The Valor name had produced some of the fiercest warlords in Astria's history. But two stood above the rest.The first was Nautilus Valor, a commander from a humble farming family during the Warring States Era.He was the founding figure of the Bulwark Sect. His strength was beyond belief. Back in the Warring States Era, he'd taken on the First Empire's Cavalry with nothing but his bare hands and didn't even break a sweat. He took down miles of First Empire's land in a single night. Tens of thousands of First Empire's soldiers fled in panic. Even Geoffrey Kenzington, the man who'd killed millions of enemies alone, praised him as unmatched.The second was Warsong Valor, the final shield of Odin Collins during the End Years. A one-man army who could block ten thousand troops, a fighter so fierce he was said to rival the Trinity Empire's top general, Bruce Landmark.And Darian? He was the most legendary Valor descendant in the past hundred years. The Bulwark Sect's one-in-a-century prodigy. His power nearly caught up with the old master Nautilus himself. People called him "the Iron Wall." His mastery over body-enhancement techniques let him stop a speeding train with just his hands. He could take down Western warships and artillery using only brute force.But now, that same living legend had just been knocked back by a rising star. A young fighter who looked no older than twenty.He'd been forced back twenty yards. His feet carved two deep lines into the desert, dragging across the sand until his heel hit the line. One inch over.But that inch sealed the match.Darian raised his arms. They were still shaking. He turned and looked behind him. His gaze narrowed the second he caught that heel mark stretching just beyond the line."You lost."Leander stood dozens of yards away, slowly lowering his fist. His voice was calm."I lost?"Darian stood there, stunned. His expression kept shifting. But after a few seconds, his face settled, and a strange smile crept in."You really are something, Sovereign Ashcroft. I clearly underestimated you."His voice dipped as he continued. "Half a month ago, I had a brief meeting with the Dragon Emperor. He told me the future of Astria's martial world—the future of the Eastern King Phases—would belong to you. I thought he was overselling it. But after that punch today, I finally get it."I've known the Dragon Emperor for almost a hundred years. Not once have I heard him praise someone from the younger generation. Jeff, you're the first."You've earned that title of 'living legend.' No doubt about it."Every word he said came straight from the heart. His Iron Body might not have reached the god-level being threshold, but once it had reached its peak, he'd become almost completely untouchable. Unless it was something specifically designed to break through heavy armor, bullets and explosives couldn't even scratch him.With Primordial Energy reinforcing him, he was like a steel tower rooted deep in the earth. Even a speeding sports car wouldn't have been able to move him an inch.But Leander's punch had hit like a tectonic shift. All that strength compressed into a single blow. Brutal. Precise. Overwhelming. Darian had thrown all his Primordial Energy into defense, and he still got sent flying twenty yards.That punch alone proved Leander's power.Darian bowed again."I lost this bet fair and square."And I honor my word. I won't step into that vault. I'll stay right here and guard the entrance. No one gets in."Matthias and Tobey could barely believe what they were hearing. Their eyes widened in disbelief.This was the same immortal legend from the Bulwark Sect. The same former elite of the old imperial court. Even in the King Phase war, he'd never lost a fight. He once took on three King Phases with just his body and came out the other side with his reputation stronger than ever.But now, Leander had thrown one punch—and he conceded. It may have been just a bet, but for men like them, who had always treated Darian like a god, it still felt surreal.The two of them exchanged a glance. Then they both looked at Leander. The fear in their eyes was unmistakable.For the first time, they understood what it meant to be a "living legend." Even a century-old King Phase couldn't stand against him.Darian had admitted defeat without hesitation. And Leander didn't gloat. In fact, his respect for Darian only grew.Of all the powerful figures he'd met,few had the same strength of character, The coldness in Leander's eyes softened a little. "It was just a bet. It has nothing to do with strength As for who's stronger wel figure that out some other day." He turned and started walking toward the oasis. His voice carried back."Hold the line for me. Anyone who tries to break in-kill them on sight." That last sentence was aimed at everyone in the area. Ophelia had still been clinging to hope, but the moment she heard that, her face turned pale and she froze.Back when Leander gave her the choice-cut ties with Cedric and make him leave —she thought he was just lashing out. She hadn't taken it seriously.But now, a world-class powerhouse had just promised to stand guard for Leander without asking for anything in return. The shift in tone was beyond jarring.As Leander walked past, she instinctively stepped sideways to put distance between herself and Cedric.Then she walked up beside Leander, eyes pleading, posture low, and her voice soft. "Leander... no Sovereign Ashcroft my grandfatherseriously ill. He's in pain every single day. The spring of life is the only thing that can save him. Please... I'm begging you. Let me go in with you. "My whole family-everyone in the Snowbrook estate-would be eternally grateful. Whatever it costs, we'll pay it."She might have been grateful to Leander before, but she'd still carried herself likethe proud little heiress of the Snowbrook family, always with a trace of arrogance in her voice.But now, all of that pride was gone. She looked more like a helpless girl, just praying Leander would show her some mercy."I already gave you a chance. Too bad you made the wrong call."Leander glanced at her, eyes cold, and walked right past her without pausing.She had made her choice. The consequences were hers to carry.This was what real power looked like. If the one standing here today wasn't Leanderbut just some ordinary guy, Cedric would've crushed him without blinking. Hewould've thrown him into the desert to die.But too bad for Cedric. He ran into Leander.fLeander kept walking toward the entrance of the oasis. During that time, Cedric shrank back like a scared bird, hiding among more than a dozen security guards, trying his hardest to disappear before Leander noticed him. It was the first time in his life he'd ever felt real fear.Just when he thought Leander was going to let him off, Leander turned around. Hiseyes, deep and dark, locked onto Cedric's face."You were gonna have someone dump me in the desert?"Leander's voice cut through the silence. Then he raised a hand and pressed down lightly.There was a sudden, crushing blast of force.Cedric was slammed straight into the sand, leaving behind a person-sized crater. His body was already reduced to shattered bones and pulp.noveldrama"Tell the Montgomery family they're welcome to come for revenge. Anytime."With those words, Leander stepped into the oasis, leaving behind a crowd of stunned faces frozen in terror.