After the second pot of wine, Carson Flores asked, "Another pot?"
Dakota Randolph wiped his mouth and laughed, "No more drinking, let’s fight first. The others have been waiting for quite a while."
Carson called the waiter over, settled the bill—a total of ten Spirit Stones.
The meal was equivalent to a month’s salary.
Duke Reid’s party of three ate quickly, and as soon as Carson and Dakota stood up, they followed suit.
Carson paid them no heed and descended the stairs with Dakota.
Glancing sideways at Dakota, Carson smiled, "See you next time?"
With a smile, Dakota replied, "Are you heading back to your cave dwelling? How about I drop by for a visit?"
Carson chuckled, "Sure."
Both were clever men; some things didn’t need to be spelled out for them to understand.
The two chatted idly as they left the market, followed by Kylo Cobb and his two companions, who trailed behind with cold gazes. Once they had gotten sufficiently far from the market, Duke Reid and Gregory Pearson, unable to wait any longer, caught up and blocked their path.
Carson halted, his eyes landing on Kylo Cobb, "Are you also after my cave dwelling?"
Kylo laughed, "Let’s make a deal. If you’re willing to give up the dwelling, I’ll overlook their offenses and even compensate you."
Carson chuckled, "We’re all cultivators. You know the importance of a good dwelling. Do you think I’d hand it over to you?"
Kylo’s smile turned cold, "In that case, it looks like we’ll have to settle this with more than just words."
Carson casually inquired, "Aren’t cave dwellings assigned by the Peak Master? Can they even be traded privately?"
"If it’s a willing exchange, nobody cares," Kylo responded.
With an "Oh," Carson smiled, "Fine then, let’s keep it simple. You beat me, and the dwelling is yours. But if you fail to defeat me, I won’t kill you. Just stay in bed for three years."
Kylo’s expression suddenly darkened, his gaze turning serious, "It seems you’re quite confident."
Without another word, Carson simply extended his hand and gestured for Kylo to come forward with his fingertips.
Kylo, having heard from Duke Reid and Gregory that Carson wasn’t skilled with the Flying Sword, drew his own sword, prepared to use its agility to defeat Carson.
Dakota stepped aside but also unveiled his Flying Sword, floating in front of him, ready to strike, prepared to intervene at any moment.
The Flying Sword arrived swiftly, like a gust of wind.
With the Three Provinces Sword in hand, Carson casually pointed it, and the Flying Sword, as if hit in a vital spot, lost its fierce momentum instantly. Carson followed with a sword thrust, taking a step forward.
Kylo’s expression was solemn. His fingers danced, and the Flying Sword whirled through the air with ferocity, but each time it closed in, it was blocked by the Three Provinces Sword, unable to break through.
With each step forward and a swing of his sword, Carson advanced toward Kylo.
Sweat appeared on Kylo’s forehead as he asked in a deep voice, "What’s your relationship with the Peak Master?"
Carson blinked, "What’s your guess?"
A flicker of fear appeared in Kylo’s eyes, "Are you the Peak Master’s disciple?"
This took Carson by surprise.
He could leave his relationship with the Peak Master vague, but facing Kylo’s direct question, he dared not pretend, nor did he intend to.
In surprise, Kylo asked, "Aren’t you using the Peak Master’s Three-foot Sword Veil?"
Three-foot Sword Veil?
Carson asked without thinking, "What’s that?"
Dakota chimed in with an explanation, "The Peak Master’s secret technique is the Three-foot Sword Veil, famed for being invincible within its range of three feet. In the same realm, no one can break through her defensive Sword Veil, renowned for being unparalleled in defense."
Carson’s eyes lit up; he had been thinking about finding a Cultivation Technique suitable for sword defense, and now it seemed there really was one, and its master was right here.
The Peak Master of Flying Waterfall Mountain Peak, Delaney Hunter.
If he had the chance, he would definitely seek her guidance, wondering whether the Peak Master would be willing to give him some pointers.
"Oh, I’m not very good at controlling the Flying Sword, so I can only defend at close quarters, a necessity really, hardly comparable to the Peak Master’s unique skill."
Carson was telling the truth. His current prowess wasn’t due to some Three-foot Sword Veil, nor exceptional defense; it was his overwhelming advantage over Kylo in strength that allowed him to slow the Flying Sword with a mere flick of his sword, making defense much easier.
Had it been an opponent at the same level of the Golden Core Realm, it wouldn’t have been easy to defend at all.
While conversing, Carson didn’t slow his steps, and in the blink of an eye, he was upon Kylo.
More sweat appeared on Kylo’s forehead; he was beginning to sense something amiss—the opponent seemed much stronger than someone merely at Foundation Establishment stage!
Even at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage, it wouldn’t be possible to block his Flying Sword attacks with such ease nor press forward as leisurely as taking a walk.
In a panic, Kylo retreated, but as he flung the Flying Sword away with his sword, Carson’s step suddenly propelled him forward like a cannonball, appearing instantly in front of Kylo and throwing a punch.
Kylo’s face paled as a flash of dark light passed through his hand, revealing a black-green small round shield adorned with intricate, ancient patterns that shimmered faintly.
Carson’s punch struck the small round shield.