"That Mason Locke is only at the peak of Inner Force, and your kick just now caught him completely off guard. Do you really think that alone is enough to make us give up our intentions toward you?"
The man let out a hearty laugh. "You’re way too naive!"
In their eyes, Mason Locke’s strength was nothing worth mentioning.
Lin Yi made a sudden move to show his strength, but that kind of strength really wasn’t enough to impress anyone here.
"You’ve caused trouble now!"
Miss Stitch’s face changed. She glared at Lin Yi, then quickly ran off in the direction Mason had flown.
On another path, nineteen people were scattered along the road, walking.
"Every year, the Dao-Trial Gathering is always a Locke Family affair. Who knows what the Patriarch was thinking this time, actually inviting so many outsiders! Does nobody in the clan believe we can subdue the Deep-Frost Iceflame ourselves?" someone in the group grumbled, clearly annoyed.
"There’s no helping it. The Deep-Frost Iceflame has been with our Locke Family for years, but nobody’s ever passed the trial. We thought if we followed Morgan Yang’s footsteps and brought home the second Deep-Frost Iceflame, maybe we’d have a shot. But some people are always more trouble than help," someone sneered, glancing meaningfully toward the back.
"Trent Locke! What do you mean by that? The three of us risked our lives and nearly died at Heavenly Lake! The reason we didn’t get the Deep-Frost Iceflame was because Master Lin from Seacrest suddenly showed up! Otherwise, the flame would’ve been ours ages ago!" Gavin Locke snapped, his face full of anger.
He glared hard at Trent Locke, clenching his fist, his face full of frustration. "Why don’t you try it yourself? Go snatch the Deep-Frost Iceflame from Master Lin of Seacrest—the guy who beat Morgan Yang at the Pointing-to-Mystery Realm!"
"Oh, wow, so Master Lin from Seacrest even beat Morgan Yang at the Pointing-to-Mystery Realm now?"
"Gavin Locke, you expect anyone to believe that? Master Lin from Seacrest? That guy’s all the way in Seacrest! Have you even seen his face? Do you even know what he looks like?"
Next to Trent Locke, a burly man chimed in sarcastically, "Quit blaming others for your own failures! Everyone knows you need Locke blood to claim the Deep-Frost Iceflame. Even Morgan Yang, after reaching the Pointing-to-Mystery Realm and living with the flame for over ten years, couldn’t refine it. And now you’re telling me Master Lin from Seacrest just showed up and snatched it? What a joke!"
"He only got into the cave a step before me. I bet he’ll end up just like Morgan Yang—locked away in seclusion for years. As for the Deep-Frost Iceflame, he probably won’t even get close to it. You don’t need to worry about that!"
Rena Luo, who hadn’t spoken until now, wore a frosty expression.
Because of their failure, the group had been mocked nonstop at home lately. Even among these people—some of whom weren’t as strong as them—their eyes were full of disdain.
"In the end, it’s just because you’re not strong enough."
Trent Locke sneered.
Gavin Locke’s face changed dramatically and he stepped forward.
"What, you wanna throw down?"
Trent Locke just shrugged, totally unfazed. "But before you swing, better think twice. It's the Dao-Trial Gathering today!"
"If you don't care about getting disqualified, then hey, I couldn't care less."
Trent Locke let out a loud laugh.
Clark Luo grabbed Gavin Luo and shook his head.
"The whole reason for this Dao-Trial Gathering is that the He Family's prodigy—who's fused with Boundless Water—is finally coming out. Our Locke Family has to win this time, or we'll be hit with total destruction!
"We're all family here. No need to start beef now."
Clark Locke tried hard to keep the peace.
The others shot Clark Locke and his crew looks full of scorn.
Rena Luo was seriously pissed. She was still fuming about Master Lin from Seacrest beating her to the punch. "When you finally crawl out of Heavenly Lake, I'm gonna be way stronger than you! I'll personally drown you in that lake!"
Suddenly, a scream echoed closer and closer through the air.
"Heads up—something's coming!"
Clark Locke looked up, eyes wary.
Everyone snapped to attention, staring up at the sky.
A split second later, there was a heavy thud—and someone crashed down, looking totally wrecked.
"Wait, is that Mason Locke?"
One guy ran over to check, and froze when he saw Mason Locke's face.
Mason Locke was just peak inner-force—mid-tier at best in the Locke Family. He wasn't even qualified for the Dao-Trial Gathering.
"Wasn't he supposed to be handling the outsiders? How'd he end up flying over here?"
"Wasn't he supposed to be handling the outsiders? How'd he end up flying over here?"