Apotheosis

An uncomfortable silence hung in the air after Gant said those words to Zen.

Zen was a talented warrior who was capable of Instant Enlightenment. Moreover, he had Athemar's support. That being said, this made it difficult for the people of the Vastness Mountain to get back at Zen.

Of course, Gant was aware that his clan was trying to be cautious. After all, the Su Clan was but a weapon refining clan; they bore little to no importance to the Oneness Sky Palace. They couldn't afford to provoke the people of the Vastness Mountain.

Gant surveyed the elders before him. They, as well as the other people of the Su Clan, all looked quite surprised.

The people started to whisper amongst themselves. "Zen is capable of Instant Enlightenment?"

"Only fourteen people could do that in the history of the Oneness Sky Palace!"

"No wonder Zen was so confident and did not hesitate to kill Marco."

"Fine," Zen said quietly. He knew Gant was constantly trying to please him. "Now, do we still need to continue fighting?"

Zen took a look at his surroundings. His battle with Marco dealt a lot of damage to the battle ring. Huge cracks dotted the drums.

The other clans like the Li Clan and the Zhao Clan were also quiet. They were unwilling to fight because they knew very well that none of their young warriors could match Zen's strength.

Also, the battle that just took place was truly gruesome. None of the clans was in the mood to compete with each other.

All the clan masters gathered together to discuss. Finally, they decided that the Su Clan should take control of the Ripple Pavilion.

And with that, the gathering at the Ripple Pavilion came to an end. Despite everything that happened, Zen ended up helping the Su Clan reach their goal; he owed them nothing.

Zen packed up and left with Gant.

Cailen watched their receding figures. He was a little worried about Gant, but he dared not say anything in front of Zen.

After leaving the Su City, Zen and Gant decided to walk westward, along the Clear Lake.

Although much had happened in the competition this year, the gathering at the Ripple Pavilion pushed through, unaffected.

Throngs of people talked excitedly amongst themselves by the banks of the Clear Lake.

Many couldn't get over Zen's heroic stunt today. In their eyes, the battles between Zen and Marco, Zen and the three brothers were the highlight, despite many other battles not even having taken place yet.

"Flag Master, Trish is your maid,

fford to offend him. If..."

"Trish!" her stepmother sneered. "Do you really want to be a maid for the rest of your life?"

Lachlan frowned scornfully. "Your master is just a disciple from the Oneness Sky Palace. Do you really think he can beat my clansmen? Even if he were to visit me in my house, I wouldn't be afraid of him!"

He waved his hand with disdain and said, "Tie her up and take her back. I will teach her a lesson once we get back."

The servants gave a curt nod and then walked towards Trish.

Trish's eyes darted back and forth between the servants approaching her. In her desperation, she took a few steps back and leaned against the wall. Suddenly, she felt her hand grow warm.

It felt as though a force was controlling her arm; as the first servant finally reached her, the next thing she knew was her hand suddenly flailed forward.

Slap!

The servant in the front flew more than a hundred feet away at the impact of Trish's slap.

When the others saw this, they froze. Lachlan was also stunned. "Are you all cowards? Get her!"

The servants summoned up courage and rushed at Trish again, this time more fiercely determined.

Trish felt like a god was helping her. She lunged forward suddenly, her hands flailing uncontrollably. Yet, she managed to hit the servants square in the face, sending them flying.

Slap! Slap! Slap!

Crisp slaps were heard one after another. After a while, all the servants lay unconscious on the ground.

Trish looked at her hands in shock.

Lachlan narrowed his eyes. He felt something strange, like an invisible force was running around the courtyard. "Who is it? Who is there? Get out!"