Not flinching at all, or caving in to the pressure emitted by Brian from the moment he had arrived till he left. Max Walker still wore the same calm and indifferent expression.
It was as if he didn't even feel the pressure coming from the Body refiner at all. That is incredible.
It is to be known that in this cultivation-oriented world, every single realm is separated by an incomparably wide gulf.
And those of higher realms were to be respected.
The first realm is known as the Body tempering realm.
At this stage, the mortal shackles are broken and the human body is tempered. Digging out the full potential of humans and possessing tremendous and tyrannical strength. Crushing rocks and mountains with bare hands, and possessing the power of 81 bulls.
The second realm is the Ki refining realm. In addition to possessing tyrannical strength from the perfect human body, cultivators in this realm can refine the astral qi - the natural energy of the world for their usage, generating boundless might capable of shaking the earth.
Furthermore, there is also that realm that is unheard of in The Outer Lands. The legendary realm. In this realm, the unimaginable is accomplished.
And for a simple mortal, a non-cultivator, to still maintain his composure in front of the aura of a body refiner. Tough man indeed.
However, it wasn't a hard feat for Walker, as he had faced an even stronger aura than that. Heck, he was even forced to adapt to them or he would end up being miserable.
Arrived at his destination, the backyard of the inner court. Walker walked down the terrain until he arrived in front of a tall tree which would require four people to hold hands around its girth.
He reached for a slightly rusted and blunt ax, holding it firmly as his pale purple eye flickered with a sharp glint.
He calmed his mind as he took a deep breath, barring every unwanted thought from his mind and soon enough he entered a state of utmost focus.
His robe fluttered as the wind mildly blew. He stood with his back straight and his grip tightened.
And at that moment, he raised his blunt ax and CLEAVE.
He did not fall the tree at a single strike, but each strike of his was accompanied by a certain charm.
Strike after strike, not bothered in the slightest that his ax was even blunt. He continued.
A hundred strikes, half a thousand, a thousand. As if he knows no numbness or soreness or fatigue, he continued.
Dressed in a plain white robe, and underneath the blazing sun with rivulets of sweat on his face, he seems no more than an ordinary woodcutter. There was not even the slightest hint of nobility on him. Just a boy who has just one purpose and just one intent; to cleave and chop
Time passed and Walker seemed to be absorbed in his deeds, having lost count of how many times he had struck. His awareness only filled with the numbing sensation on his hands and the slightly searing pain from his left eye.
Faint images appeared in his mind as memories of what happened ten years ago resurfaced. Memories he had buried deep inside himself.
He had been told he was destined for greatness and had grown on the tales of legends, the tremendous strength they possessed, and the wonders the Immortal world holds. He would go to sleep every night, looking at the stars and wondering what the future holds.
And it came.
The day he was five, was when his whole dream turned into a fantasy.
He was diagnosed with innate sealed meridians, he was never meant to be a cultivator. He was a cripple.
He could remember the pitiful and disappointed looks on the face of the clan's elders and the scornful looks from the clansmen.
Being an orphan, he was lonely and deserted. But he made a vow, one to change his fate. If there is no path for him, he would make one.
"Well, well, well. What have we here?" a tender and charming voice called out playfully, diverting Walker's attention as he involuntarily suddenly went stiff.
He undoubtedly recognized who the compelling voice belongs and from his reaction, he probably wished otherwise.
Someone who could cause the earlier unfazed Walker to react in such a way...
Slowly turning around, he was met with a stunning view.
A peerless beauty with otherworldly features. A beautifully tanned skin with graceful curves and her tight-fitted crimson robe emphasized her voluptuous figure.
She was like a demonic goddess, a kingdom toppling beauty.
On one side was an otherworldly goddess with a pout on her face, on the other hand, was a worldly woodcutter with a serious countenance, seemingly with no inclination to appreciate the view before him. A strange and baffling scene, just like a piece of art.
" Hmph, I didn't expect to meet you here today of all days, you are truly the worst friend one could have. Hmph " She chided with a playful pout as she folded are arms on her chest, drastically increasing her charm even more. The air wafted a sweet fragrance to Walker's nostrils.
But what was even more amusing was Walker's reaction, as it did not display either lust or love or even charmed or friendliness.
But he was on guard, totally alarmed and alerted. A bizarre expression to show towards a ' friend '.
But it was because he knows better than anyone.
' This fox can fool any other person but not me. Not again '
" Willow Megan, you should at least have given me a heads up that you were coming," Walker said with a calm voice as he forced a smile while staring fixedly at her as if he was afraid that should he look away for even the slightest fraction of a second, he would surely regret it afterward.
" Duh, and lose the element of surprise? No way. And besides our families made such things unnecessary." Megan said with her lips slightly curled up into a demonic grin. She always enjoyed the feeling of toying with Walker.
Walker could feel an impending headache.
Megan belongs to one of the three ancient clans. The Willow Clan.
And she is one of the demonic tri-star.
The Max Clan, The Allard Clan, and The Willow Clan. These are the three ancient clans of Darknorth.
And although they are called ancient Clan, that doesn't mean that they are absurdly powerful with terrifying foundations, rather it was to make the world know of their former glory and that the whole of Darknorth once belong to them. Before their adversaries came along and their eventual decline.
So the bond that exists between the three clans runs quite deep.
So one can imagine how immense the joy of the birth of three monstrous talents at the same time to each the family brought along.
A divine sign from the heavens perhaps.
They were undoubted of those that were born great.
"So how about a small probing?, and of course don't worry I'll go extremely easy on you" Megan giggled as her watery-blue eyes sparkled with a ferocious glint. This is mainly one of the reasons she had come.
Although everyone may see Walker as a cripple, or a defect. She ..... wasn't everyone.
And as someone very competitive, she always takes the chance to compare between themselves who the best of the three is. Going as far as suppressing her skill just to make up for Walker's lack of cultivation even though she's already at the sixth level of body refinement, infinitely close to the seventh level.
Without waiting for his reply, she suddenly charged straight at him like a ferocious beast bent on devouring her prey. Even though she had said to be easy on him, that is only with bodily strength.
_ Whoosh _
Moving at an inconceivable speed, she appeared right in front of Walker who has always been keeping an eye on her every movement.
She shot out a palm that howled with the wind, a slight searing sensation can be felt even before the strike landed. A simple casual strike of hers proves to be potent and must not be taken lightly.
Facing the oncoming attack, Walker simply execute a simple chop, planning to meet the attack head-on, no martial art technique was executed, just a simple and clean graceful chop.
But as if she had predicted such a move, she immediately and smoothly changed her strike midair. From a howling palm to a piercing finger with a smooth and concise transition which shows her high-level mastery and control over her skill. And her target - his left eye covered with his hair.
Seeing through her intention, Walker's dim right eye which was visible to the world suddenly flashed with a ferocious glint, accompanied by a sudden change to his demeanor. It was like a slumbering beast hidden deep in him has suddenly awoken from being provoked.
His grip on his ax became firm, and his whole mind was channeled into one thought. Cleave.
His seemingly ordinary strike suddenly radiated with a faint but visible aura giving it an overbearing pressure.
"This ...." Megan felt stifled as she could feel the brunt of force behind the strike. But she was stunned when she realizes what that faint aura is.
But her reaction speed wasn't to be underestimated.
Soft and flexible like a willow, she changed the trajectory of her attack and her finger flicked the ax disarming Walker. A bright arc of light appeared in the distance which split apart a nearby tree.