Chapter 460 Confrontation
Saxon frowned, straining to listen but hearing nothing. It wasn't until half a minute later that he detected Wylie's footsteps, 300 feet away. This meant that James had heard Wylie's steps from at least 600 feet away, a clear indication that James's abilities had far surpassed his own.
James had learned all his skills from his father, and now James was better than him.
"What level have you reached in martial arts now?" Saxon asked seriously.
James replied, "I should be at the fourth stage of a martial artist."
"What?" Saxon's face changed dramatically, and he exclaimed in surprise, "How did you break through to the fourth stage?"
Saxon couldn't help but be astonished. In the entire United States, martial artists at the fourth stage were few and far between. Five years ago, when James reached the third stage, it was already an impressive feat, making him the top young martial artist in the City of Mysteries. Now, just five years later, James had broken through to the fourth stage. It was simply unbelievable!
Wylie was so arrogant, yet he was only at the peak of the second stage, still a step away from the third stage.
Now that James was at the fourth stage, teaching Wylie a lesson would be like an adult disciplining a child.
James had anticipated Saxon's strong reaction. He smiled and said, "I encountered a fire recently and barely survived. My energy center expanded more than twice, and I naturally broke through to the fourth stage."
Saxon's eyebrows twitched twice after hearing this, still feeling shocked. He himself, at over fifty years old, was only at the third stage, which was already considered impressive in the field. But James, not even thirty, had reached the fourth stage, which was terrifying.
Fortunately, James was his son; otherwise, he would be so jealous extremely.
"Let me check your pulse," Saxon said, grabbing James's wrist without waiting for a response. After a careful examination, he found that James's energy center was vast and boundless, much wider than his own, with a continuous flow of inner energy. If his inner energy was a stream, then James's was a river—truly terrifying.
Saxon withdrew his hand and said with a very serious expression, "James, you must not tell anyone that you've reached the fourth stage. You have to keep it a secret, get it?"
James rarely saw Saxon so serious and stern. He instantly understood what Saxon meant and curiously asked, "Dad, are there very few martial artists at the fourth stage in the United States?"
Saxon nodded, "Yes. Not just in the United States, but globally, there are very few who reach the fourth stage. Someone like you, not even thirty, reaching the fourth stage with such a vast energy center, is one in a million! Your future is limitless, but to some of the world's top experts, you are a potential threat. Should they become aware, they will undoubtedly seek to eliminate this danger."
James nodded, agreeing with this viewpoint. So he hadn't told anyone, not even Arianwen, that he had reached the fourth stage. It wasn't that he didn't trust Arianwen, but the forces behind her were too mysterious, posing a risk of leakage.
Saxon then showed a gratified expression, patted James on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "James, you are my lifelong pride."
James rolled his eyes and said, "You're over fifty; don't be so mushy, okay?"
Saxon laughed heartily, his fear of Wylie completely gone. Wylie was no longer a threat.
At this moment, Wylie had returned. He was tall, nearly 6- foot-3 , with a strong build, the standard physique of a basketball player. He was not only tall but also very handsome, making him extremely attractive to women.
His eyes were full of spirit, bright and piercing, exuding a imposing presence and authority. After he entered, the servants in the house worked even harder.
Behind him were a few people, all distant relatives of the Smith family, who used to follow James but had now become Wylie's lackeys.
As soon as Wylie entered, he saw James sitting on the sofa in the living room. His brow immediately furrowed, and his already strong presence intensified, making it feel as if the gravity had increased, suffocatingly heavy.
James pretended not to notice him, remaining unfazed as he continued making coffee and poured a cup for his father, Saxon.
Saxon, in turn, acted as though he hadn't seen Wylie, either, continuing his conversation with James seamlessly.
Upon seeing James, Wylie's heart began to race. Even though he had known since yesterday that James had returned, catching sight of him in person sent an uncontrollable ripple through his emotions.
It was a purely instinctive reaction, like a mouse seeing a cat. Even if this mouse had grown to the size of a cat, the natural predator-prey relationship still made him feel fear.
Wylie had lived in James's shadow since he could remember. In every aspect, he was no match for James. James was his nightmare.
This demon had only disappeared five years ago when James mysteriously vanished.
Strictly speaking, it wasn't that he had overcome the nightmare; it was just that he no longer dreamed.
Now that James was back, the nightmare that had been cast aside was magnified again.
He coughed heavily in order to erase this fear from his mind.
Wylie was no longer the same person he had been five years ago. So what if James had returned? He could still overwhelm him effortlessly. After all, Wylie was now just one breakthrough away from reaching the third stage of martial artist.
Facing the indifference of James and his father, he felt disdain and walked over with large strides.
"Well, isn't it James? When did you get back?" Wylie walked over, feigning surprise as he spoke to James.
With his ostentatious expression devoid of any surprise, it was evident to anyone observing that he harbored a deep disdain and mockery towards James.
James still ignored him, continuing to drink his coffee as if he hadn't heard Wylie's voice.
His disregard made Wylie's face darken considerably.
After a full ten seconds, James finished his cup of coffee and then said to Wylie, "I came back yesterday and had a meal at the Serenity Haven Hotel. How did Archer get the position of deputy manager? I'll fire him tomorrow."
Wylie squinted his eyes and said, "I promoted Archer myself. I think he's more than capable of being the deputy manager, so you don't need to meddle."
The moment they met, the tension was palpable.
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