Recalling the words from his father Charles Grant's letter, Edward Grant felt a surge of anger toward William Bolton and Robert Cooper standing before him.

Edward Grant was angry, but William Bolton was even angrier. As soon as he saw Edward Grant, he immediately shouted, “Huang Tian is here, it’s him—it’s him who beat me up like this! Brother Cooper, you have to avenge me, beat this outsider bastard to death!”

“Junior Brother Huang Tian, I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.” Robert Cooper said softly. Although he didn’t roar with rage like William Bolton, there was a chill in his voice.

Robert Cooper was the second son of the Niu family head, and he had an elder brother named Steven Cooper.

The Niu family was the most powerful in Beimuo County, the backbone of the Cheng and Zhang families. The family head, Richard Cooper, had reached the peak of the third level of Innate Realm, making him the number one expert in Beimuo County.

Richard Cooper named his two sons Steven Cooper and Robert Cooper. Although the names were old-fashioned, both sons made him proud.

The second son, Robert Cooper, was fifteen this year. He had entered the sect a year before Edward Grant, and half a year ago had already reached the seventh level of Martial Arts, making him a well-known genius among the outer disciples.

The eldest son, Steven Cooper, was even more renowned as the number one genius of the younger generation in Beimuo County. He had joined another sixth-grade sect of the Divine Blade Dynasty—the Dominating Fist Sect. At just seventeen, he had already stepped into the Innate Realm and become an inner disciple of the Dominating Fist Sect. It was said that his future achievements would surpass his father’s.

Edward Grant quietly looked at everyone, saying nothing. He already knew their intentions and didn’t need to ask.

Seeing Edward Grant remain silent, Robert Cooper felt as if he had punched cotton, which was very unsatisfying. He raised his voice a bit: “Junior Brother Huang Tian, when you were at the fourth level of Martial Arts, you could already challenge those at the fifth level. I hear you’ve now reached the sixth level. As your senior, I’d like to challenge you to a duel to see if you truly live up to your reputation as a genius who can challenge above your level, or if you’re just an overrated mediocrity. Do you dare to duel me?”

“Senior Brother Niu has only been at the seventh level for just over half a year, but he’s already defeated all other seventh-level opponents. How could he possibly lose to Senior Brother Niu?”

“That’s right, Senior Brother Niu is one of the elites among us outer disciples. Challenging above your level? What a joke! Senior Brother Niu will beat you so badly you’ll be picking your teeth off the ground!”

“Senior Brother Niu will defeat him with a single sword strike. How could he possibly compare to Senior Brother Niu?”

“No need for a sword—Senior Brother Niu could crush him like an ant with just one finger!”

“Yeah, a so-called genius at challenging above his level? Compared to Senior Brother Niu, he’s just trash!”

Chapter 008: Famous Among the Outer Disciples (Part 2)

These disciples were all sent by James Bolton to suppress Edward Grant, so naturally, they spared no effort in humiliating him. Besides, that’s what they truly thought.

The gap between the sixth and seventh levels of Martial Arts was huge. Seventh-level martial artists could unleash sword energy at a distance, injuring opponents without touching them, and had already stepped into the ranks of true experts. Sixth-level martial artists would be defeated before even getting close. The difference between the fourth and fifth levels was nothing compared to this.

With the cultivation of a seventh-level martial artist, Robert Cooper was clearly challenging Edward Grant to avenge William Bolton and planned to give Edward Grant a thorough beating.

They had their own ways to make sure Edward Grant wouldn’t refuse the challenge.

William Bolton said viciously, “Huang Tian, if you don’t dare to accept, from now on, every time we see Samuel Carter, we’ll slap him once. Each of us, one slap a day, until his face is swollen like a pig’s head!”

Private fights were strictly forbidden in the Heavenly Sword Sect, but a slap wouldn’t result in severe punishment—just an apology and a few days of confinement for reflection. There were at least dozens of disciples following James Bolton. If they really slapped Samuel Carter once a day each, he would definitely suffer greatly.

Edward Grant narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them, and said coldly, “Why wouldn’t I accept? Senior Brother Niu, since you’re itching for a beating, I’ll grant your wish and give you a good thrashing.”

“What did you say?”

“How dare you talk to Senior Brother Niu like that?”

“Unbelievable arrogance…”

Several disciples immediately became furious and started shouting.

Robert Cooper’s face turned ashen, suppressing his rage with difficulty. He gritted his teeth and spat out, “Don’t waste your words. On the arena, I’ll show you who’s really going to get thrashed. Hmph!”

With that, Robert Cooper turned and strode quickly toward the outer disciples’ plaza, clearly eager to deal with Edward Grant.

The other disciples quickly ran off, shouting loudly, “Elite disciple duel—!”

Elite outer disciples at the seventh level of Martial Arts or above had the right to leave the sect to hunt monsters, train, or complete sect missions, so they rarely appeared among the outer disciples. An elite disciple duel was even rarer.

Hearing the news of an “elite disciple duel,” the outer disciples became as excited as if they’d been injected with chicken blood, shouting and rushing toward the plaza.

Word spread quickly, and soon everyone knew about the elite disciple duel.

Even some elite outer disciples at the seventh level or above came running when they heard the news.

By the time Edward Grant and Robert Cooper stepped onto the arena, five or six hundred outer disciples had already gathered in the plaza, with more still arriving.