Chapter 7 Technique Hall

• The entire place was as silent as the grave. All those watching the show had their eyes widened. They all felt their faces stinging as if having been slapped. When they looked at Francis, the mockery and disdain that once filled their eyes had vanished, to be replaced by shock and fear.
• How could he be so formidable? He actually managed to defeat Sion, a Sky Gate Realm Level Three expert who used Greenwood Hand! We've all seen clearly that he didn't employ any martial skills! In other words, he must possess the strength of more than a thousand kilograms! Could it be that he already has the strength of Sky Gate Realm Level Four?
• It was both incredible and unbelievable. Everyone present was astounded.
• Meanwhile, Kain examined Sion's injuries. As he reached out and touched his son, his vital energy surged out and went a full circle in Sion's body. His expression turned extremely grim. It turned out that several crucial meridians in Sion's body had been shattered by the raw force of Francis' vital energy. With them ruptured, it would take at least three months to heal even if he used precious medicine to repair them. Even so, Sion wouldn't be able to cultivate as quickly as before after the fact. Not to mention, the vast amount of precious medicinal herbs required would be extremely difficult for even him to procure.
• “You kept calling me a good-for-nothing, but you were beaten to a pulp by a single punch from me even when you used a martial skill. Who's the true good-for-nothing now?” Francis sneered.
• “How dare you be so ruthless, you b*stard!” Kain barked.
• Unfazed, Francis scoffed, “Your son wanted to kill me, but all I did was injure him. What else do you want? Is your son's life valuable while mine is worthless?”
• “I'm never letting you off the hook for maiming a fellow disciple to this extent, you b*stard!” Kain accused, beyond shameless.
• Francis laughed in his fury. “So, just because your son wanted to kill me, I was supposed to just stick out my neck for him to do so? Yet, I can't do the same to him? Pah!”
• “Enough with the nonsense! I'm going to end your life today!” Kain bellowed, ready to lunge forward. But at that precise moment, Connor streaked over and positioned himself before Francis, mocking, “Have you no shame to bully the young, Kain? You want to fight, yes? Come on, then. We'll fight!”
• No match for him, Kain didn't dare engage in a fight with him. Harrumphing coldly, he shot Francis a hard glare before he scooped Sion up and took off.
• Francis swept his gaze around. Many lowered their heads upon meeting it, not daring to look him in the eyes. Most of them were inferior to him in terms of cultivation. Furthermore, they felt guilty, for they also picked on him in the past. Some of them even barged into his cottage and nabbed his things. They all feared his revenge.
• With a cold snort, Francis swept his icy gaze over them, striking fear into them. However, he didn't say much else but simply left with Connor.
• “You truly kept me in the dark, Francis!” Connor teased Francis with a laugh as they strolled along the mountain path of the outer sect after having moved away from the crowd.
• Nonetheless, there was no hint of censure in his words. Instead, he was genuinely happy for the latter.
• “I'm sorry, Mr. Highmanes. I truly didn't mean to keep you in the dark previously,” Francis said apologetically.
• “I know. I understand. You're worried about standing out too much and being targeted, no?” Connor laughed heartily. “It's okay. You don't need to explain anything. I'm genuinely happy for you. But...”
• He continued gravely, “Your master made countless enemies while he was alive. They all thought that you were a good-for-nothing and disdained lowering themselves to make a move against you. Now that you've changed others' perception of you, I fear it would put you in even greater danger. Heed my words—you must be careful.”
• Warmth suffused Francis, and he replied, “Don't worry, Mr. Highmanes! I'll be careful.”
• “What's your plan now? Are you still going to Resources Hall to collect your spiritual stones?” Connor asked.
• Francis shook his head. “Not for the time being. If I do, you'll surely get into a conflict with Kain again, Mr. Highmanes. Over the years, I've amassed a fair amount of spiritual stones, so I won't miss a few. Once I'm strong enough, I'll go and make trouble for him.”
• Connor nodded in gratification.
• Francis' ability to compromise brought great comfort to him. After all, a true expert couldn't be ruthlessly aggressive all the time but also adaptable and knew when to back down. At the end of the day, few of the powerful figures who ruled supreme enjoyed smooth sailing all their lives.
• “I want to go to Technique Hall first to choose a martial skill, Mr. Highmanes. Master had always taught me cultivation methods but never martial skills,” Francis said.
• “Okay. I'll take you there.” Smiling, Connor added. “It so happens that the person in charge of Technique Hall is an elder from when I first joined. He's a grand elder of the outer sect. I can put in a good word for you.”
• The two of them left the main road and traveled down a small path to Technique Hall. Behind it was a cliff surrounded by wildflowers in full bloom and hidden among lush greenery, the atmosphere serene. Along the way, they encountered a few outer sect disciples cradling a thread-bound book each as if it were a precious treasure as they left. They had each chosen a martial skill Technique Hall and were eager to start their cultivating as they exited in haste.
• Several of them wore mocking expressions at the sight of Francis. But upon seeing Connor beside him, neither of them dared say anything.
• At the entrance of Technique Hall, an elderly man lounged on the steps, drinking. His hair and beard were a disheveled mess, giving him a very unkempt appearance. With the wine bottle upended, its content poured out freely, and he gulped it down voraciously, some of it spilling from the corners of his mouth. Even from a distance, the strong scent of alcohol emanating from him was unmistakable.