Chapter 480 479: Innate Grandmaster?

"Someone else has already been chosen?"

Fenric smiled faintly. "Master Zohyan, as far as I know, as long as the Martial Arts Conference hasn't officially begun, the recommended candidates can still be changed."

At those words, Zohyan's brows furrowed.

Is this young man dense? Did he not understand my refusal? Or was I too roundabout? Does he need me to be blunt?

He was just about to decline more directly when Fenric, seated calmly across from him, lifted his hand.

Whoosh!

A flame burst to life in his palm.

The blazing fire danced ceaselessly, quickly raising the temperature inside the office.

"This is…"

Zohyan's words caught in his throat. His intended refusal was forced back as shock overtook him.

"Releasing… true qi?!" He drew in a sharp breath. "Could it be—you're an Innate Grandmaster!?"

Releasing true qi was a hallmark of those who had stepped into the Innate Realm.

To Zohyan, the flames coiling around Fenric's palm could only mean one thing: his vitality had reached the point of manifesting outward.

In reality, this was nothing more than one of Fenric's many innate abilities—his mastery over flame. In this world, however, such powers had no "supernatural" explanation. They were always attributed to the cultivation of warriors who had pushed beyond human limits.

"You… you're really an Innate Grandmaster!?" Zohyan asked again, his voice trembling.

It was hard for him to accept that someone so young had already crossed into such a legendary realm.

Innate Grandmasters were terrifying beings, having surpassed mortal limits. Their emergence would ignite competition among every major power in the world. Even the mightiest factions could not afford to ignore them.

With just his identity as an Innate Grandmaster, Fenric could register as an official martial artist at any time and enjoy exceptional treatment—without ever needing the Martial Arts Conference.

Yet Fenric said nothing. Instead, he tapped his index finger lightly on the marble coffee table before him.

Crack!

In the next instant, the marble surface splintered and collapsed into shards.

The four supporting legs, however, remained perfectly intact.

"!!!"

Zohyan's eyes went wide, and he shot up from his seat in alarm.

Smashing marble with his bare hands—he could do that too.

But shattering it so cleanly with a single tap, while leaving the legs untouched? That required a level of precision and control over strength and qi he couldn't even imagine.

To him, Fenric's display was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

In truth, Fenric had only released a fraction of his power—just enough to shock.

"Master Zohyan," Fenric said evenly, "do you still have questions?"

Zohyan swallowed hard. "Grandmaster Kline… with your skills, becoming an official martial artist would be no trouble at all. The Martial Arts Association would never turn away an Innate Grandmaster. Why, then, do you still insist on participating in the Martial Arts Conference?"

After witnessing Fenric's cultivation, Zohyan no longer dared to call him by his name.

His reasoning was sound: although martial artists were usually recruited based on their performance at the conference, an Innate Grandmaster was enough to make the Association bend the rules.

But Fenric merely smiled. "Because I wish to obtain what I seek through the upright path."

Zohyan froze, at a loss for words.

What kind of thinking is this? There's a shortcut laid before him, yet he insists on walking the difficult road? Doesn't he know the higher one stands out, the more enemies they attract?

It was the sort of idealism only a young man would hold.

"Master Zohyan," Fenric's calm voice broke his thoughts, "so… what do you say? Have you reconsidered changing your recommendation?"

Zohyan hesitated, torn.

If Fenric truly claimed the championship, the benefits to him would be immeasurable. Not only would he reap the Association's rewards, but his association with Fenric would brand them as allies in the eyes of others.

A friend of an Innate Grandmaster—such a status was priceless.

But then… there was the candidate he had already chosen. That person's background was not something Zohyan could afford to offend.

After a long silence, Zohyan forced a bitter smile.

"Grandmaster Kline, my quota truly has already been given away. And frankly, with my status, I'm not worthy of recommending you. But—if you're willing to trust me—I can introduce you to someone more suitable. A great master who could recommend you in my place."

"Oh?"

Fenric raised a brow, intrigued. He understood the nature of the quota system well: the recommender's interests were tied directly to their candidate's success. For Zohyan to willingly pass him along, even after seeing his strength, was surprising.

Sensing Fenric's doubt, Zohyan explained earnestly, "The person I wish to introduce you to is my teacher. Without his guidance, I would not be who I am today. I've always sought a way to repay his kindness. Grandmaster Kline, if you would allow him to recommend you, it would honor me as well."

Fenric regarded Zohyan for a moment, then gave a faint nod of approval.

At the very least, this was a man who valued loyalty and righteousness.

"Very well."

All Fenric needed was the recommendation. The name attached to it did not matter. His true goal was to shine in the Martial Arts Conference, build his reputation, and fulfill his mission.

"Thank you!" Zohyan said, his voice brightening with excitement. "Grandmaster Kline, when my teacher meets a young talent like you, I am certain he will gladly recommend you."