From Outcast to Overlord The Unyielding Heir (Leander Ashcroft) novel Chapter 536

536 /536

Two days had passed since Leander's decisive battle at the Yelem Church. The sheer, overwhelming fever that had consumed both the Assassin's World and the general underground networks had finally, completely subsided. Now, only a profound silence remained.

The martial world and the Assassin's World—the two colossal pillars of the global underground—had seemingly lost their color and were utterly devoid of sound.

Everyone knew the outcome: the clash between the number one on the Assassin Leaderboard and the number one in the International Combat Units had ended with the latter's resounding victory. The Hermit, a name that had stood as a legend for nearly a century, was now history. Leander, the greatest figure in the history of the International Combat Units, was still writing his own unstoppable legend.

On the International Martial Network forum, deep and meticulous discussions raged over the true extent of Leander's power. Countless martial artists voiced their opinions, igniting fierce debates and verbal conflicts.

But in the end, the master behind the International Martial Network, The Destroyer, suddenly appeared and rendered the final judgment.

'Regardless of whether you are a martial artist or an assassin, Jeff has already climbed to an unprecedented peak. If the King Phase masters of a century ago do not appear, Jeff is invincible!'

The Destroyer had once declared Leander invincible in the world, provided no current King Phase masters emerged, after Leander annihilated fifteen Chief Arbitrators. Now, he had made a subtle yet crucial change: he replaced "current King Phase masters" with "the King Phase masters of a century ago." This minor difference in wording represented an entirely different realm of mastery.

Everyone understood: Leander had ascended to an unimaginable level. His cultivation was now sufficient to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the King Phase beings who had dominated the world a hundred years prior.

Leander was the living standard, the absolute benchmark for every martial artist and every assassin. There was no higher peak left to conquer!

…

Following the battle at Yelem, Leander returned to the Yelem Hotel. Celia was constantly by his side, attending to him with imported fruits and fine cuisine, ensuring he lived a life of imperial comfort.

During his stay, prominent families from Yelem constantly came to pay their respects, showering him with valuable gifts. His accommodations were immediately upgraded from a standard luxury suite to the presidential suite. Every influential family in Yelem practically groveled, working tirelessly to curry his favor.

Nathan and the others, having grasped the terrifying extent of Leander's capability, finally dropped their guard and their anxieties. They spent their days touring Yelem's scenic spots. Thanks to their connection with Leander, they were granted unimpeded access everywhere they went. They enjoyed private car services, dedicated tour guides, and had all their meals and expenses covered, giving them an experience of unparalleled comfort.

The more favors they received, the more acutely they realized Leander's profound influence over these prominent families. He was like a deity, towering over everything, commanding the reverence of all.

In the garden of the Yelem Hotel, Leander reclined on a lounge chair, swaying gently.

Celia, wearing a simple, elegant, plain dress, peeled an imported fruit and placed it directly into his mouth.

Leander chewed slowly, his eyes utterly calm.

"So, any major movements from the International Martial Network or the Global Assassin Network?" he asked softly.

Celia took a tissue to wipe his mouth before replying, "Nothing yet. Since you killed the Hermit, the International Martial Network has effectively declared you a deity, placing you on the same level as the King Phase beings of a century ago.

"As for the Assassin's World, countless assassins are grieving for the Hermit, but not a single post has called for revenge. It's clear that this one battle completely crushed the Assassin's World. Even the bounty posted by the Arbitration Office has been officially withdrawn."

"Is that so?" Leander gave a faint nod, a hint of a smile touching his lips.

"They withdrew the bounty because they recognized that no assassin left in the world could ever pose a threat to me. That bounty was nothing more than useless paper," he mused. "I killed six more Chief Arbitrators in this encounter. Out of the original twenty-four, only three remain unaccounted for. I suspect these three are stronger than Neil, and there's a possibility one of them might even be a King Phase master from a century ago."

Celia agreed with a nod. "Global legacy organizations like the Arbitration Office and the Church possess incalculable depths of power and hidden strength. They managed to survive the War of the King Phase intact, which speaks volumes about their might."