106 106 - Second mee

Aatrox continued walking along the way and observed an old man sitting cross-legged in meditation. Aatrox didn't feel it exactly for that reason, when he was in the other shed and thought about the possibility of having another grower, he felt nothing first because of the distance between one shed and the other and secondly because the old man was cultivating.

When someone cultivates, the person's energy merges with the environment. At higher levels of cultivation, the grower becomes literally part of the environment and only years later he wakes up. When this happened, the only way to feel the presence of the cultivator was to look at him directly, since the whole aura of the person was in perfect synchrony.

Obviously the cultivation state of this old man did not even reach the feet of the powerful cultivators above the divine level, but that did not change a fact, this old man was as powerful as Aatrox at the present level, if not more so, when it came only to brute force.

Due to God-Killer's technique, Aatrox even being in the initial stage of Baron's ranking could face an intermediate stage grower of Baron's normal ranking, but from what Aatrox felt, this old man was almost going up to the final stage of Baron's ranking. If the old man reached that strength, Aatrox would have to expose some cards up his sleeve to have an equal battle with the old man, and even then the battle would probably be a little bit favorable for the old man.

This old man was probably in the Baron ranking even before Benjamin was born, and Aatrox had only brought this body to the Beginner Baron ranking in less than a week, the difference in foundations was very big. Aatrox's technique was very superior, allowing him to fight against growers of a superior ranking of equals, but two more rankings was a little too much for his current ranking.

"I see we meet again." The old man said by opening his eyes.

"It seems that the misfortune I caused him has turned into a blessing disguised by what I can see." Aatrox responded with his cold and indifferent tone.

"Hahaha, I have to admit that's true. Since the day you used that fascinating eye technique on me, all the fear you caused me has become fuel to make me stronger, rekindling the flame of will in my old heart to climb the rankings again. With a peak of inspiration, I was able to find the way to reach the final Baron ranking." The old man said when repeatedly the aura in his body began to become stronger and stronger over time.

Aatrox saw this and felt pressured, he had to do something, otherwise the battle would take too long.

Aatrox entered the race position, but when he was only 4 meters away from the old man, an explosion occurred that sent him flying back.

The old man looked at his hands and feeling the new strength he possessed, a smile appeared on his face and a laugh came soon after. "Hahahahahaha, and this old man thinking I'd die a few years from now, with that advance I'll have at least 10 more years of useful life!"

"Companion grower, I have to say I am extremely grateful for the exchange we had that day. The technique you used on me was extremely helpful to me, so I'm willing to forget everything that happened and allow you to come home now without hindering your retreat left as a thank you." The old man said.

Aatrox felt the old man's sincerity and realized that he was really telling the truth about it, as Aatrox remembered, this old man named Robert was paying a favor to the Price family. He didn't really care much about them, he was just repaying a debt that was probably nearing its end. That in itself made Aatrox respect a little the old man, few people pay debts like that.

Unfortunately for the old man, the smile on Aatrox's face began to get wider and wider. He was worried that the old man getting stronger would cause him some trouble, but when he felt the strength radiating from Robert in front of him, God King of War's instinct began to take over and the thing he most wanted now was a battle with this old man. To prove the first real battle he would have in this world, with a person who could be a challenge to him.

With a broad smile on his face covered by the mask, Aatrox replied. "Robert, I very much appreciate your sincerity, so I won't kill you today, but I can't leave here without having a battle first."

When Robert heard what the man who once identified himself as Aatrox said, and seeing his cheeks raised above the mask, he understood that just like himself, Aatrox was also rowing for a good battle. "Well done! I very much appreciate your thirst for battle. I will also give you my word that I will not kill you after our battle." Robert answered with his eyes burning for a thirst for battle.

In just a fraction of a second, the two men who were standing still moved too fast for a normal person to see.

Aatrox being the War God bearer of the Darkin sword, instantly invoked the [Spiritual Sword] to use in battle. He wanted to have a battle in his best condition so there'd be no regrets later.

Robert, seeing clearly the sword that Aatrox was holding, remembered the invasion and the cut that he had suffered on his shoulder. Determined not to suffer a loss again, the old man took two gloves and put them on his hands.

This all happened in the fraction of a second that the two were advancing towards each other.