Plunderer: Master of the Multiverse

After accepting Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun, Xiongba strode away, radiating enthusiasm.

Trusting the Clay Buddha's prophecy, Xiongba was convinced that his World Alliance would soon dominate the martial world, and the crowd in the training arena gradually dispersed.

However, Alex signaled for Duanlang and dozens of gang members to remain.

"What's that look? You seem pretty upset. Think being my apprentice is beneath you?" Alex's piercing gaze fixed on Duanlang as he grumbled.

Duanlang's face still simmered with defiance, clearly unimpressed by Alex.

"Hmph, I am the son of Duan Shuai, the Southwood Blade Master. My father has already passed on all the Eclipse Blade Arts to me. Only the gang leader of World Alliance is qualified to be my master. Otherwise, even if I practice the Eclipse Blade Arts passed down by our family, I will be able to become a first-class master in the future." Though Duanlang didn't fully grasp the stakes, his self-assurance shone through.

Alex gave a subtle nod in his mind. Unlike Nie Feng's carefree innocence, Duanlang's mindset was remarkably mature.

No wonder in the original story, even as a handyman, he trained relentlessly daily, his martial skills matching Xiongba's three disciples.

Ambition, resilience, and diligence were his greatest strengths.

Still, the kid was fiercely proud of his father's legacy and a bit arrogant. If Alex couldn't earn his respect, forcing him into apprenticeship would be futile.

After a moment's thought, Alex said, "Wondering if I'm worthy to be your master? Take a look at my skills first."

Duanlang considered it. Though he privately dismissed Alex, thinking a mere World Alliance hall master wasn't up to snuff, checking out his abilities couldn't hurt, so he nodded.

Yet, being a kid, his scorn for Alex was plain on his face.

The dozens of World Alliance members Alex had asked to stay, while finding Duanlang's attitude brash, buzzed with excitement at the prospect of seeing Alex demonstrate his skills.

Half a month ago, the gang leader had suddenly declared Alex a hall master of the World Alliance. Since then, Alex had mostly kept to training within the World Alliance, rarely venturing out. Though no one dared challenge Xiongba's decision, many still wondered: what made Alex, hall master material? Doubts lingered among the ranks.

Since he was ready to show his stuff today, they'd finally see what he was capable of.

"First, I've got a signature technique. It's just one move, but its power knows no bounds!" Alex announced, raising his palm as he spoke.

The remaining gang members suddenly felt their weapons trembling in their hands.

In an instant, a symphony of clangs erupted, and their swords actually soared into the air, then, under Alex's command, swirled gracefully above.

"Whoa… that's unreal…"

Power aside, the spectacle of dozens of swords dancing in the sky under Alex's control was utterly stunning.

Duanlang, who'd been shrugging off Alex, stood slack-jawed, his mouth wide enough to swallow a fist.

The gang members nearby stared at the orbiting swords overhead, their astonishment even greater. What kind of martial art was this? It was practically magical…

"Is this Hall Master Alex's technique? It's, like, straight out of a legend…" The gang members who stayed were gobsmacked, completely floored.

Sure, they assumed Alex's martial arts were strong to earn him the hall master title, but witnessing it firsthand, it was far more incredible than they'd imagined.

After showcasing his magnetic mastery, Alex let the swords fall, his gaze settling on Duanlang, and said, "This trick, I'll never teach!"

As he spoke, Alex directed all the gang members to pick up their weapons and attack him.

Then, as they raised their swords, Alex's figure blurred, darting into the crowd as if he'd teleported.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

His palms turned pitch-black, like polished obsidian, and when they met the swords, a sharp metallic ring echoed.

Armament Haki rendered Alex impervious to their blades…

In that moment, Alex seemed to transform into a pure physical combat maestro, effortlessly overpowering dozens of gang members.

He even extended his darkened palm, seizing a sword and shattering it into fragments with a casual squeeze.

"My martial arts, when perfected, can armor your entire body, making you untouchable by swords or spears, immune to fire and water. Even the finest weapons can barely scratch you. Your body becomes the ultimate weapon and the sturdiest shield!" After displaying Armament Haki and Shave, Alex declared.

By now, Duanlang's eyes were as wide as saucers, his jaw practically dripping with awe.

Clearly, Alex's sheer power had completely won him over.

As for his invisibility and Dugu Nine Swords, Alex had no intention of revealing those. After all, for swordplay, Duanlang's family Eclipse Blade Arts were already impressive.

"So, what's your pick? Which of my two martial arts do you want to learn?" After demonstrating both, Alex asked Duanlang.

No question, the magnetic control was the showstopper. The image of swords soaring in unison was breathtaking.

Meanwhile, the blend of Armament Haki and Shave was plenty formidable.

Especially that Haki-coated palm, tougher than steel and shrugging off blades, was downright mind-blowing. Could a human body really be that resilient?

"I am willing to learn the following martial arts! Duanlang pays respect to the master!" After a brief silence, Duanlang made his choice, dropping to his knees before Alex, kowtowing respectfully nine times.

Alex's strength had thoroughly convinced him.

"Hall Master Alex, Hall Master Alex…" At the same time, the World Alliance gang members around him chanted in unison.

The prowess Alex just unleashed didn't just sway Duanlang—it won over every gang member present.

After accepting Duanlang as his apprentice, Alex led him directly back to his Divine Martial Hall.

"Boss, this guy named Alex is seriously intimidating. Could he become our rival later?"

After Alex departed, a hefty man clutching a giant chicken leg muttered in a goofy tone from a nearby tower.

"It's fine…" Before him stood twin girls, about sixteen or seventeen, mirror images of each other, their voices tinged with youthful mischief.

The twins shook their heads and said, "We, the Twelve Evils of Sky Lake, are tasked with secretly eliminating Gang Leader Xiongba, which is totally different from the Divine Martial Hall's power and responsibilities."

Meanwhile, Xiongba sat in his grand hall, envisioning how he'd command the storms and rains once he'd harnessed Storm Riders.

Soon, Wen Chouchou scurried in, reporting to Xiongba everything that had just unfolded in the training arena.

"Oh? Alex has a technique that makes dozens of swords dance in the air? It seems the few moves he tossed out that day were far from his full strength," Xiongba murmured in a low voice, his eyes flickering with intrigue, nodding slightly.