Chapter 133: Journey to the Grandmaster Council

Chapter 133: Heading to the Council of Masters

"The Council of Masters? Director, why would the Council of Masters invite me? I don't believe I have any connection to them at all. How could they have even heard of me?" Confusion flickered in Shen An's eyes.

The Director of the Silver City Martial Arts Hall smiled slightly and said, "Heh, the people at the Council of Masters have already heard of your performance at the Silver City Martial Arts Hall. They are very satisfied with what you have shown, which is why they wish to invite you. However, even with an invitation, there is still some distance to go before you can actually join the Council. Good luck; if you manage to join them, the path ahead of you will become much smoother."

Hearing these words from the Director, Shen An felt a surge of excitement.

"Director, where is the Council of Masters? Could you take me there?" A glimmer of anticipation shone in Shen An's eyes; he was quite curious about the Council.

The onlookers nearby were astonished to see Shen An conversing so pleasantly with the Director of the Silver City Martial Arts Hall.

"I never expected the Director of the Silver City Martial Arts Hall to be chatting so happily with that young man. What exactly are they talking about? It’s truly intriguing," said one young man.

"Heh, the Director must be trying to recruit him into the Silver City Martial Arts Hall. I’m so envious; to be able to join at such a young age! If that were me, I’d be so happy I wouldn't be able to sleep for three or four days," another young man added.

"Three or four days? That’s an exaggeration. If it were me, I wouldn't sleep for at least ten days. Something like that would never happen to me in this lifetime."

"I remember a friend of mine went for the assessment at the Silver City Martial Arts Hall last time and didn't pass. It's already extremely difficult for an ordinary Awakened to clear their assessment, yet that young man is receiving a personal invitation from the Director. It really makes one envious."

As the crowd whispered among themselves, Shen An stepped into the Director's Ferrari. The car soon sped away, leaving the onlookers in a state of shock. It took quite a while for the crowd to finally disperse.

Half an hour later, the Director personally dropped Shen An off in front of the gates of the Council of Masters. The building looked distinctly European, resembling a cathedral. Everyone who held a position within those walls was a heavyweight of the Silver City Martial Arts world.

Shen An smiled. "Director, is this the Council of Masters?" Gazing at the solemn, imposing characters of the name on the building, he gained a bit more understanding of the place.

"Indeed, this is the Council of Masters. Go on in now; I hope you can earn their approval," the Director said, his eyes filled with expectation.

"Director, don't you worry. I will definitely join the Council of Masters," Shen An replied with a smile.

***

At the entrance of the Council, two seemingly formidable young men cast their gazes toward Shen An and began to whisper. They were members of the Council, and though they naturally possessed a sense of arrogance, their eyes held nothing but envy as they looked at Shen An.

"Look, that’s the person the Director of the Silver City Martial Arts Hall brought here himself. It seems he is the young man nominated by the elders. I wonder what kind of high status he will attain after joining?"

"Need you ask? It’s been a full year; how many young men have you seen nominated by the elders?"

"None, I suppose. He really is something else."

"Exactly. We must not offend him. After all, he might be our superior in the future. Provoking him now would only bring disaster upon ourselves."

Shen An approached the entrance and faced the two young men. "May I enter?" he asked.

The two young men addressed him with great respect. "Of course. You must be the genius our Council has invited. We’ve heard of your astonishing combat record at the Silver City Martial Arts Hall; it is truly our honor to interact with you."

"Indeed, I feel so fortunate to be able to speak with someone of your stature."

A faint smile touched Shen An's lips. He had not expected to have already gained such a reputation at the Council of Masters.

He walked straight into the building. Soon, he arrived in a vast hall that resembled the interior of a cathedral, with a ceiling decorated like a starry sky, appearing extremely elegant.

At that moment, three elders in black robes walked toward him. Even from a distance, Shen An could sense that their strength was extraordinary. They were likely well beyond the third rank, perhaps even fourth or fifth-rank existences. In Silver City, even third-rank masters were rare; for these individuals to reach the fourth or fifth rank meant their status within the Council was undoubtedly formidable.

Before they even spoke to him, the three elders began to discuss Shen An among themselves.

"His talent seems quite promising. He is indeed qualified to be summoned by us personally."

"So this is the young man who shocked so many at the Silver City Martial Arts Hall. He is certainly a youth of great promise."

"I was the one who issued the invitation. I knew his strength was exceptional, but seeing him today, he is truly extraordinary."

These three elders were the high-ranking officials of the Council of Masters.

Shen An stepped forward, intending to ask why he had been summoned, but suddenly, a man as burly as a black bear stepped into his path, blocking him like a stone wall.

"I hear the elders think highly of you. I just wanted to see for myself if you really possess the qualifications to earn their favor." This was the "Black Bear" of the Council of Masters, a man of immense power. It was rumored that anyone he targeted never walked out of the Council of Masters alive.

Watching the Black Bear block Shen An, the elders began to deliberate.

"What... what does he think he is doing? That young man was invited here by me. How can I allow the Black Bear to harm him?" one elder said.

"Wait. I think it would be better to let him fight the Black Bear. This way, we can see his true strength. Perhaps he is strong enough to hold his own against him."

"The Black Bear is known as the 'Berserker' of our Council. No one he has targeted has ever left this place alive. You are asking that young man to fight him? Are you trying to get him killed?" another elder protested.

"Heh, if he cannot even pass a test like this, then he is not worthy of joining our Council."

"Second Elder, isn't that requirement a bit too harsh?"