Chapter 348
Finished
In a class of the Department of Horticulture and Landscaping, Leander leaned back in his chair, completely uninterested, while Daphne sat right beside him.
Ever since Nathan and the others found out Leander was from the renowned Ashcroft family, their attitude toward him had changed. Beyond brotherhood, they now treated him with a hint
of awe.
Every time Daphne sat with Leander, they’d sensibly move away, never interrupting the conversations between them.
“Ander, why did you promise my dad to win the assembly p>
Daphne looked worried. “If you were still who you once were, I know you’d have no problem taking first place at the martial assembly. Back then, across all of Highcliffe, there’s nobody your age who could beat you!
“But nine years ago, your father took your martial power away. Now you’ve lost all your martial skills, how are you going to win against Ethan or Tycen p>
Leander had made the deal with Wesley, and there was no going back. If Leander failed to win the martial assembly, he’d have to keep his promise and leave Daphne. That was what scared her the most.
“Dani, you don’t have to worry at all p>
Leander answered with a calm smile.
“For me, having martial power or not doesn’t make much of a difference. Maybe losing my martial power was a blessing. It’s given me a chance to break free and be reborn. It allows me to soar even higher than before!
“If I dared to make a promise to your dad, it means I’m sure I’ll win!
“It’s not just about the younger generation in Highcliffe. Even in all of Astria, in the whole world, I wouldn’t lose to anyone!
“That’s where my confidence comes from. I never planned to let anyone else have you p>
Daphne looked into Leander’s determined eyes, feeling moved yet confused.
She didn’t understand where Leander’s confidence and assurance came from. Judging from the way he talked, the Highcliffe martial world, or even the Astria martial world, seemed like nothing to him. But with no cultivation, Leander could no longer practice martial arts. How could he break through every obstacle between them as he promised?
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Even with her doubts, Daphne didn’t press further. She had already made up her mind. Even if Leander couldn’t win the martial assembly, she’d stay by his side. Even if it meant breaking ties with the Florian family or clashing with the Ashcroft family, she’d never regret it.
That afternoon, Daphne had lunch with Leander, said goodbye, and went back to the Florian Estate.
She planned to stay at the Florian Estate for the next week, dedicating herself to training for the martial assembly coming up in half a month. She was trying to break through to the Martial Sovereign Realm.
It wasn’t just Daphne. At this very moment, the top young martial artists of the O’Brien family, Valence family, and Ashcroft family were all training in secret at home.
The martial assembly was a grand tradition jointly established by the four major elite families over a century ago. Every 18 years, right after National Day, it would be held after the National Day. The outcome of the assembly decided which of the four families would lead in the years. to come, so every family treated it as their highest priority.
Every young member of the four families was prepared to give it their all at the martial assembly, fighting to surpass their peers and win honor for their family.
Compared to all those top geniuses who trained hard, Leander just spent his days idling around. Sometimes, he spent all day playing games and drinking with Nathan and the others. Sometimes he went to the Durham Abbey to chat with Lydia. He acted as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
Wesley had come to observe Leander in secret several times, only to find that Leander didn’t care about the martial assembly at all. Wesley couldn’t help but shake his head in disappointment.
Leander’s talk sounded impressive–he claimed he wasn’t afraid of the Ashcrofts or the Florians and that he was unbeatable among Astria’s youth.
But in the end, it was just empty words. Even Daphne and Ethan, already recognized as the very best of their generation in Astria, were training constantly, pushing themselves to get even stronger. Meanwhile, Leander, who had lost his cultivation, wasted his days away and had no motivation to train at all.
How could someone like him possibly stand out at the martial assembly? He didn’t deserve to be with Daphne!
That thought made Wesley even more convinced that Ethan was the right match for Daphne, and that Leander was just a thing of the past.
Day by day, time slipped by, and two weeks went by in a flash.
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Inside the Ashcroft Residence, Ethan sat cross–legged under the old locust tree, his internal power pulsing strongly around him. The ground beneath him rippled with force, the soil churning.
Above his head, a swirl of grayish–white mist twisted and rolled, slowly shaping itself into a dragon.
Nearby, Gareth stood with his hands behind his back, looking serious.
“Let your mind guide your energy, let your energy take shape, let that shape refine your body. Only then can you strike your enemies p>
He spoke softly, almost as if reciting a formula. Ethan listened carefully, sending his inner strength through his meridians, from his core to every organ, letting it flow through his body.
The dragon–shaped mist grew clearer and clearer, until it looked like a golden dragon with five claws, shimmering as if it were alive.
Suddenly, Ethan’s eyes snapped open. With a low shout, he struck out with his palm.
Roar!
A dragon’s roar echoed through the air, filling half the Ashcroft estate. In the next instant, a palm–shaped burst of force swept out. The five–clawed golden dragon, formed from pure energy, flicked its tail and slammed it into the ground. The solid cement floor cracked open on the spot, blowing apart and revealing a huge pit more than 30 feet across. Chunks of broken stone scattered in every direction.
Seeing this, Ethan finally exhaled and stilled himself, his face lighting up with excitement. “Dad, I did it p>
A faint approval flashed across Gareth’s face as he nodded.
“Yes, you’ve mastered ‘Draconic Tail Strike‘-the Ashcroft family’s ultimate technique p>
He looked up, sounding emotional,
“Draconic Tail Strike ‘ has been passed down in our family for over a hundred years. Once you master it, your strength multiplies.
“Among all Highcliffe’s young martial artists, only Daphne, Tycen, and Eira could match you.
“Now that you’ve mastered this, you should have an eighty percent chance against them!
“Ethan, don’t let me or your grandfather down at the martial assembly p>
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Ethan nodded hard, full of confidence. “Draconic Tail Strike” wasn’t just a skill–it was a secret technique that could double his power. With it, he believed he could sweep through Astria’s young martial artists, or even beat Daphne or Claire.
Gareth gave him a few more words of advice before turning back to the house. Ethan never saw the fleeting sadness in Gareth’s eyes.
Sitting in the Ashcroft family hall, Gareth’s hand trembled as he sighed.
Back then, Leander had already learned the “ Draconic Tail Strike ” at age ten. He might not have been able to use it to its full power, but he really was the most gifted martial artist in our family’s history.
If I hadn’t broken the tradition and stripped away his martial power, who knows how great a martial artist he’d be by now?
He might have caught up to me by now, or perhaps become another pillar supporting the Ashcroft family.
No matter how he thought about it, Gareth couldn’t find an answer–so he could only sigh again.
On the third day, Leander woke at 8 a.m. After getting ready, he went to the gate of Highcliffe University.
Daphne, in a purple shirt, had already been waiting a while.
Seeing Daphne’s striking beauty, Leander felt something stir in his heart, and a playful smile curved his lips.
“The martial assembly, huh p>
This grand event, held only once every 18 years, was finally about to begin!
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