Chapter 100: The Talent of the Soul Hunters
This was Bluewater City's commercial hub, where nearly every well-known enterprise was based.
The new business giant, the Moon God Chamber of Commerce, had its branch here.
The Moon God Chamber of Commerce did not own many physical assets; its operations relied on the merchants who joined the chamber.
Most of its income came from the management fees of these member businesses.
In the manager's office of the Moon God Chamber of Commerce.
A man in his late twenties sat in an office chair, having just sent off an executive who had joined the chamber.
The man looked slightly fatigued, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his temples.
Kate walked in, wearing the same outfit she had on when she met Giovani.
"Mr. James, there's still no movement from Giovani.
However, he did send someone to invite us to his birthday party the day after tomorrow."
Kate stood respectfully next to Mr. James, speaking with deference.
Mr. James glanced at Kate: "Leave that thug to you. If he likes you, you can spend a few days with him."
Mr. James's eyes were filled with disdain as he looked at Kate, his tone condescending.
It was as if accompanying powerful figures was something Kate was expected to do.
Kate did not react much when she heard Mr. James's words: "Yes, I understand."
Although both Mr. James and Kate bore the surname Yang, their statuses were worlds apart.
Mr. James and Sophia were the children of the head and matron of the Divine family, considered legitimate heirs.
Kate, on the other hand, was the child of a concubine and was considered part of the family's outer branch.
The Divine family had many such outer branch members, who were given a good education and served as loyal retainers.
Mr. James asked:
"What's the background of that kid at the café? If he's connected to any influential figures in Bluewater City, we should drop it.
After all, we're new here, and we don't want to make enemies."
Kate shook her head: "I checked. He's just a poor student with an awakened life talent, working part-time at that café."
A hint of coldness appeared in Mr. James's eyes: "Then kill him."
Kate pondered for a moment and said:
"He's just a minor figure, easily dealt with.
I was thinking, someone like Sophia is bound to attract countless nuisances. Killing one might only lead to another.
Should we bring him back to the Divine family by force? Father did say that Sophia should never get too close to any man."
Mr. James rubbed his forehead and sighed: "But Father also said to take care of her emotions until she turns twenty.
If we wanted to take her back, we would have done it already."
Nighttime, in the old district, at Alexander's courtyard.
The rare trees in the garden were in disarray, with branches scattered all over the ground.
Yamato crouched on the pavilion with a dagger, his eyes scanning the courtyard with a murderous glint, a dangerous aura emanating from him.
He shouted into the air: "Alright! The exam is over! Come out now!"
The courtyard remained silent, save for the sound of the wind.
A hint of satisfaction crossed Yamato's lips. He put away the dagger and stood up: "Good vigilance. This time it's really over. Come out."
The courtyard was still quiet, except for a few bubbles rising from the artificial lake beside the pavilion.
Yamato let out an excited shout: "Got you!"
With a flick of his wrist, the dagger shot into the lake.
A koi surfaced, the dagger piercing through its body as it thrashed and splashed water.
Footsteps echoed from outside.
Yamato looked over to see Alexander and Yvette returning.
Yamato jumped down from the pavilion and respectfully saluted Alexander and Yvette:
"President, Madam Steward."
Rustling sounds came from all corners of the courtyard.
Six figures, Alexander's servants and soul hunters, emerged from hidden spots.
Each bore various wounds, their faces showing a hint of lingering fear as they bowed respectfully to Alexander.
Their posture was impeccable, thanks to Yvette's training.
Alexander looked at Yamato with an inquisitive gaze.
Yamato said respectfully: "Hide-and-seek was their exam. The game ends when you or Madam Steward return."
They don't have combat-type talents yet. As long as they survived without being killed by me, they passed the exam."
Fortunately, only four people failed the test."
Alexander understood.
If someone could survive in the courtyard without being killed by Yamato, it meant they had already grasped some of the old beggar's and Yamato's skills.
The four who didn't pass the exam were clearly dead.
Their deaths didn't evoke any emotional response from Alexander.
He walked toward the main hall of the pavilion.
Yvette gestured for the servants to follow.
On the dining table, each person had a strange-looking fruit placed in front of them.
Yvette prepared a cup of coffee and set it in front of Alexander.
Alexander took the small spoon, gently stirred the coffee, and said in a low voice: "You have passed the test. The fruit in front of you is your reward. Eat it."
The group exchanged glances, faces filled with confusion.
Among the remaining six, only the older man with the security role stood out; the rest were maids.
The security guard, being the only male, took the lead, picking up the fruit and eating it.
Perhaps life had already been harsh enough that the unpleasant taste of the devil fruit didn't slow his chewing.
The others followed suit, placing the fruits into their mouths.
After the security guard finished eating, he froze.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Was there something special about the fruit? At that moment, a rush of information flooded the security guard's mind.
[Sand-Sand Fruit: B-Class]
[Consumes spiritual energy; the body can turn to sand, enabling physical attacks. Also grants the ability to create and control sand freely.]
B-Class? The guard stared at Alexander in shock.
Could this fruit really grant talents to others?
What a terrifying power! Was this the strength of the master of the garden, the leader of an extraordinary force? Under the astonished gazes of everyone, the guard fell from his chair and scrambled to kneel at Alexander's feet: "Master! Thank you, Master!"
His head struck the floor repeatedly, leaving his forehead bruised and a small pool of blood on the ground.
Becoming a high-tier combat talent awakener lifted a weight off his shoulders.
The cancer was still there, but the pain had lessened considerably.
Alexander's expression remained indifferent, even cold, as the spoon in his hand tapped against the cup intermittently.
Just then, another woman in her thirties, who had once been a prostitute, widened her eyes.
[Flower-Flower Fruit: B-Class]
[Consumes spiritual energy; any part of the awakened person's body can bloom like a flower and attach to any tangible object.]
The once-leopard-print-clad woman was ecstatic, unable to believe it was real! By eating the fruit, she had gained a B-Class talent?!
A B-Class talent was rare; even Giovani's top nightclub didn't have such experts!
Giovani's top fighter, Mad Wolf, was only C-Class!
Although he had managed to kill a B-Class opponent with his C-Class talent before.
'Could it be that because I worked as a cook, the master of the garden gave me this power?'
She began to daydream.
Imitating the security guard, she knelt on the ground:
"Thank you, Master!"
At the same time, the remaining four maids also received B-Class talents.
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