Chapter 304
Chapter 304 A Visit From the Shadow Division
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The battle at Stormcairn River had catapulted Leander’s reputation to the very pinnacle of the martial world in Astria!
Shaken by his absolute might, countless powerful and influential figures now showed him nothing but the greatest reverence and respect.
In a teahouse overlooking the Stormcairn River, two middle–aged men dressed in traditional attire sat across from each other. They nonchalantly conversed with each other as they gazed at the vast, mist–covered waters of the Stormcairn River.
One of the men exclaimed, “My god… Is this really where Jeff Ashcroft killed a master in the Transcendent Realm p>
“That’s right! I heard lots of people witnessed the battle taking place above the Stormcairn River!” the other replied excitedly.
“It’s said that Douglas Tarlyn, the second–generation master of the Tarlyn Guild, was the one who sought out and challenged Jeff Ashcroft to a duel. In the end, he was sliced in half with a single sword strike! I heard Roman Fleming, the master of the Hall of the Healing Sage, and Atlas Leynthall, the head of the Leynthall family from the Cloudveil Seven Families, were both present at the scene. Even various figures from the military were reportedly there to witness the battle!
“Many regular folks saw everything, too!
“Furthermore, I heard the entire Tarlyn Guild immediately packed up and vanished from Mornwick after the battle p>
“Sigh … ” The first man’s eyes grew distant. Drawing in a sharp breath, he gave a small sigh. “The Tarlyn Guild has ruled over Mornwick for more than a hundred years, but look at the state of them now…
“They really shouldn’t have messed with Jeff Ashcroft p>
“Yes, Jeff Ashcroft is terrifying indeed.” The other man nodded immediately, fully in agreement. “It started with the battle at Glidewing Mountain. After he slaughtered the Laughing Monk of West Ridge in the battle against the Silvermoon Sect, he vanished for nine months–only to return and dominate everything in his path. The Arbitration Office, the Umbral Court, and now… the Tarlyn Guild. They have all fallen by his hand p>
“Throughout the history of Astria, he is undoubtedly the most fearsome individual to ever hold
top rank in the Astria Power Index p>
the
The two men fell silent for a long while.
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At that moment, a lean and composed man appeared at the top of the stairs. He quickly strode over to their table and sat down without a word.
The two men instantly leaped to their feet in surprise and greeted the newcomer with great
respect.
“Mr. Santiago p>
The man nodded slightly and glanced at them. “I overheard you talking about Jeff Ashcroft p>
“Yes, Mr. Santiago.” The two men quickly nodded. “Jeff Ashcroft’s battle at the Stormcairn River, where he defeated Douglas Tarlyn, is the talk of the martial world right now. Haven’t you heard p>
“Of course, I’ve heard about it.” The man waved them off lightly. “But I’ve heard something else too p>
“What news?” The two men immediately paused, their curiosity piqued.
The man was silent for a moment. Then, he lowered his voice and said, “The Shadow Division may be on the move p>
“And their target… is Jeff Ashcroft p>
The two men were so taken aback that they froze for a moment, then their expressions twisted with shock and horror.
“What?! The Shadow Division p>
“They’re getting involved p>
Their instinctive exclamations startled the other customers in the teahouse. Realizing they were being watched, they quickly closed their mouths and sat back down in their seats.
But their faces remained etched with utter disbelief.
After all, it was the Shadow Division–the most powerful and mysterious organization in the entire martial world of Astria, recognized by all!
A villa in Ravenridge.
Leander was seated cross–legged on the floor. A multicolored energy swirled above his head, interweaving and pulsing erratically. Streams of energy flowed from left to right, forming a never–ending cycle. His aura expanded steadily, growing stronger and stronger with each cycle.
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Three days had passed since the battle at the Stormcairn River.
Ever since he departed from Cranfordale and returned to Ravenridge, he had remained in deep meditation within the villa. He had not moved from his spot during the past three days.
There was more to the technique he personally created–the Devourer’s Ninefold Path–than just allowing him to refine the purest form of Nirvana Energy and shape his Devourer Form. It also had a terrifying and unique ability, known as the Devourer’s Secret Technique.
When the technique was fully activated, it could absorb and convert the energy from anything in the world for his own use. But it was something he rarely used simply because its nature was too overwhelming.
The day Douglas struck him with a hidden weapon during their battle was an exception. He lost his temper and unleashed the Devourer’s Secret Technique in a fit of rage, forcibly absorbing more than seventy percent of his opponent’s innate vitality into his own body.
Once he absorbed another’s cultivation, he could refine and convert the energy into his own. The additional energy could enhance his strength, allowing him to seek a breakthrough into the next cultivation realm.
Naturally, seventy percent of the innate vitality of a master in the Ember Transcendent Realm was nothing short of a massive treasure trove. He’d failed to finish refining the energy even after three full days of meditation, but he was just one step short of completion.
At that moment, a flicker of awareness stirred in his mind. He could sense several powerful auras approaching the villa.
“One in the Pre–Transcendent Realm, and the other… a Martial Sovereign novice p>
His perception allowed him to gauge the strength of these visitors in an instant, but he made no move to greet them. He simply remained seated cross–legged, meditating and refining the innate vitality within him.
The respectful voice of a middle–aged man filtered into the room from the outside.
“Sovereign Ashcroft, we know you’re inside the villa. Please forgive us for the unannounced visit; we mean no offense p>
The sound of footsteps drew closer and eventually came to a stop outside the villa’s gates.
Leander remained motionless, but he released a stream of energy towards the gate.
The villa gates swung open with a soft whoosh. A man and woman stood at the entrance.
The man appeared to be around forty years old. He had a square–shaped face, paired with a
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calm and composed demeanor. On the other hand, the woman looked to be no older than twenty–five or twenty–six. She was a young and proud woman with a hint of arrogance in her
eyes.
To become a Martial Sovereign at just twenty – five … Even Leander was slightly taken aback to see the young woman. That level of talent surpasses even Ethan, Daphne, and Claire.
The middle–aged man cupped his fists respectfully and offered a polite smile.
“I’ve heard so much about you, Sovereign Ashcroft. Word of your youthful heroism and unmatched elegance has spread far and wide. Now that I’ve met you in person, I find that you’re even more impressive than the rumors claimed. It truly is an honor to meet you p>
His tone was extremely courteous.
However, the young woman seemed to harbor some resistance toward Leander. Though she stayed silent, her eyes brimmed with haughty disdain.
Leander glanced at the two visitors briefly, then closed his eyes again.
“Spare me the flattery and get to the point. Who are you, and what do you want with me p>
His unimpressed tone clearly rubbed the young woman the wrong way. She opened her mouth to speak, but the middle–aged man beside her quickly raised his hand and signaled for her to
stop.
“Allow me to introduce myself, Sovereign Ashcroft. I am Nixon Turner, and this is colleague, Anastasia Meling p>
my
The middle–aged man stepped forward and cupped his fists respectfully at Leander once more.
“We’re from the Shadow Division p>
“The Shadow Division?” Leander answered in a bored voice, not even bothering to open his eyes. “I’ve never heard of them p>
Anastasia’s expression darkened with visible irritation and indignation.
But Nixon remained calm. He patiently provided an explanation, showing no signs of anger.
“Given your early rise to fame, I imagine most of your time has been devoted to cultivation. It’s perfectly understandable that you haven’t heard of us.
“The Shadow Division is an official state–sanctioned martial organization. We are a formal agency tasked with managing certain affairs of the martial world, including overseeing the conflicts between groups and resolving feuds within the martial world p>
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After listening to the explanation, Leander finally cracked his eyes open. He was rather intrigued by the concept. Find the newest release on
“Oh! So, what you’re saying is… the Shadow Division governs the order in the martial world of Astria p>
The martial world had always operated under the rule of strength. People often fought for dominance–it was a place where their fists dictated right and wrong. This was the first time he’d ever heard of an official organization enforcing order throughout the martial world.
Nixon did not deny the statement. He simply continued without answering directly, “We’re here to discuss something important with you, Sovereign Ashcroft p>
Leander remained motionless, quietly meditating to refine the innate vitality in his body.
“If you have something to say, then say it p>
Nixon paused for a moment, then his tone grew solemn. “Sovereign Ashcroft, we’re here on behalf of the Shadow Division. So, what I’m about to say represents the official stance of the organization.
“The Shadow Division formally requests that Jeff Ashcroft withdraw from the spotlight and maintain a low profile. We ask that you cause no further incidents for the next whole year p>
The room went silent for several seconds.
Then, Leander suddenly broke into a grin.
“Now I’m curious… Is that a notice–or a warning p>
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