Nine pieces of Level Five Refined Iron lay silently on the workbench, gleaming brightly under the sunlight.

Qian Jin stepped out of the Franlin Blacksmith Shop. Today’s supply of refined iron would be enough to keep the old smith busy forging weapons for a full day.

Fabredice’s residence was not hard to find, situated at the northernmost edge of Oakland City. It was a rather large wooden house; while not magnificent, it possessed an air of quiet solitude—the dwelling of Oakland's strongest man.

Occasionally, pedestrians passed by on the road, paying little attention to the structure. None could have guessed that the city’s guardian resided here, rather than in any of the grand, imposing buildings.

Qian Jin gently shook the visitor's bell hanging outside the door, its crisp chime echoing into the distance.

Soon after, the wooden door slowly opened, revealing a beautiful woman in her early twenties.

The woman stood at the threshold. Her skin possessed a cool paleness; she wore a low-cut, white, one-piece dress. Her hair, a shade of gold so pale it was nearly white, was coiled atop her head in a high bun, exposing her long, elegant neck. She appeared as flawlessly composed as a painting come to life.

Qian Jin’s eyelid twitched slightly. Had he come to the wrong place?

“Qian Jin, come in.” The woman slowly waved a hand, her gentle movement radiating infinite tenderness, before she slowly turned and stepped inside.

Certain he was at the right place, Qian Jin quickly hurried two steps forward to follow her in, maintaining a measured pace behind her, keenly observing her gait.

The woman's steps were not exactly gentle; they carried a trace of languor. Yet, this indolence did not detract from her beauty; instead, it projected an aura of detached indifference, a quality perfectly in tune with her overall demeanor. From their first meeting, Qian Jin felt that this woman seemed unable to keep anything she saw in her heart.

Passing through the antechamber, they entered the main hall on the ground floor.

Fabredice stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at a long sword displayed on a stand before him. Hearing the door open, he slowly turned to see Qian Jin, his look of wistfulness instantly replaced by a warm smile.

“You still came. Sit down.” Fabredice extended his right arm toward a soft armchair, his gesture imbued with the straightforward boldness expected of a warrior. “I rose early and have been waiting. I thought perhaps you wouldn't arrive today.”

Qian Jin performed the proper courtesies for a guest before sitting down, quickly remarking with a smile, “To be honest, I was worried about disturbing you if you were still asleep or perhaps cultivating your Battle Qi.”

The woman, as pristine as carved ice, then brought Qian Jin a cup of tea and quietly left the room. Although she maintained politeness throughout, she conveyed a distinct sense that nothing in this world truly concerned her.

Fabredice chuckled heartily. “I appreciate your candor, and I’m quite surprised you’ve already reached the rank of a Level Six Warrior.”

Qian Jin inwardly clicked his tongue. Truly worthy of being Oakland’s guardian. If he hadn't engaged his strength, perhaps even the Headmaster couldn't have discerned his true level. Yet, Fabredice saw it with just a glance. The guardians of any city were clearly not to be trifled with.

“Come! Let me see what the strongest young man in the first-year Warrior Class at Oakland Academy can do in combat!”

Fabredice rose to his full height, one arm lightly placed behind his back, watching Qian Jin with palpable expectation.

The strongest first-year warrior? Qian Jin smiled and stood up. With the strength of a Level Six Warrior, even without witnessing this morning’s skirmish on campus, one could easily guess the identity of the strongest. It was unprecedented for the Oakland Academy of Magic and Warriors to have a first-year student who was already a Level Six Warrior.

Qian Jin faced Fabredice, feeling akin to standing before a towering, magnificent mountain, yet his heart was still alight with eager fighting spirit.

Without any preamble, Qian Jin launched forward with lightning speed, his Battle Qi instantly surging to its peak. Utilizing the torque generated by planting his foot and twisting his waist, his arm swept out from behind him like a sheathed saber, radiating fierce momentum. He unleashed a fundamental Warrior Technique: the [Rushing Cleave]!

Brute force mixed with Battle Qi descended in a crushing palm strike, whistling out with a low whoosh. The cloth on Fabredice’s shoulder fluttered slightly, as if brushed by a light breeze.

“His power is direct and fierce, pursuing substance over flash,” Fabredice thought with silent praise, quickly moving backward to evade.

As Fabredice retreated, Qian Jin stepped precisely into the space his opponent had just occupied, immediately following up with a high kick. His heel then slammed down like a war hammer, aiming heavily toward Fabredice’s head.

After using his hand as a blade, he now used his leg as a blade! Fabredice added another layer of admiration for Qian Jin. The transition between attacks was seamless, almost without a gap. His fundamentals were rock-solid and honed through practice, foregoing flashy high-level Battle Arts for an unshakeable mastery of the basics. Fabredice suspected that only the top-tier students in their third year at Oakland Academy of Magic and Warriors could challenge him now.

In the spacious room, Qian Jin pressed his attack relentlessly. Facing the city’s guardian, there was no need for him to consider defense. Aside from instinctively refraining from using his Qian family’s Kun Battle Techniques, Qian Jin unleashed nearly his entire repertoire. The pace of their exchange accelerated rapidly, and Fabredice’s assessment of him grew ever higher.

Endurance! For a warrior, stamina was a crucial quality. Qian Jin had executed dozens of full-power strikes, yet not the slightest sign of fatigue showed.

With another upward diagonal slash, Fabredice retreated once more. The moment his foot touched the ground, his body counter-pushed forward, charging directly at Qian Jin.

Guidance! What was guidance? Merely evading could not truly provide guidance; Fabredice needed to show Qian Jin where he was going wrong.

The instant Qian Jin retracted his leg, Fabredice pressed his attack, his wrist twisting near his waist as he prepared a sudden thrust.

In that split second! Qian Jin suddenly felt an intense, scorching surge of power locked onto his chest. Almost instinctively, the hand raised high—which should have been mid-swing—suddenly clenched its five fingers into a fist. He momentarily forgot he was in the midst of a tactical exchange.

That searing lock-on instantly brought to mind the sensation of working iron near a blazing furnace. His body, utilizing the Breathing Method he had diligently practiced all night for hammer strikes, reacted without conscious thought and lashed out!

As Fabredice extended his palm with a slight smile, his eyes immediately widened with flashing disbelief. The Level Six Battle Qi he had previously projected instantly escalated to Level Seven, and the waist and back strength used for his thrust abruptly transformed into a fierce counter-offensive.

Bang!

Fabredice’s shoulder trembled slightly. After taking Qian Jin’s iron hammer blow to his shoulder, Fabredice’s own counter-punch struck Qian Jin squarely in the abdomen, sending him flying backward, crashing through and shattering the sword display stand in the room.

“This…” Fabredice stared blankly at Qian Jin. He had actually been struck first by this young man! If he hadn't possessed significantly greater strength than Qian Jin, he wouldn't have even had the chance to complete the punch aimed at the abdomen. Under conditions of equal rank, he would have lost.

:This is the final week of new book rankings for High Tower. The introductory period for a book is absolutely critical. I, Gao Lou, earnestly beg everyone to give me your member clicks and recommendation tickets. This is extremely important to me this time! Thank you all! F