Chapter 283


    “Why don''t we consider going into Mr. Cadman''s personal file? Judging from whom he''s interacted on a


    daily basis, we might be able to find traces of Eara,” suggested Jonathan.


    However, Mabel was quick to refute, “Mr. Cadman''s file is highly ssified. Not even I have the


    authority to ess it. Besides, it''s possible that many of his activities have actually gone unnoticed and


    thus not recorded in it.” After pausing momentarily, she went on, “Then again, this could serve as a


    lead nheless.”


    Words of caution then came from Jonathan, “Anyway, this Eara organization must be up to no


    good. It''s best if we don''t underestimate them. They might even bring disaster upon everyone in the


    future.”


    Mabel bobbed her head. “Leave this matter to me. I''ll perform a thorough investigation.”


    At that point in time, Jonathan threw a question. “Say, do you think Eara has anything to do with


    the wrathful spirit issue in Yaleview?”


    “That I''m not sure of. Department of National Security has already stepped in to look into the case. I


    suppose they''ll reach a conclusion soon enough. Yaleview is the capital city, so I didn''t expect those


    wrathful spirits to choose a ce like that to create a scene. This time, even the higher authorities are


    enraged,” elucidated Mabel.


    Heaving a sigh, Jonathan bleated, “The Great Tribtion is looming, and indeed, it''s going to be


    apanied by the appearance of all sorts of demons and ghosts. I haven''t the slightest intention of


    getting myself involved in any grudge, yet there I was, stepping on Eara''s toes simply by trying to


    lay my hands on the prismatic crystal. Not only have I murdered their messenger, but I''ve even imed


    the lives of three Divine Masters from their side. This feud has gotten way out of hand, I must say. I


    doubt that they''ll ever let me off the hook.”


    That said, a piece of advice was all Mabel could offer him. “You''ve always been expected to be


    entangled in endless quandaries anyway. So, do yourself a favor and perish the thought of avoiding


    them.”


    Jonathan wore a bitter smile after listening to her. “That makes sense, but I still do hope to lessen my


    threats however possible. Nobody would enjoy having their own lives endlessly in peril, would they?”


    “Considering that Eara has suffered a major setback at your hands, I believe they won''t being


    after you for a while. After all, we don''t have that many Divine Masters these days.”


    Jonathan had to admit that Mabel did have a point there. If Eara still had more elites with them,


    they would''ve long made a move. Never would they hold themselves back like that.


    Right at that juncture, Mabel sensed something was off, hence probing, “Oh, right. Why do I feel that


    something''s wrong with your body?”


    Jonathan didn''t hide it from her. “You''re right. My body is facing a crisis right now because I was


    trapped by Eara in Void Domain for too long. I used up all the nutrients in my body when I was


    inside. Now, even if I''ve stuffed myself with an enormous amount of food, that still doesn''t seem to cut


    it.”


    Copyright N?v/el/Dra/ma.Org.


    “Since you already have the prismatic crystal with you, you ought to return to Divine Realm as soon as


    possible to redeem an Immortal Pill,” remarked Mabel.


    “Right!”


    Although Jonathan still hadn''t obtained information on the mysterious Eara and the wrathful spirits


    were still atrge in Yaleview, he figured that the world would always find itself the new emergence of


    great talents.


    After all, he couldn''t always be the one who would be shouldering each and every responsibility.


    That very night, he boarded Mabel''s private jet and headed to Yaleview.


    Truth be told, Jonathan still had an Immortal Pill in his possession, which was the Trio Vitality Pill gifted


    by Elijah.


    Be that as it might, Jonathan didn''t bring it along with him and had left it with Catherine for safekeeping.


    Had he been carrying the Trio Vitality Pill with him at all times, it would''ve fallen into the hands of


    Eara. That elderly man in ck was a Divine Master himself, so he would naturally be yearning for


    an Immortal Pill, not to mention devouring it.


    Plus, Jonathan would never consume the Trio Vitality Pill given by Elijah, for it was important that he


    held fast to his principle.


    After arriving at Yaleview, he didn''t linger around. Instead, he boarded another flight bound for Lostaria


    at once, as Mabel had already bought him the air ticket beforehand.


    At three o''clock in the afternoon, Jonathan reached Lostaria International Airport.


    Lostaria was a thousand miles away from Wildefield.


    Yet, one could fly and appear on the other side of the world within a day owing to the advantage


    granted by modern technology.


    The breeze in Lostaria was warm, and the weather was fair.


    Many could finally put long-sleeved shirts to good use, given the ideal local temperature.


    A trip to Lostaria would be the best choice during that season.


    The second Jonathan stepped out of the airport, he hailed a taxi and made a beeline for Divine Realm.


    An hourter, he reached his destination.


    Swiping the passcode at the entrance, he breezed into Divine Realm.


    The first thing he did was pay his respect before the majestic statue of Divine Emperor at Olympus and


    surrender the prismatic crystal.


    Following that, he visited Richard at Chard Hall.


    He noticed that nothing had changed at Chard Hall.


    But that time around, he managed to set foot in Chard Hall without any trouble. That would be logical,


    for he was already Richard''s disciple, so no one would dare to hinder his path.


    Once inside, however, all he found was a staff in the hall. It was the Anndurn girl.


    She was busy sweeping the floor in the foyer.


    The moment Jonathan stepped in, the girl greeted him respectfully, “It''s good to see you, Mr. Lawson!”


    Jonathan shed her a grin in return. “Is Master Richard around?”


    The girl replied, “Master Richard is meditating at the moment.”


    “Ah, forget it, then.”


    “Should I pass him a message?”


    “No, it''s fine. I''m just paying him a visit since I''m back.”


    “All right. I''ll get you a cup of coffee.”


    Jonathan waved his hand hastily. “No, no. I''ll make a move first. I''ll drop by again when Master Richard


    has time to spare.”


    With that said, he was all ready to leave.


    At that very moment, a voice was hearding from not far away.


    “Jonathan, since you''re already here,e on in.”


    It was Richard''s voice.


    Jonathan froze for a bit before politely epting the invitation. “Yes, Master!”


    He went in, only to find that the meditation space was quiet and serene, coupled with a faint scent of


    sandalwood.


    d in a snow-white robe, there Richard was, sitting cross-legged atop the couch, his seat of honor.


    An indescribable celestial aura was emanating incessantly throughout his whole body.


    When Jonathan pped eyes on Richard, he could feel that thetter was gradually exuding the same


    vibe as that of Lance.


    “Greetings, Master!” Jonathan lowered his head graciously.


    A faint smile yed about Richard''s lips. He was a benevolent being through and through. “Has it been


    a smooth journey?” he asked.


    Letting out a wry chuckle, Jonathan stated, “Not really, Master. Despite sessfullypleting the


    mission, I encountered an anomalous incident.”


    “Oh?” Richard''s curiosity was piqued.


    Jonathan had been troubled by the existence of Eara thus far. Considering Richard''s


    resourcefulness, he reckoned that Richard might actually know a thing or two. With that, he recounted


    how he had been entrapped by Eara in Void Domain.


    Upon finishing the story, he looked at Richard with a hopeful gaze.


    “Since they boast a team of Divine Masters of their own and even im toe from Eara, I


    suppose I understand what this is all about,”mented Richard in a deep voice.


    Jonathan rejoiced and eximed, “Please enlighten me with your insights, Master!”


    “This so-called Eara isn''t an organization but a ce. They originated in hell.”


    “What? They really came from hell?” Astonishment inundated Jonathan.


    “Now, don''t you be mystified by it. We reside in the mortal world, a ce filled with light and grace. On


    the flip side, Eara belongs to the darkness in the underworld. All this time, light reigns supreme of


    both worlds while Eara is merely an unsavory existence. This doesn''t mean that they''re literally


    filthy, but as more and more souls of the deceased are reluctant to move on, they manifest and hide in


    the shades. Once the number of vengeful spirits reached a certain degree, our world would usher in an


    era of unprecedented dread. That''s where Earaes in. Eara epts and abets wandering


    souls, nourishing them with evil and diabolical energy. It''s their kismet to stay in the shadows.”


    “Where exactly is this Eara?” Jonathan instinctively blurted out the query.


    “To reach Eara, you''ll need to locate Eara Gate.” A pointer was all Richard could offer.


    That was when Jonathan recalled that Lah had also been attempting to get to Eara Gate.


    At the thought of that, he put forward another inquiry. “Where can I find Eara Gate, then?”


    “That I have no clue. All I know is that Mr. Cadman had been to Eara Gate in the past. Other than


    that, there hasn''t been much hearsay about it.”


    Thinking about Lah, Jonathan felt a sense of mncholy descending upon him. However, he decided


    not to press the matter further.


    All he did was voice his opinion, “Given that our paths aren''t intertwined with one another, what do


    those people from Eara want from us? All I see is them robbing our fortune and stealing our life


    force. I bet they''re up to no good.”


    “The impending Great Tribtion serves Eara a golden opportunity. I''m afraid that they intend to


    turn the tables and assume sovereignty.” A sigh apanied Richard''s breath as he spoke.


    His words struck Jonathan like bolts of lightning. “Wouldn''t that mean a cmity upon us all?”


    “Fret not. The nature of things has long been decided by the heavens, so it''ll be nothing but a futile


    effort for Eara. That said, they won''t give up that easily.”


    Jonathan seemed to have fallen into deep thought upon hearing that.


    “Since you''ve offended Eara, you should watch your back at all times,” added Richard.


    “I will, Master! Thank you for your concern.”


    Nodding, Richard posed a question. “By the way, I remember you''ve had a dispute with Edward from


    Strikezone Martial Arts, am I right?”


    Jonathan was startled. He couldn''tprehend the reason his master would bring up the matter out of


    the blue. Of course, he wouldn''t dare to cover it up, thus admitting it on the spot. “Yes.”


    Richard couldn''t help butugh bitterly at that. “You brat. Why are you always causing trouble


    everywhere you go?”


    Jonathan also felt rather exasperated, for he had always been trying his best to stay out of trouble, yet


    things had constantly seemed to backfire.


    “Master, did something happen?”


    “Just three days ago, Edward''s cultivation reached Divine Master Level Ten, and he''s been promoted to


    one of the inner disciples of Divine Realm. Remember, he''s no longer a Gold-ranked outer disciple, so


    if you were to bump into him, you''d have to address him as a master nheless.”


    F*ck! Jonathan secretly cursed after hearing the news, as if a thousand angry horses were stomping in


    his heart.


    It was then that he recognized the gap between his and Edward''s skills.


    At first, Jonathan had thought that Edward was merely on the Celestial Soul stage, which was on par


    with what Jeremy had attained.


    Not long after that, he was informed that Edward had long been a Divine Master.


    But now, he finally understood that Edward was no longer the same person he once knew and that


    both he and Edward were poles apart.


    Level Ten Divine Master, huh? I wonder what kind of strength that would be.


    As he dwelled on that thought, he eventually conceded inwardly, for he wasn''t even anywhere close to


    achieving that feat.


    Unwittingly, Jonathan shifted his line of sight to Richard, uttering in a meek voice, “Master, what


    cultivation stage are you now on, if I may ask?”


    “I am, too, a Level Ten Divine Master. The same goes for Gideon. Only Master Oswald is on Immortal


    Stage, the highest cultivation among us all.”


    Jonathan was disheartened to hear that. It seems that I''m destined to watch Edward with admiration for


    the rest of my life.