Chapter 68
Chapter 68 The Mighty Eagle’s Claw
“Mr. Leander p>
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At the top floor of the Leandrix Corp. building, Leander reclined on a plush couch, savoring his tea. Beside him, Frankie fidgeted anxiously, as restless as an ant on a hot pan, unable to find
comfort in his seat.
On the coffee table before them lay a striking red and black envelope, emblazoned with bold letters: “For Jeff, personally opened.” Both Leander and Frankie had already perused the letter’s
contents.
“What do you intend to do?” Frankie asked, his brow furrowed deeply as he awaited Leander’s decision.
“What to do?” Leander took another slow sip of his tea before responding, his tone calm and composed. “They’ve already thrown down the gauntlet. Am I supposed to ignore it p>
Frankie’s face tightened further, the anxiety almost palpable. “Mr. Leander, have you thought this through?” He hesitated, then added, “That is the Tarlyn Guild p>
Although Frankie wasn’t a practitioner of martial arts, he knew enough to understand the weight of the challenge. The Tarlyn family dominated Mornwick, their influence bolstered by generations of elite martial artists. They were a force deeply entrenched in history, and no easy
opponent.
“Reuben alone commands respect across Northridge,” Frankie continued, his concern growing. “And now Mason, their second–in–command, has issued a personal challenge. They must be certain of their strength p>
While Frankie couldn’t fathom the full extent of Mason’s abilities, he knew Mason’s position in the Tarlyn hierarchy exceeded Reuben’s, meaning he was an even more formidable threat.
Frankie understood that Leander was strong, but the comparison to the Tarlyn family–an entire clan, not just one person–made the situation feel overwhelming. After all, the Tarlyns had ruled Mornwick for centuries.
“Are you afraid I’ll lose? ” Leander’s voice held a note of amusement as he smiled at his companion’s worry.
“If I can’t handle the Tarlyn family, how could I hope to rule over anyone in the future?” His tone was dismissive but not unkind. “Don’t worry. The Tarlyns are nothing I can’t deal with p>
Leander stood and stretched leisurely. “Prepare me a car. In three days, I’ll head to Mount Lurvale p>
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Chapter 68 The Mighty Eagle’s Claw
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Seeing the firm resolve in Leander’s eyes, Frankie knew further protests would be pointless. He simply nodded, heavy with reluctant acceptance.
Three days later, on the Southridge expressway, a sleek blue BMW 5 Series sped along the road. Leander sat behind the wheel, one hand resting under his chin while the other idly guided the car toward Mount Lurvale.
open
After two hours, he arrived at the base of the mountain’s outer peaks. Southridge’s Ravenridge was famous for its nine towering summits, divided into five outer peaks, three inner peaks, and one central peak, where the Tarlyn family resided.
Leander parked in an open clearing and began his ascent, taking slow, measured steps up the mountainside. To his surprise, a crowd of at least several dozen people accompanied him, all making their way toward the main peak.
Every one of these individuals was a martial practitioner. From what Leander could sense, even the weakest among them was at the peak of their martial cultivation, something that piqued his curiosity. It wasn’t every day so many skilled fighters gathered in one place.
“Interesting,” he mused to himself. “The Tarlyn family has kept to themselves for five years, and now they resurface with Mason ready to make a public move. Looks like today’s going to be quite the spectacle p>
“That’s an understatement,” someone behind him said. “Mason has been a Grandmaster for five years. Even if he hasn’t fully entered the realm of a Martial Sovereign, he’s on the cusp. This battle’s bound to showcase the Tarlyn family’s skills. We didn’t travel all this way for nothing p>
Two martial artists brushed past Leander, deep in conversation.
“It’s a rare sight to see Mason take matters into his own hands. I’m curious about this Jeff. Never heard of him before. How did he end up crossing paths with the Tarlyn Guild p>
“Who knows,” the other replied with a dismissive shrug. “He’s probably some up–and–coming rogue cultivator with a bit of skill. But it doesn’t matter where he came from. By provoking the Tarlyn Guild, he’s made the biggest mistake of his life. Now that Mason’s involved, I doubt anyone will hear Jeff’s name again after this fight at Mount Lurvale p>
As martial artists passed by, hushed conversations filled the air, thick with anticipation.
Leander furrowed his brow, surprised by how many people already knew about his upcoming duel with Mason.
It took only a moment of reflection for him to piece it together.
The Tarlyn Guild had clearly spread word of the event, ensuring that the fight would be a spectacle. Their plan was obvious: crush him in front of the many ancient martial practitioners from Mornwick, sending a clear message. Not only would it serve as a brutal warning, but it
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Chapter 68 The Mighty Eagle’s Claw
would also solidify their control over the region.
Finished
“What a clever game they’re playing,” Leander mused, a faint smirk pulling at his lips, tinged with irony.
Most of those gathered were certain he’d fall. Little did they realize what Jeff was truly capable
As Leander made his way halfway up the mountain, he abruptly halted, his attention drawn to the dense thicket on his left. A dull thud echoed through the trees.
Boom!
A subtle ripple of energy pulsed through the air, stirring the leaves around him, hinting at a nearby struggle.
Curious, he pressed forward, taking several steps until his eyes settled on an elderly man dressed in a flowing blue robe. Though he appeared to be around sixty, time seemed to have barely touched him. His movements were vigorous and precise, his fingers curling into a menacing eagle–claw shape as he moved with the grace of a dragon.
Beside him stood a young woman, perhaps in her twenties, wearing a flowing green dress that swayed with the wind. Petite in stature, she carried a striking beauty, her presence delicate yet enchanting.
Before them loomed a hulking black bear, its massive form reminiscent of a small mountain.
With a mighty swipe of its paw, the creature snapped a young tree in half.
Yet despite the bear’s fierce onslaught—its biting, swiping, and snarling—the old man moved effortlessly, as if carried by the breeze, dodging every attack with ease. With each exchange, his sharp claw strikes carved bloody gashes into the bear’s thick hide.
Leander cast a casual glance at the scene, fully intending to continue on his way when, without warning, the young woman stepped in front of him, blocking his path.
“Hey, little boy! What are you doing?” she demanded, her tone carrying a haughty edge.
“Can’t you see my grandpa is fighting that monster bear? If you go any closer, you’ll end up getting yourself killed p>
Her voice held the unmistakable air of privilege, the kind that came from a life lived in comfort and protection–a sheltered young lady, used to having her way.
“Little boy?” Leander couldn’t suppress a chuckle. The girl, barely out of her youth, spoke with such exaggerated authority, addressing him as though she were some elder.
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Chapter 68 The Mighty Eagles Claw
Leander chose not to respond and simply attempted to sidestep her. But before he could slip past, the girl stubbornly grabbed his sleeve, her impatience clear in her sharp tone.
“I told you not to go over there. Can’t you understand p>
She barely spared him a proper glance, clearly assuming that among the many martial artists gathered at Mount Lurvale, he was just another ordinary bystander–someone who hadn’t even cultivated inner strength. Her arrogance radiated off her, especially as she noticed his audacity in approaching while her grandfather was locked in combat with the bear. To her, his actions seemed nothing short of foolish.
Leander’s eyes narrowed, a coldness creeping into his gaze. Just as he was about to speak, a sudden shout rang out from the old man. His figure blurred, moving like a gust of wind as he darted to the bear’s left. With a powerful sweep of his clawed hand, he struck down with precision, aiming for the bear’s skull.
Crack!
The sharp sound echoed through the air as the old man’s fingers clenched tightly, resembling the talons of a hawk. The bear’s thick skull shattered with an unsettling ease, as if it were no stronger than an eggshell. The massive creature collapsed to the ground with a resounding thud.
“Bravo! Bravo!” The girl squealed in delight, her hands clapping together in excitement.
“Grandpa, your ‘Mighty Eagle Claw‘ has reached such a level that it can crush steel beads and shatter bones! When are you going to teach me this amazing technique p>
The old man brushed off the bear’s lifeless form as if he were discarding a piece of trash. Turning to the girl, his expression softened with a warm smile. “Cheryl, my Mighty Eagle Claw‘ isn’t something mastered easily. Have you forgotten the trials your older brother went through to learn it p>
At his words, the girl’s excitement instantly faded. She gasped and shook her head vigorously, the memory of her brother’s struggles clearly haunting her. Though the technique was powerful, the price to learn it was something she wasn’t eager to pay.
Leander, watching the scene unfold, saw that their little performance had come to an end. He turned to leave, hoping to continue on his way, but the girl quickly stepped forward again, once more blocking his path.
“Hold on a minute, little boy!” she called out, her voice filled with curiosity. “Are you also here to watch the battle between Mason and Jeff p>
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