Linley's Decision

His greatest regret was that he had never reached the God Level. Ever since meeting Linley, Linley's innate brilliance and their long association had made him regard Linley as a disciple. He had poured all his efforts into guiding Linley's cultivation.

"Hehe! The body may have been destroyed, but the soul remains. How can one be said to be dead?" Wharton said. "After people of the Material Plane die, their souls enter the Underworld. As long as they have not reached the God Level, they can continue cultivating.

"As long as you can comprehend the Laws of Heaven and Earth, you can reshape your body and return to life."

"Hehe, I have two secret manuals here. One is earth-elemental, and the other concerns the soul. I think these two books can help you leave the Panlong Ring sooner!" Wharton took out two secret manuals.

The next day, Linley announced Hogg's death.

At the same time Linley announced Hogg's death, Wharton and Hogg quietly left Wushan Town and headed first for the O'Brien Empire. Hillman remained behind to help Linley settle matters before joining them.

Before leaving, Wharton gave Linley two bottles of Foundation-Building Pills, along with secret manuals for every element, and told Linley to distribute them as he saw fit.

Three months later, the two arrived in the O'Brien Empire. Linley had already gone to Fenlai City and accepted the Fenlai Kingdom's reward.

Upon returning to the O'Brien Imperial Capital, Hiri could hardly believe his eyes when he saw Hogg. Only after settling Hogg down did Wharton head to O'Brien Academy.

After arriving at the dormitory, Wharton went straight to the Kane brothers and Bulen. He told them about his irreconcilable conflict with the Bright Church, as well as his intention to establish a faction. Just as Wharton had expected, they all expressed their support.

When it came to forming a faction, Wharton's first thought was the Tiger-Striped Clan, another Ultimate Warrior Clan. After telling Kane and Kate his idea, they unexpectedly agreed without hesitation.

They, too, deeply detested the Church's actions toward the Ultimate Warriors. They said they would return home and discuss joining forces with their family.

Wharton also revealed his desire to gather the four great Ultimate Warrior Clans and resist the Church together.

"Wharton, I have absolutely no objections. Even my father and the others will definitely agree with your idea. We'll pack up and leave for home tomorrow. Then we can seek out the other two clans." Kane immediately said.

Wharton set out from O'Brien with Kane, leaving Little Gold in O'Brien to protect Hogg. The Tiger-Striped Clan had long lived in the Dark Alliance, and the three headed in that direction. It was Wharton's first time setting foot on Dark Alliance territory.

Kane had now reached the Peak Level Seven Warrior stage. After transforming, he could directly reach the Peak Level Eight Warrior stage. Even against an ordinary Level Nine Warrior, he had the strength to fight.

"Kane, how many Tiger-Striped Warriors are left in your clan now?" Wharton asked on the road.

"Ultimate Warrior Clans have always had few members. Things are relatively good in my generation. Aside from my parents, I have an uncle. My uncle has a daughter and a son, but they're both still young. Neither my father nor my uncle awakened their tiger stripes. Only my father's body reached the Level Seven Warrior stage, while my uncle should be at the Peak Level Six Warrior stage. I just don't know whether he has broken through." Kane answered regretfully.

"We've been out for over a month already. We should be almost there, right?"

"My home is inside Dark Holy City. We'll arrive in a few more days."

Three days later

Kane and Wharton arrived at Dark Holy City. The headquarters of the Dark Church was atop the mountain behind the city, so most of the magi they saw cultivated dark-element magic. Even the Dark Kingdom soldiers guarding the gates wore black armor. Members of the Dark Church could be seen everywhere. Though it was not as large as Fenlai City of the Bright Church, it was still far larger than the capital of an ordinary kingdom.

After passing through Dark Holy City, they could proceed to the town where Kane's family lived. Like the Dragonblood Warrior Clan, the Tiger-Striped Clan was merely the nobility of a small town. However, Kane's father was a marquis of the Dark Alliance and possessed a fine marquis's estate. Compared to the dilapidated Dragonblood Warrior Clan, they were far better off.