Andrew Han's slaying of the Great-Class Specter was kept strictly secret.
Long before heading for Southridge, Andrew Han had already discussed countless details with the Southridge Provincial Guardian. For instance, traveling by plane was simply a cover—he had to act as though he was only sightseeing, and absolutely could not allow any publicity.
Because Specters possess intelligence too!
Not only the real world—even the current Martial Arts World has been infiltrated.
Even the Law Realm beings who dwell upon the earth are screening for Specter-possessed individuals, but their reach is limited—it’s nearly impossible to cleanse the entire Martial Arts World.
There are simply too many martial practitioners.
In just a single prefecture-level city, there are at least twenty or thirty Martial Artists. Many more martial practitioners don’t even live in cities—some roam the mountains and rivers, others make their home wherever they please.
“Hmph.”
“Unless we get within ten meters, only then can we sense whether a martial practitioner is possessed by a Specter—how are we supposed to conduct a thorough sweep?” The Southridge Provincial Guardian shook his head in private.
He wore a white training suit and stood calmly by a small lake.
This small mountain and lake, spanning three or four kilometers, were all his private property. As a Law Realm expert, he was almost equal to Leon Yu, Guardian of Southvale Province—both were era-defining Peerless Paragons from decades past, now honored as Law Realm figures of Sinovera.
“Though I too was once a Peerless Paragon...”
“Compared to Andrew Han, born in Riverford City, I still fall far short.” He stood quietly on the undisturbed surface of the lake, his face shrouded in mist and clouds, making his features impossible to discern.
Only those serene eyes seemed to contain all things.
He quietly recalled his youthful days, falling into a brief trance... Back when he was Andrew Han’s age, he was merely at the peak of the Martial Artist Realm, not yet having reached the Martial General Realm.
Times have changed—and so have we, grown old.
“Enough.”
“No point dwelling on this.” The Southridge Provincial Guardian narrowed his eyes. “The annihilation of the Mu clan has already enraged the Specters—I must stay vigilant at the borders and cannot afford any carelessness.”
In truth, the Martial Arts World appears calm on the surface.
But among Law Realm circles, the atmosphere is already tense and fraught with anxiety—Demons and Specters are acting ever more abnormally, as if foreshadowing something ominous.
“No.”
“I’ll need to set out for the border soon and investigate carefully.” The blue-haired middle-aged man’s eyes flashed with gravity as thoughts raced through his mind.
In truth.
Only Law Realm experts are privy to this: the scientist known as White Dragon—Dr. Liam Lee—has already developed an advanced theoretical solution to the atmospheric collapse crisis. Though it’s still just a draft, practical implementation won’t take much longer.
At this moment, the small lake was tranquil, only occasionally disturbed by ripples.
Splash, splash.
Fish swam around his feet in the clear lake, their colors dazzling, all gathering near him as if his presence drew all living things.
This is the power of the Law Realm.
With a casual movement of their fingers, they can draw in mysterious particles from outer space to further temper their nearly energy-like bodies; every word and action carries unfathomable effects.
After a while.
The middle-aged man, his face obscured, manifested swirling clouds and mist out of thin air and rose into the sky.
......
Inside Southridge Province, within the Southridge Sect.
This is a small Martial Arts Sect located at the southernmost edge of the province.
Tracing back five hundred years, the sect once produced two Law Realm experts. Though none exist now, Southridge Sect's prestige remains undiminished.
The sect is built on an island.
At times, ships dock here, but no ordinary people ever come—only sect members travel to and from the island.
At the island’s base, there are a series of impregnable training chambers; even a Martial Lord would need at least ten minutes to break through one.
Inside one of the chambers.
"Huh?"