Chapter 66 - 67: The Ashen Thorn Sect Master Arrives, Julian Mercer’s Command

Chapter 66: Chapter 67: The Ashen Thorn Sect Master Arrives, Julian Mercer’s Command

The next day, at noon.

A figure streaked across the horizon and soon landed at the foot of Crownfall Mountain.

He wore black robes. His skin had a bronze hue, and his sharp features gave him a naturally imposing presence.

This man was none other than Magnus Calder, the Sect Master of the Ashen Thorn Sect!

By all rights, he should have arrived at Crownfall Mountain several days earlier.

However, to build a good relationship with Julian Mercer, he had spent considerable time gathering valuable gifts. He wanted to show Julian his sincerity and make a strong first impression.

"Is this Crownfall Mountain? It looks far better than the rumors suggested."

Magnus glanced around and gave a quiet chuckle.

Then he turned his attention to the bluestone steps leading up the mountain.

To avoid provoking the Mercer Family, he did not use his Qi to fly directly to the top. Instead, he stepped onto the stone steps and began walking upward.

With his cultivation in the Origin Sea Realm, it took only a few breaths for him to reach the end of the stairs and arrive before the Mercer Family’s mountain gate.

The disciples guarding the entrance noticed his arrival and stepped forward.

"By the Clan Head’s command, the Mercer Family is not receiving visitors these days. Please turn back, Your Excellency."

Magnus remained calm.

"I am Magnus Calder, Sect Master of the Ashen Thorn Sect. I have come to pay a visit to your Clan Head."

As he spoke, he waved his hand. A small cloth pouch appeared from his Purple Mansion space and landed before the disciple.

"This is a small token of my appreciation. Please announce my arrival to Sword Grandmaster Julian."

The gatekeeper frowned.

Thanks to Julian Mercer’s generosity, every member of the Mercer Family now received a generous monthly allowance of cultivation resources.

Each allowance included Spirit Stones, Qi Gathering Pills, and other useful supplies.

The resources were not endless, but they were more than enough to cover the family’s daily cultivation needs.

The disciple had no reason to be tempted by a small bribe.

He was about to refuse when the visitor’s identity suddenly caught his attention.

The Sect Master of the Ashen Thorn Sect?

His eyes shifted.

For some reason, the name sounded familiar.

Ashen Thorn Sect...

Wait. Wasn’t that the sect responsible for crippling Senior Adrian’s Dantian?

The disciple finally remembered.

Back when Adrian Mercer was still at the Aldercrest Order, people from the Ashen Thorn Sect had ambushed him. His Dantian had been crippled, and he had eventually been expelled from the order.

A cold smile appeared in the disciple’s heart.

Our Mercer Family hasn’t even gone looking for trouble with your sect yet, and its Sect Master has already come knocking on our door?

Are you here to deliver yourself to your death?

With that thought, the disciple swallowed the refusal he had been about to make. He bent down, picked up the pouch, and slipped it into his pocket.

Since he had to report the Ashen Thorn Sect Master’s arrival anyway, he might as well keep the free gifts.

He then faced Magnus and cupped his fists.

"Please wait here, Sect Master Calder. I will report your arrival to the Clan Head."

Seeing that the disciple had accepted his gift, Magnus nodded.

"Thank you."

After the disciple turned and walked toward the family’s residential area, Magnus watched him leave.

The corners of his mouth lifted.

As expected, a generous offer could open many doors. As long as the price was right, most things could be settled.

...

Not long after.

The Main Hall of the Mercer Family.

Julian Mercer sat cross-legged on a cushion, his eyes closed as he listened to the gatekeeper’s report.

When the disciple finished, Julian slowly opened his eyes.

"The Ashen Thorn Sect?"

He had spent most of his time cultivating recently and had not yet found the time to deal with the Ashen Thorn Sect.

He had not expected its Sect Master to come straight to Crownfall Mountain.

"Still, this saves me the trouble of searching for him. Old debts must be settled sooner or later."

After a moment of thought, Julian looked at the disciple.

"Go and deliver my command to Guest Elder Eamon. Tell him to capture the Ashen Thorn Sect Master and bring him here."

Now that he had a capable fighter like Eamon Strake under his command, Julian had no reason to waste his own time dealing with minor opponents.

He could leave such matters to Eamon and return to his cultivation.

"Yes, Clan Head."

The disciple bowed, acknowledged the order, and carefully withdrew from the hall.

Silence returned.

Julian closed his eyes and resumed cultivating.

Although the Total Clan Sum granted him a cultivation bonus based on the entire family, his own cultivation had already reached a high level. Meanwhile, most of the clan members were still developing.

As a result, the bonus he received from the family’s combined cultivation remained rather modest.

Under these conditions, the fastest way for him to grow stronger was still through his own cultivation.

Fortunately, he possessed the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo.

For him, breaking through to the next realm was as natural as drinking water. He faced no bottlenecks and needed only to accumulate enough energy for a breakthrough to occur.

On top of that, the permanent blessing from the Total Clan Sum continued to grow. It never decreased.

His personal cultivation and the clan’s combined cultivation worked together, pushing his progress to its limit.

...

Meanwhile.

At the Martial Arts Arena.

The gatekeeper made his way through the crowd until he reached Eamon Strake. After delivering Julian’s command, he stepped aside.

Eamon rested his left hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

A fierce Sword Intent stirred in his sharp, eagle-like eyes.

"At last, the Clan Head has given me something worthwhile to do. If I don’t get to stretch my muscles soon, my whole body will rust."

A smile spread across his face.

During the past few days, Julian had spent most of his time in seclusion. Eamon had searched across Crownfall Mountain but failed to find anyone suitable for a fight.

His days had been filled with solitary sword practice and lessons for the Mercer Family disciples.

After several days of this dull routine, he was eager for a real opponent.

That was why Julian’s command made his blood stir.

As for Magnus Calder, the Sect Master of the Ashen Thorn Sect, Eamon knew his reputation.

But a man who could not even defeat Silas Crowe was hardly worthy of drawing his sword.

In the past, someone like that would not have qualified as an opponent.

Yet Eamon had grown tired of his quiet days on Crownfall Mountain.

At least this Origin Sea Realm cultivator could serve as a sparring partner. He could also give Eamon a chance to test the Returning Origin Sword Art he had recently mastered.

In Eamon’s eyes, that was the full extent of Magnus Calder’s usefulness.