When Dustin arrived at the Sorensen family villa, he found it unusually lively. The villa's door was closed, yet a crowd had gathered outside.
"It seems the information leaked," Dustin remarked indifferently. Originally, only a few knew the Sorensen family's secret. Most martial artists who failed the challenge remained silent, unwilling to share the martial arts technique. Someone, however, had spread the news.
Dustin spotted Victor among the crowd, along with several other sovereign-grade fighters from outside Lannopolis. Their gazes met. Timothy, despite his injuries, had also returned, accompanied by a sovereign-grade protector.
"Uncle Mark, that's the Fox family's surviving descendant," Timothy whispered, gesturing toward Dustin.
Mark Bones scrutinized Dustin. After a moment, he said, "No matter who obtains the technique, it will ultimately belong to the Bones family."
Timothy, understanding the implication, sneered and made a throat-slitting gesture at Dustin. Dustin ignored him.
"It matters not whether you obtain Apollo's technique," Timothy growled, "you will die anyway." The presence of a Bones family elite bolstered his confidence.
The villa door opened, revealing Howard Stone, the Sorensen family butler. "Gentlemen, please enter," Howard grinned, inviting the waiting martial artists inside. He nodded to Dustin, who acknowledged the gesture before entering.
"Since you're here, why hide? Attempt the trial openly, or the Sorensen family will not welcome you," Howard declared, his voice deep. Two figures emerged from the bushes, approaching slowly.
Dustin's gaze locked onto one—the masked man he had previously injured. He'd suspected others lurked nearby, but hadn't anticipated members of that organization. Killing intent flared in Dustin's eyes, but Howard's imposing aura and a request to resolve any conflict outside the villa caused Dustin to hesitate. Metal Mask, it seemed, had also come to attempt the challenge. Dustin vowed to hunt him later. Metal Mask, unfazed by Dustin's glare, entered the villa. He'd been waiting, fearful, until Howard's awareness prompted him forward.
The pathway was crowded. Howard ordered everyone to stand aside and queue. "Fighters below sovereign grade are forbidden from the family patriarch's pathway. Disobedience will have consequences! Attempting this is tantamount to suicide!" he boomed, addressing Timothy.
Timothy's face darkened, but he remained silent. "Uncle Mark, you must surpass eight steps," he instructed. "Outperform the Fox descendant and enhance the Bones family's reputation!"
Mark chuckled. "Eight steps are hardly difficult," he said dismissively. No matter the Fox descendant's power, he'd have limits. As a Bones family elite, he wouldn't be outdone by a mere youngster.