Bruno didn't really know how strong Nell Gaston truly was.

But when he saw that massive God Realm stretching across half of District Eight, the shock in his heart was impossible to describe.

So this… is Master Nell's power?

His own God Realm could only cover about a hundred meters.

Compared to Nell, it wasn't even worth mentioning.

"Britney… just how strong is Master?" Bruno asked as he followed right behind Britney.

Britney shook her head while hurrying back toward the Gaston Martial Hall in District Eight.

"I don't know either. I've followed Master for ten years, and I've never seen him meet a real opponent."

"At the very least, Master should be at Great Elder level."

Bruno's eyes widened instantly.

Even with the Book of All Things, he was only at the perfected stage of his Meditation Technique—he hadn't even broken the limit yet.

A real Great Elder was nothing like the "fake" one people mistook him for.

Soon, Bruno and Britney reached the Gaston Martial Hall.

Tursos was already standing at the entrance.

Dozens of corpses were scattered all over the front courtyard—twisted, incomplete, torn apart… limbs everywhere.

The scene was horrifying.

Near Bruno's feet lay a severed head.

He looked closely and realized it seemed familiar.

Wasn't this the 12-stage Warlock-Warrior, Damian—the same man who came to challenge the hall a few days ago?

Bruno turned to look at Tursos.

Tursos didn't even look injured—not a scratch.

He didn't seem like he had fought at all.

Only his clothes were soaked with the blood of his enemies.

"You're back?" Tursos said with his usual honest smile as he rubbed his bald head.

Bruno nodded and lifted the box in his hand.

Tursos shook his head and said:

"That's yours and Britney's loot. The martial hall won't take any of it. Keep it yourself."

Britney added quietly, "I already took my share."

Bruno understood—this was goodwill from both Tursos and Britney.

Normally, if he had contributed as little as he did today, he'd barely get anything.

But now… most of the spoils were in his hands.

"Where's Master?" Britney asked.

Tursos pointed toward the center of District Eight.

"Master went to deal with the Heavenly Gang. The Count's people should arrive soon.

Whatever happens next… is beyond anything we can get involved in."

Sure enough, only a few minutes later, a large squad of heavily armed city guards arrived and completely surrounded the martial hall in District Eight.

"Tursos, Britney, Bruno—don't do anything foolish.

I am here under the Count's orders to suppress the chaos," a voice boomed as a man slowly walked out.

He was a middle-aged man in black armor, holding a massive scythe.

His face was stern, and his eyes were sharp like blades.

"Herdman Viscount, save the formal lines," Tursos said with a smile.

"This whole mess started because the Heavenly Gang made the first move. My master can't just pretend nothing happened and let them run wild, right?"

When Bruno heard the name Herdman Viscount, he instinctively looked over.

So this is the man who controls all nobles in District Eight?

Jake Herdman gave Bruno a cold glance before speaking:

"I heard a reckless kid killed Tarnison's son.

Isn't that what triggered the Heavenly Gang's action tonight?"

Bruno frowned slightly.

He could clearly feel the hostility—this Viscount seemed to be targeting him.

"If that's how you want to put it, then there's nothing more to say.

If you have a problem, go talk to my master," Tursos said, stepping in front of Bruno.

Instantly, Jake Herdman closed his mouth.

His eyes darkened as he waved his hand, and the surrounding city guards surged forward, sealing off the entire martial hall.

"Bruno, how did you provoke that troublesome man?" Britney asked curiously.

Bruno thought for a moment.

This was his first time meeting the Herdman Viscount.

Was it because of Philip earlier?

But that wasn't Bruno's fault—Philip was the one whose brain wasn't working right, insisting his spot as Nell Gaston's disciple had been stolen.

Bruno felt annoyed.

Not only had the Celestial Beast resources that should belong to the Hornes family vanished mysteriously, now he was getting targeted by this Herdman Viscount on top of it.

At that moment, the noise coming from the Heavenly Gang's direction slowly died down.

Everyone lifted their heads, waiting for the result.

After about three minutes, Nell Gaston appeared at the martial hall entrance.

Jake Herdman didn't hesitate—he immediately signaled the guards to make way.

He strode toward Nell Gaston, bent down slightly in a noble's salute, and said:

"Mr. Gaston, the Count requests your presence."

Nell didn't even glance at the Viscount who ruled District Eight.

Instead, he turned to Bruno and said:

"Come. You're coming with me."

Bruno froze, clearly not expecting this.

Jake Herdman immediately objected:

"Mr. Gaston, the Count only invited you.

As for Bruno—he is involved in causing chaos in District Eight.

He must be detained by the city guards."

In that instant—

a wave of killing intent smothered everyone at the martial hall entrance.

Lights flickered in the dark sky.

Rotting corpses and pale bones seemed ready to burst forth.

Nell Gaston stared coldly at Jake Herdman and said in an icy voice:

"You want to detain my disciple?"

Herdman Viscount took a few steps back.

He gritted his teeth and answered in a low voice:

"I… I don't dare."

"Don't dare? Or don't want to?"

Nell let out a sharp snort.

He walked forward with Bruno, stopped right in front of Herdman, and said:

"Lead the way."

The dignified and respected Viscount now looked almost like a servant, walking ahead of them.

They crossed District Eight and made their way straight into District One.

Following Nell, Bruno arrived at a luxurious manor.

This was the core of District One—no other buildings around, only this massive estate.

Soon, under Herdman Viscount's guidance, Bruno stepped inside the manor.

"The Count is waiting for you in the study," Herdman said as he gave another noble bow and slowly stepped back.

Nell brought Bruno through the huge villa.

After walking for a while, they finally entered a room that looked like a library.

"Nell, explain,"

a tired, old voice came from deeper inside the study.

"Why did you attack the Heavenly Gang?"

"And don't tell me they started it.

If you hadn't pretended to be seriously injured, they wouldn't have dared to cross the line."

A white-haired old man slowly walked out, leaning on a cane.

He wore a hand-sewn long robe, and at first glance, he looked completely ordinary.

Except for his eyes—sharp and bright—like they could see straight through a person's soul.

Nell casually sat down on a sofa, grabbed an apple from a fruit plate, took a bite, then raised five fingers.

"No. Too little."

Stanford Count shook his head.

Nell sighed and said slowly:

"Heavenly Gang really has joined hands with the God-King Cult.

Their headquarters now has a Junior Elder of unknown origin."

"I helped you remove a huge problem, and you still want that much?"

Stanford Count shook his head again.

"I owe you a favor.

But I want seventy percent of the Heavenly Gang's assets."

"Sixty. No more." Nell said firmly.

"I need a lot of resources."

Stanford Count's cane trembled slightly as his sharp gaze locked onto Nell.

"You're still trying to push me?"

Nell didn't answer.

Instead, he turned his head toward Bruno and said calmly:

"This is my youngest disciple, Bruno Hornes."

"He was the one who first discovered that Heavenly Gang was working with the God-King Cult."

Stanford Count looked at Bruno and gave a small nod.

But he didn't focus on him for long.

He slowly sat down across from Nell, leaning on his cane.

"Shall we talk?" Stanford Count said softly.

Nell nodded and signaled for Bruno to leave.

Bruno walked out of the study and, under the guidance of a servant, entered the main hall.

He could guess why his teacher brought him to meet the Count—

Nell probably wanted to introduce him, help him build connections.

After all, for ordinary people, meeting the Count was extremely difficult.

"I didn't expect Teacher would give up sixty percent of the gains."

Bruno sighed in his heart.

He wasn't stupid.

He knew the martial hall could never swallow the Heavenly Gang entirely without paying a price.

This was Sunset City.

Stanford Count was the true ruler here.

But Bruno was also confused—Stanford Count earlier said, "You still want to try?"

What was Nell planning to attempt?

Right then, a figure slowly walked toward him.

"Bruno Hornes," the man said,

"a farmer's son, sixteen years old, breathing technique perfected, Meditation Technique at High Rank.

You do have talent."

Bruno looked up and saw Jake Herdman, the Viscount.

He had no fondness for this man at all.

"If you want to say something, just be direct."

Herdman sat down across from him and said:

"Because of you, Philip started doubting whether he should continue cultivating.

I need you to apologize to him."

Bruno's eye twitched instantly.

Now he understood—Philip's strange brain really was inherited.

Philip was the one who started the trouble,

yet this Jake Herdman actually wanted him to apologize?

How absurd.

"What? You're unwilling?" Herdman said confidently.

"There must be someone to take responsibility for the conflict between Gaston and the Heavenly Gang.

If I say a few words to the Count, you'll be in serious trouble."

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