Chapter 162
Chapter 162 Sean Judie of the West
“Daphne p>
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Leander stood among the crowd and went unnoticed while Daphne Florian appeared and drew every eye to her. Thɪs chapter is updated by
She moved with quiet grace, her expression calm and proud in a way that was unmistakably feminine. Her eyes briefly passed over the young martial artists before she turned and walked straight toward Silvermoon Abode.
That stubborn girl from back then feels like someone from another life. Eight years might not sound like much, but it’s been a long time.
Leander let out a quiet sigh. Eight years had passed, and both he and Daphne were no longer the naive children they once were.
“Daphne p>
Just as Daphne was about to step through the gates, a voice called out from the distance. Everyone turned to look—it was a teenage boy in a checkered shirt leaping and flipping from the top of a tree.
His toes barely touched the soft branches before he launched himself higher. He landed beside Daphne with one final bound.
The sight of them standing together drew even more attention. The young man was tall and striking, and she? Stunning with an otherworldly grace. They looked as if they were meant to be, perfectly matched in every way.
“That’s Ethan Ashcroft, the other Twin Star of Highcliffe. He’s the son of former Grandmaster Gareth Ashcroft p>
Quiet murmurs passed through the crowd as more eyes turned to Ethan, their gazes filled with awe. Topping the Sage Ranking above even Daphne and Claire, he stood on a level the others could only dream of reaching.
But most of all, it was his lineage that commanded respect. Ethan’s father, Gareth Ashcroft, was once the Ashcroft family’s towering figure and Astria’s former Grandmaster. In the martial world, only the Iron Sovereign would speak his name without a trace of reverence.
Leander’s gaze sharpened. Back then, Ethan would follow him everywhere, always calling him “Leander“. He’d cared for him like family, but that was a long time ago.
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Chapter 162 Sean Judie of the West
Once the Ashcrofts cast him aside, everything shifted. The bond they shared was gone, distance that could no longer be bridged.
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Jost to a
What pained Leander more was that the martial meridian that had accompanied him for ten years now resided within Ethan.
Yet, Daphne merely nodded in response to Ethan’s arrival. “Hi,” she said softly.
Ethan smiled and dipped his head. The secrets of the Martial Sovereign realm were immensely important to young geniuses like him, who had already reached the half–Sovereign stage.
Jeff’s presence was like a mountain pressing down on him. Ethan needed a breakthrough to even have a chance of catching up, even if he couldn’t surpass Jeff just yet.
As the two prepared to enter together, Daphne suddenly lifted her eyes and spotted Leander stepping toward the gate.
“Who’s that p>
Something shifted in her gaze as a quiet, inexplicable feeling rose within her.
She stepped forward and blocked his path without a second thought.
“Excuse me,” she said. “Please wait a moment p>
Leander paused and turned his head slightly. His face was calm and unreadable. “Is there anything I can help you with p>
His eyes met hers without a single flicker of emotion. Whatever feelings he once had, he had buried them deep.
This isn’t the right time for me to meet her!
The moment she saw his face, Daphne’s sense of familiarity surged. She couldn’t help but ask, “Have we met before p>
He smiled faintly and spread his hands.
“Ms. Daphne, you’re jesting. You’re one of the top talents in all of Astria. Of course, I know who you are. You wouldn’t know someone like me, who’s still trying to gather the tiniest bit of inner energy p>
His expression was flawless and completely natural. There wasn’t a single crack for suspicion to slip through.
Although her heart was full of doubt, Daphne had no choice but to back down. “Sorry, I must’ve mistaken you for someone else p>
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Chapter 16 Sean Jude of the West
“No worries.” Leander shook his head and walked leisurely into Silvermoon Abode,
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Daphne watched his back disappear into the crowd. That feeling of familiarity still lingered stubbornly.
Beside her, Ethan stepped forward and asked with curiosity, “Daphne, what’s wrong p>
“I just feel like I’ve met that guy somewhere before, but I can’t remember where
He followed her gaze to Leander and felt his heart jolt for reasons he couldn’t explain. “Maybe we did run into him somewhere before p>
Only after a long moment did Ethan seem to realize. We met so many people back in Ilighcliffe. How could we be expected to remember every single one? It’s especially so for someone like Leander, who hasn’t even managed to cultivate inner energy.
“Forget it. Let’s go in. The tournament’s about to start,” he reminded her.
Daphne finally regained her composure and nodded.
Inside Silvermoon Abode, the atmosphere was steeped in history. The buildings followed traditional designs, giving the place the feel of an ancient capital.
Hundreds of young martial artists from all across Astria had already gathered in the central
square.
Leander had been assigned to a spot near the edge. The others introduced themselves and talked happily. Meanwhile, the “ordinary man” with no inner energy was left completely alone.
“Hey, you must be bored here all alone, right p>
Leander was happily enjoying the pastries Silvermoon Sect had prepared when Serena suddenly dropped into the seat beside him.
“Not really,” he replied casually and popped an osmanthus cake into his mouth.
“I saw you were a guest of Silvermoon Sect and figured you must be bored, so I came over to keep you company p>
Serena huffed and puffed in her usual arrogant way.
“I really don’t get it. What are you doing here? You haven’t even formed inner energy. Everyone else is a top–tier fighter from the younger generation. Even the weakest among them are Martial Masters. Of course, no one wants to talk to you p>
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Chapter 162 Sean Judle of the West
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Leander chuckled. Though sharp–tongued, she had a kind heart and came over when she saw him left out.
“It’s fine. I’ve got you to talk to, right?” He grinned mischievously.
“Hey, I’m here to chat. So, don’t test me or I’ll bounce!” Serena put her hands on her hips and glared at him.
Leander could only shake his head in amusement.
He looked up toward the front row of the square, where nine people were seated. They were clearly being given special treatment. Of them nine, he recognized four. They were Ethan, Claire, Daphne, and Emma, whom he had once saved by chance in Ravenridge.
“You know who they are, right?” Serena whispered. “Those nine are the top–tier young fighters in Astria’s martial world, the Twin Stars of Highcliffe, along with the Three Brilliants and Four Beauties p>
“Is that so?” Leander gave a light laugh and leaned back in his chair.
When he folded his arms behind his head, it gave him an entirely different temperament.
“Hey, what’s with that attitude?” Serena pouted and was just about to scold him again.
However, she could speak, a figure dropped from the sky and landed softly in the center of the square, her feet touching down on a white silk ribbon.
The woman looked to be in her thirties, graceful and elegant. Her face was kind and serene.
Despite her gentle appearance, every young martial artist present immediately straightened up with reverence on their faces.
“It’s Master Elena!” Serena exclaimed excitedly.
The beautiful woman was none other than the Master of Silvermoon Sect, Elena Leigh. She ranked eighth on the Astria Power Index and was known respectfully as the Lady of Silvermoon.
Clad in a simple white gown, Elena gave a polite nod to the nine top talents, then turned to address the crowd.
“Everyone, we discovered a Nodal from the Dynasty of Elegance inside Aurelia Hall in Klolk Province three days ago. They say these Nodals hold the secret to becoming a Martial Sovereign.
“Though Astria is home to many talented martial artists, few ever break through to that level.
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Chapter 162 Sean Judie of the West
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For the prosperity and growth of our martial world, we have invited you here to unlock the secrets of this Nodal together. Our hope is that Astria might gain a few more Sovereigns in the process p>
She spread her hands and gestured toward the folding screen on the side of the square.
“Now, let’s have Mr. Sean from the Judie family in the West tell us more about the Nodal p>
As she stepped aside, a man emerged from behind the screen.
He looked to be in his forties or fifties, his expression kind and smiling. A feathered fan rested in one hand, and an iron judge’s brush hung at his waist. His gait was bold and steady, with a powerful aura radiating from each step.
Electric light flickered faintly in his eyes.
Gasps spread through the crowd. Even among the top nine geniuses, Ethan and Daphne’s faces showed rare seriousness and respect.
“It’s Mr. Sean p>
Serena beamed with excitement, her face glowing with admiration.
Leander looked toward the stage. The man carried deep reservoirs of inner energy. With each step he took, Leander could sense the subtle formations shifting beneath his feet.
Leander’s lips curved into a faint smile of curiosity. “So that’s the West Judie, Sean Judie p>
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