“I’ll go on ahead, James. I need to find a place to meditate in seclusion. If everything goes to plan, I’ll be back here in three years to challenge the custodian on the ninth barrier. I hope you’ll train hard too. Let’s meet again here in Mount Bane in three years.”

“Mhm.” James nodded.

James knew he had to cultivate diligently.

As long as the Celestial Abode had no owner, he would not give up.

After Marcello bid farewell, he turned and left.

James stayed behind and caught up with some of his friends.

“Have you seen Maxine, James?”

Two slender and beautiful women walked out of the crowd.

It was Tiara and Cynthia.

Seeing James, Tiara lowered her head shyly and did not speak.

Cynthia was the one who spoke first.

“Maxine?”

James was taken by surprise by the question and said, “I didn’t see her.”

After hearing his reply, Cynthia’s brows furrowed, and she said, “That’s strange. Where could she have gone? We thought she went to see you.”

James asked, “What happened?”

Cynthia