Wearing black robes with gold trim that was visible in a few places, the man had an easy expression of confidence on his face which would make anyone feel that this was someone who was very capable.

Even as they his image in their minds, the three were screaming inwardly because the sound was rising in intensity, threatening to drive them mad.

If they had control of their bodies, they would definitely be collapsed on the ground twitching with pain by now.

"First rule of dealing with the Big Four: respect. Just because you rose to the level of Warriors, it doesn't mean that you aren't bugs who can't hold a candle to even a disciple of mine at the Exalted Human level. To have the audacity of causing a ruckus knowing that I was going to attend this meeting, you really deserve to have the special treatment of having another of your senses magnified."

Calmly taking a seat around the table and speaking these words in a tone like cold steel, the man flicked his fingers, making the sensation of touch return to the three.

Yet, just like hearing, this was also magnified so much that just the air brus.h.i.+ng on top of the skin felt as painful as if they were being raked by sheets of barbed metal.

Sweat started to pour down from their pale faces which had lost all color. They were actually in a comical position: the woman's hand was frozen on its way to her dress where there was a weapon hiding, the old man had already grasped a different knife with a golden hilt and his other knife would soon penetrate the throat of the other man as the solidification around it had been slowly receding because he was no longer capable of controlling the transformation.

"My Lord, this is the first time they are meeting someone with your status. They think they're sharks in the pond, but they have no idea that they are simply the algae. Still, these are some of the few Warrior Level individuals on the Central Continent. According to the accords – "

As if the mention of that last word had evoked an unpleasant memory, a slight frown pa.s.sed across the face of the man who was sitting.

Flicking his fingers again, he made the three collapse onto the table, unconscious.

Their eyelids were open, and the whites of their eyes could be seen while froth started to appear at the mouths.

With another flick, the three jolted awake, as if they had been electrocuted.

Waking up in such an unpleasant way and still very scared about the strange things that had just happened, the three kept silent and only looked down deferentially.

Seeing the sign of respect, the man nodded approvingly before saying, "I am Ashah.e.l.l, and the only thing that you need to know is that I hold a very high position in the Big Four. You might be thinking why someone at my level was required to attend this meeting between you peasants. You might have heard rumors or you might even know the truth, but the fact is that this continent will very soon be under attack. When the time comes, all the forces available will be needed. So, I had to come to stop you from beginning a quarrel that will result in us losing our cannon fodder!"

All of these words said in a cold, unfeeling tone made them have an additional aspect of mocking that made the hearts of these three proud individuals sting.

The two men managed to control their emotions, but a very, very minute frown appeared on the woman's face.

SLICK.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

With a scream, the woman fell to the floor while blood fountained from the stump that was left of her right arm.

As for the arm, it had already turned into dust, das.h.i.+ng the hope of attempting a reconnection if she obtained it.

"This is the first warning.", the man said casually, before continuing as if nothing untoward had happened.

"While this stands, an Empire must not be formed. This continent has a certain… History with empires. Hence, those two kingdoms must be crippled. This must be done by you lot, but without causing too many deaths. Do you think you can do that?"

Asking this, Ashah.e.l.l watched as the three of them looked at each other with confusion in their eyes.

The woman had cauterized the wound and was now sitting again, with fear added to her expression.

She was a 4th Grade Warrior, and she had always thought that she was one of the strongest beings in the Central Continent.

Yet, this man now made her feel like she truly was a bug to be crushed.

Champion. He was definitely one of the legendary Champions, and the only question that remained was regarding exactly which level he was at in that realm.

Seeing the confusion, Ashah.e.l.l shook his head and took out something from his pocket which shocked the three.

It was a transparent gla.s.s bowl, and inside it was a golden mosquito.

"He dares to play around with mosquitoes to drive away a previous member of the Big Four, so let him have a taste of his own medicine.", Ashah.e.l.l said, in a tone that sent chills up the spines of those in the room.