Chapter 484
Leander’s voice was gentle, almost amused, as if he were speaking to an old friend he hadn’t met in years.
The moment his words landed, everyone who knew Celia Rhodes turned their heads in shock, completely unable to understand.
Celia was the campus belle of Stanton Academy, she was famous throughout Highcliffe’s university circles. Plenty of people knew her, but no one had ever heard she had another identity, The Ripper.
Dylan stared at her with deep confusion, instinctively releasing his hold and stepping slightly away.
As a descendant of the Morgan-Royce family in Seagate, even without martial talent, he still understood the assassin world thanks to Maximilian Morgan-Royce.
And he knew very clearly that The Ripper was one of the golden aces among the top-ranked killers in the world.
For Leander to call Celia “The Ripper” rattled him to the core.
Celia’s expression was soft as autumn water, her beauty fragile and helpless on the surface, a little lost, yet Leander’s gaze never shifted. Under that unwavering stare, she finally smiled. And the smile was as breathtaking as a blooming flower.
“The undefeated Iron Sovereign truly lives up to his name. Even though I hid so deeply, I still couldn’t fool you p>
She no longer concealed herself. Her brows softened into a bright smile as she gracefully walked to Leander’s side and sat down, downing her drink in a single breath.
Leander raised his cup and drank with her. She set her glass down, her eyes lingering on his peerlessly handsome face.
“Sovereign Ashcroft, since childhood I trained under the previous King of Assassins, Jason Delon. I learned every killing technique he knew, and mastered the art of concealing my presence. I always believed no one could ever see through my true identity.
“I truly want to know-how did you recognize me p>
She tilted her face into her palm, like a curious young girl. No matter how experienced or senior someone was, they would find it impossible to connect the woman before them with the notorious Ripper who terrorized the assassin world.
Leander smiled lightly. “A person’s core energy is always unique. Every individual’s core energy differs from everyone else’s. All the more so for a Martial Practitioner who has reached the level of an Infernal Crown Transcendent.
“You may have perfected the art of concealment to nearly flawless levels. Even a King Phase master might fail to sense you. But unfortunately for you, your opponent is me.
“Under my divine sense, no matter what demon or monster you may be, you cannot hide p>
“Divine sense?” Celia’s face changed. “You’re actually a spiritual grandmaster p>
In the West, a spiritual grandmaster was the universal title for someone whose spiritual strength had reached the Origin Realm.
She had never expected that besides being a peerless Martial Practitioner, Leander was also a spiritual grandmaster.
In the martial world, cultivation began easy and became more difficult. But cultivating spiritual strength was the opposite, extremely hard at the start, and only easier much later.
To elevate both paths simultaneously required unparalleled will and a talent unseen throughout history.
Leander stood at a height she could not even touch.
This thought brought a bitter smile to her lips.
“Sovereign Ashcroft, I originally came tonight to assassinate you. But after watching you casually neutralize Barrett’s killing strike, I already knew there was no possibility of killing you.
“This may sound shameless, but I still wish to say it. I no longer wish to be your enemy. I only hope you can let me live p>
She had clearly seen Leander catch Barrett’s bullet with two fingers, and rebound it along the exact same trajectory. From that moment, she knew that she could never harm him, let alone kill him.
And when Leander called out her identity by name, her last trace of intention vanished.
Now she only wished to survive.
Assassins were not suicide soldiers. Even a top-ranked killer, when faced with certain death, simply wanted to live.
“Let you leave? Do you think that’s possible?” Leander poured himself another glass, smiling calmly.
“The Arbitration Office issued a bounty. The one who chose to come after my life was you. I didn’t force you.
“And now that you know you cannot win, you ask me to spare your life? Doesn’t that sound laughable?” He drained the cup. His eyes turned cold.
“Since you came tonight, you must be prepared to pay the price. Being an assassin comes with risk.
“I, Jeff Ashcroft, have walked the world unchallenged. To anyone who tries to kill me I have never shown mercy. If you want to live, you’ll have to rely on yourself p>
A bitter smile twisted Celia’s lips. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond.
Facing Leander was like a lone leaf-boat facing a raging ocean. She didn’t even possess the courage to raise her hand.
Off to the side, Linton and the others trembled violently. “Jeff Ashcroft p>
Linton was especially taken aback. He knew the capital’s elite circles better than the others. And in the past month, the name spreading most wildly across those circles was none other than Jeff Ashcroft.
A student with some family background beside him gasped. “Jeff Ashcroft? He’s the one who crushed the entire Riverstone Family of the western region? The one who made seven generals bow their heads? The one who got three provincial governors dismissed and investigated p>
Word of the incident at Celestial Pavilion had been suppressed, but rumors always leak.
And despite differing versions, one point remained constant. For the sake of dealing with one young man, the Riverstone family mobilized seven generals and three provincial governors.
Yet in the end, that lone young man crushed the Riverstone family and exiled them to Highcliffe for ten years. This young man was none other than Jeff Ashcoft.
Remembering Leander’s
overwhelming presence tonight,
summoning a dragon, drawing beer
through the air, none of them
doubted anymore.
The unassuming
young man on the balcony couch
was the legendary figure who shook
Highcliffe.
Linton’s legs gave out and he collapsed to the floor, sweat pouring like rain.
He had actually tried to provoke such a titan. He had even thought of demanding him to switch seats with Liam.
If Leander had taken offense, a single sentence from him would have left Linton with no grave to bury.
Dylan’s eyes were full of jealousy and fear, shrinking into a corner, silent. Everything he prided himself on—his family name, his status— looked like paper in front of Leander.
Celia heard the killing intent hidden in Leander’s tone. She let out a sorrowful laugh and opened her arms.
“I’ve already made my stance clear. I don’t wish to fight you, Sovereign Ashcroft. I’m
no match for you.
“I have no intention of resisting. If you wish to kill someone who isn’t even fighting back, then kill me p>
She offered no defense, completely exposing her life to him.
“You think this kind of provocation works on me?” Leander sneered, eyes still icily
calm.
He raised two fingers. Premordial Energy flowed to his fingertips, forming a sword intent.
He thrust forward.
Tzing!
A streak of blue light flashed across the third-floor bar. It was so fast no one saw it
clearly.
A moment later, the light faded, only then did everyone snap back to their senses. They saw that Leander’s finger hovered half an inch before Celia’s forehead. She had kept her eyes closed the whole time, unmoving.
When the force dissipated, she finally opened her eyes and smiled. She knew she had gambled correctly.
“The Iron Sovereign stands above all. You are a hero unmatched. Naturally, you wouldn’t kill a woman without the will to resist.
“Thank you, Sovereign, for sparing my life p>
Leander slowly retracted his hand. “I can spare you, but you must give me a compelling reason. Or… offer something valuable enough to buy your life p>
Celia relaxed slightly and smiled lazily. “Sovereign Ashcroft, I wonder if you’ve ever heard of ‘Heaven-Slayer, Earth-Breaker, Ghost and Ghouls p>