The whole place went silent. One shocked gaze after another turned to Leander.
Who was Reid? He was the high and mighty founder of the Bloody Palm Sect. He was a former Imperial Commander, a peerless swordsman born in the last century, and a man who had reached the level of Infernal Crown Transcendent.
Even he called Leander "Sovereign." That meant Leander's identity was clear to everyone.
"Sovereign Ashcroft?"
Aria turned around with a stiff movement. She could not look away.
She had lived in the northwest for years, far from the Central Realm, yet the name of the undefeated Iron Sovereign had spread across the world. She had heard of him long ago.
But she never imagined that Leander was that legendary, unmatched hero.
The man who destroyed the Arbitration Office and defeated the War God Sanctum had actually been the one helping them row the boat earlier.
Just thinking about it made her feel like she was dreaming.
Everyone from the Dual Meridian Sect, including Clara, looked shocked and speechless.
Elara finally understood why she had not sensed Leander's level of cultivation. It was not because he was weak. It was because he was already far beyond her reach.
"So he's Jeff."
Elara gave a bitter smile. No wonder even someone as strong as Daphne became gentle around him.
"Yes, that's me."
Leander leaned back with both hands behind his head and crossed one leg over the other.
"You said you wanted to kill everyone here. Why don't you say that again now?"
Hearing the tone in Leander's voice, Reid raised an eyebrow. His eyes turned cold.
But when he looked at Wyatt and Clara, who were ready to fight, he remembered why he had come here today. He forced down his anger and kept a polite smile.
"Sovereign Ashcroft, you're joking. I spoke carelessly earlier. Other than the people from the Dual Meridian Sect, everyone else can leave freely."
The young prodigies present let out a quiet breath of relief. They were also deeply impressed.
Reid had clearly planned to kill everyone. The moment Leander showed up, he changed his mind. That was the kind of power only the Iron Sovereign carried.
"Oh?" Leander smiled. "Your sect's top prodigy died because of me. Don't you want revenge?"
He was talking about Felix, who had been killed by Aria's sword.
Reid's face darkened. The Bloody Palm Sect had other geniuses, yet Felix had been the best among them.
His death hurt Reid, but his top priority at the moment was destroying the Dual Meridian Sect. He did not want to start more trouble.
If Leander took their side, the whole battle would turn around. What was supposed to be an easy win would suddenly become even.
Even though he had reached Infernal Crown Transcendent, Reid was not foolish enough to be arrogant.
Leander had defeated eleven Transcendent Realm masters at the Southern Shore. Two of them had been ranked on the International Combat Units. None had reached the Infernal Crown stage, yet his strength was still beyond measure. Reid knew better than to underestimate him.
After thinking it through, he kept his face calm and shook his head.
"Felix dared to attack you first. He brought it on himself. No one else is to blame. Today's matter is between our sect and the Dual Meridian Sect. It won't involve anyone else."
His tone sounded polite, yet everyone there could tell that Reid had already given way to Leander in some sense.
"Not involving anyone else? That's a good one."
Leander still did not plan to leave. With him there, the crowd who had been afraid earlier now felt safe enough to stay and watch.
He stood up and stretched lazily. Then he looked at Wyatt.
"Lord of Umbral, this is our second time meeting."
Wyatt clasped his hands with a polite smile. "Last time in Ravenridge, it was an honor to meet you, Sovereign Ashcroft. I still remember it well. It's a shame I couldn't attend the Southern Shore battle in person to see you destroy the War God Sanctum and the Arbitration Office."
As the ruler of the Umbral Court and the most powerful son-in-law of the Dual Meridian Sect, Wyatt still looked cautious in front of Leander.
He knew that even ten of him together would not match one Leander.
"There's no need for small talk."


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