In the heart of the capital, Donald and the Grand Elder were in an office, sipping tea.


    “Billy went to the Holmes n?” The Grand Elder handed a cigarette to Donald.


    “Yes,” Donald replied, lighting the cigarette and taking a puff.


    “The Holmes n has brought this upon themselves, no one to me.” The Grand Elder said as he also lit a cigarette. After a brief pause, he continued, “Should the two of us go to the scene?”


    “What would we be looking at?” Donald asked in return.


    “I’ve heard that both the Holmes family elders made breakthroughs recently. Aren’t you worried that Billy might have trouble handling them?” The Grand Elder raised an eyebrow.


    “As long as they haven’t reached Emperor Realm, there’s nothing to worry about.” Donald replied casually.


    “You have confidence in him.” the Grand Elder chuckled. After taking another puff from his cigarette, he asked, “Now that his injuries should be mostly healed, do you think he might break through soon?”


    “He’s not in a hurry, so why should you be?” Donald responded, his expression contemtive. “Once he reaches Emperor Realm, there will be certain limitations. Until the buddies around him have fully grown, he won’t break through too quickly.” Donald exined.


    “That makes sense,” the Grand Elder nodded. “But he doesn’t have much time. He needs to make sure those around him grow quickly, otherwise, he’ll be spread too thin.”


    “That’s right.” Donald agreed.


    Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Cole Wilson entered.


    “Grand Elder, Elder Donald.” Cole greeted as he bowed slightly.


    “Why did youe back? Weren’t you going to the Holmes n?” The Grand Elder asked, somewhat surprised.


    “I was on my way there, but I received a phone call, so I came back.” Cole replied as he took a seat on the sofa.


    “Who called you?” Donald asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.


    “It was from the southern region, from Han Holmes.”


    “He’s back in the capital?” The Grand Elder raised an eyebrow.


    “He’s still on his way, but he’ll be here soon. He was worried that he might not make it in time, so he called me.” Cole Wilson exined.


    “What did he say? He’s not nning anything reckless, is he? How many people did he bring with him?” The Grand Elder furrowed his brow.


    “Please don’t worry, Grand Elder. He came back alone.” Cole reassured them.


    “He was kept in the dark about the Holmes n’s collusion with Sanctum of Darkness. He only found out about it today.” Cole Wilson continued. “He mentioned an idea to me, and I wasn’t sure how to proceed, so I came back to discuss it with both of you.”


    “What idea?” Donald asked, his brow slightly furrowed.


    Cole Wilson exined Han Holmes’s idea in detail.


    “Are those his exact words?” Grand Elder asked after a few minutes.


    “Yes,” Cole Wilson nodded.


    “Donald, what do you think?” Grand Elder turned to him.


    “It’s worth considering,” Donald said after a moment of contemtion. He then looked at Grand Elder. “What do you think?”


    “I have no objections, but whether Billy agrees or not is the key.”


    “Cole, go to the Holmes estate and deliver Han Holmes’s idea to Billy. Let him decide.” Donald instructed.


    “Understood,” Cole Wilson said as he got up and left.Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.


    “This may be a good thing for Billy.” Grand Eldermented after Cole Wilson had left.


    “I agree,” Donald said with a slight nod.


    The Holmes n was located in the western part of the city, upying an area simr to that of the Frazier family. In the precious real estate of the capital, such a vast estate was a constant disy of a noble n’s power.


    At the entrance of arge courtyard, the air was tense, and there was a strong smell of gunpowder. The entire airspace was filled with an oppressive atmosphere.


    “Commander Kimmons, my patience is running out. If you don’t leave now, don’t me me for not being polite!” Avery Holmes, the head of the Holmes n, stood at the entrance with a group of Holmes n members, facing off against Casey and others.


    “You can try!” Casey replied coldly.


    “Commander Kimmons, you’d better not push your luck!” Avery Holmes took a deep breath before speaking again. “Although you hold the position of amander in the War Department, my Holmes n is not a soft target. If you really push us too far, you won’t be able to walk away!” Avery Holmes warned.


    “You old man, stop with the nonsense!” Azure Dragon retorted. “If you don’t give us a satisfactory exnation today, starting tomorrow, your Holmes n won’t exist in the capital!”


    “Such arrogance!” A member of the Holmes n behind Avery sneered. “You think you can act recklessly here?”


    “If you really want to fight, within a minute, all of you will be lying down!”


    “Fool!” Azure Dragon retorted. “If you want to spar, how about youe out first, and I’ll practice with you?”


    “I’m not afraid of you!” the man replied in a deep voice.


    “Commander Kimmons, don’t you care?” Avery Holmes asked.


    “If you’re worried about your people getting into trouble, you can have them surrender.” Casey shrugged.


    “If that’s the case, Thom, go ahead, learn something from Vice Commander Azure Dragon.” Avery Holmes’s eyes shed with a hint of fierceness as he said.


    “Understood!” A man named Thom Holmes stepped out from the crowd, holding a three-meter-long spear in his hand. He pointed it at Azure Dragon and said, “You want a fight? Then bring it on!”


    With a resounding boom, a powerful aura erupted from him, indicating he was a Half-Step War Grandmaster.


    “You’re itching for a fight? I’ll grant your wish!” Azure Dragon drew his Bloodshadow Battle de from his waist and confidently walked forward.


    “Azure Dragon, be careful!” Casey warned.


    “I’ll be fine!” Azure Dragon responded, and his aura soared.


    “Face my spear!” Thom shouted. He gripped the spear with both hands, thrust it into the air, and created a loud noise. Then, like a cannonball, he charged toward Azure Dragon. His spear left several afterimages and turned into high-pressure airflows that swept toward his opponent.


    Azure Dragon’s eyes narrowed. He held his battle de and met Thom’s attack head-on. The two shed fiercely, creating a series of explosions in the air, and shockwaves rippled around them. Both were War Grandmasters. A after several exchanges, it seemed they were evenly matched.


    “Casey, does Azure Dragon have a chance?” ck Tortoise asked.


    “Do you doubt Azure Dragon’s abilities?” Before Casey could reply, Vermilion Bird chimed in confidently. “As long as he’s willing, he can take down his opponent effortlessly!”


    “I’m just worried about any unexpected…” ck Tortoise’s voice trailed off as he kept his eyes fixed on their duel.


    “There won’t be any!” Vermilion Bird interrupted him. “Dealing with an opponent of the same level, there’s no room for unexpected oues! If everything goes as expected, Azure Dragon will have his opponent defeated in less than a minute.”


    “Okay, fine.” ck Tortoise shrugged.


    As if to confirm Vermilion Bird’s words, Azure Dragon, after dodging another wave of attacks from Thom Holmes, suddenly reached the peak of his power.


    “Alright, I’m done ying with you. Let me send you on your way!” Azure Dragon dered. With that, he took tworge steps forward, and with a swift flick of his wrist, his battle de sliced through the air, releasing a curved arc of de energy charged with thunderous force.