The Return of Abraham

"How impressive is he?"

"Since you're so eager to know, then I'll show you."

"Rivier, step forward!"

At Bode's command, the boy named Rivier stepped out.

"Everyone else, clear the area!"

Rivier walked up to Jonathan. He was a head taller than Jonathan, standing at about 1.56 meters, with a fairly sturdy build.

He looked down at Jonathan, his eyes filled with disdain.

Jonathan showed no expression, his heart as calm as still water.

"Are you ready?"

"Anytime," Rivier said.

Jonathan nodded.

Bode glanced at both of them. "The match begins!"

Rivier's friends began cheering him on.

Jonathan felt no pressure at all. Seeing Rivier charge straight at him with fists clenched, he stood motionless, only turning his body to the side when the fist was inches from his face.

The agility of his movement drew gasps of surprise from the surrounding boys.

Bode's eyes also revealed a look of astonishment. This kid has improved again. What a terrifying youth!

Rivier gritted his teeth, using every ounce of his strength to throw a flurry of punches and kicks, but Jonathan dodged them all with ease.

Bode took a closer look at Jonathan and noticed something strapped to his calves, arms, and waist.

Because they were hidden under his clothes, one wouldn't have noticed them without looking closely.

"Impressive!"

Having guessed the truth, Bode couldn't help but praise the boy before him.

"You coward! If you've got guts, stop dodging! Do you dare to face me head-on?"

Jonathan wasn't about to be provoked by a few words, but he knew dragging this out was pointless. His figure flickered, and before Rivier could blink, Jonathan had vanished from his sight.

By the time Rivier reacted, Jonathan had already pressed his hand, shaped like a blade, against Rivier's throat.

"If I were holding a Dagger, your throat would be slit, and you would be dead on the spot."

Rivier felt a chill run from his tailbone to the top of his head. Covered in cold sweat, he raised his hands and stammered, "I... I surrender."

Jonathan pulled his hand away and walked over to pick up his food again.

Bode said, "Now you know what it means when they say there is always someone better, right? Jonathan is only eight years old, the same age as the youngest among you."

The surrounding boys immediately let out cries of shock.

"Eight years old? He's the same age as me, this is way too strong!"

"Yeah, he's incredible!"

"How on earth does he train?"

Rivier also stared at Jonathan in shock; he was even younger than he had imagined.

Jonathan said, "Uncle Bode, I have things to do, so I'll be heading back now!"

"Go ahead. Thanks for this, I'll treat you to a meal next time!"

Jonathan neither nodded nor refused; he gave a faint smile and walked off into the distance.

"Now you know what a genius is. I've seen him train; the intensity is at least ten times yours."

"In that match just now, if I'm not mistaken, Jonathan was still wearing weighted gear."

"Weighted gear?!" Rivier was shocked once more, his face full of disbelief.

"His strength is already no weaker than a formal warrior."

"It's impossible for you to catch up to him in this lifetime, but as long as you set him as your goal and keep demanding more from yourselves, you can become excellent warriors in the future. Surpassing me wouldn't even be difficult."

"Really, Instructor?"

"Of course!"

"So, do you still want to rest?"

Rivier said with a serious expression, "Until I collapse from exhaustion, I, Rivier, will not rest!"

"Good, then let's continue!"

This was just a minor interlude for Jonathan. Once he returned home, he continued his training as usual.

In the afternoon, he would set aside two hours to cultivate his Dou Qi.

According to Abraham's testing, he was capable of cultivating Dou Qi manuals with the dark attribute. Since Abraham cultivated the Assassination Dou Dian, Jonathan could also practice it, so that was the manual he was currently using.

Streams of black Dou Qi energy were channeled into Jonathan's body, refined according to the circulation paths recorded in the Assassination Dou Dian, and then used to strengthen his muscles, bones, and even his internal organs.

The refined battle qi appeared dark red, possessing a slight corrosive property.

Once struck by this battle qi, the wound would gradually corrode and fester; if not treated immediately, it could even become life-threatening.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

Seeing that Abraham had yet to return, a sense of worry sprouted in his heart.

The profession of an assassin carried immense risk; once a mission resulted in a failure to return on time, it was highly likely that an accident had occurred.

And accidents almost always tended to take a turn for the worse.

Jonathan stood at the doorway, gazing into the distance, silently praying for Abraham in his heart.

Feeling powerless, he could only continue his training and cultivation day after day.

A week later, Abraham returned.

However, upon his return, he was left with only one arm, and a long scar had been added to his face.

It was clear that he had experienced a perilous battle.

Jonathan rushed over like a sharp arrow, arriving before him to touch the empty sleeve, his expression gloomy and his eyes filled with sorrow.

Abraham used his remaining hand to stroke Jonathan's head, smiling as he said, "Don't be sad, I made it back alive, didn't I?"

"Besides, there is some good news: from now on, I'll have more time to accompany you in your training."

Even though his soul was that of a middle-aged man who had lived for decades, Jonathan's eyes were brimming with tears at this very moment.

"Father, I will take care of you from now on!"

Upon hearing this, Abraham chuckled, "What are you saying? Even if I've lost an arm, I haven't reached the point where I need a little brat like you to take care of me."

"Let's go, let's head inside. Is there anything to eat? I'm a bit hungry."

"I just bought some meat and vegetables in Blackstone Town yesterday. I'll go make you something!"

Several days later.

"You say you want to test your magic talent?"

Abraham wore a serious expression, thinking for a moment before saying, "Even if you test and find you have magic talent, how can you ensure your magic talent will match your potential in battle qi cultivation?"

"There are those on this continent who cultivate both as warriors and mages, but such people are extremely rare—so rare they can be counted on one hand."

"More importantly, dual cultivation will slow down your progress, making it not worth the loss."

"With your talent in battle qi, I believe it is only a matter of time before you surpass me. Even the Saint Realm is not impossible in the future, but if you take up magic as well..."

"Have you ever thought that you might end up with nothing at all!"

Jonathan had already prepared his counterargument, smiling as he said, "Father, it's not as complicated as you think. I just want to test whether or not I have magic talent."

"If I do, practicing it a little wouldn't be a bad thing. At the very least, magic could enhance my ability to save my own life."

"If my magic talent is very ordinary, then simple practice will be enough; I won't delve into it deeply."

Seeing the determination in Jonathan's eyes, Abraham sighed, "Fine, I will go to Black Flame City tomorrow to inquire about it for you."

"Thank you, Father!"