The Rise of a Master: It Starts With Rejection

Felix was stunned that he had been detected. After all, he had even activated the Nightshade Discipline. Back when he was with Helena, his presence could not be sensed even at close range. "What's the matter? Are you not willing to show yourself?"

Grinding his teeth, Felix revealed himself.

About ten yards away, an elderly man was standing there, watching him intently. The old man had an ordinary appearance, with slightly clouded eyes, and stood with his hands behind his back. There wasn't the slightest trace of fear or nervousness in his demeanor. "Sorry. Maybe we're just traveling the same path," Felix said, forcing a smile.

The corners of the old man's lips curled up slightly as he chuckled. "There's no such thing as pure coincidence in this world. Besides, I've never seen an expert as young as yourself."

As he spoke, the old man slowly extended his hands forward.

Felix noticed he was wearing gloves. Was he a Fish Man?

The realization hit him like a thunderclap. As the gloves slipped off, the man revealed hands covered in black scales.

Felix was shocked. According to Pierre's stories, black scales signified the highest and most terrifying rank among Fish Men.

Judging by this detail and the old man's age, it was highly likely this was the great-grandfather Pierre had mentioned who was still alive.

The next moment, dizziness overtook Felix as waves of disorientation hit him hard. The seven pieces of Dragonspine within him began trembling violently.

Not daring to hesitate, Felix quickly took out his small flute and began to play, shutting his eyes tightly to avoid looking at those black-scaled hands.

"Oh? So you know about us Fish Men. How naive, though. Do you think closing your eyes is enough to block it? Ridiculous!"noveldrama

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The pressure didn't ease. If anything, it grew even stronger. Worse yet, the flute had no effect at all. The old man's steady, commanding voice rang out, unaffected.

Felix remembered what Billy had said. The flute only worked against beings with unnatural souls or malevolent entities. It was useless against someone with a normal soul.

That could only mean one thing-this old man's soul was entirely normal. However, the intense vibrations of the seven Dragonspine pieces within him suggested his soul was under Sort of assault. Everything pointed to those black-scated hands.

Was that what black-scaled Fish Men were capable of. Even at Felix's level of cultivation, he was still at a disadvantage.

He couldn't continue on like that. Even though the Dragonspine was protecting him, the splitting

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headache kept growing worse. If this continued, Felix knew he'd lose consciousness and fall completely under the old man's control. Given his current state, he couldn't even muster a counterattack.

"I'm not your enemy, sir!"

At the critical moment, Felix pulled out the crystal pendant Pierre had given him and tossed it over.

There was no immediate response from the old man. However, a few seconds later, the headache subsided.

Felix opened his eyes and saw the old man carefully inspecting the crystal pendant.

"This is my grandson's crystal pendant. If it's in your possession, it means you saved his life. You're a benefactor of the Lannerby family. Forgive me for my earlier offense," the old man said.

Oh? Felix was taken aback. For someone from the sinister and mysterious Fish Men, this old man seemed unexpectedly principled. Not only did he stop the attack immediately, but he even apologized. "This pendant is fused with my grandson's very essence. He wouldn't have given it to you unless he willingly entrusted it to you.'

Felix let out a sigh of relief and gave a wry smile. "That's right. I helped treat Pierre and his girlfriend when we were in Guneria."

"Treated them?" The old man's murky eyes suddenly gleamed with sharp clarity. "Does that mean... my grandson has become... ordinary?"

If this were before, Felix wouldn't have dared to admit it, no matter what. But seeing how much the old man respected the crystal pendant, he decided it didn't matter anymore.

"Yes. He's now just an ordinary person," Felix replied.