From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 570

The Valor name had produced some of the fiercest warlords in Astria's history. But two stood above the rest.

The first was Nautilus Valor, a commander from a humble farming family during the Warring States Era.

He was the founding figure of the Bulwark Sect. His strength was beyond belief. Back in the Warring States Era, he'd taken on the First Empire's Cavalry with nothing but his bare hands and didn't even break a sweat. He took down miles of First Empire's land in a single night. Tens of thousands of First Empire's soldiers fled in panic. Even Geoffrey Kenzington, the man who'd killed millions of enemies alone, praised him as unmatched.

The second was Warsong Valor, the final shield of Odin Collins during the End Years. A one-man army who could block ten thousand troops, a fighter so fierce he was said to rival the Trinity Empire's top general, Bruce Landmark.

And Darian? He was the most legendary Valor descendant in the past hundred years. The Bulwark Sect's one-in-a-century prodigy. His power nearly caught up with the old master Nautilus himself. People called him "the Iron Wall." His mastery over body-enhancement techniques let him stop a speeding train with just his hands. He could take down Western warships and artillery using only brute force.

But now, that same living legend had just been knocked back by a rising star. A young fighter who looked no older than twenty.

He'd been forced back twenty yards. His feet carved two deep lines into the desert, dragging across the sand until his heel hit the line. One inch over.

But that inch sealed the match.

Darian raised his arms. They were still shaking. He turned and looked behind him. His gaze narrowed the second he caught that heel mark stretching just beyond the line.

"You lost."

Leander stood dozens of yards away, slowly lowering his fist. His voice was calm.

"I lost?"

Darian stood there, stunned. His expression kept shifting. But after a few seconds, his face settled, and a strange smile crept in.

"You really are something, Sovereign Ashcroft. I clearly underestimated you."

His voice dipped as he continued. "Half a month ago, I had a brief meeting with the Dragon Emperor. He told me the future of Astria's martial world—the future of the Eastern King Phases—would belong to you. I thought he was overselling it. But after that punch today, I finally get it.

"I've known the Dragon Emperor for almost a hundred years. Not once have I heard him praise someone from the younger generation. Jeff, you're the first.

"You've earned that title of 'living legend.' No doubt about it."

Every word he said came straight from the heart. His Iron Body might not have reached the god-level being threshold, but once it had reached its peak, he'd become almost completely untouchable. Unless it was something specifically designed to break through heavy armor, bullets and explosives couldn't even scratch him.

With Primordial Energy reinforcing him, he was like a steel tower rooted deep in the earth. Even a speeding sports car wouldn't have been able to move him an inch.

But Leander's punch had hit like a tectonic shift. All that strength compressed into a single blow. Brutal. Precise. Overwhelming. Darian had thrown all his Primordial Energy into defense, and he still got sent flying twenty yards.

That punch alone proved Leander's power.

Darian bowed again.

"I lost this bet fair and square.

"And I honor my word. I won't step into that vault. I'll stay right here and guard the entrance. No one gets in."

Matthias and Tobey could barely believe what they were hearing. Their eyes widened in disbelief.

This was the same immortal legend from the Bulwark Sect. The same former elite of the old imperial court. Even in the King Phase war, he'd never lost a fight. He once took on three King Phases with just his body and came out the other side with his reputation stronger than ever.

But now, Leander had thrown one punch—and he conceded. It may have been just a bet, but for men like them, who had always treated Darian like a god, it still felt surreal.

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