Chapter 177 (+25 Bonus Chapter)

Deep within Lannopolis lay a secret stronghold of the Divine Hall, a heavily fortified underground domain. Metal Mask entered with a steady gait. Those he passed bowed deeply in greeting.

"Sir, you've returned! Did you capture Lucas's only student?" asked Ace, an elite Divine Hall assassin, stepping forward with a bow.

The Master of the Order's unmatched strength, in Ace's mind, guaranteed success in subduing the Fox family heir.

Metal Mask glanced at Ace, then suddenly coughed up blood and swayed. Ace rushed to his side, helping him to a seat.

"Sir, what happened? How were you injured?" Ace asked, incredulous. He'd never seen Metal Mask so wounded. No one in Honora possessed the capability to injure him.

"I underestimated him," Metal Mask said gravely. "The Fox family's heir has surpassed the sovereign grade. He's a Martial Saint!"

Ace's eyes widened in disbelief; his face paled. A Martial Saint transcended the sovereign grade—an exceedingly rare achievement.

Sovereign-grade fighters were legendary, each a formidable force deserving the title of master. Yet, only a select few knew the truth: the sovereign grade was merely the threshold to true power. Stronger fighters existed in the shadows, though rarely seen. But Martial Saints? They were almost mythical, the pinnacle of martial prowess, rarely glimpsed in the ordinary world. The Master of the Order himself was a Martial Saint, capable of effortlessly crushing sovereign-grade opponents.

Ace struggled to comprehend. The Fox family heir had not only attained the Martial Saint level but had also injured the Master of the Order—at such a young age? It was inconceivable.

"Even as a Martial Saint, he shouldn't have injured you," Ace said, confused.

"The gap between Martial Saints is even wider than that between sovereign-grade fighters," Metal Mask said quietly. "Dustin Fox he must be among the strongest Martial Saints." Ace was stunned into silence.

"How did he train? Did he start practicing martial arts as a fetus?" he muttered, a mix of envy and disbelief. Reaching the sovereign grade demanded unimaginable effort; becoming a Martial Saint was a distant, unreachable dream. Why, then, did it seem effortless for Dustin Fox?

"That man is Lovellia's most dazzling martial arts prodigy in centuries," Metal Mask said darkly. "He undoubtedly possesses the Fox family's secrets."

"Sir, what should we do?" Ace asked.

Metal Mask sighed heavily. "Report to the Divine Altar"

Meanwhile, the trial at the Cain family villa ended in chaos. Bianca left the villa in a foul mood, entering a dimly lit alley where someone awaited.

"Miss Bianca," Michael Jonas bowed respectfully. "The master has sent me to protect you."

Bianca nodded slightly. Michael, an elite martial artist trained by the Winter family in Central Harbor, was rarely dispatched for external affairs. News of her troubles in Lannopolis prompted his immediate deployment.

"I also brought additional manpower," Michael said respectfully. "Your mother wants me to convey this: if necessary, leverage the family's connections within Lannopolis." Bianca's face softened. Days of plotting against Dustin had yielded nothing but setbacks; this support was timely.

"Send someone to investigate Dustin Fox, the Wyatt family's adopted son," she said coldly. "I want a detailed account of his actions over the years." She wasn't a fool; she'd long suspected him. Dustin had hidden his true abilities within the Wyatt family for over a decade. He wasn't merely a freeloader, as the Wyatt sisters believed. He must have accomplished something significant, something remarkable enough to command the loyalty of numerous forces.