James Bolton, in last year's outer sect disciple ranking competition, was already among the top ten, taking eighth place. This year, the top five outer sect disciples from last year have all stepped into the Xiantian realm and entered the inner sect, so James Bolton has steadily become one of the top three this year.

James Bolton is seventeen years old this year, and his cultivation has reached the tenth level of martial arts, just one step away from entering the Xiantian realm.

He wore a blue robe, with dragon patterns faintly visible embroidered at the collar and cuffs. At this moment, he walked with his head held high and chest out, striding forward with an air of arrogance.

Behind James Bolton followed more than ten disciples, all elites among the outer sect disciples, each with at least the seventh level of martial arts cultivation, and some even at the eighth or ninth level.

Wherever James Bolton passed, the outer sect disciples in the square would all voluntarily step aside, making way for him.

Very soon, the path cleared to both sides extended all the way to Edward Grant.

Edward Grant did not step aside. He knew that James Bolton's target was himself.

The unconscious Robert Cooper had already been fed a healing pill by those earlier, and under William Bolton's lead, the group carried Robert Cooper's body over.

"Big brother, Senior Brother Niu was seriously injured by David Carter. You have to avenge us, beat David Carter to death, cripple David Carter!" Seeing James Bolton, William Bolton seemed to see a savior and immediately shouted.

James Bolton was a head shorter than William Bolton, but his upper body was straight and upright, always walking with his head held high and chest out, never slouching, like an unsheathed sharp sword. In terms of presence, he far surpassed William Bolton.

When the two stood together, it would give people the illusion that James Bolton was taller and William Bolton shorter.

Seeing the still-unconscious Robert Cooper, James Bolton's brows furrowed tightly, forming the character '川'.

James Bolton stopped ten zhang in front of Edward Grant, his gaze as sharp as a blade, fixed on Edward Grant's face. He said, "David Carter, you, not bad!"

It sounded like praise, but the tone was anything but, making people feel a chill.

Edward Grant's breathing was calm, his mind at ease, not affected by James Bolton at all. He said, "Senior Brother James Bolton, do you also want to challenge me and duel with me?"

Although Edward Grant could now release sword energy and was almost equivalent to a martial artist at the eighth level, his strength was still somewhat lacking. After all, all the techniques and martial skills Edward Grant had cultivated were only mid-grade yellow rank. Once Edward Grant mastered the high-grade yellow rank Xiantian technique, Leopard Shadow Technique, and Absolute Shadow Sword Technique, even martial artists at the eighth level might not be his match.

But James Bolton had reached the tenth level of martial arts, the peak of the martial path, just one step away from the Xiantian realm. At this moment, he was not someone Edward Grant could match.

A trace of disdain appeared in James Bolton's eyes. He said, "Just you? You're not qualified!"

Edward Grant knew that James Bolton actually wanted to get him on the stage and give him a proper beating. And how could he not want to give James Bolton a good thrashing as well?

It's just that now was not the time. The white jade small sword in his brow had allowed Edward Grant's cultivation to leap two realms, his strength soaring. Edward Grant was very confident that as long as he had time, defeating James Bolton would be no problem at all, and it wouldn't take long.

Chapter 010: The Three-Month Appointment (Part 2)

"But I want to challenge you!"

Edward Grant's gaze sharpened, and he shouted, "Three months from now, at the outer sect disciple ranking competition, I will defeat every opponent and face you. James Bolton, do you dare to fight me?"

Edward Grant took the initiative, directly postponing the confrontation to three months later, which would coincide with the annual outer sect disciple ranking competition. This provided a legitimate excuse for the challenge, making it impossible for James Bolton to cause him trouble within the next three months.

At this moment, nearly a thousand outer sect disciples had gathered in the square. Edward Grant had made it clear that he would fight James Bolton at the ranking competition. As a disciple at the tenth level of martial arts and one of the top three in the outer sect, James Bolton's status was extraordinary. If he were to trouble Edward Grant within these three months, it would seem petty and narrow-minded.

Therefore, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, James Bolton had no choice but to agree.

Having been outmaneuvered by Edward Grant, James Bolton's eye twitched slightly, and he said coldly, "Fine! I'll give you three months. I hope you don't lose too early in the ranking competition. Hmph!"

With that, he turned and left.

The many elite outer sect disciples who had come with James Bolton all glared fiercely at Edward Grant before following James Bolton away.

William Bolton clenched his fists and waved them at Edward Grant, "Just you wait, David Carter. In the ranking competition, my big brother will beat you like a dog."

James Bolton came quickly and left just as fast, soon leading the group away from the square.

"Only three months? How could he possibly be a match for Senior Brother James Bolton?"

"Yeah, Senior Brother James Bolton was already in the top ten last year, and now he's in the top three. Except for Senior Brother Bai and that monster, no one in the outer sect can compare. Senior Brother David Carter is in for it!"

"To dare make a three-month appointment with Senior Brother James Bolton—even if he's eliminated in the ranking competition, Senior Brother James Bolton won't let him off, right? He'll definitely give him a good beating on the stage."

……