The legendary warrior novel Chapter 224

Ricky defeated Rupert. It meant that he had succeeded in challenging someone three levels above him. He was now a peerless genius.

"Alva, I am a peerless genius now. When will you wake up?" he whispered to himself. Not a long time had passed, but there was an empty, lingering space in his chest. He missed Alva very much.

Images of his father also floated by in his mind. "Where are you, father? Have you heard any news about mother?" Whispering a silent prayer, Ricky let his thoughts wander to those of the ones he loved.

...

"Is it over?"

A sweeping hush fell upon the warriors at the sight of Ricky emerging with his saber.

Were their eyes playing tricks on them? Rupert was among the strongest men they had ever laid eyes on. The very mention of his name was enough to make anyone shudder in fear. In the Water Fire City, his word was law.

But now, this young warrior who had not yet reached the age of maturity had emerged victorious from the battle. It was impossible not to feel stunned at the outcome of the fight.

As the curtain of air and dust dissipated, Rupert finally came into view.

His mangled body lay stretched on a deep pit, his limbs twitching their last spasms. A deep gash ran across his chest and blood pooled from it to the ground like a crimson carpet. There was only the sound of his gasps and sputters as the life drained from him with each second.

Then, there was nothing but stillness from his lifeless form.

Ricky's voice sliced through the awed silence of the people who watched the scene with disbelieving eyes. "Well, your Miraculous Water Orb doesn't seem to have anything special!" he proclaimed, walking to the deep pit.

"I am the winner!" His eyes scanned the crowd, then he pointed to Rupert's body. "And he, Rupert of the Zhen Clan, was just a pathetic loser," Ricky declared.

With this, his days at the Water Fire City had finally come to an end. If nothing else, the Gu Clan would claim rulership over the city, but this did not interest Ricky in the slightest. He was going to leave here.

There was nothing this city could offer for him to improve himself further.

...

Rupert's death meant the impending breaking apart of the Zhen Clan. It would only be a matter of time before other clans would destroy what was left of them.

The Gu Clan's courtyard was lively with joy and excitement, and the name of one young and mighty warrior was on everyone's lips.

...

After the battle, Ricky decided to rest. Not long after, Charlie and his two daughters paid him a visit in his room.

They expressed their gratitude profusely and rewarded him with gold coins and Treasures from Heaven and Earth. At first, Ricky had refused their offerings. The set of Fire Cloud Fist was more than enough for him, but with his hosts' insistence, he relented and accepted some of the coins out of respect.

Knowing that his inevitable departure was coming, the two girls of the Gu Clan felt sadness in their hearts.

"Uncle Charlie, I came from the West Desolate Land. I traveled around to sharpen my skills. Could you tell me what you know about the forces in the Heaven Wood Land? I'm actually heading there," Ricky asked.

It was not his intention to deceive them. All who knew Ricky was aware that he had come from the Snow Land, but if he told them the truth, it would spell nothing but trouble.

"The Heaven Wood Land is the biggest of all lands in the entirety of the realm. No one has scaled its entirety. You said earlier that you came from the West Desolate Land. Perhaps you have also heard of the Earth Fire Land and the Snow Land. All three of these regions have incredibly vast territories but even all of them out together doesn't come close to the Heaven Wood Land," Charlie explained.

"That must mean it is a very large area," Ricky said seriously upon hearing Charlie's words. He had not expected that the Heaven Wood Land was so vast. All this time, he had thought of it as just another of the lands in the realm.

Charlie nodded in affirmation. "Indeed, it is. It is because of this that the Heaven Wood Land is considered to be the most important region across the Realm of Wildness," Charlie's expression turned more ominous as he continued.

"At the same time, it is also the most dangerous and violent one. Several distinctive forces, including some demi-immortal ones, divide the area. There is constant dispute among the groups for power, and bloodshed is commonplace."

Ricky paused for a moment, trying to fully digest the information. Then, he asked, "Uncle Charlie, how many forces of innate spirits are there in that land?" Ricky asked.

Charlie seemed thoughtful for a moment before he answered. "Well, as you know, the Water Fire City lies on the borders of the Heaven Wood Land. I am not certain about the exact number, but there must be more than ten," he said.

"No less than ten!" Ricky exclaimed in shock. There were only two forces of innate spirits in the West Desolate Land, and only three in the Earth Fire Land if the Casting Guild are added. The Snow Land only has one force…" Ricky proceeded to enumerate the forces that he knew, a clear conclusion settling in his mind. "...The Heaven Wood Land must really be powerful..."

He proceeded to inquire deeper. "Uncle Charlie, although the Heaven Wood Land has a vast territory, wouldn't it be difficult for it to hold so many distinct forces? Why don't some of them move to the other three Lands?"

Charlie looked at the young warrior with age-wizened eyes and said, "Fortunes." Ricky was confused at his answer.

'Fortune?' he repeated in his mind. The older man, seeing his bewilderment, continued, "You can be the most skilled warrior in the world, but without chance, it would not be enough." Turning to Ricky, he said, "I believe you already know that." Ricky was starting to understand better what Charlie meant.

"That's right. The strongest warriors get power from the chances that they encounter," he nodded.

Even Ricky himself, he got powerful strength through a series of precious opportunities that he encountered.

"And chance can be regarded as a good fortune," Charlie went on, pleased that Ricky was starting to make sense of things. "Fortune is invisible, but it does exist. A warrior who is followed by fortune finds many great chances not offered to just anyone. All of these will make him strong. On the other hand, even a genius will fail if fate is not on his side."

"You are right. The fortune does exist indeed!" Ricky remained silent, taking in the older man's words.

"You must not forget. The mastery of a force is deeply connected to one's fortune," Charlie continued.

"You will find more chances in the Heaven Wood Land even with all the three other lands combined. Most of the innate spiritual kings have great ambitions. They fight against one another to get their hands on the resources found in the land. Only by fighting and finding their fortunes are they able to cultivate their skills."

"I understand now," Ricky replied.

'This fortune that Uncle Charlie refers to could be the one thing Alva had always said—the supreme enlightenment. If not, then it would certainly be close, ' Ricky thought to himself.

"By the way, Uncle Charlie, which force dominates the Water Fire City?" Ricky asked once again.

"The Sky Manor," Charlie answered wistfully.

"Sky Manor!" Ricky exclaimed. "Do you know how many geniuses are in it?"

Anticipation coursed through Ricky's veins as he thought of all the different kinds of warriors he would encounter and the skills they possessed. The quickest way to develop himself and test his strength would be to use them in an actual battle. He was still weak, and he was determined to be much stronger from where he was at the moment.

"It is said that there are three innate spiritual kings in the Sky Manor," Charlie replied. He had an inkling of what was going through the young man's mind, but he spoke no further.

...

That evening, Ricky climbed over the wall and left the Gu Clan without a word.

As his steps took him further, Charlie and his two daughters emerged from the darkness, looking toward the direction he left.