Chapter 373: Chapter 349: Winds and Clouds Surging (Part 1)

Elara Grant was stunned by his words.

She looked at him in disbelief as a chill crept into her heart.

’Does this mean anyone who defies the master’s will gets eliminated without a second thought?’

Eugene Morgan seemed to read her mind. "The Trent Family has only ever cared about fame and fortune," he said coolly. "This promotion of God’s Blessing wasn’t ordered by the master. But the moment something happened to your father, the Trent Family immediately started cooperating with IBG on the rollout. And now, they’re sending you to your death at the Martial Affairs Bureau with your father’s former subordinates..."

He didn’t finish his sentence, but the implication was clear.

Elara Grant’s pupils contracted slightly. "Then what should I do?"

"Focus on your recovery. Get ready to take over the Trent Family’s laboratory."

"Okay..."

***

In the days that followed, everything was quiet in Kingsford.

The murders at the Martial Affairs Bureau were not made public. Only a few videos of Aurora Sinclair and Elara Grant fighting on the street went viral for a short while before they were suppressed, causing no further ripples.

This calm lasted until another competitor from the Trent Family had a sudden outburst during a match, their black hair turning white.

This finally piqued public curiosity, leading to widespread sharing and a flood of speculation and comments about the silver-haired individuals.

[Are these Veridian competitors doping before their matches or something?!]

[A new type of stimulant? So unsportsmanlike.]

[White hair is related to one’s Spirit. A lot of people’s hair turns white under extreme stress.]

[Do you guys remember that incident with the Chameleons from Masovia last year? I think they said Masovia had human experimentation labs, and that those people were genetically modified?]

[@The poster above, if that’s true, it’s disgusting. I hope the International Martial Alliance investigates this thoroughly.]

...

As the situation escalated and threatened to spiral out of control, the International Martial Alliance finally issued a notice. They postponed the international competition and ordered the Arcadian Martial Alliance to conduct a thorough investigation.

However, no matter how many times the organizing committee’s doctors and the expert team’s specialists examined them, all of the competitors’ biological metrics were normal. No penalties could be issued.

Then, anonymous "insiders" from various continents suddenly appeared on international forums. They claimed to have volunteered for a drug developed by Seawell Pharma that unlocked the body’s potential, resulting in a quantum leap in their physical capabilities with no adverse side effects.

The public commentary instantly shifted from criticism and doubt to curiosity and praise.

[Is there really a miracle drug that can change your body’s potential?]

[I heard it can also boost your immune system and improve your overall physical condition.]

[@The poster above, for real? Sounds like they’re peddling snake oil.]

[Let me show you a comparison between two sets of photos: the Masovian Chameleons vs. the Arcadian Chameleons. One group is emaciated like ghouls, the other looks ruddy and healthy.]

[Personally tested, it works. I was in the phase II clinical trial and have had zero side effects. I couldn’t be healthier. Here’s my latest physical exam report (Image)]

These kinds of personal testimonial posts seemed orchestrated, taking over the headlines of major international websites overnight.

Immediately after, several globally renowned pharmaceutical companies—Veridia’s Seawell Pharma, Crestland’s IBG Group, and Niphoria’s Matsumoto Pharmaceuticals—issued a joint official statement. They announced that the drug was not yet on the market but had just entered phase III clinical trials, and they welcomed all Martial Artists to participate as volunteers.

***

"SMACK—"

A loud noise echoed.

A fair, delicate hand slammed heavily onto the table.

"Who told them to start the promotion?"

The woman on the sofa had a furious look in her eyes, her rage so immense that the people beside her were too scared to speak.

Only one security guard spoke up in a low voice. "The captain said that IBG’s financial backer saw the video of Aurora Sinclair at the beach. They believe God’s Blessing is stable enough to be launched..."

"Fools! This will destroy years of our hard work!"

The woman pulled out her phone and immediately called Eugene Morgan.

"Y, where are you right now?"

"At the Trent Family’s estate."

"Go find out who sent that video to the board of directors."

A faint smile touched Eugene Morgan’s lips. "No need to investigate. It was the Trent Family."

A murderous glint appeared in the woman’s eyes. "Kill the Trents."

"Yes..."

***

Drake Trent had been feeling uneasy lately.

He only breathed a sigh of relief when the International Martial Alliance finally announced that the competition would resume.

Just before the match, he glanced at the various online comments again, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

His gaze swept smugly toward Zane Lockwood in the opposite stands.

Zane was currently being questioned by members of the Martial World about Seawell Pharma.

"Mr. Lockwood, this is a great thing! Why not promote it within the Alliance?"

"The Trent Family has so many High Rank Martial Cultivators, it must be because of their drug. We should give it a try."

"The talent in the Martial World is dwindling these days. If this can really improve our bodies, then the Trent Family has done a good deed. What do you think, Mr. Lockwood?"

Zane Lockwood glanced at them and said coolly, "Even if it is a good drug, it cannot be promoted recklessly before it’s officially on the market. Do I even need to say that?"

Hearing this, a trace of embarrassment appeared on their faces. Though they kept smiling, they were inwardly filled with dissatisfaction toward Zane Lockwood.

They thought he was refusing to promote it because he was afraid the Trent Family would use the drug to gain more influence in the Martial World and challenge his authority.

Zane Lockwood sneered inwardly, pressing his lips together in silence.

Down on the stage, the Martial King Level competition was about to begin.

The organizing committee began to announce the list of Martial Kings from each country. To protect their identities, the list only mentioned their nationality and gender, not their specific names.

Since Veridia was the host country, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers when the Veridian competitors were introduced.

Drake Trent’s brow furrowed. He had previously heard Zane Lockwood mention that another Martial King would be participating, but during the Veridian tournament, that Martial King never showed up, and he himself won by default.

Because of this, the Lockwood Family faced public skepticism about whether this Martial King even existed.

Now, the committee was announcing that Veridia had two contestants at the Martial King Level. A bad feeling instantly washed over him.

"Will all contestants please come forward to draw lots."

Drake Trent deliberately slowed his pace, intending to get a look at the Lockwood Family’s contestant.

But the contestant was nowhere to be seen, and a mocking look slowly crept into his eyes.

’The Lockwood Family isn’t all that special after all...’

After everyone else had drawn their lots, the last remaining lot was automatically assigned to the Lockwood Family’s contestant. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

***

Meanwhile, outside the arena, two strange men suddenly appeared before Dawn Miles.

They were dressed ordinarily and looked to be in their forties or fifties. There was no fluctuation of Power around them, but the sense of danger they radiated was intense—so intense that for the first time, she felt a strong sense of crisis. The hand hidden in her sleeve instantly clenched into a fist.

One of the middle-aged men spoke in a flat tone, "Guardian of Veridia, were you aware of the Seawell Pharma matter exposed online ahead of time?"

Dawn Miles looked at them, puzzled, and cautiously shook her head.

The middle-aged man seemed very displeased. "Using drugs to mass-produce Martial Artists is a major taboo in the Martial World. Those Chameleons and the people who developed the drug must all be eliminated!"

Dawn Miles froze.

"Aurora, the competition is about to start—"

Suddenly, Beta Morgan’s voice came from the distance, growing closer.

The two men glanced at her and said warningly, "We will be back. Do not mention us to anyone."

Then they quickly departed.

"Aurora, what happened?" Beta Morgan patted her on the shoulder, frowning as they scanned the surroundings.

Dawn Miles shook her head. "Let’s go inside first."

After the two of them left, the two strange men reappeared.

The man who had been silent the whole time asked doubtfully, "Is she really the Guardian of Veridia?"

The man beside him replied with a complicated expression, "The Guardian Token is on her..."