The next day, Samuel woke up early and freshened up. He had decided to stay in the Istanbul clan for a day or maybe more. He had two main reasons.Firstly, the main reason he came to Nork was to buy weapons, secure materials for making his own sword and armor, and gather the remaining ingredients needed to lay an array over the lake back at his house.Secondly, it was because of Azarath. The two had parted ways after Samuel saved the captives from the Urgaba cult members. Azarath had asked to visit his parents’ grave one last time before following him.Samuel saw no reason to refuse, so he allowed it, but Azarath was not to take more than four days before arriving in Nork.After buying everything necessary, Samuel would have to wait for him. Since Nork city had a network, he could simply call Azarath upon arrival. They had already exchanged contacts.He wanted to go out alone, not wanting to disturb Nina, who was probably still sleeping. He prepared himself and stepped out leisurely.

He immediately dashed towards Samuel, closing the distance in a blink, and threw a lightning-fast punch aimed at his face. Samuel sidestepped with effortless grace, the fist whistling harmlessly past his ear.Second level of the Core Formation Realm? That's nothing to me, Samuel thought. He didn't hesitate, driving a powerful kick into the man's torso. The impact sent the elderly man flying backward to crash onto a nearby table, which splintered under the force.Everyone was stunned by the smoothness and brutality of the counterattack, including Ivana. She was deeply impressed by the fluid movement and felt a great sense of security watching him.The elderly man shoved himself up from the wreckage, dusting splinters from his body. His eyes narrowed into venomous slits as he gathered qi, causing the air around his fists to shimmer. He lunged again, immediately performing a fist technique and sending his fist crashing toward Samuel with renewed fury."Heaven-Sundering Seven Fists, first

"What is it, Master?" Nina asked.Samuel hurried outside, with Nina following closely behind. There, a raging man barged into the Istanbul Clan compound, trailed by soldiers in uniform."Where’s that bastard who dared to touch my son?" the man shouted. He wore a green robe, his hair a fiery red. Samuel thought he looked like an older, angrier version of the young man they’d met earlier at the plaza.Without a doubt, they were related—most likely father and son. Trouble was brewing."Hello, City Mayor. To what do we owe this visit?" A slim man appeared. He was the third brother of the household, Ferguson, who had just returned after hearing that his elder brother had been fully healed. He had been rejoicing when he suddenly heard a disturbance and decided to check on things in his brother's place."Ferguson, you’re back! I thought you were out of the city," the mayor said, surprised. Ferguson was certainly someone to be cautious around. Though he hadn’t reached the fifth level of Core

Spirit fire apes, frost wolves, and all types of spirit beasts were locked in the cages. There was also a flying beast, but it could only carry one person and there was only one of them.Maxwell led him to a section that housed two spirit beasts that resembled horses, except they had two horns and their legs looked far more powerful."These are called Vorgars. They might look like horses, but they are a different breed entirely. These two have reached the fifth level of the spirit beast realm—powerful creatures, I must say. They can carry two people at once and travel a great distance. If you like them, I will give you both for your journey," Maxwell explained."These are really good; I will take them," Samuel said."A great decision. They are well-trained, so you shouldn't have any problem handling them," Maxwell said, signaling his servants to unlock the cage.The two beasts walked out calmly. Samuel approached the first one and touched its mane. The Vorgar roared, a sound that was

Four days later.A man could be seen riding a wolf-like beast, racing through the forest. Behind him was a Vorda—a massive, horse-like creature with two sharp horns and powerful legs—carrying two riders.“There’s a mountain up ahead. Let’s see if there are any caves at its base so we can rest there,” Samuel announced. The group rode toward the mountain.As they neared it, the sounds of battle reached their ears. They urged their mounts forward to get a clearer view.“You think you’re smart, Ouyang? You dared to steal from me?” barked a dark-haired man with thick eyebrows. He wore black armor and carried himself like a seasoned warrior.“The egg isn’t yours, Jason! I found it in the secret cave at the Bahamas Mountain,” Ouyang shot back. He had short hair and wore simple, slightly tattered clothes.“So what if you found it first?” Jason snarled. “We both went up the mountain and discovered that cave together! I was the one who invited you, so I should have had the first pick.”“Hypocri