"Black Dragon Blood? And far surpassing a Grand Duke of the same level?"

When Old Brad's voice, tinged with envy and deep meaning, emanated from the receiver, a hint of faint astonishment flickered in Chen Fei's eyes. He was all too aware of what a Grand Duke represented. Yet now, this Nemosin was said to be far stronger than a Grand Duke of his level—a fact that could no longer be described with simple words. The revelation was enough to make his head buzz.

A Grand Duke was equivalent to a Mid Innate Ancient Martial Artist in their circle. For everyone in that circle, the Innate Middle Stage was a level that resonated like thunder.

It was a truly legendary rank.

Whether in the hidden peak forces of the Lingnan Mountains, the wider expanse of the entire south, or even across the vast lands of Huaxia, Innate Middle Stage experts were undoubtedly top-tier. They were even qualified to serve as Pillars of the Sky in some ancient sects. But now, this man was even stronger than them.

Doesn't that mean…

For a moment, even a prodigy like Chen Fei couldn't help but pale slightly. He scratched his head in annoyance and frustration, his gaze flickering.

With his current strength—a cultivation level at the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer of the "Scripture of Meditation" and having condensed the Thirteenth Path of Sanyang True Fire Sword Qi from the "Three Yang Sword Manual"—he was already considered an exceptional talent among those at the Innate Middle Stage. But with his current power alone, he wasn't confident he could overpower the other party.

Do I have to wait until I reach the fourth level of the "Three Yang Sword Manual" and condense all eighteen paths of Sanyang True Fire Sword Qi? At that point, I should be invincible within the Innate Middle Stage. Overpowering a Grand Duke shouldn't be a problem then.

"Indeed. That 'Black Dragon' Nemosin is very strong. Objectively speaking, even our Brad Family would not want to provoke him lightly," Old Brad's sighing voice came through the receiver again.

Although it was common knowledge that the Brad Family ranked second among Europe's eleven dark powers and the Ashford Family third, leading people to assume the Brads were stronger, what was the reality? Even Old Brad had to admit that such rankings were for outsiders and couldn't be taken at face value.

A single 'Black Dragon' Nemosin was enough to leave the Brad Family without a single trump card to counter him. Not to mention, that family was rumored to have an even more terrifying old Grand Duke in slumber—one that even Nemosin feared.

At this thought, Old Brad couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his face as rumors of the Ashford family's formidable heritage swirled in his mind. To put it bluntly, the so-called eleven seats of Europe were likely a joke in their eyes. If the Ashford Family ever decided to reveal their hand, claiming the top spot would be effortless.

However, they seemed to have no interest in doing so.

"I understand. Thank you, Old Brad," Chen Fei said after a long, silent pause, his eyes narrowing before a slow smile spread across his face.

It seems I'll have to change my strategy again.

But hearing Chen Fei's gratitude, Old Brad did not respond with a laugh. Instead, his expression and tone became somewhat grave. "Chen, if you truly have a conflict with that man, I personally suggest you reconsider this matter. Let me put it this way: Jack the Blade, the legendary assassin you killed, was powerful. But in front of 'Black Dragon' Nemosin, he probably wouldn't have lasted long. Another legendary assassin just as formidable as Jack the Blade died exactly that way."

His words were euphemistic, but Chen Fei understood the implication immediately. During their confrontation in the Alps, he had defeated Jack the Blade, but the battle had been extremely perilous. It was not an overpowering victory, let alone a complete rout. Yet this 'Black Dragon' Nemosin seemed capable of achieving just that. It was quite apparent who was stronger.

"Old Brad, perhaps you've misunderstood," Chen Fei replied with a smile. "I have no quarrel with that Grand Duke. It's just that an item I greatly need has somehow ended up in his possession. I need that item, so I must get it back."

"An item you greatly need?" Old Brad paused slightly, then slowly asked, "Is it something you absolutely must retrieve?"

"Of course," Chen Fei replied without hesitation, his tone firm.

After all, it concerned information about Foundation Establishment cultivators from Ancient Huaxia. The matter was too important for him to give up on.

"Well then. I'm sorry, Chen, but our Brad Family may not be able to help you with this. I can only wish you luck," Old Brad said with a helpless shrug, shaking his head at the resolve in Chen Fei's voice.

"Thank you for your kindness, Old Brad, but I'm sure I'll be lucky. Let's leave it at that. I'm hanging up now," Chen Fei said with a smile as he reached out to end the call.

A Black Dragon, huh… I can't believe things like that actually exist. After hanging up, his mind replayed the shocking conversation, and even Chen Fei couldn't help but marvel, a curious expression on his face. Black Dragons? Aren't those just the giant, winged lizards from Western movies? Be that as it may, the might of such creatures is undeniable.

So, that Nemosin was indeed fortunate. Discovering a pool of Black Dragon Blood from that ancient era was impressive enough. However, he had audaciously attempted to absorb it into his body, and most terrifying of all, he had succeeded. Indeed, it seems that in this world, madmen have a brighter future.

Because they are more fearless and have more courage, they are better able to seize opportunities and soar to the heavens.

***

Half an hour later, Chen Fei drove to Five Peaks Mountain in the suburbs of Chengyang County. This was where his master, Ming Daochuan, lived in seclusion and where he himself had practiced martial arts since childhood.

He parked his car at the foot of the mountain, walked the familiar muddy path up to the halfway point, and pushed open the gate of a large, ordinary-looking farmhouse. Inside the courtyard, he instantly saw a white-robed, silver-haired elder, his hands moving as he practiced the routines and moves of Xingyi Fist like a true grandmaster.

"Master."

Clearly, this elder was none other than his master, Ming Daochuan. Upon seeing the familiar figure, Chen Fei called out in joy.

The old man has finally shown himself.

But moments after the words left his mouth, his expression uncontrollably darkened. "Master, what happened?" he blurted out. "Why are your injuries so severe?"

His knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine—which emphasized inspection, listening, questioning, and feeling the pulse—allowed him to tell at a glance that his master was gravely injured. Anger flared in his eyes. What happened? Who did this!?

"You're back?"

Upon seeing Chen Fei, Ming Daochuan merely glanced at him and asked the single question before returning his focus to his Xingyi Fist, his concentration absolute.

Seeing this, Chen Fei forcibly suppressed his extreme anxiety and confusion, standing obediently in place to wait.

After a long while, Ming Daochuan finally concluded his forms, embracing the origin and returning to one. He stood as tall and still as a pine tree, remaining silent for a long time. At last, he let out a turbid breath and turned his gaze to the impatient Chen Fei. "Come," he said faintly. "Follow me inside."

"Yes." Chen Fei immediately followed him into the house.

"I heard from Yama that you killed an SS-level Superpowered in Italy," Ming Daochuan said suddenly after they sat down.

Chen Fei was slightly taken aback, then quickly nodded. "Yes, Master." He didn't want to hide anything from Ming Daochuan.

Hearing Chen Fei's confirmation, Ming Daochuan took a deep look at his disciple. A flicker of shock and speechlessness crossed even his aged eyes. He had, in fact, noticed some signs of Chen Fei's abnormally rapid growth in strength the last time he had returned, but he hadn't paid it much mind then.

To an old master of his level, anyone below the Innate Stage—or even the Innate Middle Stage—was hardly worth his notice. But now, this boy... his disciple's rate of progress had completely exceeded his expectations.

Even an old master like him couldn't help but be astonished.

"What is your actual strength now?" thinking of this, even Ming Daochuan couldn't help but ask.

My current strength?

Hearing his master's question, Chen Fei paused, then subconsciously scratched his head. What was his actual strength? It seemed even he couldn't state it plainly.

"An ordinary Innate Middle Stage Ancient Martial Artist would probably have a hard time fighting me," he finally answered after some thought.

With his current strength, he indeed had the right to be that arrogant.

"Even an ordinary Innate Middle Stage expert would have a hard time fighting you?"

Hearing this, despite having been somewhat prepared, Ming Daochuan was still shaken. His aged eyes narrowed slightly. Then, his gaze fixed on his disciple, Chen Fei. After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice slow and uncertain. "Could it be, boy, that you've inherited the legacy of an ancient Qi Practitioner?"

"Master, how... how did you know!?"

Chen Fei's body jolted, and he stared at Ming Daochuan in disbelief.

His master... actually knew?

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