Guardian Michael was furious. He, a distinguished figure in the Ghost Sect, held significant influence. First, Chris had made him grovel, and now, after such humiliation, Guardian Michael could no longer contain himself.
"Chris, how dare you insult me? I'll show you..." Before Guardian Michael could finish, Chris's palm landed hard on his face.
"If you want to be my disciple, you must respect your master. Today, I will teach you what martial virtue is," Chris declared, striking Guardian Michael repeatedly, leaving his face marked with the force of each blow.
"Remember! The first step of martial virtue is to respect your master. If you want me as your master, you should obey my commands, even if it means licking my shoes or doing anything I ask!" Another resounding slap echoed through the air.
With a final blow, Chris sent Guardian Michael crashing to the ground with a loud thud. Struggling to rise, Guardian Michael's expression turned dark. He had intended to approach Chris under the guise of seeking tutelage, aiming to seize the Dragon Emblem fragment. However, Chris's humiliating actions in front of so many people shocked him deeply.
Moreover, Guardian Michael was astounded by Chris's strength. How could he possibly contend with someone who could best him so effortlessly? His face grim, he gritted his teeth, "Chris, I came here for the Dragon Emblem fragment! Be sensible and hand it over, or when my Ghost Sect army arrives, you'll have nowhere to hide!"
Realizing that his attempt to become a disciple had failed, Guardian Michael tore off the facade. "Hmph!" Chris sneered. "Do you think I care about the likes of the Ghost Sect?"
Revealing not just one, but three Dragon Emblem fragments, Chris taunted, "If you want it, come and take it from me. I have more than one. Do you have what it takes?" Chris's possession of three fragments left Guardian Michael dumbfounded. He distinctly remembered Chris obtaining only one from Jefferson Village's Ye Wen's tomb. How had Chris acquired two more in such a short time?
Before Guardian Michael could react, Chris brandished yet another fragment. "See, I now have three Dragon Emblem fragments. Are they really that important? To me, they are nothing more than scraps of paper. Unfortunately, if you want them, you'll have to take them from me."
Infuriated, Guardian Michael could not match Chris's verbal assaults. Defeated, he regretted speaking at all. "Chris, if you have the guts, just kill me!"
"Kill you?" Chris sneered. "You're nothing but a wretch, not worth dirtying my hands over!" Guardian Michael felt utterly humiliated. When had he, Guardian Michael of the esteemed Ghost Sect, ever been so insulted? Chris's disdainful look was more agonizing than death itself.
"Chris!" With a roar, Guardian Michael leaped to his feet, rushing at Chris like a bolt, his hand shooting out like lightning toward Chris's throat. His face contorted with fury, desperate to salvage his pride.
But with a resounding blow, Chris sent Guardian Michael flying once more. As he struggled to rise, blood gushed from his mouth uncontrollably, leaving him utterly defeated.
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