Since the founding of Bactria, there had been an unwritten rule that the Nine Major Powers should not interfere in the affairs of Bactrian clans.This was also why Bactria tolerated sects and aristocratic families dominating certain regions. Over the years, even if someone secretly colluded with these powerful families, they had to keep it on the down low and never be blatant about it."Enough talk. I don't care what your intentions are. As long as Chase remains in my Herb Hall, none of you will lay a hand on him. Now, leave!" Fed up with the conversation, Skylar turned to leave.At that moment, someone in the crowd spoke up, "Hmph, Basalt's Collins isn't much, after all. He killed so many people but won't even admit it. He's just hiding behind an elder."As soon as this was said, others chimed in, "Yeah, the great Chase Collins who only knows how to hide. How fitting! After all, Basalt's divine Black Turtle is just a turtle hiding in its shell."This remark sparked laughter among
When Chase called him out by name, the elder instinctively tried to deny it. He was just about to speak when Chase interrupted."Forget it. I doubt you'd admit it anyway. Fine, since we're all warriors here, let's settle this like warriors," Chase declared, his voice steady and resolute."I, Chase Collins, declare that anyone at my level can come and challenge me no matter their age or gender. If I lose, I'll accept any punishment. But if I win, then wherever I go, the defeated must retreat in my presence."Chase looked at the group of elders before him, his gaze cold and full of provocation."Chase, what's your current level?" someone immediately asked, curious about his strength."I'm a stage-six martial lord," Chase replied without hesitation, revealing his exact level. Even so, his answer caused a stir among the crowd.Many still remembered the recent battle for the secret realm on the outskirts of Capital City, and in their minds, Chase should not have progressed much since
The members of the Sosa Clan exchanged uneasy glances. Despite being so openly provoked, not a single one of them stepped forward to fight. Seeing this, Chase decided not to waste any more time with the group. He left them with one final statement before returning to Herb Hall."Seeing as none of you dare to make a move today, I'll change my terms. In the next five days, I welcome anyone at the same level to challenge me!"As soon as Chase walked away, a group of clueless elders from the Sosa Clan turned to Ray, hoping to regain some dignity."Ray, go get Mr. Zach to teach this arrogant kid a lesson," one of them urged.Aware of the real situation, Ray kept a stoic expression. To protect Zach's reputation, he did not reveal the truth but simply said that Zach was too busy to bother with such trivial matters."If Mr. Zach is unavailable, could we perhaps request the Saintess to step in?" one elder pressed on, unwilling to let go of the insult from a younger generation.The moment
Although Chase initially directed his challenge only at the Sosa Clan members outside Herb Hall who were provoking him, the story changed as it spread.Rumors quickly twisted his words. At first, it was simply reported that Chase was challenging opponents at his own level. However, as the story traveled, it became increasingly exaggerated. Some even claimed that Chase believed himself to be invincible among the younger generation and that he declared himself the strongest, inviting anyone who disagreed to challenge him.As expected, the news spread like wildfire, reaching nearly all the prominent factions. It was said that Basalt's Collins had boldly challenged all the strongest fighters in the world. Upon receiving the news, various sects promptly informed their heirs. They felt indignant, believing their own heirs to be the strongest.Within the Flaming Sun Clan, Apollo was dealing with people urging him to accept the challenge.Initially, Apollo had thought about making a pu
Perhaps sensing Zach's arrival in advance, Sherley spoke coldly before Zach even stepped into the sacred site."What is it?""The clan master has ordered you to go and teach Chase Collins a lesson. Here's his portrait," Zach replied. Knowing Sherley rarely left the site, he thoughtfully handed her a drawing of Chase.The woman glanced at the portrait before it turned to ashes in her hand."Understood."...Deep within the Tonrad Mountains was the gate of the Melody Sect. Two young women were pleading earnestly with an older woman before them."Please let us go to Capital City," begged Enola and Eve. The older woman before them was the sect master of the Melody Sect, Melody.After hearing the news about Chase, Enola dragged her senior, Eve, to look for Melody. She was hoping that with Eve accompanying her, Melody might allow them to leave the sect grounds.If Enola went alone, she knew Melody would never agree. Eve had readily agreed, having grown close to Enola over time."No
A male disciple eyed the figure of a woman in the distance, his tone dripping with jealousy that was evident even from afar.Female disciples were rare in the Esoteric Sword Sect—one in ten, if that. Despite this, the sect boasted a brilliant female sword cultivator, which made many male disciples feel overshadowed.The woman who was the subject of their discussion clearly overheard their conversation. She immediately stood up.In a flash, she appeared before the two, interrupting their sparring session with a single thrust of her sword."What's the meaning of this?" one of the male disciples demanded angrily.Without offering an explanation, the woman responded with a question of her own, "Is what you said just now true?""Of course, it's true. What, are you thinking of challenging Chase? Dream on. The sect master has already decreed that only Odin, can freely enter and exit the mountain. If anyone else wants to do so without a mission, there's only one way.""And what's that?"
At that moment, an overwhelming pressure descended upon the plaza, forcing the approaching disciples of the Esoteric Sword Sect to instinctively retreat.Although Olivia had no intention of harming anyone, the sheer force of her aura was too much for most to withstand. Under this oppressive presence, the disciples could do nothing but continuously back away."H-How is this possible? She's only been in the sect for a few months. How could she progress so rapidly?""Exactly. It's been such a short time, and her cultivation is already above ours. No, this can't be real."As they retreated, the disciples of the Esoteric Sword Sect exclaimed in disbelief."She's the sect master's personal disciple. You're just an ordinary disciple. Do you really think you're on the same level as Olivia?""That makes sense. The sect master must have given her some kind of miraculous pill; otherwise, this wouldn't be possible."Hearing the comments turn negative, with some even starting to cast aspersi
"What do you mean by 'caught up'? I'd say she's on par with Odin.""Exactly. It seems we'll have to start calling her our senior from now on."In the span of just a few sentences, the two sword flashes had clashed more than a hundred times. The sound of swords clanging reverberated throughout the Esoteric Sword Sect.As time passed, more and more disciples gathered to witness the duel."Which elder is sparring with Odin?" one of the newcomers asked, not knowing what was happening. Upon learning that it was the recently initiated Olivia, they were utterly shocked.The news spread quickly. Soon, the entire Esoteric Sword Sect was abuzz with the revelation that Olivia, who had only joined the sect a short while ago, was actually able to match Odin in skill.The disciples were astounded.In the unseen heights of the sect, a group of elderly white-haired men observed the battle."Wilcox, you've got yourself a remarkable disciple. In such a short time, she has achieved this level of
After all, Chase had to bring Yara along if they were really going to the Holy Path.Chase would not be able to hide it from them then. It was better to be honest with them from the start."What? He needed something from you? Will he come over to see you tonight?" Willow's question had Lisa and Walter exchanging a glance.Chase had no idea how to respond. "What are you thinking, Willow? Sweep those dirty thoughts out of your mind."He berated Willow.Willow realized what she had just said and quickly apologized. "Oh, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to ask what you meant by him needing your help."Chase sighed. "To put it in a nutshell, Yara has phoenix bloodline and requires the Light Divine Pearl's help to receive the Rising powers of the Phoenix Deity. He knows that I have hope of getting the Light Divine Pearl, which is why he came to me."Willow and Walter were stunned."The Phoenix Deity? Isn't that one of the Five Major Demon Saints who holds the same standing as th
"An old acquaintance?" There was murder in Carla's eyes."It's someone from long ago. I thought she was dead. I didn't expect her to still be alive, or rather, this could be her descendant." Fallon's mind moved quickly as he tried to squeeze any excuse he could from his mind."Why haven't I heard you talk about this old acquaintance before?" Carla was suspicious. However, Fallon had never lied to her before. At least, she had never caught him lying before. She was not entirely sure if he was telling lies right now."You know how the Nefarious Deity Sect would sometimes discover unique and powerful monsters whenever we visualize Nefarious Spirits or tame dark beasts. Yara Fries looks very much like a human-form monster I discovered with phoenix bloodline."She refused to bow down to me. Since I could not have her, I killed her. I was not as powerful then, and I had a hard time trying to kill her. I was relegated to using despicable methods in the fight. That's why I… lost my calm whe
However, the rules did not state that fighters were not allowed to admit defeat, which was why the referee ruled that Chase had won.Most elites in the spectators did not know the Fries family well, but they still came forward to ask about the fight. Some of them went off to watch other fights with a sorry look or a look of disdain on their face.Carla, who was seated at the very top, said, "Interesting.""Why would you say that?"Fallon, who had been looking forward to watching a descendant of the Phoenix Deity in action, was feeling upset about the outcome. He asked the question when he heard Carla's comment."They were putting up an act," Carla said with a smile."Huh? Wouldn't that be rigging a fight? What are you smiling about?" Fallon felt angrier after hearing her explanation. He was the one in charge of the tournament, and they were rigging a fight right under his nose. That was disrespectful to the city lord."Didn't he organize this tournament to find out more about thi
"Huh. I didn't expect you to know so much." Yara was surprised."Of course, I know stuff." Chase felt a little proud about it but quickly said, "You should hurry up. There are a lot of people waiting out there.""Alright. I'll make it quick."The Holy Path is a relic of the calamity years ago. As for the ninth level, it was created by the Light Divine Pearl to protect himself by fusing pieces of the world collected from every corner of the universe."Currently, the Holy Path on the sixth level leads directly to the sealed location where the Light Divine Pearl's true form is. The Light Divine Pearl's image projection on the ninth level is where he is able to use most of his powers."Something happened while he was fusing the ninth level. The maximum cultivations on each level are different, and the Light Divine Pearl's image projection is unable to merge with his true form."That's why he used the body refinement of the Divine Order's Flame to leave a mark on you to help you pass t
"What has this got anything to do with me?"Chase could not understand the woman in front of him. Why would she say all these in the arena?"Before that, allow me to share a secret with you. The male and female phoenixes were supposed to be one."Chase was about to say something when Yara interrupted him, "The Rising of the Phoenix is not only about enhancing power after rebirth; it's a process of a male turning into a female and vice versa."But since the Dragon and Phoenix Calamity, the Phoenix Deity is the only Phoenix Demon Saint left, and he lost his power from the Rising to switch genders. He's unable to recover to his original power as well."However, he predicted that someone would be able to break him out of his suffering while wading in the river of fate."Yara looked into Chase's eyes with a smile."Is that person… me?"Anyone could tell the answer at this point.Chase was aware of what Yara was trying to tell him, but he still found it unbelievable when he asked the
Chase was the only person qualified to judge if there was murderous intent as he was the opponent in the arena.When Yara played the flute, it sounded like a beautiful melody from above the Ninth Heaven at first. If one listened closely, one could identify the vague signs of murderous intent.Chase scoffed at this. He thought it to be childish for one to hide murderous intent that way.He did not know music at all, but even he could tell what Yara was doing. Yara was looking down on him by doing this.When Chase was about to make his move, he was suddenly pulled into an illusion by the opponent. Chase was on a floating cloud above the Ninth Heaven in the illusion. It was just as Carla had said.He was initially flustered. How was he going to defend himself against the next killing move with such a powerful technique?While he was gathering all the vital energy within him, a sweet, melodious voice was heard. "Please don't retaliate, Mr. Collins. I bear no ill will."A tall, slen
"History scrolls don't really help with my cultivation. They make me drowsy every time, so I don't read them," Ford continued explaining without holding back. It did not seem wrong to him.However, his words made an impression on those listening.Ford was able to pick up the dragon clan's mystical techniques after reading them once. He even claimed it was not necessary to read them a second time. Was he even human? Oh, wait. He was a dragon. Tiana stared at him, not knowing what to say next.The Saintess of Emerald Lake Holy Land had not only fought with her talents yesterday but also with her hard work.When Tiana first entered Emerald Lake Holy Land, her master told her that her talents were upper-middle at best. She was considered extremely lucky to be accepted to the sect.Emerald Lake Holy Land was one of the top five sects in this world. It was second only to Sky Dragon Holy Land among the Four Holy Lands. Every disciple was the cream of the crop.Tiana grabbed attention t
Yara placed his flute to his lips and warned Chase, "I'll be making my move, Mr. Collins.""Please go ahead." Chase waved his hand casually and indicated for Yara to go ahead.It was the third round, and everyone at this stage was not to be underestimated. A powerhouse with a musical instrument for a weapon was rare. Chase looked forward to exchanging hands with him.The melodious sound of the flute was soon heard. All of the spectators could feel the atmosphere become more relaxed."Why is this Musical Technique non-lethal?""This can't be right. How did Yara Fries get into the third round? There's nothing formidable about this piece of music.""Is there anyone here who can explain?""He used his flute as a weapon in the previous rounds and knocked out his opponents with a couple of moves. He didn't play any music then.""Is he giving leeway to the opponent?""Could he be hinting at the opponent with his music that they're soulmates? They might end up being taken with each oth
As Clive had gained quite a lot, he decided to let it be. He allowed himself to let go of things. However, that being's consciousness began to open up to Clive, and that was when Clive realized how powerful the being was.It was one against the 12 Primal Treasures, and the universe was its target. It had existed for millions of years. The result of allowing it to take over was Clive losing complete control of his body. It was a projected image that vanished after Chase defeated it.However, Clive's body had been modified by it, and Clive's mind and soul were unable to control his own body. This was what had caused Clive to look like he was in a daze right after the match.Rania then used a mystical technique to transmit her cultivation and combine the powers of both parties. It triggered a lost talent within Clive that merged all of the swordsmanship he cultivated to form an unknown sword form that had never been seen before.Clive felt like he had been revived.He looked at the Ni