As they reached a scenic overlook halfway up the mountain, Larry Johnson spotted a distinguished figure in an expensive overcoat standing near the observation deck. His face lit up with vindictive excitement as he recognized his adoptive father."Father!" Larry called out, jogging ahead of the group with obvious eagerness. "Keith! You're here!"Keith Rodriguez turned at the sound of his adopted son's voice, his weathered face breaking into what appeared to be a warm smile. He was a man in his fifties, with silver hair and the bearing of someone accustomed to wielding significant power."Larry, my boy," Keith replied, embracing his son affectionately. "I didn't expect to see you here tonight.""Neither did I, until I ran into some... complications," Larry said, his voice taking on a bitter edge as he glanced back at Jack's approaching group.Julia Shaw hurried forward, practically glowing with anticipation. "Mr. Rodriguez! What perfect timing! Your son has been terribly mistreated toni

Keith Rodriguez stood frozen at the edge of the overlook, staring into the darkness where his adopted son had disappeared forever. His hands clenched into fists, his entire body trembling with a mixture of grief and rage that threatened to consume him."You murdered my son," Keith whispered, his voice thick with barely controlled fury.Jack looked at him with complete indifference. "Your son chose his own fate when he decided to insult me."He wants to attack me, Jack observed, watching Keith's internal struggle. But he knows it would be suicide.Keith's jaw worked silently for several long moments before he finally swallowed his anger, his survival instincts overriding his desire for revenge."Fine," Keith said through gritted teeth. "You've made your point, Mr. Sullivan. Now it's time for you to meet Master Robinson.""Lead the way," Jack replied calmly.As they began ascending the steeper sections of the mountain path, Samuel Davis fell into step beside Jack, his earlier confidence

Keith Rodriguez stood at the edge of the summit clearing, his hands trembling as he watched Ryan Robinson struggle against Jack Sullivan's unexpected prowess.Pulling out his phone with desperate urgency, he began sending rapid-fire messages to every contact in his network."Where are the reinforcements?" Keith muttered frantically into his phone. "Robinson is supposed to be dominating this fight, not getting humiliated!"This isn't going according to plan, Keith realized with growing panic. Jack Sullivan is actually matching a Pulse Realm Grandmaster."Marcus, forget what I said about witnessing Sullivan's defeat," Keith said into his phone. "Send every available man to North Harbor immediately. And tell them to bring heavy weapons."Meanwhile, across the River Region, the ripple effects of the confrontation were already being felt as Ryan Robinson's agents moved to secure support from Jack Sullivan's allies.In Westlake City, Ron Taylor sat in his office reviewing late-night securit

Jack Sullivan moved with relentless precision as Ryan Robinson struggled to rise from the snow drift. Despite his inability to project energy externally, Jack's mastery of close-combat techniques was proving devastatingly effective against the supposed Grandmaster."How?" Ryan gasped, blood trickling from his mouth as Jack's finger strikes found every pressure point with surgical accuracy. "How do you know the Severing Sky technique? That's a secret art of the Nine Mountains sect!"Jack's finger jabbed into Ryan's shoulder, causing the older man's left arm to go completely numb. "Secret techniques are only secret to those without talent."He's learning everything I throw at him and using it back better than I can, Ryan realized with growing horror. This isn't just combat skill—this is martial genius."Impossible!" Ryan wheezed as Jack's next strike targeted his solar plexus. "You can't master techniques just by seeing them once!""Can't I?" Jack asked as he delivered a precise blow to

The bronze cauldron gleamed under the morning sun as Jack Sullivan emerged from Ryan Robinson's cave, carrying the ancient artifact with casual ease.Though his appearance seemed normal to the casual observer, those with enhanced senses could feel the overwhelming power radiating from his transformed body.Ron Taylor was the first to notice Jack's emergence. "Mr. Sullivan has returned!" he called out, causing everyone gathered on the summit to turn in his direction.He looks the same, but something fundamental has changed, Professor Lawrence observed as he studied Jack's approaching figure. The energy around him is completely different.As Jack walked across the summit, Keith Rodriguez struggled to his feet from his seven-day vigil, his legs shaking from prolonged kneeling and his face streaked with tears of desperation."Mr. Sullivan!" Keith cried out, his voice hoarse from exhaustion. "Please, I beg your forgiveness! I've stayed here for seven days and nights, proving my dedication!