The outer perimeter of the Moore Family Manor was ringed by high stone walls, with a tall and wide iron gate at the main entrance. Looking in from the gate, you could see rows of villas and winding cobblestone paths inside.
If it weren’t for the manor’s famous reputation and the rows of luxury cars parked around the lot, anyone visiting for the first time might mistake this place for an open public garden.
In the distance, there was a dense woodland, and along the roads stood all kinds of long tables, each piled with free drinks and food for guests to take.
Inside the manor, the crowd was thick. Everywhere you looked, you’d see men and women dressed in expensive clothes, wearing proud expressions. Most were here for the spectacle and to network.
There were also plenty of fierce-looking men radiating powerful auras—these were the dangerous types, like wolves ready to fight at any moment.
They were the rogue cultivators aiming for Melissa Mu’s spot—the last chance to fight for the seventh qualifying position in the tournament.
“Don’t be fooled by how crowded it is here. There were even more people a while ago, but a few experts from the Southriver Sword Sect already drove off most of those who came to show off. Otherwise, you wouldn’t even find a place to stand!”
Brian Guang led the way up front, glancing back at Evan Lin, who was looking around with a calm, unimpressed expression.
As Brian walked ahead, his right hand kept ‘accidentally’ brushing May Xia’s pale wrist. May’s cheeks flushed, but this time she didn’t pull away—Brian felt a surge of excitement in his chest.
But when Lewis Lu saw this, his heart felt completely empty.
In this place, he didn’t even have the courage to get angry.
Every passerby in the manor made Lewis Lu feel an intense sense of defeat.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you. A lot of people here have bad tempers. You’d better watch where you look, or you might get beaten up if you provoke someone.” Victor Xu sneered.
The more he looked at Evan Lin, the less Victor Xu liked him.
Lewis Lu, walking off to the side, was absent-minded. He kept his head down, still wondering why May Xia hadn’t rejected Brian Guang.
He didn’t notice the group of people suddenly coming toward him.
Bang!
Lewis Lu crashed into one of the men. Before he could react, the man kicked him hard in the abdomen.
Lewis rolled twice across the ground, landing in a sprawled, miserable heap.
“Can’t you see where you’re going? Are you looking for trouble? How dare you bump into my young master!”
A rough-looking man strode forward, his face dark, footsteps heavy and echoing dully on the stone path.
The group consisted of three people: two men and one woman.
One of the men was in his early twenties, pale and handsome, dressed in a custom designer casual shirt, limited-edition 2008 AJ “Jordan Demon King” sneakers, and wearing a string of expensive Buddhist prayer beads on his wrist.
The man frowned, a look of disgust on his handsome face. He brushed at his sleeve and glared coldly at the bloodied Lewis Lu, saying, “Any random person dares crowd into the Moore estate as if it were a vegetable market!”
People who walk without looking aren’t afraid of getting themselves killed!
His tone was harsh, his gaze icy.
His subordinate beside him looked even more vicious, his gaze like a wild beast, locking onto Lewis Lu on the ground.
Under that gaze, Lewis Lu felt frozen all over. The kick to his abdomen had already made him cough up blood, and he lay in the dirt, trembling and miserable.
Yidong, sorry to frighten you. But don’t worry—as long as I’m here, no one will hurt you." The man snorted, then smiled gently at the girl beside him.
The girl wore a white casual shirt with a black vest, pink sneakers, and a single ponytail. She had a lollipop in her mouth.
Hearing the man’s voice, Yvonne Zhu looked uninterested, replying casually while scanning the surroundings as if searching for something.
Uncle Bryce Gu entrusted you to me this time, and I absolutely won’t betray his trust.
Seeing Yvonne Zhu’s lack of interest, the man added, then signaled to his subordinate.
The burly man understood, breaking into a cruel, chilling grin. He cracked his knuckles, smiled wickedly, and strode toward Lewis Lu.
S-sorry!
Lewis Lu felt an overwhelming sense of oppression, making him tremble all over. Facing the vicious man, he couldn’t even think of running; his legs had gone completely limp.
Lewis Lu’s face was deathly pale.
The burly man grinned viciously and stepped forward.
The man turned away, ignoring Lewis, and went back to trying to impress Yvonne Zhu.
I told you to watch out, and now look—you’ve provoked the wrong people." Victor Xu said with a smirk.
Serves him right!" Zhou Lian snorted.
May Xia stood frozen in place as Brian Guang took her hand.
Brian smiled at her. “Don’t worry—if you bump into someone, just mention my brother’s name.”
But as for him, forget it. He brought it on himself.
Brian’s smile was dazzling. If Lewis Lu got crippled, it’d just save him the trouble.
He made a show of protecting May Xia, while she pretended to tremble and moved closer to him. But when she looked at the terrified, miserable Lewis Lu on the ground, her eyes grew cold.
Stepping stones are meant to be discarded after use.
Many people glanced over, most with cold, amused looks.
Might makes right—the strongest rule!
Don’t worry, I won’t kill you. But you’ll spend the rest of your life in bed!' the burly man said as he reached Lewis Lu.
He laughed and swung a heavy punch at Lewis Lu’s chest.
That punch could shatter every rib, leaving him crippled for life.
As the savage fist came down, Lewis Lu felt a wave of despair, as if he were about to die.
Suddenly, a hand reached out from the side, lightly meeting the burly man’s fist.