Chapter 160
From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir
Chapter 160 It Could Only Be Him
“What p>
#Finished
Claire’s eyes flickered slightly. The moment she laid eyes on Leander, she felt her Sword Will surge in a sudden, uncontrollable shudder.
She had devoted herself to training using Silvermoon Sect’s supreme martial technique-the Sword Canon. It was a technique that placed utmost importance on the cultivation of Sword Will.
Her Sword Will often allowed her to pierce through illusions and grasp the true nature of things. It had always been unwavering, harder than steel, a symbol of her unshakable resolve in the pursuit of martial arts cultivation.
Among her peers, only a fellow prodigy like Ethan had ever stirred the faintest ripple in her Sword Will. But now, standing before Leander, a complete stranger, her normally calm Sword Will trembled so violently that even she could hardly believe it.
Why is this happening?
She studied Leander closely, trying to sense something-but she felt nothing at all. There wasn’t even the slightest fluctuation of inner strength coming from him.
When she looked back at him, he had already risen and was walking toward a small boat. As he approached, the violent disturbance in her Sword Will gradually calmed.
Was that just my imagination? Claire remained uncertain. As she hesitated, Leander walked right past her and was about to step onto the small boat.
“Hey, you can’t get on this boat p>
Just as he was about to board, a brash and slightly willful voice rang out.
Looking up, Leander saw that standing at the bow of the small boat was a beautiful girl in a green dress. Her features were delicate, almost doll-like, but her pretty face carried an aloofness.
She stood firm at the bow, arm extended to block his path.
“This trip to the Silvermoon Abode is for top Astria martial arts practitioners. You don’t have even the slightest trace of inner strength. What makes you think you are qualified for this trip? You’re not allowed on the boat. Leave, now p>
Her words were cold and direct, outrightly dismissing Leander.
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Chapter 160 It Could Only Be Him
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Most of the patrons present were young martial arts practitioners of Astria’s martial community. With no visible trace of cultivation or inner strength, Serena had assumed that Leander was nothing more than someone trying to sneak in and ride the coattails of the strong.
Soon, the young martial arts practitioners from the other boats cast disdainful, condescending looks at Leander. In the midst of so many gifted young fighters, a man with “zero cultivation” like him stood out like a sore thumb.
“Does low martial cultivation mean I don’t deserve to visit Silvermoon Abode?” Leander chuckled softly and shrugged. “I may not be good at fighting, but I study medicine. I’ve got a real interest in the Nodal Bronze Man. What’s wrong with me going there to take a look p>
The girl in the green dress frowned deeply at his reply. She was about to answer him when Claire interrupted her, stepping forward.
“Serena, mind your manners!” Then, Claire gestured calmly, adding, “Everyone here today is a guest of the Silvermoon Sect. You’re welcome aboard, my friend p>
Though the girl in green-who was called Serena-clearly disapproved of this, she could only step aside.
“Thanks p>
Leander gave Claire a faint smile. His eyes were clear as he stepped onto the boat and sat down. Claire followed him up and sat with Serena.
All the other boats carried seven or eight passengers, but Leander’s boat had only three persons. He had somehow ended up riding with two stunning beauties, namely Claire and Serena. That prompted looks of envy from the other young men.
At Claire’s instruction, a dozen boats set off at the same time, heading toward the center of the lake where the Silvermoon Abode lay. Leander yawned, then leaned comfortably against the rear of the boat.
Serena watched him with growing irritation. Everyone who came here carried themselves with dignity and poise, yet Leander acted like he was at home-sitting wherever he pleased and lying down without a second thought. There was none of the discipline one would expect from a martial arts practitioner. It rubbed her the wrong way.
“Ms. Claire!” she snapped, looking over with displeasure.
“Why did you let him on? It’s obvious he’s just an ordinary guy with no cultivation. The Nodal Tournament is the biggest event for Astria martial world’s younger generation. Letting someone like him in just makes the whole event look cheap p>
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Chapter 160 It Could Only Be Him
Claire’s face remained impassive as she waved her hand.
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“If the invitation was open to all of Astria’s martial world’s younger generation, then whether his martial ability is strong or weak doesn’t matter anymore p>
With that, she turned to Leander. Recalling the earlier tremor in her Sword Will, she nodded slightly toward him and introduced herself.
“Hello, my name is Claire. And this is Serena p>
Leander didn’t stand up. He simply nodded lightly in her direction.
“I’m Leander p>
With that, he scratched his head absentmindedly and looked out over the vast surface of the lake, admiring the beautiful shimmering lights across its surface. He showed absolutely no interest in Claire or Serena whatsoever.
This caught both Claire and Serena off guard.
At just sixteen years old, Serena was already a budding beauty. It was obvious she’d I grow into a breathtaking woman, and she caught the eyes of passersby almost everywhere she went.
As for Claire, her beauty had long reigned supreme across the Astria martial world. Within Astria, only Daphne could truly rival her. Despite facing two such unmatched beauties, Leander seemed completely indifferent, as if the scenery was far more worth his attention.
“You’ve got some nerve! If you’re a martial
practitioner, as you claimed arlier,
then you should know who she is. What kind of attitude is this p>
Serena had disliked Leander from the start. Seeing him ignore Claire’s polite gesture pushed her over the edge.
Leander smiled faintly without responding, which only made Serena angrier. Just as she was about to snap, Claire stopped her. “Enough, Serena. Everyone here today is a guest of the Silvermoon Sect. Don’t let others think we’re lacking in manners”
With that, she averted her gaze and didn’t look at him again.
Although he had momentarily seemed unusual to her-even causing her Sword Will to tremble inexplicably-she was no longer paying him any attention.
She was the Silvermoon Sect’s gifted swordmaster, one of the top young prodigies in the Astria martial world. Even Ethan, the strongest among the Nine Geniuses, barely earned a second look. The only ones she truly admired were those high- ranking martial arts masters who
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Chapter 160 It Could Only Be Him
reigned supreme in the martial world.
Serena let out a soft snort and turned her head away, ignoring Leander completely.
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After a while, she suddenly smiled at Claire, who was sitting beside her at the bow of the boat.
“Ms. Claire, now that the Divine Loom has reactivated the Astria Power Index, they’ve also announced the Sage Ranking and the Beauties Ranking. You and Daphne tied for number one on the Beauties Ranking. I’m so jealous p>
Claire gave a gentle smile and patted Serena’s head.
“Serena, what’s going on in your head all day? As martial arts practitioners, what’s the point of chasing physical beauty? Only those who make it onto the Astria Power Index are the formidable ones. That should be the one and only goal we pursue p>
As she spoke of the Astria Power Index, a look of admiration lit up her eyes. The Sage Ranking and Beauties Ranking held no appeal for her-what she truly longed for was a place on the Astria Power Index, to stand among the Martial Sovereigns and shine alongside them.
Serena nodded, though she didn’t fully understand. Then, a mischievous glint flashed in her
eyes.
“Ms. Claire, you’re known far and wide in the Astria martial world as the ‘Lady of Radiance.’ So many young prodigies and martial arts practitioners admire but you, you treat everyone the same-lukewarm and indifferent. I’m really curious… out of all the young powerhouses in Astria, who do you actually like? Is it Ethan p>
At Serena’s age, curiosity and gossip were second nature. She definitely wanted to know which of the outstanding young men had caught Claire’s eye.
Claire smiled faintly and shook her head. “Serena, to be honest, even though Ethan ranks first on the Sage Ranking, I’ve only ever seen him as a rival and a friend- there’s never been anything romantic.
“If I had to name someone in Astria’s younger martial generation who’s ever made
me feel admiration and curiosity… it could only be him p>
Serena’s interest was instantly piqued. She leaned in eagerly.
“Claire, you actually admire someone? Tell me, who is it p>
Claire paused for a few seconds, then slowly lifted her gaze, her eyes full of longing
and wonder. “It’s… the Iron Sovereign p>
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