Third Master?

"Really?" Du Chen's eyes lit up. "What makes you so sure?"

Deboning said, "Do you recall what I told you, Young Master, back when you were a Battle Mage yet insisted on engaging in close-quarters combat with the Vanishing Snow Sword? For a Battle Mage to fight hand-to-hand might seem ludicrous to outsiders, and even ordinary Battle-Warriors could cripple themselves due to a lack of specialized training! Yet, neither I nor your esteemed teacher, Zigurd, ever stopped you. That's because we, who have reached the Titled Battle God realm and possess an unparalleled understanding of the Battle God's Path's initial two stages, knew well that your physique far surpassed that of common men. You were no ordinary Battle-Warrior. While it may have seemed absurd to painstakingly hone physical combat techniques during your Battle Mage phase, once you ascend to the rank of a Fiend Battle God, it will bestow upon you unforeseen advantages!"

Du Chen touched his nose and chuckled, "I understand. For others, levels six through nine are the stages for body tempering. But my body, it began its tempering during my Battle-Warrior phase, and my Lotus Sacred Artifact has further refined it. Therefore, during this six-to-nine level progression, I shall achieve an unprecedented rate of advancement!"

"Indeed!" Deboning nodded with a smile, calculating. "Legend has it, Charlemagne, the Foremost Battle God beneath the Starry Sky, took a year and a half to become a Battle God, then another ten years to achieve the Titled Battle God realm... By my estimations, Young Master, you will need no more than eight years!" As he spoke, Deboning sighed with a mixture of wonder and regret. Eight years! The Young Master was only seventeen now, meaning he'd be merely twenty-five by then!

What realm would the Young Master reach by the time he was his own age...?

Moreover, none of these calculations factored in the Young Master's enigmatic sacred artifact and inner strength!

Du Chen, not forgetting his trump cards, chuckled faintly, "That's eight years *on the surface*... Heh, I haven't told you yet, after slaying the Merfolk, my true strength now stands at... the peak of the eighth level! Enough to contend with Brockman!"

Deboning's eyes widened, but he refrained from asking. He knew well that the Young Master's sacred artifact and inner strength were unfathomably mysterious, and it was best not to pry.

But, from an imbecile to an eighth-level expert in two years... Even Charlemagne would pale in comparison! No, he'd be utterly outclassed! Worlds apart!

Du Chen smiled, "So, next, I need to temper my body, cultivate a Martial Battle Soul, and then achieve Twin Souls Unification, correct?" After receiving confirmation, he asked with curiosity, "And then? What lies beyond the ninth level on the Battle God's Path?"

"After completing Twin Souls Unification at the ninth level, one must then begin to integrate a second element. According to the Battle God ranking system, before the Godslayer War, the stage after ninth level but before perfect integration of the second element was still considered ninth-level. But now, with the gods fallen and battle qi in decline, it has been reclassified as the tenth-level realm – the Titled Battle God! Currently, those at this stage include the Rebellious Dragon Constantine, Sea Emperor Thanes, Blade of Heaven Ben whose fate is unknown, Zigurd the Headmaster of Battle God Academy, Flaying... and, of course, myself, who has recently and abruptly reached this realm!"

Deboning suddenly chuckled, "Oh, right, there's also the Foremost Assassin under Heaven, Galas, who once helped you reject a marriage proposal. The one who looks very much like a youth!"

These were all well-known names! Du Chen suddenly noticed a few familiar faces missing and couldn't help but ask, "Where is my nominal master, Roland? And what realms are the Pontiff and the Dragon God in? And Arthur's grandfather, Lionheart King Alonso?"

"Roland... I truly can't gauge his strength once he unsheathes his sacred artifact sword. As for the Pontiff and the Dragon God, they have already fused their second elements; they are gods who stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your ancestor, Sigurd! If we were to classify their power, they would be considered... Eleventh-level!"

After a moment's thought, Deboning shrugged. "As for Alonso... he was a god in his prime. The Twin Prodigies of Azure Heaven — Martial Venerable Robert and Lionheart Alonso — oh, what might and majesty they possessed! But now... he's nothing more than a toothless, decrepit old lion, worse than dog droppings!" His disdain was palpable!

Du Chen frowned slightly. Deboning speaking so disparagingly of his friend's grandfather caused a flicker of displeasure, yet his curiosity was piqued. "But a toothless lion is still a lion..."

Deboning shook his head. "Young Master, you need not concern yourself with Alonso. After Robert's death, Alonso not only failed to seize the opportunity to unify Azure Heaven, but instead indulged in wine and women, allowing the state's affairs to decay! In my estimation, Sovereign Sobel, Martial Venerable Robert's son – said to be a prodigious talent with ambitions no less than his father's – will soon be using Alonso's lion's mane to weave cushions!" He rarely cracked a joke.

"Has Reno's situation truly deteriorated to such an extent? And Arthur, who is now serving in the army across the sea..." Du Chen glanced at the southern sky outside the window, then retracted his gaze. Matters of the Azure Heaven Continent were beyond even the Holy Church's intervention; he might as well save himself the worry!

"Furthermore, Young Master," Deboning said earnestly, "among those I just mentioned, I've recently encountered some, and I can confirm their strength. But others, I've only inferred their current power based on their past performances; they might be even stronger now... And there's one individual who is the most difficult to gauge: Constantine!"

"Oh? Why?"

"An expert who was already at the tenth level, fleeing from countless dragons on Mount Miglio for decades, enduring innumerable battles of life and death... His strength, I fear, no one but Constantine himself could truly ascertain how far he has advanced!"

Constantine... Du Chen was dumbfounded.

"Oh, great and benevolent Master, your Divine Pet, Andy, has returned!" Harry's excited shouts echoed from afar, followed by the pitter-patter of Shieb's eager footsteps. He rushed to the door but stopped, whispering, "But someone else returned with Andy, a seemingly ordinary human! Yet, he claims to be Andy's father!"

*Creak*, Du Chen abruptly pushed open the door, his right hand touching his nose, his left patting Harry's shoulder. As he strode toward the main hall, he asked gravely, "Are you certain it's a *human* claiming to be Andy's father?"

Harry vigorously nodded!

Du Chen paused. "Deboning, do not emerge for now; conceal yourself within my sacred artifact! Harry, fetch Lady Belmonde for me first, then prepare a feast to entertain our esteemed guest!"

Heh, how did Andy suddenly acquire a father? And one with a human appearance! He must either be a charlatan, or a powerful Aberrant Beast whose strength exceeds the ninth level!

Carrying Belmonde into the main hall, even before entering, little Beibei tugged at Du Chen's long hair and then shook her head, subtly hinting to Du Chen: *He's no charlatan! He's a formidable master, so powerful that even little Beibei struggles to discern his true strength!* If even Beibei couldn't perceive his life force, he was naturally an absurdly potent being!

Du Chen tilted his head back, took a deep breath, and a genial smile graced his lips. He handed little Beibei to a servant to take away, then swept aside the curtains and entered the main hall. "Oh, Andy, so you were off to see your father these past few days? Why didn't you mention it? I would have prepared some gifts to present to your father!"

Inside the hall, a figure in a black robe sat at a round table, their features obscured. Andy, meanwhile, was sleeping at their feet, snoring audibly.

Constantine sized up Du Chen, his gaze settling on Andy's head. "Are you Francis? Have your retainers withdraw. I have a few matters I wish to discuss with you privately!"

Du Chen's smile broadened into a hearty laugh. He waved his hand. "Everyone, out! Do not return without my command!" With Deboning safely within the Lotus Sacred Artifact, there was no need for servants to remain.

Once only Du Chen and Andy remained in the room, Constantine removed his hat. His hawkish eyes swept over Du Chen, and he nodded. "You possess a certain courage! I am Andy's father — Constantine!"

Du Chen's heart gave a 'thump'. The Rebellious Dragon, whose power among the Five Peaks of Myriad Streams was the most unfathomable, had arrived!?

And he claimed to be Andy's father! Damn it, was this a repercussion from when he had deceived those three female Tyrant Dragons in the Misty Forest!?

But what if you *are* Constantine!? With Deboning, who is of your caliber, by my side, and being the lord of Lanning with thousands of troops, am I to fear you on my own territory!?

With the servants gone, Du Chen sat opposite Constantine, gently poured two glasses of red wine, and stated calmly, "So it is one of the Five Peaks of Myriad Streams. Your reputation precedes you!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Constantine's hawkish eyes, and he chuckled, "Typically, upon hearing my name, people either flee in terror, show extreme deference, or draw their blades to kill... You, however, are quite an anomaly!"

"Since you claim to be Andy's father, then we are not enemies, at least not for now, correct?" Du Chen offered a wine glass to Constantine, took a sip from his own, and held it aloft. "If we are not enemies, why should I flee in disarray? This is my Lord's Manor, and as a host entertaining a guest, why should I be overly submissive? As for drawing blades to kill... I am not of the Dragon Clan, nor do I lack their bounties. Why would I create a powerful enemy by slaying you...? Sir, I am merely a human who understands the stakes, hardly an anomaly, would you not agree?"

"A remarkable Francis, indeed. You're telling me that we have no conflicting interests; rather, we are both Andy's kin, and can certainly sit down and converse, yes?" Constantine grasped Du Chen's underlying message, re-evaluating the seventeen-year-old lord.

He stroked the fur on Andy's head. "Three days ago, my people seized Andy. My purpose was to personally confirm Andy's lineage without interference!"

"That, I understand!" Du Chen shrugged. *Hmph, is Constantine implying he isn't alone, that he has many subordinates?* "Now that you've graced my presence, I presume you've confirmed Andy is indeed your bloodline! But are you truly certain? My Divine Pet and you possess too many discrepancies!"

"Of course, I have ample evidence!"

Just then, Andy awoke, looking around. "Hehe, finally home!" He scrambled over to Du Chen, grinning sheepishly. "Master, Andy hasn't eaten in three days..." He glanced back at Constantine. "That... Third Master's food, I really couldn't stomach it, heh! Heh!"

Third Master!? Andy called Constantine "Third Master"!?