Talented Martial Hero
Chapter 1236 The Branch

Darren glanced at the strange lightning that flashed across the surface of the fragment in Freda'shand. Everything about the fragment gave him the impression that it was extraordinary.

"Yes." Darren waved his hand and continued, "Just keep it. There's no need to say anything more.”"Thank you, Darren." Freda didn't persist, either. She had been tasked with fetching the divinepattern fragments, and she would be punished if she failed.

"Your name is Freda, right?"

Darren asked. Now that they had tidied up, the group could afford to rest for a short while.

eB:

"Why are you in the Tussle Region?" Darren asked.

"Well, our Starry Sword Sect has branches in every region, including the Tussle Region," Fredaexplained with a shrug.

"Oh, I see.” Darren nodded thoughtfully. He glanced at Freda as he asked, "Can I join your branchbefore I officially become a member of the Starry Sword Sect?"

"Of course! My father is the branch leader. He will be thrilled to learn of the arrival of a nominaldisciple of Lord Starry Sword. Shall I take you to him?" Freda flashed him a brilliant grin.

"Well, then, please lead the way," Darren said as he cupped his hands.

"Follow me."

They traveled for five days and five nights. Finally, they reached the mountain where the StarrySword Sect's branch was located.

"Forgive my curiosity, but might I ask why you didn't go to the Starry Sword Region? Why did youcome to the Tussle Region?"

Freda blushed as she questioned. She couldn't suppress her curiosity any longer. She wasn'tsuspicious of Darren's identity as she knew that no one could play tricks with the Starry Tower.

"It's a long story. Essentially, I came here to escape my pursuers.

How far is the Ninth Precipitous Mountain from the branch?" Darren was straightforward.

"Oh, it's not far. We are actually right at the edge of the Ninth Precipitous Mountain. It takes about aday to reach it. But, you can't go there as it is overflowing with bandits. You can't afford to provokethem," Freda warned.

"I did intend to hide in the Ninth Precipitous Mountain. But now that I am about to join your branch,I don't have to," Darren smiled warmly as he replied.

"What trouble did you make? Who is your enemy? Why do they chase you?" Freda faced Darren asshe voiced all the questions that were unsettling her.

"The Xiling Clan wants to kill me."

"Are they powerful?"

"Yes. It is said that one of their clan members is a master at the low-level Celestial God Realm,"Darren shook his head and explained.

"Ha-ha, you don't have to worry. No warrior at the low-level Celestial God Realm can defeat myfather. Let's go. I'll introduce you to him now.”

A brilliant smile lit up Freda's face as she led Darren and the others up to the mountain and throughthe entrance to the Starry Sword Sect's branch.

"Miss Freda You."

"Hello, Miss Freda You."

Along the way, people who came across Freda greeted her respectfully.

"Darren, I will arrange for some accommodation for your friends to rest. I'm sorry, but I can onlytake you to see my father,” Freda said as she smiled apologetically.

"That's all right. Just follow the rules.” Darren knew that outsiders were generally not allowed toenter sects.

He followed Freda to a waterfall. In front sprawled a vast pool filled with lotus leaves.

A middle-aged man, surrounded by sharp sword intent, stood on a lotus leaf.

"Father, I have brought a distinguished guest,” Freda giggled.

Freda's father, whose name was Murphy You, slowly opened his eyes and asked with a smile, "Youmean the man next to you?"

"Yes. His name is Darren Chu. He is Lord Starry Sword's nominal disciple,” Freda introduced.Surprise flashed across Murphy You's face. With a flick of his feet, he landed in front of Darren."You are Darren? Do you have any evidence?"

"Of course, I do." Darren nodded as he released the Starry Tower.

Murphy You's expression turned to reverence, and he immediately bowed at the sight of the StarryTower.

"Ha-ha. You are Lord Starry Sword's nominal disciple. It is nice to meet you." Murphy You cupped hishands toward Darren as if they were peers.

"The pleasure is all mine. It's a pity that I haven't truly become his disciple yet."

"You will be sooner or later. Now that you have the Starry Tower, all you have to do is pass a simpletest when you go to the Starry Sword Region. Then, you will truly become his direct disciple. Alas, Ican't get such an honor. If you so choose, you can stay with us as an elder. When the time is right, Iwill send you to the Starry Sword Region. What do you think?" suggested Murphy You.

"That's very generous. Thank you very much.”

"Don’t mention it." With a faint smile, Murphy You ordered, "Prepare a feast to welcome ElderDarren.”

For the next three days, Murphy You entertained Darren and his companions. He was veryhospitable to Darren.

"Darren, you mentioned earlier that the Xiling Clan is chasing you. Could you tell me the reason?"Murphy You asked while he was discussing sword skills with Darren.

"I had a conflict with a young master of their clan and killed him by accident. That is what angeredthem,"

Darren explained. He intentionally avoided revealing to Murphy that he was a Defiant Master.Moreover, Lindsay had given him the bead to hide his aura. And so, Murphy didn't sense that hewas a Defiant Master.

Murphy nodded. "People are bloodthirsty in the Tussle Region. You were right to kill that youngmaster for whatever reason. Don't worry. If the Xiling Clan dares to follow you here, I will deal withthem."

"Thank you for your offer of assistance," Darren said as he cupped his hands.

"You are welcome. Well, could I ask for a favor? Would you please put in a good word for me afterbecoming Lord Starry Sword's direct disciple? The border of the Ninth Precipitous Mountain is sodesolate. I want to return to my hometown and live with my parents,” Murphy sighed.

Darren smiled. He understood that Murphy was so hospitable to him because he had an ulteriormotive. He hoped that Darren could help him leave the Tussle Region one day.

"Don't worry. After I formally acknowledge Lord Starry Sword as my master, I will beg him to transferyou back to the Starry Sword Region."

"Thank you.” Murphy cupped his hands respectfully as joy coursed through him.

They chatted and drank happily in the pavilion for a long time.

"Darren, how did you win recognition from Lord Starry Sword in the mortal world?" Murphy asked.He had always had great respect for Lord Starry Sword and enjoyed hearing anecdotes about him.Darren had nothing to hide, and so, he began to share how he had entered the Starry Tower.

"Did Lord Starry Sword ask you to join his army to fight against the fiends?"

"Yes. He said that after he fought me with one move. I was still weak at that time, but he sawpotential.”

"What a great honor! Since he spoke highly of you, you will have a bright future. I'm certain thatyou'll reach the Superior God Realm one day. Your prospects are enviable. Come on. Let's drink toyour future.” Murphy raised his cup and swallowed its contents in one gulp.

"Step out, Darren, you son of a bitch! How dare you kill the young master of our clan?”

A loud voice suddenly echoed through the branch.