Russell, like Franklin, was also completely taken aback.
He had first just looked at Leo since he had noticed Franklin's unusual behavior. He had not expected Leo to produce such a frightening outcome of 3000 jin.
3000 jin. That was a whole 400 jin stronger than his result. Franklin could defeat him and have nothing to say because the two of them were almost equal, but then another individual arrived and hit a 3000 jin result. How could Franklin, the self-proclaimed number two genius in Stellaria City, tolerate this?
Franklin barely repressed his astonishment and, with a solemn expression, asked Harold, "You mentioned that Old Second and Old Third were killed while chasing Leo, but the killer remains unknown, right?"
Initially, Franklin had underestimated Leo, but the strength Leo displayed far exceeded his expectations. In terms of strength, he had actually been vanquished. He immediately suspected that the murderer was Leo. The strength Leo had just demonstrated was more than sufficient to overpower and potentially harm Old Second and Old Third.
"I didn't. When I went, all I saw were bodies. But brother, do you really think he did this?" Harold responded honestly.
"That's correct. How could there be such a coincidence? Old Second and Old Third were going to kill him, and he survived unscathed, but Old Second and Old Third were killed."
"That shouldn't be possible." In a rare incident, Harold disputed with Franklin, saying, "I've seen Old Second's body. It was damaged by sword qi. Leo couldn't possibly release that level of sword qi."
Franklin hissed, "If I said he killed them, then he killed them! Those who attempt to touch my Whitaker family people will meet a pitiful death!"
Harold instantly grasped what Franklin was saying. Clearly, Franklin was planning to frame him and use this as a pretext to cause Leo trouble.
He instantly burst out laughing, stating, "You are right, big brother. Leo murdered them. Blood must be returned with blood!"
While everyone in the plaza was taken aback by Leo's results, Cassia was also speaking with Ninth Uncle in the judgment area.
"Ninth Uncle, if I'm not mistaken, Leo should be body-refining at the fourth level, right? How could he strike with 3000 jin of power?"
Ninth Uncle grinned slightly and added, "For regular people, it is impossible; nevertheless, there are people in this world who have intrinsic divine strength, innate exceptional constitutions, and their bodies have immense power by nature. I'm guessing Leo is that type."
What he stated was not incorrect. There were those with intrinsic divine strength who outperformed the average person, but Leo was not one of them. The Soulforge Soul Return Tactic enabled him to attack with 3000 jin of power while body refining at the fourth level.
The Soulforge Soul Return. Tactic's circulatory path passed across twenty-six meridians. Leo utilized it to nurture his body, allowing it to improve quicker than normal people, and as a result, his explosive force was inherently superior to that of normal people.
As Ninth Uncle and Cassia were talking, Elder Tren turned his head and asked, "Odvon, do you recognize this kid?"
Odvon Midoz was the Ninth Uncle's real name. Hearing that, he nodded and said, "We've met a few times."
Elder Tren chuckled and remarked, "Stellaria City seems to have some promising talents this time. I recently identified an individual. Simply watching passively is quite boring. Do you want to make things more exciting by making a bet?"
"Make a bet? What kind of bet?" Ninth Uncle inquired with much curiosity.
"Of course it's the betting one who will take this assessment's first place." Elder Tren said, as if it were normal, "Don't you remember this kid? I also know Franklin a bit. Why don't we have a bet and see who comes in first, Leo or Franklin? "How about it?"
Ninth Uncle gave Elder Tren a contemplative look before faintly smiling: "Franklin is refining his body at the fifth level, but Leo is only polishing his body at the fourth level. Do you think I'd be at a disadvantage?
"Ha, how about this way? Because your strength is at a disadvantage, I will be at a disadvantage for the bet. My bet will be double what yours is. How about it?" Elder Tren appeared to be caught up in the concept of wagering with Ninth Uncle.
However, before Ninth Uncle could speak, a sweet voice rang out: "Elder Tren, how about betting with this junior?"
Both eyes turned to gaze at the person speaking. It turned out to be the person sitting next to Ninth. Uncle, Cassia!
"Oh? Is my niece Cassia also interested?" Elder Tren refused to exploit his elder rank in front of Cassia. A body refining sixth level who was yet under sixteen years old. This type of skill was uncommon even inside the Zephyr Blade Sect, and Cassia was already a key disciple by default. If nothing unusual happened, her eventual status would be far greater than Elder Tren's.
Cassia smiled slightly and continued, "I have met Leo a few times and am confident in him. I'm not sure what Elder Tren is planning to stake, and while my aggregate wealth isn't large, it should be enough to place a bet."
Her statements were aimed squarely at Elder Tren's bet, and she demanded to know what it was.
"Haha, this old man had taken a liking to Old Odvon's lesser grade prize grade Shadow Claw, and therefore initiated the bet. If Niece Cassia can bring out a lower-grade treasure-grade claw-type weapon, this old guy would be willing to bet with you."
Elder Tren finally stated his intentions. He was interested in wagering with Ninth Uncle because he desired one of his weapons.
Cassia grimaced slightly when he stated this. Lower prize grades were pricey, but she was the daughter of Stellaria City's City Lord. It wasn't that she couldn't acquire one, but Elder Tren was adamant about having a claw-like weapon, which would make things a bit harder.
Ninth Uncle, who had been silent up until now, suddenly spoke: "If I haven't observed it wrong, that Franklin's cultivating a hand-type skill, right? Is the weapon you're asking for intended for him? Elder Tren and Franklin appear to have a meaningful bond..."
Ninth Uncle's eyes were ominous, as they saw the essential point with a single glance.
Elder Tren merely chuckled briefly and did not respond, instead focusing on Ninth Uncle and Cassia, waiting for them to respond.
Cassia was about to say anything when Ninth Uncle motioned for her to stop and grinned, saying, "If Elder Tren is interested, I, Old Odvon, will accompany you for a while. Cassia, you may use my Shadow Claw to gamble on a match against Elder Tren! In any case, I'm prepared to grow old in Stellaria City and shouldn't need to use it very much."
Cassia was thrilled to see Ninth Uncle eager to pull out his own personal weapon, saying, "Relax, Ninth Uncle, Leo can definitely win!"
She turned back to Elder Tren and inquired, "Elder Tren, now that the Shadow Claw is in play, what will you wager?"
Elder Tren's face lit up as he realized Ninth Uncle was prepared to use the Shadow Claw in a betting battle. He said, "Niece Cassia, just say what you want. This old guy has been a member of the Zephyr Blade Sect for a long time and is considered wealthy.
Cassia, not wanting to seem insincere since Elder Tren allowed her to speak, paused briefly before proceeding, "The Shadow Claw has been with Ninth Uncle for half his life. Although it is a lower grade treasure grade object, its worth has increased with time, and its price is far greater than that of a usual lower grade treasure grade item. Since Elder Tren has pledged to double the bet, this junior will not be nice. I want a storage ring and a Heavenly Mixing Dan. How about it?"