Chapter 736 Want to Try?
Leander stood with his sword behind his back, chin slightly raised.
Caelius walked through the air step by step until he reached the front of the Jeff Enterprises building, meeting Leander’s gaze head-on.
“Long time no see.”
He gave a faint smile, but there was little warmth in it-only a heavy, measured calm.
“Yeah. It’s been a while.”
Leander remained unmoved. “Shouldn’t you be busy reorganizing the Martial Alliance? What are you doing here?”
Caelius took another step forward, landing beside him and sitting cross-legged.
“I came to Highcrest to recruit someone. Then I noticed the disturbance and came to check it out.” He glanced at Leander. “Didn’t expect it was you.”
“Recruit someone?”
Leander’s eyes flickered. Highcrest was vast-who could be worth Caelius showing up in person?
Caelius looked up at the drifting clouds, his tone growing more serious.
“Since I ran into you, there’s something I need to remind you of. What you’ve been doing lately has already stirred dissatisfaction among some of the elders in the Martial Alliance.”
He sighed.
“That battle at Ravenridge-killing six Eastern King Phase masters in one go-you wiped out six future powerhouses for the War of the King Phase.
“The Martial Alliance may be led by me, but there are still many highly respected elders with immense strength. In their eyes, what you did weakened Astria’s martial world. It could become a hidden risk in the future conflict between East and West.”
“Oh?” Leander’s expression didn’t change. “So what?”
Caelius’ gaze
darkened.
“Because of that, the Western martial world has begun watching you closely. During the month you disappeared, Netherweb, the Arbitration Office, the Blood Clan, the Werewolves, and the Thalassari—almost every top force and race-sent people into Astria searching for you.
“You’ve officially become a target for everyone.”
To him, Leander was like a tiger not yet fully awakened. If he were killed before reaching his peak, it would be an immeasurable loss to Astria-possibly costing them a future Imperial Phase master.
Without waiting for a response, Caelius continued, “I already had someone warn you not to leave the country lightly. You didn’t take it seriously. But now things are different-you have to face reality.
“In every major nation, organizations similar to the Martial Alliance have been formed to unify their King Phase masters. They act as guardians of their countries. Besides Astria, the strongest ones belong to the four great powers of today-Agylae, Qasara, Angleland, and Etrax.
“Angleland has the Imperial Eye. Etrax has the Church. Skarovia has the Northern Lights. Agylae has the Vanguard Stronghold.
“Since the last War of the King Phase, King Phase masters rarely appear—not just because there are so few, but because they’ve been restricted by these organizations.
“And those restraints… have been disrupted by you.”
His voice grew heavier.
“The balance of the global martial world started breaking the moment you crushed an army the Sahar Wastes.”
Caelius narrowed his eyes, a trace of regret showing.
“After the Arbitration Office publicly tore up the King Phase Accord, the Martial Alliance regrouped. The guardian organizations of every nation awakened again. Old powers like Netherweb and the Arbitration Office are stirring.
“Everyone knows the second War of the King Phase is inevitable. But everyone also knows—now is not the time. So all top forces have been maintaining a fragile balance.
“And your battle at Ravenridge… is pushing that balance toward collapse.”
“Oh?” Leander tilted his head slightly. “I don’t see your point.”
Caelius turned to face him fully.
A terrifying aura burst out, sweeping across the night sky. Its pressure clearly surpassed the limits of a nine-star King Phase master.
Leander’s eyes narrowed.
Imperial Phase?
So Caelius had stepped into that realm too.
Unaware of Leander’s thoughts, Caelius spoke with firm resolve. “Jeff, the second War of the King Phase can’t be avoided. But now is not the right time for it to begin.
“From this moment on, you must stay quiet. Stop stirring trouble. Otherwise, the war will erupt early—and if the Martial Alliance isn’t prepared, Astria could suffer greatly.
“These words represent the eight elders of the Martial Alliance… and myself. I hope you think carefully.”
It was the first time Caelius had spoken to Leander like this.
Leander fell silent for a few seconds-then suddenly broke into a grin.
“The elders? Yourself? Whether the war starts early has nothing to do with me. I’ll
do whatever
I want. You really think you-or the Martial Alliance-can make me change?”
A sharp glint flashed in Caelius’ eyes.
“Jeff, you’re being short-sighted. You don’t just represent yourself you represent part of Astria’s strength.
“If you insist on doing things your way… fine. Let’s make a bet right here. If you can take my full-power strike without getting hurt, I lose. I’ll handle the elders, and no one in the Martial Alliance will try to restrain you again.
“But if you’re injured… you lose. And from then on, you join the Martial Alliance and accept its authority.”
As his words fell, the essence of heaven and earth above them condensed into the shape of a dragon, faintly sealing off the space around Leander.
Thunder rumbled overhead.
On the rooftop, only the two of them stood-but the pressure in the air was so heavy
it felt like the building itself might collapse.
Under Caelius’ gaze, Leander’s eyes sharpened. A mocking smile curled across his
lips.
“Caelius… you think too highly of yourself.”
He raised a hand.
A bolt of lightning crashed down from the sky, splitting into countless blue-violet arcs
that spread outward like a cage-instantly sealing off the top of Jeff Enterprises and trapping the two of them inside.
The lightning prison pulsed like a living thing, crackling in the air.
Leander’s eyes turned from dark to gold, blazing with sharp brilliance.
Under Caelius’ startled gaze, Leander spread his fingers-then clenched them into a
fist.
His voice rang out, low and commanding.
“Taking your full-power strike?” He smirked. “I could beat you if I wanted to. So-want
to try?”