An irrefutable expression appeared on his face as he matched softly to the gates.
There were several guards stationed there, fully awake, watching the gates closely. He looked up at the top of the guard tower but couldn't find the head guard. He sighed in relief since it might not be easy to trick him.
Just five meters from the gates, a guard hurried over, "What do you need help with young master?"
"HaHa, at ease my friend. Open the gate! I will be out for some time, understood?" Blood said, his tone was mixed with worry.
"But..."
"That's nothing to worry about. I've already broke through the Bronze realm barrier, and I'm now a full-fledged Bronze realm cultivator. There is nothing preventing me from leaving this gate, is there?" Blood said with spread arms like it was nothing. He put on an easy-going smile, keeping the guard at ease.
The guard almost sneered, 'the Bronze realm? Keep bragging.'
It looked like he wanted to call the others, but blood quickly stopped him to avoid drawing more attention. It was already much since some guards threw some glance their way.
To ensure he wouldn't be asked more questions, he did something that completely took the guards off guard.
There was a dummy placed very close to the walls of the gate which was able to hold the attack of any cultivator below the Bronze realm. The guards usually gathered to practice their abilities using the dummy.
There were several dummies spaced out on the field that could hold attacks from different cultivator.
Blood thinned his eyes and with precision, sent out a powerful energy attack in the form of a nail toward the dummy. The moment it smashed into the dummy, it instantly shattered its head sending cracks down its body.
The attack was fast and swift, and because of the noise it created the guards who were sitting stood from their sits with perplexed expression, almost not believing what they just saw, especially not from the person who released the attack.
It confused them that they thought maybe it was the guard who sent the attack, but they clearly saw it.
Although, they've accepted Blood's miraculous increase in strength before but this, it was impeccable. Besides, breaking through to the second realm in only a month after his miraculous cultivation increment was a lot but they were just guards of the manor, they had to swallow their curiosity.
The guards who were of the third realm, the Silver realm were spooked. Their expressions were indescribable.
They started to feel something was going on in the Marble's family that they weren't aware of, but they know better than to prob. Their commander might have a clue.
Nonetheless, they were also part of the clan's direct line but remained as guard to the Marble family after the disbandment.
Without even measuring Blood's cultivation base, they immediately opened gate and let him pass.
Maria just came out of the sickroom section and witnessed the scene. When she saw her son gathering his energy, she was patiently waiting for it to strike the dummy before bursting in laughter. However, the result of the collision completely astounded her, leaving her dumbfounded in her spot.
By the time she collected herself together, Blood had already gone past the gates. She could have called or caught up with him, but she decided against it.
She arrived amongst the guards who were chattering but were silenced by her presence.
It suddenly dawned on them! They shouldn't have let the kid go so easily…
________
Blood watched the gate closed with a loud "Gbam" before a delighted smile covered his face.
"Didn't know that would work so flawlessly." he said blankly.
The performance was just a distraction to stop the others from inspecting whether he had crossed the second realm or not because he knew he clearly hadn't.
The guard who came to them was a low stage Bronze realm cultivator and he felt nothing for him, as if he were an insect which could be easily crushed.
The attention he didn't want was involuntarily garnered.
"Yeah, they were so moved by your display." Ballock admitted. "He was so immense in it that he didn't even know when he asked them to open the gates. Hehe!" he laughed. Ballock really had to admit that even he didn't see this coming.
It was so abrupt that it took them all in surprise.
Satisfied by his previous deed, he stormed the ground and dashed off, not willing to linger within the area before they changed their minds and chase after them but came to a complete stop when he saw some figures.
Just ahead, he could see a group of teens coming their way clad in gray robes. They were from the nearby alchemy clan but relatively smaller compared to the Shaffa's, who were the best in the city.
What were they doing in this part of the manor?
The Marble manor as a whole was unbelievably large, even larger than any territory in the city and they held a somewhat interminable history with the city. The area he just exited was only the grand or main manor. The family only restricted themselves to this place and the surrounding areas wasn't to be trespassed easily.
One had to be given a permit before entrance would be allowed, since the surrounding areas were also rich in heaven and earth energy, so cultivators usually seek a permit! Even after the clan's setback none of their territory was claimed.
Who allowed these gnats in?
Walking in front of the group was a kid whose robes was different from the rest. He had a medallion dropping down his chest.
He appeared to be the leader of the group and his pace immediately changed as he started walking briskly the instant he sets his eyes on Blood.
Blood complexion turned grim. He hated no one more than this schmuck who relentlessly pester him when or wherever they met.
Maybe he should teach him a lesson this time with his newfound strength as he heard the schmuck was in the middle stages of the first realm. This thought suddenly surfaced in his mind.
He proceeded to walk forward, but this time his head was held high. He could hear the sarcasm in the teen's voice before he even got close to him.
"He managed to raise his head today. Leave the way for him. He might stumble and fall any moment from now." bellowed the leader of the group, Carmos. He had an ugly smirk as his company laughed with him.
"I heard he wasn't learned. Even the school he was privileged to turned out to be a total blunder. His parents who mostly taught him are always seen outside, following the cities affairs. I wonder if he studied himself or make holes all day." A robust man behind the group added with distaste.
The others burst into laughter.
Blood didn't bother to reply and continued forward as always, with a furious Ballock fuming hard with clenched fist, trailing behind him. But as he had been told, he didn't intervene.
"Yeah, homeschooling doesn't sound so good after all. He would have died if not for his parents' protection, not forgetting to keep him in the house all day. I'm sure they also begged the beasts in the outer region to spare their poor kid" Another commented which earned a popped vein on Blood's head, amidst the laughter.
"I am surprised they released the sheep today, perhaps a day of grace. I know he wouldn't dare come close to the outer boundary as usual." Carmos added with large smile, earning different praises from his servants.
Blood along with Ballock were already 100 meters away from them but Blood could vividly hear their sarcastic talk. He blamed himself for good hearing and not having a silence enduing skill. He could have blocked the noise from reaching him.
"I heard he wants to go to the central academy. It's only a thwart dream for a fool like him. Only someone like master Carmos is capable of such feats. Except the ones who went through the back door of course. He is even less privilege than them!" one of them exclaimed while glancing at the duo who were already far away.
Carmos gazed at Blood's figure before giving him a deadly stare. He wasn't even sure if he heard the last remark.
The only thing they could do was make fun of him, they dare not touch him especially openly. The Marble family wasn't to be trifled with however small they might appear. They were also in the Marble's property; they were totally powerless in here.
Besides, his parents had also cautioned him strictly. The Marble family wasn't one their entire clan could offend. Hence, he had to trend carefully. However, it would be a different thing if Blood attacked first, he would teach him a lesson by then.