Chapter 993

Maxine did not dare utter another word.

Kneeling on the ground, she hung her head in shame and awaited Tobias’ punishment.

Wearing a furious expression, Tobias raised his palm on which True Energy was gathered. However,

he could not bring himself to strike her.

“Sigh...” After a while, Tobias sighed deeply and retracted his palm.

James tried to help Maxine up, but she refused.

She did not dare stand without Tobias’ permission.

James looked at Tobias, who still had a furious look on his face, and said, “Maxine has nothing to do

with this. It’s all Madelyn’s fault. You shouldn’t have taken it out on her.”

Tobias waved his hand and sighed. “Alright, now. You may stand.”

Maxine stood up and remained silent.

Then, Tobias ordered, “You're dismissed.”

“Understood.” Maxine turned to leave.

Tobias headed toward the Gazebo while James followed close behind.

The two sat at the same time.

Tobias sighed. “I know it’s not her fault, but do you have any idea what the Cadens are facing? It’s not

just the other three

families but also the other ancient martial artists. The Cadens must form

ties with powerful allies to emerge victorious at the martial art conference happening in a few months.

Otherwise, we'll come under siege and be annihilated.”

James knew how dire the Cadens’ situation was. The political marriage with the Blithe family was a

last-ditch move.

James said, “Since things have already come to this, there’s no use taking it out on Maxine. Our priority

should be to solve this issue. By the way, I have something Id like to ask you.”

“Speak.”

“Who exactly is Mr. Gabriel?”

After brief contemplation, Tobias replied, “I don’t know either. But, if I have to guess, he should be a

descendant of the Gu Sect which was defeated a century ago. I only know that he possesses

tremendous strength. He’s at least at the sixth rank, maybe even the seventh.”

James asked again, “What was the failed plan from a hundred years ago like?”

Now that Mr. Gabriel was an enemy of the state, James knew he had to fully understand the situation

to come up with better ways to deal with the matter.

Tobias shook his head. “I don’t know much about it. I only know that the Gu Sect suggested the country

seize the opportunity and attack the defeated nations after the establishment of Sol.

However, their proposal was rejected, hence the civil war with the Gu Sect.”

Tobias was not yet born a hundred years ago. Thus, He had only heard of what happened from the

Grand Patriarch.

Meanwhile, the Cadens’ Grand Patriarch was only twenty years old a century ago. It had been years

since he last showed himself as he was practicing his closed-door meditation.

Since Tobias did not know either, James did not question him further. Instead, he changed the subject

and asked, “How should the current crisis be resolved?”

Tobias said, “It all started with the paintings protected by the Ancient Four. After the other three

families’ paintings were stolen, they all believed that the Cadens were behind the theft. We currently

have two options. One, we find the culprit behind the theft.

Two, we court allies and fight against the other three families at the martial art conference.

“I have no idea who stole the paintings. And so, I’ve been making preparations for the second option.

However, all my efforts are now in vain.

“Sigh...” Tobias sighed.

“The Cadens have been around for thousands of years. To think we would die in my hands. I have

sinned against the family! I’ve let my ancestors down.”

“Is there no other way to resolve the issue?” James frowned.

“Yes, there is.” Tobias suddenly lifted his head and looked at James.

James asked, “What is it?”

Tobias said, “All your meridians have opened up. You're the only one who's capable of doing this

despite not having reached the fifth rank. Your True Energy is increasing at breakneck speed. As long

as you reach the fifth rank before the martial art conference, the Cadens will have another highly skilled

martial artist to turn the tides.”

“Will that be enough, though?” James was doubtful.

Although reaching the fifth rank would grant him immense strength, it would not change anything in the

grand scheme of things.