From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 123

Chapter 123 Shaken to Its Core

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The entire space fell into a dead silence–no one had expected the battle to end like that.

Just moments before, Alek had been speaking, but now, he lay dead on the ground, his body twisted and deformed. The crowd couldn’t comprehend how it had happened, and a deep sense of terror washed over them. Regardless of their confusion, one undeniable fact remained: Leander had killed a Martial Sovereign with a single blow. Alek, who had ruled the Peterson family for decades, was dead–slain by Leander.

As Alek’s body hit the ground, it felt as though something within the hearts of the gathered elite fighters had shattered–something foundational in their understanding of power.

Martial Sovereigns were regarded as the absolute peak of the martial world. They were untouchable, rulers of their domains, and it had been over a decade since anyone had heard of a Martial Sovereign dying in combat–ever since Grayson Shire had challenged martial artists across the lands. But now, a true Martial Sovereign had been slain before their very eyes, killed in one strike. Even those with the steeliest of wills couldn’t help but feel immense shock.

“A Martial Sovereign?” Leander gazed down at Alek’s lifeless body, disappointment evident in his expression.

He had heard countless stories about Martial Sovereigns being akin to dragons, wielding immense power, able to control life and death and influence the course of events. Yet, Alek clearly hadn’t lived up to that reputation. Perhaps to others, Alek had been a rare and formidable force, but to Leander, he was merely ordinary.

The world believes that Martial Sovereigns are the pinnacle, the end of the martial path. But they don’t realize that becoming a Martial Sovereign is only the beginning. Leander shook his head, amused by the ignorance of the masses.

In his

years of traveling and facing countless strange and dangerous encounters, Leander knew just how far the martial path truly extended. Martial Sovereigns were by no means the ultimate achievement. The journey had no end–there were always greater heights to reach and new horizons to discover.

This battle with Alek had shown Leander the limits of an ordinary Martial Sovereign’s strength. Now, he found himself losing interest in facing others like Alek. In all of Astria, only the legendary Four Extremes, led by Gareth Ashcroft, might still offer him a worthy challenge.

Leander had once seriously injured Grayson’s disciple, Raymond, with a single strike. He wondered when Grayson himself would seek him out. The thought brought a flicker of anticipation. Only a fighter of Grayson’s caliber could reignite his interest.

Meanwhile, the others stood frozen in shock. Alek had been one of the seven Martial Sovereigns among the Seven Clans, yet Leander had killed him with ease. This could only

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Chapter 123 Shaken to Is Core

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mean that the Martial Sovereigns behind their clans were no match for Leander either. And judging by how effortlessly Leander had dispatched Alek, it was clear he hadn’t even been using his full strength. What would it be like if Leander fought with everything he had? The thought alone sent chills down their spines.

“Jeff Ashcroft…” Theresa whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes remained fixed on Leander as if trying to imprint his image in her memory forever. She realized that with this single punch, Leander had officially ascended to the ranks of the world’s greatest masters. In all of Astria, only figures like the Four Extremes could possibly compare, and after that day, the name “Jeff Ashcroft” would once again sweep across Astria, striking fear into the hearts of martial artists everywhere.

As everyone reflected on what had just transpired, Leander suddenly turned his gaze toward them. Every person froze as though a prehistoric beast had locked its eyes on them. They dared not move, awaiting his next words.

“Do you still want the Silverleaf?” Leander asked coolly.

“Forgive us, Mr. Ashcroft! We wouldn’t dare!” The representatives of the six families quickly bowed their heads, cupping their fists in submission. Their bodies shrank inward, and they fell to one knee in front of Leander. Even Theresa and Lorcan lowered their heads, avoiding eye

contact.

Earlier, Alek had struck down Otto, terrifying everyone present. But Leander was even more fearsome–he had casually killed a Martial Sovereign. Who would dare mention the Silverleaf again? If Leander grew angry and decided to go on a killing spree, the valley would be soaked in blood. None of them wanted to provoke his wrath.

“I know all of you have powerful backing, with Martial Sovereigns behind you,” Leander said, his gaze cold. “But the Silverleaf belongs to me, Jeff Ashcroft. Anyone who dares to covet it is my enemy. Go back and tell the ones who support you that if they want the Silverleaf, they’re welcome to come in person. I, Jeff Ashcroft, will be waiting. But they should remember this—if they come after my things, they’ll meet the same fate as Peterson here.”

Leander’s words were casual, yet no one dared to take them lightly. If he had said such things earlier, they might have laughed it off. But now, after seeing him kill Alek with a single punch, no one doubted his resolve. Leander’s victory was proof enough of his strength. The Martial Sovereigns backing the six families might be a bit stronger than Alek, but none of them could match Leander’s power.

“Mr. Ashcroft, my family means no offense,” Heath quickly spoke up, trying to smooth things over. His face was plastered with a smile as he attempted to build rapport with Leander. “I sincerely apologize on behalf of the Dixon family, and I will inform our patriarch—”

However, before Heath could finish, Leander shot him a cold glance, and his voice thundered in Heath’s ears, sending his blood surging and a thin line of blood trickling from his lips.

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Chapter 123 Shaken to Its Core

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“Shut up. You have ten seconds to leave Tardide Valley. If you’re still here after that, I’ll kill you.”

Leander’s words left no room for negotiation. The representatives of the six families didn’t even hesitate. With a whoosh, they all fled the valley, vanishing into the distance instantly.

A Martial Sovereign’s words were never empty threats. Since Leander had issued a death sentence, they knew that staying even a second longer meant certain death. Who would dare gamble with their lives?

Theresa and Lorcan quickly carried Otto’s injured body out of Tardide Valley. Though Theresa didn’t look back, her mind was filled with the image of Leander’s invincible figure. Her thoughts were in turmoil.

Before that day, she had believed Ethan Ashcroft would claim the title of the greatest genius in Astria’s martial world. She thought he would be the first of their generation to step into the realm of Martial Sovereigns. But everything she had witnessed earlier shattered that belief. While other top–tier talents were still struggling to reach the Martial Sovereign realm, Leander had already proven capable of slaying one with ease. By the time they finally reached that level, who knew how much further Leander would have advanced? She couldn’t even begin to imagine.

“Jeff Ashcroft, what kind of storm will you stir in the future of Astria’s martial world?” As she reached the valley’s edge, Theresa finally turned back and whispered softly, staring at Leander’s distant figure.

She couldn’t help but wonder how Ethan, Daphne, and Claire -three of Astria’s greatest geniuses–would react when they finally met Leander.

“Mr. Leander… just how strong are you?” Frankie, standing a short distance from Leander, muttered to himself, lips trembling. Time and again, he had thought they were doomed, only for Leander to shatter all expectations and crush everything in their path with seemingly boundless power.

“How strong?” Leander grinned. “That’s a question someone else will answer for me, eventually.”

Naturally, the ones he referred to were the Four Extremes of Astria’s martial world, especially Gareth Ashcroft, widely regarded as Astria’s greatest martial artist. Leander had to surpass Gareth if he wanted to live up to his eight years of life–and–death training.

Frankie hung his head in shame. He had once believed that wealth and power were the ultimate forces that controlled the world, but after meeting Leander, he realized just how limited his thinking had been. At this level of strength, what good were tricks or schemes?

Tardide Valley soon returned to its former quiet state, but Leander, always cautious, remained in the valley, adopting a more peaceful, hermit–like lifestyle for the time being. However, outside the valley, the news of Leander killing Alek spread like wildfire. The entire martial world of Astria was shaken to its core.

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15:15 Mon, Oct 13

From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir