a warm smile and an air of nobility. He nodded and greeted familiar faces with genuine friendliness.

This was Alloy, the guildmaster of the Celestial Alliance, and several elders accompanied him.

Unlike Cyrus, who was aloof and stern, Alloy was the definition of approachability. He radiated warmth and friendliness, greeting everyone with a genuine smile and never showing any trace of arrogance.

“Greetings, Mr. Marshall.”

“Greetings, Mr. Marshall.”

At that moment, leaders and disciples from various guilds stood up in deference. The Celestial Alliance had disciples across the land, and its influence greatly exceeded that of every other guild.

To others, the Celestial Alliance was the undisputed top guild in Dragonmarsh. Even though the Sword Union was gaining ground, the Celestial Alliance eclipsed its reputation and influence.

Unlike the reclusive Sword Union, the Celestial Alliance was well-connected with many guilds and frequently played the role of mediator for smaller factions. So, it wasn’t surprising that nearly half of the martial world forces were associated with them.

When Alloy entered, the respect from the gathered guilds was unmistakable. This was a sharp contrast to their reaction toward Cyrus.

“Mr. Marshall, it’s been a while. How have you been?” When Alloy approached, Kaden stood up immediately to greet him. His face lit up with a welcoming smile as if reuniting with an old friend.

“Thank you for asking, Sage Foyer. I’ve been enjoying a leisurely life-mostly feeding fish and playing with the birds, “Alloy replied with a smile.

He continued, “If you’re free, I’d love for you to drop by. I’ve recently added some interesting artworks and classic manuscripts to my collection, but I’m having trouble understanding them due to my limited knowledge. It would be a pleasure to have you over and hear your thoughts.”

“It would be my pleasure,” Kaden replied with a smile.

The two continued their friendly exchange. After a while, they finally took their seats.

“Oh? Mr. Hadley? I heard you were in seclusion training. I didn’t expect you to attend today.” Alloy finally noticed Cyrus on the other side and greeted him with a smile.

“We never miss an event like this,” Cyrus replied indifferently.

He added, “Seems you’re always looking for ways to further your agenda. Don’t tell me you’re using this opportunity to recruit new disciples for the Celestial Alliance?”

“A wise bird chooses the best tree to perch on,” Alloy said with a knowing smile. “If any young talents are eager to join my guild, they’re more than welcome.”All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“You’re still as picky as ever.” Cyrus sneered.

“I can’t compare myself to you, who picks only the finest. Unfortunately, your resources are too limited to nurture such talent. I remember several of your disciples joined our guild this year due to the unfair treatment. What’s your take on this?” Alloy asked impassively.

“Hmph! They’re nothing but rejects. Letting them go doesn’t bother me. We don’t need dead weight,” Cyrus retorted.

The tension between them quickly escalated, with their disciples exchanging hostile glares. It was clear a confrontation could break out at any moment.