Nearly a month had passed since Elise and her brother settled at Iron Fist Sect. During that time, Elise had fully recovered her original inner energy and began training with her brother to control it. The two decided to stay in Iron Fist Sect, thanks to the generosity of Abbot Gregory, who had granted them refuge.
"If I send them away now, the same tragedy might repeat itself," the abbot had reasoned. Thus, he permitted them to remain until they were strong enough to fend for themselves.
Meanwhile, Marcus had completely recovered. Master Nathaniel's mastery of the Transcendent Wisdom Sutra was unparalleled; he had eradicated even the deepest killing intent that had seeped into Marcus's body. However, a thin scar remained just below his solar plexus—a scar precisely matching the width of the blade that had pierced him. When Vera saw it, she was stricken with guilt. Yet, Marcus only smiled and called it his badge of honor.
