Silverbell had the air of a goddess unsullied, her skin fair as snow, and she kept her hands primly on


    herp as she stared at Maron fixedly.


    "If memory serves, I should be meeting your sect''s chief, Mr. Maron. Or perhaps he''s dismissive of my


    disposition as chief of the Martial Alliance, which exins his absence?"


    Her words were sharp despite her unsullied appearance. Her voice was cool as spring, and it left


    Maron''s face stiffening right then, even as he forced a smile. "That''s not true, Lady Silverbell. My father


    has always secluded himself in his residence for his routine, but he recently got hurt and is


    recuperating. He also delegated his duties to me—"


    "In that case, I shalle back another day." Silverbell rose to her feet right then, ready to leave.


    Maron quickly stopped her, shing an apologetic smile. "Please, Lady Silverbell. It doesn''t mean we


    don''t have any champions to represent us just because my father is hurt."


    "Really?" Silverbell stopped, saying quietly, "You know the rule. Your champion mustst twenty strikes


    against me to earn a ce in the Martial Alliance. However, I''ve never sensed the presence of anyone


    who wouldst five strikes from my sword, and you only get one chance, so you''d do well to be


    prudent."


    Damn you, woman! How dare you belittle Sage Lake Sect!


    Though Maron was cursing Silverbell endlessly in his mind, he was not about to pass up on a chance


    to join the Martial Alliance.


    First and foremost, Cloudnine Sect of South Sea had helped them fight for this chance. And Maron had


    every intention to use this opportunity to prove that he was superior to his father in charisma and


    competence and legitimately inherit the sect.


    Secondly, joining the Martial Alliance was a good thing—they would gain ess to the alliance''s


    resources, while Sage Lake Sect would also secure influence in the eastern region of Draconia.


    Thirdly...


    Maron ever so subtly ogled Silverbell''s lofty demeanor and her perfect figure.


    He could not wait to taste her already.


    In fact, he had lost all interest in other women the instant heid eyes on her—they were all mundane


    inparison to her, and the sense of aplishment of conquering Silverbell far outweighed the


    rest.


    "Lady Silverbell." Maron smiled. "The elders of my sect drilled overnight to cast abat ward. They


    may be personallycking to you, but if theybine to cast thebat ward, I''m sure even you won''t


    fare well against them."


    "Really?" Silverbell was actually curious. "Then let them cast it. Show me what Sage Lake Sect can


    do."


    With that, Silverbell strode out of the conve but paused, as if sensing something, when she passed


    Frank.


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    Frowning and ncing at him quizzically, she found his face familiar but could not ce it.


    It was true that she had met countless individuals as the chief of the Martial Alliance, but there was just


    something different about Frank. In fact, her heart that had always remained calm thanks to years of


    conditioning fluttered when she saw Frank''s face!


    "You are...?" she blurted.