"From now on, The Misty South Faction is officially established. If somebody insists that they can
defeat me, I will be ready to fight them at any time," Ricky said sternly, his sharp eyes wandering
around.
He was met with total silence in the square.
Everyone had already seen the extent of his power and agreed that he was a real genius.
Sean, Harald and Connie clenched their fists, detesting how Ricky behaved in such a haughty way.
They had already missed the best opportunity. Even if they still wanted to, it would be impossible to
stop the establishment of the Misty South Faction. If they did, Ricky and Grace didn't have to handle it
as the disciples of the Snow Sect would blame it on them.
They tried to console themselves with the thought that it was not a pity for them to miss the golden
opportunity this time.
After all, it would be virtually impossible for such a new faction to compete with long-established
Refinement Faction and Casting Faction. In the days to come, it would never be too late for them to
teach this so-called 'Misty South Faction' a lesson they wouldn't soon forget.
"I will extend my warm welcome to all the seniors and the juniors who want to join us. I believe that all
of you have a rather good idea about what kind of people will be accepted into our faction. Please,
don't waste your and our time if your nature is not befitting us," said Ricky.
He was proud of himself at this moment. The Misty South Faction was successfully established as a
result of his efforts and the help from people who supported him.
Even if now, the numbers were small and the collective strength of the members was not powerful
enough, Ricky believed that he would develop the faction to become a mighty one in the future.
The name of his faction would be well-known in the whole Misty South because of his conviction. But
that was another story for another day.
...
The chaotic din of voices finally subsided as the Misty South Faction was formally established.
From then on, the strength of the Snow Sect would be more powerful due to the birth of Misty South
Faction.
Besides, almost all the disciples of the Snow Sect kept talking about how Ricky defeated Gennadi and
Wyn with the skills which they were supposed to be experts at—casting and refinement. This
unexpected victory impressed them immensely.
In a short time, Ricky was renowned in the Snow Sect as a legend who possessed a rare dual-natured
spiritual meridian, a casting genius and a cultivation genius.
However, they still felt that it was a shame that Ricky's spiritual meridian was incomplete.
...
Ricky never took those comments seriously. He knew that people were fickle. If he lost his power,
everyone would ridicule him and forgot how powerful and impressive he had once been. But at present,
the disciples revered him primarily because of his strength.
Therefore, their praise meant nothing to him. Becoming more powerful was the only way to prove
himself to the ones who truly mattered.
After the proceedings had drawn to a close, Ricky bade farewell to Autelan, Olivia and three core
disciples whom Grace had recruited. He then headed to the place where Amelia cultivated.
He went there not only to express his thanks to Amelia, but also to find out once and for all why Amelia
would spare no efforts to support him.
"I suspected you'd pay me a visit!" Amelia said with a smile as soon as Ricky stepped into the
courtyard.
"So...I assume that you have anticipated why, as well?" Ricky smiled.
"Of course! You're here to thank me... and of course, ask about something else!"
"Ha-ha, fine, you are spot-on. Amelia, would you mind telling me why you supported me today to the
extent that you did?" Ricky smiled warmly.
"Not to criticize you but— that doesn't sound like the proper way to way to say 'Thank you'," Amelia
rolled her eyes.
"Ha-ha, how about making a commitment to you?" Ricky laughed.
"Quite good, though you don't strike me as a particularly kind person, I still put my trust in your word,"
Amelia nodded.
"It's really my pleasure," Ricky smiled. "Please, do tell me the reason now!"
"I supported you because I want you to owe me a favor," Amelia replied bluntly.
"It seems that I should make one more commitment to you," Ricky said. "What, then, would it be for?"
"I am not quite sure yet. But it won't be too long to fulfill it, I can tell you that," Amelia said, lifting her
beautiful eyes to the sky, lost deep in thought.
Even if Ricky's curiosity was intense, he didn't feel that it would be fruitful to ask about it again because
Amelia hadn't directly replied to his question yet.
"How can you be so sure that I will remember my commitment all the time?" Ricky asked.
"I know that you will. Your pride is too high that you can't stand owing anybody anything for long. Once
I help you, you will do something to repay me. That's also the reason why you came here, isn't it?"
Amelia replied with a smile.
"You know me very well," Ricky agreed softly.
"You are shrewd, Amelia. I don't want to owe anybody anything, so I will remember my commitment to
you. If you get in trouble in the future, you can count on me to do my best to get you out of it."
"Good. Thank you." Amelia replied, satisfied at Ricky's earnest commitment.
Then she took a red jade pendant from the folds in her robe and handed it to Ricky.
"Take it! Somebody will use the same one to ask you for help if I need you to fulfill your commitment
one day."
"I accept this with a promise," Ricky said willingly.
He had a hunch that it would be a large and difficult task that Amelia would ask him to help her with in
the future. However, his pride would never let him decline her request.
"Ricky, I hope you can cultivate to become the most superior warrior in the road of martial arts," Amelia
suddenly said, looking deeply at Ricky's eyes.
"It sounds like you might die after telling me something important," Ricky joked.
"Only if you die first," Amelia hissed.
... They continued to talk for a while, but then night fell. Ricky got up to leave.
He came home. Upon approaching the courtyard, he saw Bertha. She informed him that Elder Samuel
had invited him to his place for something rather important.
And so, he immediately followed Bertha to Elder Samuel's room.
"Yes, Elder? Why have you summoned me?" Ricky asked.
"Ricky, I heard that you defeated Gennadi with your casting skills in the square," Elder Samuel said,
getting to the point. "It means that you are qualified to become a casting master at the inferior Mortal
Level!
You must know that there will be an appraisal of the Casting Guild after several days. Please, if you will
— do join so you can show your skills and gain recognition from the real casting masters! What do you
say?" Elder Samuel asked, a hopeful smile on his face.
"The Casting Guild? Tell me more about it, please!" Ricky said, a puzzled look on his face.
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