"Hey, little sister, why are you so downcast?"

Inside the hotel seventy miles from the Rose family, Lord Jiuyou looked at Nelson, curiously asking.

"My master, my sect, all fell at the hands of the Rose family. My enemies are right in front of me; how can I be happy?"

Nelson chuckled bitterly, his eyes slightly red.

Originally, he thought he could live happily on Azure Mount and visit Demarco Mount whenever he missed Julius Reed.

During free times, he would accompany his master on outings to enjoy nature.

But unexpectedly, the Rose family’s bloody knife mercilessly struck down upon Azure Mount.

Nelson fished out the dual dragon jade pendant from his pocket, gently caressing its surface as tears fell upon it with a ’pat’ sound.

"Master, what was the purpose of leaving me this? Why did you disregard your own life and even the lives of the entire sect?"

"But you never even told me what its true purpose is..."

He stood up and returned to his room.

Locked the door from the inside.

Earlier, when the Rose family came to seize it, Julius Reed managed to capture one of them and gleaned some insights.

The dual dragon jade pendant is related to the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance.

Precisely speaking, it is linked to the throne of the Ten Thousand Mountain Alliance.

But as to what the connection was, Nelson remained in the dark.

Even Julius Reed, who can hear people’s innermost thoughts, couldn’t figure out the mystery behind the pendant.

It’s just that the dual dragon jade pendant was a target for the Rose family; seemingly, no one else was interested.

Moreover, the pendant itself bore no significant mysteries; thus, Julius Reed paid it little mind.

Only Nelson, holding onto the grief of his master’s death and the sect’s destruction, remained fixated on the jade pendant.

"The little girl is in such a bad mood, aren’t you going to comfort her?" Lord Jiuyou, witnessing Julius Reed walking over, teased with a smile.

The hotel belonged to the Rose family.

The entire southeast domain was under their control.

To showcase their immense power, the Rose family built over thirty hotels along the way, offering free services.

Anyone attending the Rose family’s martial arts event could enjoy accommodation without spending a dime, along with delicious cuisine.

And when departing, they could even acquire spiritual herbs.

Along the way, using these means, the Rose family gathered many followers.

Whoever rules the realm is the same; why not choose someone who benefits everyone a little more?

Lord Jiuyou indulged luxuriously, akin to being at home, eating and drinking freely.

"Her knot is right here. Once the Rose family is wiped out, perhaps her heart will ease a bit."

Julius Reed sat beside Lord Jiuyou, leaning back on the sofa.

"No movement yet from Trent Marsh’s side; I suspect Silvio Reed won’t be able to sit tight any longer."

He turned his head towards Lord Jiuyou: "How are you recovering?"

After continuous exertion, Lord Jiuyou was extremely mentally exhausted.

"Pretty good, though this body is indeed taxing." Lord Jiuyou pointed at his body, somewhat helplessly saying, "Get me another one."

"Once you’ve identified a suitable one, I’ll arrange it for you." Julius Reed finished speaking, stood up, and walked to the window.

Through the window, he could clearly see martial artists along the way heading towards the Rose family.

The numbers were vast.

Clearly, the martial arts world highly regards this grand gathering.

Inside the room.

Nelson sat on the side of the bed, still unable to stop crying.

Every time he looked at the dual dragon jade pendant, he would recall his master’s visage.

As if nothing had ever happened.

But he could no longer see his master.

Nor hear his master’s teachings.

Separated by life and death.

Hard to meet again this lifetime.

As his tears blurred his vision, the dual dragon jade pendant became enveloped by Nelson’s tears.

In that vague moment, Nelson felt a wave of drowsiness approaching.

He lay down on the bed, drifting into sleep.

The dream was equally blurred.

But as time passed, it gradually became clear.

Nelson felt himself walking along the seaside, looking around, but all he saw was a solitary figure.

"Where is this?" He felt fearful.

Yet there was nothing around.

In front lay the ocean, behind him the beach.

Beyond that, nothing.

Nelson couldn’t discern whether he was dreaming, hallucinating, or truly in this dreamscape.

Gripping the sword in his hand, Nelson cautiously approached the figure from behind.

"Who are you?" He opened his mouth to ask.

But received no response.

The person stood wearing a gray robe, motionless by the ocean as if hearing nothing.

"Can you hear me?" Nelson asked again: "Are you human or ghost?"

Yet the figure in the gray robe remained silent.

"If you don’t speak, I might probe you." As Nelson’s words fell, the sword in his hand plunged forward!

But just as the blade thrust out!

The robed figure turned around!

"Master?" Nelson exclaimed in astonishment.

The gleam of the blade flashed, the longsword seized, and it slashed across his throat.

Nelson’s eyes widened in disbelief, feeling the energy within gradually ebbing away.

The breath of death felt so real.

Eventually, he died.

Nelson seemed to have been dreaming.

He opened his eyes to find himself still at the seaside.

"Master!" This time, he frantically rushed towards the gray-robed figure.

But just as his hand was about to touch the gray-robed figure.

The figure turned.

It was still the face of Hume Rose.

The gray-robed figure mercilessly turned around, drew the sword from Nelson’s waist, and severed his head.

For the third time!

Nelson remained standing at the seaside!

His throat moved slightly, finally calming down.

Fingering the sword in his hand, he slowly approached the gray-robed figure, swiftly striking!

Sure enough, the figure moved!

Nelson’s wrist flicked, dodging the robed person’s attack!

Exactly like the first time!

But before he could celebrate, the figure quickly shifted its maneuvers!

Took the sword, and killed!

For the fourth time.

...

Nelson had lost count of how many times he had died, yet he kept getting back up, feeling utterly exhausted.

By now, he was able to withstand more than ten moves from the figure!

Nelson just wanted to know if this person was indeed his master.

But the robed figure wouldn’t communicate with him, only ever taking the sword, killing!

Repeating the cycle!

As the deaths kept piling up, Nelson gradually realized the robed figure’s swordsmanship was superb!

It seemed that the opponent was teaching him swordplay!

Recalling that familiar face, whether or not the figure was his master, Nelson felt he should learn.

Just as his master used to teach him!

Time slowly advanced, Nelson eventually lasting through twenty moves!

But this time, the robed figure didn’t kill him; instead, it seized his neck, face morphing into that of Hume Rose!

Nelson screamed and struggled in terror!

Finally, he awoke.

Sweating profusely, he looked at Julius Reed holding him in his arms, feeling bewildered.

"How long did I sleep?" Nelson gazed at the broken door and the bed behind him.

He thought perhaps he had fallen asleep.

"From the moment you went in, it’s only been three minutes." Julius Reed anxiously asked, "What happened to you?"