n

n

nSam stood at a single spot as he controlled the formation. The blood runes he drew started to turn bright and started moving towards the Blood runes drawn by the Hydra.

nSoon, both the runes merged and started circling around the egg with bright light.

nAfter more than an hour, the runes disappeared with a flash.

nNow, the water spiritual energy will be absorbed by the egg, until it hatches.

nAll he has to do is wait and he doesn't have to wait inside the dimension.

nSam came out of the dimension and started heading out. Since, it has been around four months, it is about time he collects the profits from the business.

nBut there are some guests in waiting for him downstairs. They are Maya and Jasmine.

nThey immediately stood up when they saw Sam coming. Jasmine is still a little unstable due to the trauma.

nSo, she isn't as bright as before when she saw Sam, but she still became a bit better and shown a smile at him.

nSam returned a smile to her and gestured them to sit.

n

"Thank you, Sam, for saving her and taking care of her. Last time I didn't have a chance to thank you.

" Maya said in a low voice.

n

"Don't mention it. I already talked to Marquis; she is not going to the next phase of the competition.

" Sam isn't even asking her opinion anymore; he just made the decision. He became even more resolved when he learnt that Maya used the Artisan tower to forcefully place Jasmine in the competition.

nAfter all, one has to think before they take actions. Does every grand thing lead to an opportunity? Maya didn't even think what type of competition it is and what could happen to Jasmine due to her child like personality and sent her to the competition by pulling some strings.

nHe really didn't like that.

nJasmine didn't say anything about it. In fact, she is somewhat relieved. She really didn't like this tasks and phases.

n

"Thank you. I also wanted to talk to him about it.

"

nThen she took a spatial ring and gave it to him.

nSam silently kept it without any rejection. If he didn't do so, Maya might even think Sam has other intentions. At least, Sam would do so, if he were in her shoes.

nSome things are better just left as business.

nAfter that, Sam left.

nHe went to Chaya again and took the earnings. He has made around 7 million spirit stones this time.

nAfter checking that everything is okay in the shop and the restaurant, Sam had a hearty meal and went back to the Mansion.

nHe needs to think of a plan to go against the Black water branch because, he is unsure of their strength this time.

nHe didn't know whether the leader of the branch is a person at Grand realm cultivation or realm beyond that.

nFrom what he knew of the organisation they operate with same power as the authorities in a city. So, there is a possibility there is a person whose cultivation is beyond the Grand realm, which makes his plans a little bit difficult.

nIf he planned perfectly, he is confident to take them down and he has more than one way to do that.

nAnd for the first plan, he can use the poison of hydra, as for the second plan, he needs to get out of the city and search for something.

nSam went back to the mansion and entered the yard. Now that he can distinguish the gases from the air, he began practicing in that direction, but this time, he is also trying it with light element. He wants to separate the spectrum of light.

nIf he can do so, he can have many uses, even if they are not offensive, he can still use them for many auxiliary purposes.

nSo, he went practice in the yard.

nBut when he went there, he saw Watt and Jack are already sparring while Philip is leaning against a tree as he looked at the duo sparring.

nSam noticed that Watt is practicing his close combat, he is not using his cards or his wind blades. He is not even using any martial arts, then only Sam remembered that he never gave any hand to hand combat techniques to Watt.

nBut when he saw Watt's movements, he was rather amused.

nWatt is using his body very crudely. There are no efficient movements. But he is trying to get his body used to the attacks and trying to find the most efficient movement.

nHe wasn't able to gather enough courage to ask Sam for a combat technique, so he is trying his best to fight in his own style.

nThe most important thing of all is, he is copying what Sam did. Just like how Sam used the tail winds of an attack to be a sharp blade almost making it undefendable, he is also making the tail wind sharp but he wasn't used to it yet and Jack was able to defend it easily.

nAfter a few exchanges, Watt was sent flying and then only they noticed Sam standing there.

n

"Wow, jack you have guts. Bullying Sam's subordinate right under his watch. Aren't you asking for a beating?

" Philip immediately said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

nSam didn't reply and just gave Philip a look. Then he turned towards Jack and said.

n���That is true, you sure have guts, but you are still in Novice initial stages and it would be unfair if I beat you up, So Philip will teach you a lesson on my behalf.

"

nPhilip immediately lost colour from his face. He didn't expect Sam could make such a comeback at him.

nJack smiled and looked at Philip. He took out his Black meteorite sand and said.

"Want to go for a round?

"

nPhilip wanted to think for an excuse, but Sam cut his train of thoughts with his words.

n

"Philip aren't we friends, I even let you stay in my place for so long. You should really help me. Otherwise, you will be known as ungrateful and bad friend.

"

nPhilip looked at Sam who kept a straight face all this while. But he is cursing in his mind.

n'Isn't shamelessness my thing? When did this all powerful and prideful Sam learn to be this shameless?'

nBut what Sam did next, made him grit his teeth even more.

n

"Everyone come out, Philip is challenging Jack to a duel.

" Sam shouted to all the members inside the mansion.

nSoon, Hawk, Kelly, Drew, Ray all came to the yard as they looked with expectations and the main reason is, they never saw Philip fighting properly.

nEven in the Falcon Cliff city, he dealt with his opponents easily and Jack also did same. They are expecting to find a great fight.

nPhilip didn't even know what to do and grudgingly accept the duel. But the result was he was defeated without much of fight. It only lasted ten minutes and all this time, Jack has upper-hand.

nBut only two people knew that the actual reality is different.

nPhilip deliberately lost. Jack and Sam are the only ones to see this.

nAfter the duel was over, Philip walked towards Jack and said.

"Sorry.

"

nHe is apologising because, he felt that it is greatest disrespect to not to give his all when fighting a person like Jack.

nBut he has his reasons.

nHe then looked at Sam and said.

"Man, you are no fun.

" Only to get Sam's sarcastic smile.

nAfter everything was over, Sam and Watt stayed there.

n

"I will give you a combat technique tomorrow.

"

nWatt thanked him and left the yard.

nSam practiced for the day and at night, he entered the tower to search for the combat technique.

nAfter a whole night of searching, he finally found one and copied it for Watt.

nNext day after giving the technique, Sam went back to the yard for his practice.

nFor the next few days all he did was to practice and after a week, the first report from the shadow mice came.

nThey got a hold of the head quarters of the biggest gang in the slums. That is called the Tiger gang.

nThe leader is a late-stage Novice, which required Sam to make a move personally.

nSam started making preparations and also told Jack and Watt to get ready.

nThey planned to make a move the next night, but the next morning, Sam received a message from Marquis to visit the mansion and the details were completely surprising because, someone from the Duke capital came to visit him and he was asked to visit urgently.

nSam didn't know what has happened, but he still kept reaper on his waist and went to the Marquis mansion along with Jack.

nWhen he was near the Marquis mansion, there are many people waiting there pointing fingers at him and his sword as they whispered something.

nSam guessed that the news about the Cougar family's massacre was spread.

nHis expectation is right and his visit here was also regarding the same thing.

nWhen Sam entered the meeting room, Marquis was sitting in his chair as another young man who seemed to be around twenty sitting near him.

nSam sat across that person as Watt stood behind him.

nSam mainly brought along to broaden latter's horizons as well as to introduce him to the world.

nThe young man also has some subordinates who stood behind him and they are eyeing Sam and Watt with contempt since they entered the room.

nSam didn't care about them at all as he disregarded their existence and looked at the Marquis with a questioning gaze.

n

"Well, Artisan Sam. This is Young master Nicholas. The Junior Duke of the Southern star Dukedom.

"

n

"Young master Nicholas. This is Artisan Sam. He is not only a Rank 5 Scholar Artisan, he also proficient in weapon forging, Tailor artisanship.

"

nHis words seemed more like a suggestion to both parties to act with caution by mentioning their status than an introduction.

nBoth young men noticed this but they didn't seem to care.

n