Apotheosis

To err on the side of caution, the elders of the Su Clan decided to find out whether what Zen said was true or not.

Nevyn, Irving and Osrid had all gone up the mountains, so if Zen's words were true, they should know about it.

Of course, Cailen couldn't tell Zen that they were dubious. He figured that, once Zen was invited over, the elders' doubts would be erased.

"Majority of the losers who enter the Dragon City aren't even qualified to go up the mountain." Nevyn sneered. "And yet, you claimed someone managed to become an elite warrior in the span of only two months? Please." He shook his head in disbelief.

"This is the funniest thing I've heard all year! Right, Osrid?" Irving jeered. Turning to his brother, he noticed something strange about him. "What's wrong with you... Osrid?"

Osrid had also wanted to join in teasing Gant, but now he stood motionless, his mouth wide open. It was as though he had seen a ghost.

"Osrid, what's up?" Reid asked with a concerned expression.

Osrid didn't respond. He stood frozen for a few more moments before regaining composure. He suddenly bowed clumsily towards the intimidating figure looming before him. "I'm Osrid Su from the Elite Unit. Nice to meet you, Zen."

Irving glanced at Osrid confusedly. In his eyes, it seemed like Zen's cultivation base was about the same as theirs. Why was Osrid, a member of the Elite Unit, so dumbstruck by this person?

Initially, Nevyn shared the same reaction as Irving. However, at the mention of Zen's name, he suddenly remembered who this guy truly was.

Although he was unable to attend the Seven Mountains Meeting, word spread fast. Finally, it dawned on them who Zen was.

Zen bowed back politely. "I've mentioned how Gant will become an elite in a year. I'm willing to bet on this."

"No, no, no... There's no need to do that," Osrid refused, shaking his hands. "We dare not question your judgment, Zen."

In Osrid's eyes, Zen was as powerful as Elvinia—maybe even more so.

Surely, it'd be easy to promote Gant to elite discipleship in the Flow Sword Sect. If he actually made a bet with Zen, Osrid had no chance of winning.

The elders of the Su Clan, including Cailen and Ruben, exchanged knowing smiles as they watched the scene unfold before them.

They had achieved their goal to verify

ed this mission. However, if they alerted Zen, causing him to leave, then they'd be in big trouble.

"That's impossible!" Grayson said defensively.

"My Spying Mirror can do it without anyone's noticing. He must be having some..."

Drystan clapped his hands around Grayson's head, yanking it to face Zen's direction. "Open your eyes! He's almost upon us!"

They could see a figure in the distance, running towards them at an incredible speed, jumping from rooftop to rooftop of the Su Clan buildings.

Luckily for them, the Su Clan had an extremely large house; if not, Zen would have already covered the distance and discovered them.

"Go!"

Without any further hesitation, Drystan and Grayson hurriedly returned to the dark path they had come from.

Just as they jumped down from the treetops, a ray of blazing sword radiance sliced at the spot they were just at. Momentarily stunned by the sudden bright light, Grayson and Drystan clumsily tried to dodge the sword radiance.

"Puff!"

Grayson, disoriented, suddenly twisted his body towards the sword radiance.

Thankfully, the sword radiance didn't explode. Instead, they heard a muffled sound, as though a sharp blade had cut through a piece of worn leather. Hastily, the two decided not to think too hard about it, and disappeared into the darkness.

Zen stood on the wall enclosing the Su Clan's compound, with a stern look on his face. His eyes vigilantly searched the trees.

These two men were much stronger than he had imagined. Why did they want to spy on him?