The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

"Come on out. Why keep hiding like a coward?" Felix called out, his voice steady but cold.

His senses told him someone was lurking behind a massive boulder. Yet, instead of relief, he felt nothing but unease.

Sure, the presence did not seem particularly strong. However, there was no way that someone would go through all this trouble if they were weak.

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure emerged. Felix's eyes narrowed in surprise as he realized it was Kendrick.

"Judging by your face, you didn't expect to see me, did you, Felix?" Kendrick grinned broadly, looking far more smug than their last encounter, as though Felix had walked right into his trap.

"Cut the crap! Get whoever's hiding to come out. There's no way someone as worthless as you could pull off a plan this elaborate. Am I wrong?"

Though a flash of anger crossed Kendrick's eyes, he quickly masked it with another grin. He replied, "Sharp as always. It wasn't easy luring you out of the city.

"But you're right-neither I nor the Maximus family could orchestrate something this grand. That's why you should meet an old friend."

Two more figures emerged. One stood in front of Kendrick, while the other positioned himself about 30 feet away at an angle.

Kendrick introduced, "This here is Dean, one of the Maximus family's leaders. He's at the major mastery level of Transcendent Realm. As for the other one... I believe you might recognize him."

second man, an older

call me the Grand Elder," the

enemies he feared in Martial City, two stood out: Kevin, Aiden's master, and the Grand Elder of the Elders' Council. Now, it seemed he

for me," Felix said, his voice low and tense. "I'm here now. You're a respected Grand Elder. There's no need to involve an innocent woman. Let

wouldn't kidnap some girl. Besides, I'd rather not

further. "What's that supposed

The pain he caused me is something I'll never

him. When I learned you were coming to Martial

two plans.

failed, which is why we're now executing

sinister smile. "While my people intercepted you, I had them steal Melissa's phone. Since

own phone was

confiscated upon entry, there

was

swn!.

for you