After absorbing the Spirit Turtle’s core, the eighth-rank grandmasters must have begun ascending the Skyward Stairway. As James had never fought against grandmasters at such a level, he could not be sure of their strength. He only knew that their existence alone was terrifying.

Even for Callan Maverick, James would feel a shiver down his spine whenever he was reminded of the strength Callan demonstrated as a grandmaster who had ascended the second stair of the Skyward Stairway.

During the Mount Thunder Conference, Callan was first ambushed by Lucjan Owen, an eighth-rank grandmaster. After being ambushed, he was struck by eight other powerful martial artists. However, despite being gravely injured, he was still able to fight to a standstill against Lucjan. He even participated in the battle against the Spirit Turtle and seized its core. Only after a series of battles did he finally exhaust himself. Such power was truly unparalleled.

After absorbing the Spirit Turtle’s core, James cro