Chapter 131: The Gift That Crossed the Ocean
The Gift That Crossed the Ocean
Kimora, Africa.
Floating just above the haze, the late sun painted stretched-out glimmers of gold over the yard where the D’Aurelius outpost stood, tucked into a foreign town. While dust swirled near broken fences, light traced every edge of the quiet building managing faraway deals.
Fingers of heat traced Shera’s skin as he waited in the open yard. Droplets rolled slow from his brow, cutting paths through dust on his face.
Breath after breath, his chest lifted then dropped. Then again it swelled beneath the weight of air rushing in.
One hundred push-ups.
One hundred sit-ups.
One hundred squats.
And finally—
A brutal ten-kilometer run beneath the scorching Kimoran sun.
Shera bent slightly, hands resting on his knees as he caught his breath. His muscles trembled from exhaustion, yet his eyes burned with determination.
Ever since he had been entrusted with an important mission by Young Master Julian D’Aurelius, Shera had come to Africa and taken charge of operations here.
To be honest...
The job was comfortable.
Too comfortable.
Plenty of money.
Almost no supervision.
And tasks so simple they could be finished before afternoon tea.
Most days, by three o’clock, Shera would already be relaxing on the balcony with a cup of tea, watching the red sunset spread across the distant hills.
At first, he had enjoyed this life.
But a few days ago...
Everything changed.
Shera straightened slowly, wiping sweat from his brow as the memory returned.
News had arrived from Valemont.
The D’Aurelius household had suddenly begun recruiting Old Martial Arts experts everywhere.
And only Old Martial Arts experts.
The moment Shera heard that news, his heart had felt like it was struck by lightning.
Because the truth was simple.
He was weak.
He clenched his fists unconsciously.
Once upon a time, he had been the head of the D’Aurelius family bodyguard team.
A position that sounded prestigious.
But compared to real Old Martial Arts experts...
He was nothing.
Not even an Iron Realm practitioner.
Just a strong ordinary man.
If a true Old Martial Arts fighter appeared...
Shera wouldn’t last ten seconds.
The realization struck his pride like a hammer.
How can someone like me protect Young Master Julian?
That thought had haunted him for days.
So he made a decision.
If talent wasn’t enough...
Then he would use effort.
Shera slowly straightened his back again, breathing deeply as the wind passed through the courtyard.
He muttered quietly to himself.
"If I can’t become strong..."
"...then I’ll train until my body breaks."
And so his routine began.
Every single day.
Without fail.
One hundred push-ups.
One hundred sit-ups.
One hundred squats.
And a ten-kilometer run.
Even today, after finishing the brutal routine, his arms still trembled slightly.
But Shera smiled.
Pain meant progress.
At that moment—
Footsteps approached.
One of his subordinates ran across the courtyard holding a package.
"President Shera!"
The man stopped and handed over the box respectfully.
"There’s a package for you... sent by Young Master Julian."
Shera froze.
"What?"
His tired eyes suddenly brightened.
"From Young Master Julian?"
The fatigue vanished instantly.
He hurriedly took the package, his fingers almost shaking as he examined the label.
It was indeed sent from Valemont.
And the sender’s name was unmistakable.
Julian D’Aurelius.
Shera carefully opened the package, as if afraid to damage whatever was inside.
Within the wrapping was a small nanmu wooden box, beautifully crafted and faintly fragrant.
The box itself already looked valuable.
Shera’s heartbeat quickened.
He slowly opened the lid.
Inside lay an ancient-looking book.
The pages were slightly yellowed, the ink dark and bold.
Shera stared.
His lips moved silently as he read the title.
"The Thunder Mammoth War Technique..."
His breathing stopped.
Hands trembling, he opened the book and flipped through several pages.
The moment his eyes scanned the text...
His entire body shook.
Then—
Tears poured from his eyes.
Shera burst into tears.
"Young Master Julian..."
His voice cracked.
"You... you were watching me this whole time..."
He pressed the book tightly to his chest.
Young Master Julian must have known.
Known that he was training desperately.
Known that he was ashamed of his weakness.
So he had sent him...
A true Old Martial Arts manual.
Shera knew exactly what this meant.
Such manuals were priceless.
They weren’t things money could simply buy.
They were treasures.
And what shocked him even more was the description of the technique.
The Thunder Mammoth War Technique did not require exceptional martial talent.
It was a cultivation method designed for people with ordinary aptitude.
The only requirement was endurance.
Pain.
And relentless effort.
As long as one was willing to suffer...
They could slowly refine their body and eventually step into the Iron Realm of Old Martial Arts.
Shera wiped his tears roughly.
His chest swelled with emotion.
"Young Master Julian... you believe in me."
His voice trembled with gratitude.
"Then I won’t let you down."
He closed the manual carefully.
His eyes burned with renewed determination.
This wasn’t just a book.
This was a path.
A path toward becoming someone worthy of standing beside Julian D’Aurelius.
Shera turned toward his subordinates.
Fierce took his face without warning.
His look hit them, bodies snapping upright without thought.
Shera roared.
"Starting tomorrow!"
Far off in the open space, his words bounced from wall to wall.
"Go find me one hundred young men with martial arts potential from the local area!"
Surprise flickered across their faces as the junior staff hesitated. A pause followed - eyes wide, unsure what came next.
Fingers gripping hard, Shera held the book like it might vanish.
"I’m going to train them!"
His voice thundered.
"I will build an elite squad for Young Master Julian!"
His chest rose proudly.
"Not just bodyguards..."
"But warriors!"
The men immediately straightened.
"Yes, President Shera!"
As they hurried off to carry out the order, Shera lowered his head slightly and looked again at the ancient manual.
His voice softened.
"Your kindness..."
"...I can only repay with my life."
The wind blew through the compound.
And beneath the burning Kimoran sky—
A new force had just begun to take shape.