"You're not too slow, arriving directly at the gate. It seems your approach carries a certain stealth; perhaps this is the perfect opportunity to test the results of my own cultivation these past few days."

The one currently holding watch in the castle wasn't Yang Ying, but Blade. He sensed a disturbance from the spiritual world, immediately realizing a peak Third Level master had approached. Moments later, a report arrived from the port: Lunge, the leader of the Kustar delegation, requested an audience with Yang Ying.

Blade instructed the port to ignore them and let them through. Then, with a burst of speed like lightning, he flew out of the castle toward the port. His loose monk's robe snapped loudly in the strong wind, and soon the port appeared before him. However, Blade didn't land at the port itself; instead, he descended onto a nearby hill a short distance away, seating himself at a vantage point to await the arrival of Lunge and the Kustar party.

While waiting, Blade mused to himself: "It’s a good thing preparations were made early. Jin Sailer gave a warning last night, so before dawn this morning, the main body, Katarina, and Landon took Bai Bai to the moon for recreation, and Calia and the others have gone to the Floating Continent. Otherwise, a battle of this peak level might have inadvertently harmed them. Furthermore, I should try to maneuver the engagement away from here if possible; even if I don't harm anyone, damaging the flora isn't ideal."

After waiting on the observation platform for a minute or two, the Kustar delegation emerged from the port. Lunge, leading the group, visibly changed expression and abruptly looked up towards the hill, his gaze meeting Blade's exactly.

Blade felt Lunge's eyes blaze with an intense crimson light, a wave of scorching energy stabbing towards him along their line of sight. It was identical to what happened on the landing pad earlier, only this time, Master Tu Xin had intercepted the probing attack, and now it was his turn.

"Testing someone just to meet them—that trick is stale. But fine, I'll show you the might of the Divine Race's Thunder Magic." Blade opened his eyes, and within them seemed to be another world, one currently enacting a thunderstorm. Coils of electric serpents darted and weaved, instantly traversing the void to shoot directly at Lunge.

Divine Race Thunder Magic was Yang Ying's signature deterrent, and moreover, Blade's psychic power had reached the absolute limit of the Third Level, placing him a step above Lunge.

Lunge felt his radiant light being split by the lightning emanating from the eyes of this unknown individual. It exploded outwards, stinging his eyes so badly he almost had to shut them. He inwardly cursed: This master of unknown origin is terrifyingly powerful. I recall seeing two experts on the rooftop a few days ago: Elder Tu Xin of the Nianji Temple, and Yang Ying, leader of the Teran Mercenary Corps. This man on the hill was never mentioned in the intelligence. Aren't there supposed to be only six peak Third Level humans? Why is there a seventh? And his psychic power is so profound! Still, victory isn't just about deep psychic reserves. My combat techniques, guided by my teacher, might not lose to him.

Although Lunge ultimately managed to keep his eyes open, his brow was tightly furrowed, twitching several times. His expression was clearly strained, indicating he had lost the initial exchange. Several of the Kustar attendants looked displeased seeing their superior suffer a setback.

"Follow me."

The probing attack ended as swiftly as it began. Lunge circulated his psychic energy and recovered, but his previous detached expression was replaced by a trace of ferocity. He flashed down the hill with his attendants and barked, "Who are you, and what is your relationship with the Teran Mercenary Corps?"

Lunge spoke flawless Terran language; otherwise, he wouldn't have been chosen to lead this delegation to Earth. Blade leisurely stood up, observing Lunge and the others, thinking to himself: These Kustar people call themselves a visiting delegation? I see them more as an invading one. Testing everyone they meet—how utterly presumptuous.

Many thoughts raced through his mind, but his face broke into a slight smile. "I am Colonel Commander Blade of the Teran Mercenary Corps. You must be Lunge, leader of the Kustar delegation. Indeed, you have cultivated quite formidable skills."

The Teran Mercenary Corps was now vast and successful; the ranks of its commanders had risen accordingly—there were likely two hundred and fifty or three hundred generals. Yet, Blade remained as he was, holding the rank of Colonel. Of course, for Blade, military rank was merely a title with no practical significance.

Hearing the words "formidable skills," Lunge instantly gritted his teeth, perceiving Blade as mocking him. The light flames in his eyes flickered erratically, and he likely cursed Blade countless times internally. However, encountering an unexpected peak Third Level master forced Lunge to take greater caution.

Remembering his mission in the Solar System, Lunge stepped forward, staring intently at Blade. "You are called Blade? Since you are a peak Third Level expert, you must hold considerable status within the Teran Mercenary Corps. I ask you: How did Hardek, commander of the Ancient Legion, die?"

In the preceding days, Lunge and his group had been collecting data on the Pluto engagement. However, that battle had been conducted entirely by the Teran Mercenary Corps, and its details were too closely guarded for outsiders to know. Lunge had only managed to confirm that the Terans were the ones who acted.

Upon hearing Lunge get straight to the point, Blade laughed. "You wish to inquire about Hardek's death, but—"

"Because we are strong! Because we represent the great Kustar Star! We could sweep the Solar System with a quarter of our fleet. You mere Earthlings dare to evade Lord Lunge's question? Consider the consequences of such defiance; even a peak Third Level expert cannot afford it!" a Kustar attendant behind Lunge hissed fiercely.

Seeing a Kustar attendant with only Second Level spiritual power dare to be so arrogant, Blade felt a mix of annoyance and amusement. Yet, he understood this stemmed from the vast gap between the Kustar Star and Earth—much like the disparity between a developed nation and an African tribe in Earth's past; a difference between heaven and earth.

The attendant, relying on his Kustar nationality and powerful backing, never considered that an Earthling would dare attack him. Even if Blade was a peak Third Level expert, in his eyes, he was probably no more significant than an untamed tribal chieftain.

Lunge did not stop his attendant from interrupting. Some things were unsuitable for him, the leader, to say, but letting an attendant say them was fine; at worst, he could reprimand the subordinate if he stepped too far, and then continue negotiations.

Suddenly, Lunge’s expression changed as he saw a thunder dragon surge from Blade’s body, coiling towards the attendant. Lunge waved his hand, projecting a psychic barrier in front of the attendant. However, the thunder dragon instantly shifted course, its momentum increasing dozens of times over, striking towards Lunge. Lunge roared, unleashing a shield composed of fiery crimson light emanating from his body. But the thunder dragon split in two: one larger dragon continued toward Lunge, while a smaller lightning snake diverted toward the attendant.

The larger thunder dragon struck the shield formed by the crimson light, causing ripples across its surface but failing to penetrate it. However, this large dragon was merely a feint by Blade to distract Lunge; the primary target was the smaller lightning snake. Seizing the moment Lunge was occupied, the small snake instantly shattered the psychic barrier and coiled around the attendant, electrocuting him until his body was charred black, emitting smoke.

The attendant screamed hideously from the electrocution. Lunge roared in fury and thrust his palm out, sucking the lightning snake off the attendant into his grasp. But the attendant was already scorched, his skin torn, collapsing to the ground, barely breathing.

Yang Ying had recently integrated methods from the Nian Neng Temple with Divine Race Thunder Magic, making its use far more versatile. Blade had specifically aimed the lightning snake's attack at the attendant's brain, having it drill in and out of his seven orifices, electrochemically denaturing the proteins within his mind.

The brain is the core of any intelligent creature and one of its most vulnerable organs. Second Level psychics cannot overcome the brain's limitations; damage to it results in a vegetative state, or if healed, idiocy. However, Third Level psychics have transcended the mundane; they break past the brain's constraints, allowing gradual recovery even from severe cerebral damage.

Of course, psychics generally learn to strengthen their organs and shield them with mental energy. But the attendant was only a Second Level psychic, far inferior to Blade. Even a small fraction of Blade's power was enough to breach his defenses and cook his brain.

Lunge knew instantly what had happened by looking at his attendant; even if he survived, he was ruined. Having been tied up by the large thunder dragon, he couldn't protect his subordinate, losing face in front of Blade and the other attendants. How could he tolerate such an insult?

"You dare, Blade, to attack a member of the Kustar delegation? Who gave you such audacity?"

Lunge roared, and a light-saber hilt flew out from his sleeve. Lunge grasped the hilt and activated the blade; with a zzzzla sound, the golden light illuminated the surroundings, and a killing aura permeated the air.

"Enough. Even a mud Buddha has a temper. You have shown too much latitude towards your subordinate. Hardek died by the hands of our Teran Mercenary Corps. If you intend to act so recklessly on our ground, you should first assess how many lives you possess."

Blade detached the light sword from his waist, activated it with a zzzzla—an identical golden blade—illuminating Lunge’s flickering face.

Yes, the Teran Mercenary Corps had eliminated a Fourth Level expert; that was an undeniable fact, stronger than any eloquent argument. Karagunes himself confirmed that the Solar System possessed the power to kill a Fourth Level being, and currently, that power likely rested with the Teran Mercenary Corps. Lunge pointed his light sword at Blade, freezing in place—neither advancing to fight nor retracting his weapon.

Blade’s unwavering decision to electrocute the attendant into charcoal was also based on careful consideration. Having killed a Fourth Level being was the Teran Mercenary Corps' greatest asset; it allowed for bluffing, bargaining, and intimidating the Kustar group.

If he showed half a step of retreat here, the Kustar people, relying on their deep background, would become even more unrestrained, pushing their demands until they achieved their goal. Lunge's tolerance of his attendant’s behavior showed that this trend must be crushed immediately with overwhelming force before any negotiation with the Kustar delegation could take place.