Legend of Wyatt-Chapter 1503: The Challenger

Wyatt Barnes came to Thames River City with only two purposes.

The first was to purchase an inscription pen.

The second was to search for materials needed to repair the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.

He had already bought the inscription pen.

Next, his focus was on finding the materials needed to repair the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.

When Wyatt first arrived in Thames River City, he was alone. But now, at the Nine Alliance Region headquarters, where the Moon Radiance Sect’s base is located, he had gained the assistance of Milan Reid.

With Milan Reid’s help, he collected quite a few materials necessary for repairing the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.

Of course, not many of those materials were high-grade.

However, the Howard Family was an unexpected source of delight.

On Elder Fire’s suggestion, Wyatt found more and higher-quality materials from the Howard Family than he’d managed to gather over the past few days in Thames River City.

"Family Head Howard, thank you so much."

Before leaving the Howard Family, Wyatt smiled and expressed his gratitude to Valentin Howard.

Although Valentin Howard was bleeding inwardly and hated Wyatt to the core, he refrained from showing it and dared not let it show. He could only smile and reply, "It’s my honor that Young Master Barnes doesn’t find them lacking."

"Not lacking, definitely not lacking."

Wyatt shook his head. "If there’s a chance next time, I will surely visit the Howard Family again and pay you a visit, Family Head Howard."

Wyatt’s comment made Valentin Howard shudder internally.

Next time?

This time alone had already earned him strong backlash from the Howard Family elders. If Wyatt came again, those old fellows would surely flay him alive.

Still, recalling that he had already sent away his trouble-making son, Valentin Howard let out a sigh of relief.

"Family Head Howard, farewell."

Noticing Valentin Howard’s insincere smile, Wyatt felt amused and, with a faint goodbye, left the Howard Family accompanied by Milan Reid.

Valentin Howard personally escorted the two to the main gate.

Joining him were the Howard Family’s steward, Amias Howard, and the second Miss of the Howard Family, Eliel Howard.

"He’s actually Wyatt Barnes... How could he possibly be Wyatt Barnes!"

Even several days later, Eliel Howard was still incredulous that the person who had saved her in the Nine Curves Mountain Range was the very Wyatt Barnes who was being celebrated far and wide within the Nine Alliance Region as a prominent disciple of the Moon Radiance Sect.

However, recalling that her brother had been exiled to the Demonic Ridge of the Shadows because of Wyatt Barnes, Eliel Howard’s expression turned cold, her gaze filled with icy hatred.

"Wyatt Barnes, it’s all because of you! If it weren’t for you, my brother wouldn’t have been sent to the Demonic Ridge of the Shadows!"

The Demonic Ridge of the Shadows was a near-certain death sentence.

Eliel Howard didn’t believe Leslie Howard could survive and walk out alive from there.

Eliel Howard desperately wanted revenge for her brother.

Yet, thinking about Wyatt Barnes’ talent, strength, and backing, she could only feel powerless, unable to muster any concrete thoughts of vengeance, and buried her hatred deep in her heart.

"Junior Brother Barnes, you’ve come all the way to Thames River City; why not stay a little bit longer?"

On the way back to the Nine Alliance Region headquarters after leaving the Howard Family, Milan Reid tried to persuade Wyatt to stay after hearing him mention he’d return to the Moon Radiance Sect in a few days. "These past few days, I haven’t had the chance to be a good host as your Senior Brother."

"If Senior Brother Baillie were to find out I’ve been neglecting you, he wouldn’t be pleased."

Milan Reid remarked to Wyatt.

"Senior Brother Milan, it’s not like I’m leaving immediately... Besides, I have some matters to attend to when I return to the sect in a few days, so I can’t stay in Thames River City for too long."

Wyatt smiled and said, "Let’s find a time to properly gather when you finish your duties and return to the sect."

"Since you insist, Junior Brother, I won’t push further. However, you must let me arrange your schedule for the next few days so I can fulfill my role as host."

Milan replied.

"I’ll leave it to you, Senior Brother Milan."

Wyatt readily agreed. After all, Milan Reid’s assistance in recent days had been instrumental in helping him find so many materials.

Upon returning to the Moon Radiance Sect base at the Nine Alliance Region headquarters, Wyatt had barely sat down before Milan Reid called out to him.

"Senior Brother Milan, what’s the rush? Do you have something urgent?"

They’d just parted ways moments ago, and surprisingly, Milan Reid immediately sought him out again.

"Junior Brother Barnes, I’m sorry to disturb your rest—however, according to the Earth List rules in the Nine Alliance Region, I couldn’t avoid reaching out to you."

Milan replied with a wry smile.

"The Earth List? Is it someone challenging me?"

Wyatt raised an eyebrow in question.

It was the only possible explanation he could think of.

"That’s right."

Milan nodded. "I also heard that the challenger arrived earlier today. But when they learned we’d gone to the Howard Family, they waited until you returned. Right now, the challenger is already waiting outside our Moon Radiance Sect base."

"Additionally, disciples from the other eight sects are also eagerly watching, hoping to see the famed rising star of the Nine Alliance Region in person."

Milan explained.

"If that’s the case, I’ll go meet him!"

Wyatt responded decisively and soon went with Milan to the Moon Radiance Sect base’s entrance.

Outside the Moon Radiance Sect base, Wyatt was startled to see a dense crowd of people.

Surrounding the base were throngs of people, forming a circle around an open area.

Standing in this open area was an unassuming middle-aged man clad in plain clothes, his face scruffy and disheveled.

Yet, the man’s eyes were sharp and gleaming, exuding an aura of assertiveness.

Wyatt instantly deduced that this must be the challenger.

Still, Wyatt didn’t think much of the man.

Being in the mid-stage of the Saint Realm now, he’d have nothing to fear from any challenge by Transcending Mortal Realm martial artists or Taoist cultivators—even if he hadn’t broken through yet.

"It’s Moon Radiance Sect’s Elder Milan!"

As Wyatt and Milan walked out together, many recognized Milan Reid.

"The one walking alongside Elder Milan must be Wyatt Barnes, right?"

"No doubt about it! That’s him! A few days ago, I was on duty and saw him come to the Nine Alliance Region headquarters myself."

"I thought he might try avoiding the Earth List challenger, but surprisingly, he’s accepted the challenge directly... Looks like he’s quite confident in his strength."

...

Disciples from the other eight sects discussed among themselves, their gazes fixed on Wyatt Barnes.

These individuals were all Inner Sect disciples, each having surpassed the Saint Realm.

Ordinary individuals facing a crowd filled with Saint Realm cultivators might feel nervous or uneasy.

However, Wyatt maintained an unshaken composure amidst their scrutiny, his demeanor like an unwavering still pond or aged monk, wholly indifferent.

"Hmph! Just some guy ranked seventy-first on the Earth List... Our Junior Brother Wyatt has defeated someone ranked sixty-sixth. Why would he be afraid of someone ranked even lower?"

Reacting to the surrounding chatter, Dante Mullins scoffed disdainfully.

"Exactly! Our Junior Brother Wyatt’s strength has been proven; he’s no flash in the pan!"

Several Moon Radiance Sect Inner Sect disciples echoed their agreement.

"Pfft!"

Overhearing the Moon Radiance Sect disciples, many from the other eight sects couldn’t help but scoff.

"That so-called proving? The one he defeated, Center Montes, ranked sixty-sixth, was also one of your Moon Radiance Sect disciples."

"True! For all we know, Center Montes might’ve been pressured by the Moon Radiance Sect higher-ups into deliberately losing to Wyatt."

...

Though the eight sect disciples didn’t explicitly name anyone, the Moon Radiance Sect disciples knew all too well who they were insinuating.

Clearly, they referred to Elder Trevor Baillie, who had acknowledged Wyatt as his Junior Brother.

"That’s nonsense!"

Dante Mullins flushed red, snapping angrily.

Other Moon Radiance Sect disciples joined in the shouting.

Still, a portion of the Moon Radiance Sect disciples exchanged hesitant glances with Wyatt amidst the commotion, betraying traces of doubt.

The surrounding murmurs and skeptic gazes didn’t faze Wyatt.

He understood that the doubts surrounding him would dissipate soon enough and intended to silence the eight sect disciples shortly.

"So, you’re Wyatt Barnes, the one who defeated Center Montes, took his place, and claimed the sixty-sixth rank on the Earth List?"

The scruffy middle-aged man met Wyatt’s gaze, his tone carrying a hint of interrogation.

Wyatt calmly glanced at him, responding flatly, "And if I am?"

"If so, then today I’ll defeat you and take your place!"

The man’s eyes gleamed with confidence as he declared arrogantly, "Remember this: the one who defeats you is named..."

"Idiot!"

Wyatt lazily interrupted, a single word quelling the man’s introduction with biting sarcasm.

Challenging someone was one thing, but spouting pretentious nonsense beforehand was an exhausting display Wyatt couldn’t be bothered with.

"Hahaha..."

Wyatt’s interruption drew uproarious laughter from the onlookers.

The timing of Wyatt’s remark hilariously aligned with the man’s cutoff speech, provoking amusement all around.

"This Wyatt Barnes really is bold—he’s angrier now than ever."

Disciples from the eight sects shook their heads, perceiving Wyatt’s audacious behavior as reckless.

"He’s enjoying this now, but the aftermath will be unpleasant for him."

More people eagerly anticipated what was to come.

The scorned middle-aged man opened his mouth, appearing intent to retort.

Wyatt spoke first, his expression indifferent, "If you still want to introduce yourself, spare me—I have no interest in learning the name of a loser."