From Ruin to Reign Leander's Unbreakable Will novel Chapter 138

Chapter 138 The Gathering of Two Legends

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“What are they talking about? What realm?” The elders of the Dixon family, who had accompanied Wade, stood at the edge of the cliff, bewildered by the conversation. None of them understood what Wade meant by “that realm.”

“Martial Sovereigns are already considered the pinnacle of the martial world. But from the conversation between our patriarch and Grayson, it seems like there’s a higher realm beyond that?” Although these elders were not as seasoned as Grayson or Wade, they considered themselves veterans in the martial arts world and were privy to many secrets. Yet, none of them had ever heard of a level beyond Martial Sovereign.

“Only half a step away!” Wade muttered softly. “When we fought back then, I already knew that fewer than five people in all of Astria could match your strength. But now, I can’t even begin to fathom how powerful you’ve become. Just how vast is the gap between us?”

Grayson’s expression remained indifferent as he gestured calmly. “That day, you only fought my apprentice, not me. If you want to know how wide the gap is between us, why not find out firsthand?”

Wade’s eyes gleamed sharply, and the mist swirling in the night air was dispersed by the invisible force emanating from him.

The Dixon family elders, standing a hundred yards away, watched with bated breath, eager to witness the clash between these two Martial Sovereigns. They feared missing even the slightest detail. This was only the second time in over a decade that their patriarch had fought Grayson.

A storm of internal energy surrounded Wade and Grayson, separating them from the outside world. Wade crossed his arms as if embracing the void, and gray inner strength coiled around his fists. He then hurled his fists toward Grayson’s head. This attack was delivered with Wade’s full power, the strongest strike he could muster at his current level. It was the Dixon family’s signature technique–Titan’s Cross.

The elders clenched their fists in anticipation. Titan’s Cross was a secret skill passed down through the Dixon family, reserved only for the patriarch. Their ancestors had once roamed Cloudveil undefeated, thanks to this very technique. Wade had not yet mastered it when he first fought Grayson. Over the past decade, fueled by his hatred for Grayson, he had painstakingly perfected the technique, sacrificing both his lifespan and cultivation to finally be able to unleash it–just once.

This meant that Wade had thrown everything into this attack. His life no longer mattered to him. What he needed now was to give his all and see just how powerful Grayson’s so–called “half–step away” truly was. In Wade’s mind, even if he couldn’t defeat Grayson, as long as he could make Grayson flinch even slightly, it would be a victory in defeat.

Wade’s all–out strike descended like a mountain, carrying the force of ten thousand pounds. If

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Chapter 138 The Gathering of Two Legends

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Finished

it landed, the stone pillar beneath them would surely crack and splinter for dozens of yards. But Grayson didn’t budge. He didn’t even change his stance.

Boom!

A deafening explosion echoed through the valley, causing the Dixon family elders to instinctively cover their ears. When they looked back, they were stunned.

Wade’s Titan’s Cross, a move that had drained his life force and vitality, had landed squarely on Grayson’s shoulder. But Grayson, the one who had taken the hit, hadn’t even had his clothes ruffled by the blow. In contrast, Wade’s body trembled violently, and he stumbled back three steps, his hands trembling and the skin around his knuckles torn apart.

Everyone, including Wade himself, was completely stunned. His all–out attack, a strike that risked his very life, had been effortlessly taken by Grayson with nothing but his body.

“Your family’s secret technique, Titan’s Cross, is indeed impressive!” Grayson remarked, shaking his head slightly, his piercing gaze fixed on Wade. “But unfortunately, it’s still confined to the realm of ‘technique.‘ It hasn’t yet touched the essence of ‘the way. You couldn’t even breach my physical defense.”

Grayson’s calm words cut deep. Wade staggered backward, his face as pale as paper, before collapsing to the ground. His ultimate move, one that had cost him years of his life, hadn’t even made Grayson flinch. It was a devastating blow to Wade’s spirit. With a hollow smile, he muttered to himself, “It seems that only Gareth Ashcroft in all of Astria is worthy of facing you.”

Sighing deeply, Wade leaped back across the iron chains to the edge of the valley.

“Grayson, I will never be able to catch up to you in this lifetime. I hope tomorrow’s battle brings you victory.” For the first time, Wade offered a respectful bow toward Grayson. He had finally set aside his hatred, fully acknowledging Grayson’s superiority. When one’s enemy was close in skill, one still harbored dreams of surpassing them. But when one’s opponent stood on unreachable heights, all one could do was look up in awe.

Grayson didn’t respond. Wade, puzzled, looked up and noticed that Grayson, who had been sitting calmly this whole time, was now standing and staring southward. Wade’s heart skipped a beat. Though he and Grayson were adversaries, Wade knew him well enough to sense that someone extraordinary had arrived–someone even Grayson held in high regard.

Following Grayson’s gaze, Wade spotted two figures emerging from the mist–one tall, the other short. Leading the way was a small, withered old man with deep wrinkles lining his face, making him appear at least a decade older than his actual age. But his eyes gleamed with an electric sharpness, and with each step he took in his wooden clogs, the surrounding fog parted as if sliced by an invisible blade.

Behind him walked a man in his thirties, wielding a Jesundese sword. The younger man’s imposing presence marked him as a formidable swordsman, his skill no less than Wade’s own.

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Chapter 138 The Gathering of Two Legends

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However, Wade’s attention was entirely focused on the elder, his pupils shrinking in disbelief.

“How is this possible?” one of the Dixon family elders whispered in confusion. “Wade, who is that old man?”

Wade’s body trembled slightly, and his voice became grave. “That’s Tsaric Dubois–Briggs, the Sword Master of Jesund.”

The Dixon family elders were instantly shocked, their faces filled with disbelief. They had all heard the legend of Tsaric. He was once powerful enough to nearly overthrow the entire martial world of Astria with his unparalleled swordsmanship. In Jesund, he was a living legend. But after being defeated by Gareth years ago, Tsaric had retreated back to Jesund, never to be seen again. And yet, here he was, on Glidewing Mountain.

“Grayson Shire,” Tsaric’s voice was calm and steady as he removed his wooden clogs and sat cross–legged at the edge of the cliff. Though a Jesundese man, his Astric was flawless. “It has been 35 years since we last met.”

Thirty–five years ago, Tsaric hadn’t yet reached the level of Martial Sovereign. He had encountered Grayson during a trip to Astria, but both had been striving for Martial Sovereign at the time, so they hadn’t fought, merely crossing paths.

Grayson nodded slightly, reflecting on the past. “After that chance meeting, another ten years passed before your swordsmanship reached its peak. You came to Astria, defeating 63 masters in a row, only to be driven back to Jesund by Gareth Ashcroft. At the time, I was far away in the western regions and missed the chance to fight you. Now, you suddenly appear at the peak of Glidewing Mountain. Are you here to challenge me?”

Tsaric’s white hair fluttered gently in the breeze, his face serene.

“Shire, you and I will have plenty of opportunities to cross swords. There’s no rush.” His eyes gleamed, and a streak of sword light flashed through the night. “I am here for Jeff Ashcroft!”

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