Chapter 134
Chapter 134 The Gathering Storm
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Since the legendary battle between Gareth and Grayson over a decade ago, Astria’s martial world had been in a state of quiet, with no events stirring the martial community. But now, a piece of news spread like wildfire across Astria, and within just an afternoon, almost 90% of the martial artists had heard it.
Astria was shaken to its core.
“What? The Jade Emperor, who’s been in seclusion for over a decade, is coming out of hiding p>
“Grayson Shire is reemerging? He’s been in seclusion for so long–what could have prompted him to come down from the mountain p>
“He’s challenging Jeff Ashcroft? Grayson Shire wants to fight Jeff Ashcroft, the Young Martial Sovereign from Mornwick p>
“Is this true? Grayson Shire has been a legend in Astria’s martial world for decades. Apart from his defeat by Gareth Ashcroft sixteen years ago, he has never lost a battle and is revered as ‘the Undefeated.‘ He’s a seasoned master of martial arts, while Jeff Ashcroft is a newly risen Martial Sovereign. Could Grayson really be challenging him p>
“It’s true! Word is that Grayson’s disciple was seriously injured by Jeff Ashcroft, and Jeff even provoked Grayson directly. That’s why Grayson left Shire Peak–to travel to Ravenridge in Mornwick for a showdown with Jeff Ashcroft. The news came from the Dixon family, so there’s no doubt about it p>
“Oh my god, what are we waiting for? We need to get to Mornwick and witness this! This is huge news–the Jade Emperor is stepping back into the ring after more than a decade! Even the other three members of the Four Extremes will surely take notice of this p>
All over Astria, the news of Grayson’s challenge to Jeff spread rapidly, sending shockwaves through the martial world. Within just a few hours, nearly every fighter knew that the Young Martial Sovereign, Jeff Ashcroft, had caught the attention of the formidable Grayson Shire.
The martial world was in an uproar, a storm brewing on the horizon.
In the west, at the former site of Judie Cottage in Longbrook, a middle–aged man dressed in white, holding a feathered fan, sat before a checkers board, contemplating an unfinished game. His eyes
flickered with insight as though he was analyzing a complex formation rather than a simple board game. The source of thɪs content is (.)net
“Uncle!” A young man entered the room, bowing respectfully to the middle–aged man before speaking in a low voice. “Grayson Shire has left seclusion p>
The man’s hand, poised to place a piece on the board, froze mid–air.
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Chapter 134 The Gathering Storm
“Did he? What made him come out p>
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The young man replied, “He’s challenging the newly–risen Jeff Ashcroft. The Dixon family has already spread the news throughout Astria’s martial world p>
“Jeff Ashcroft, is it?” The middle–aged man’s feathered fan trembled slightly, and a gust of invisible energy seemed to sweep through the room, flinging the doors open.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully, his eyes gleaming with intelligence. “Jeff Ashcroft has made quite a name for himself since his debut, defeating expert after expert, even killing Alek Peterson. His fame has risen quickly. I was thinking of meeting him myself, but it seems Shire has beaten me to it p>
He stood up, gazing out of the window, and sighed. “This battle, no matter the outcome, will bring a monumental change to Astria’s martial world. Glenn, just wait and see p>
The young man next to him had a complex look in his eyes. In the past, whenever news of a duel came, his uncle would always use his techniques to predict the outcome. But this time, his uncle hadn’t done so, breaking from his usual behavior. It was a sign that even he couldn’t foresee the result of this fight, that the fates of these two opponents were beyond prediction.
At the Morgan–Royce Estate in Seagate, an elderly man in a blue robe sat reclining in a grand armchair, his eyes closed as he rested. A few middle–aged men dressed in military uniforms marched in with sharp precision.
“Sir!” they saluted the elderly man, and one of them spoke up, “Grayson Shire left seclusion yesterday and is planning to challenge Jeff Ashcroft in Mornwick on New Year’s Day p>
The elder slowly opened his eyes and nodded at the three men. Then, he clenched his hands, crushing the yin–yang balls into powder. “Shire has been silent for over a decade, and now he returns for this young rising martial artist, Jeff Ashcroft. I never thought it would be him that finally prompted Grayson to reemerge p>
He stood with his hands behind his back, pacing leisurely. “If young Ashcroft loses this battle, it won’t be long before Shire heads to Highcliffe to challenge Gareth Ashcroft again. Sixteen years ago, I longed to fight Grayson myself, and now that he’s returned to the world, I’m eager to see how far his ‘Skybound Strike‘ has advanced p>
His eyes sparkled with anticipation, and despite not having fought anyone in over a decade, the elder seemed excited at the thought of battle.
In Highcliffe, at the prestigious Highcliffe Senior High, a young man and woman walked side by side, resembling a prince and princess. They were none other than the famed Twin Stars of Highcliffe, Ethan and Daphne.
“This Jeff Ashcroft–he’s only been in the spotlight for a little over two months, and now he’s
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managed to catch the attention of the Jade Emperor himself? Is his strength really that extraordinary?” Daphne’s eyes flickered with curiosity. She had heard of the martial world’s latest sensation long before this news broke.
Ethan’s eyes glimmered as he replied in a serious tone, “I don’t know exactly how powerful Jeff Ashcroft is, but my father told me at lunch today that Grayson Shire is an incredibly proud and arrogant man. A regular Martial Sovereign would never be worthy of his attention, let alone warrant a public challenge, nor would he have allowed the Dixon family to broadcast the news so widely. For him to issue such an open challenge means that Jeff Ashcroft’s strength is enough to earn his respect. Even if Jeff loses, it won’t be a dull match p>
Daphne nodded, a hint of awe in her expression. “I thought that apart from you, me, and Claire, there was no one else among the younger generation in Astria worth watching. But then Jeff Ashcroft appeared–just seventeen or eighteen years old and already a Martial Sovereign. Truly, there’s always someone stronger p>
Ethan clenched his fists slightly, remaining silent, though a mix of heaviness and envy surged
within him.
He had always believed that as Gareth’s son and one of the top three prodigies among the Nine Geniuses, he had already made a name for himself in Astria’s martial world. He was certain that the future of Astria’s martial arts scene would revolve around him, confident that his talent was
unmatched.
Yet, here was Jeff, rising like a comet, crowned a “Young Martial Sovereign,” now even being challenged by the Jade Emperor. Ethan had to admit, no matter how proud he was, that Jeff’s talent far surpassed his own.
Jeff Ashcroft… he muttered inwardly, a faint hope stirring that Grayson would crush this Young Martial Sovereign in their battle. If that happened, Ethan’s title as the top prodigy would remain secure. As the heir of the Ashcroft family, how could he tolerate anyone surpassing him?
Because of Grayson’s reemergence and the widespread news from the Dixon family, the martial world of Astria was abuzz with excitement about Grayson’s challenge to Leander. It was a storm brewing from all directions.
Meanwhile, the person at the center of it all, Leander Ashcroft, was calmly reclining in Villa No. I at Rivergate Haven, a broad smile playing on his lips.
“Grayson Shire, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time,” he whispered, clenching his fist. The entire villa trembled slightly under the invisible force of his strength.
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