Chapter 297: Old Acquaintances (2/2)

”Gravis,” Manuel said with neutral eyes, which quickly transformed into a genuine smile, surprising Gravis. ”Thank you for taking revenge on Byron,” he said with a polite bow. ”Byron has killed master. I wanted to take revenge myself, but it would have taken at least another decade, and that was considering that Ancestor Darkness wouldn't interfere.”

Manuel sighed. ”To be honest, I am kind of frustrated that it wasn't me who killed Byron, but if it had been me, he would have survived for, at least, another decade. After thinking about this, I decided that I would rather prefer a swift death performed by someone else instead of a delayed one performed by me. So, thank you.”

Gravis sighed. ”You don't need to thank me,” Gravis said. ”I didn't do it for you or your master, after all. It was a personal enmity with Byron. He has used me to kill your disciple brothers. I am also sorry for your master's death. When your master arrived at our battleground, he didn't kill me indiscriminately but actually saved me from Byron's influence. I honestly regret his death.”

Manuel smiled a sad smile. ”Thank you. You know, I was angry at you for a long while, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that all of this wasn't your doing.” Manuel chuckled a little. ”And to be frank, our fight has given me quite some tempering. Though this is also a bittersweet feeling.”

Gravis looked at him. ”Because, if your master hadn't died, it would have become very difficult to temper yourself in the future, right?”

Manuel nodded. ”Yes. Getting saved by someone in a fight is a big issue. If he had survived, my path forward would have become way more challenging.” Manuel sighed again and looked at the horizon. ”Sometimes, I even think that he had already realized Byron's scheme when he arrived. He probably knew that he would die, yet, for my path forward, he sacrificed his life.”

Gravis sighed when he heard that. It actually made a lot of sense. This made Byron's scheme even more terrifying. It was not only a hidden scheme that was difficult to see through but also an open scheme for the Wind Sect Master. Byron's scheming and planning ability had been really terrifying.

”So, you taking part in the resource war?” Manuel asked.

Gravis nodded.

Manuel looked at Gravis' group. ”Their cultivation is a Realm lower than yours. On top of that, their cultivation isn't even at the peak. I'm guessing that you are splitting up?”

Gravis nodded, but before he could answer, he was interrupted.

”Hey, are you one of Gravis' friends?” Joyce asked with interest. Then, she offered her hand. ”Hi! I'm Joyce! Nice to meet you!” she chirped.

Manuel looked at Joyce with a smile, but deep in his eyes, one could see shock. This person had a Unity Will! That was incredible! ”Hello, Joyce. I am Manuel,” his eyes also shone with another light of recognition. ”You have gone through the tenth Stage of Magic Gathering?” he asked.

Joyce nodded. ”Yes! Gravis has told me many secrets that made me change my mind.”

Manuel's eyes shone again. ”So, you hadn't gone through the tenth Stage before you met Gravis? Why is that?”

Joyce scratched the back of her neck. ”I'm not sure if I'm allowed to tell you those things. You should ask Gravis,” she said.

Manuel turned to Gravis. ”Would you tell me?”

Gravis sighed. ”Alright. Take it as my repayment for almost killing you,” Gravis said.

And with that, Gravis told Manuel about the Middle-World and how it was imperative that every cultivator that wanted to go there needed to go through the Self Stage.