Chase approached Nikolai alone to prove his thoughts.It was a strange feeling. Chase could clearly sense that he was just an ordinary man. There were no fluctuations in his body, and he was just the same as any other ordinary person out there, but Chase had to find out for sure."Nikolai?" Chase called out cautiously.The man who looked like Nikolai ignored him.Chase decided not to bother the man further when he was ignored.However, the man called out to him the moment Chase turned around."Why would you doubt yourself when you've already recognized me?""It is you, Nikolai. Why did you leave the Salvatores' secret realm and come here?"Chase was surprised but bewildered at the same time."Leave? I never left. I've been waiting for you to do business.""Oh? What business is this?"Chase got interested at the mention of a business opportunity."I'm preparing to put up bets for this challenge. I'm placing a bet on you as the upcoming champion. Try to refrain from revealing
When Chase returned to Basalt's base, he found out more information about the other arenas' defenders from Trek.The Basalt's army was also keeping close tabs on this challenge.Chase did not expect his unintentional action at Herb Hall to have resulted in such a large-scale martial arts challenge.However, Chase was quite happy to see this happening.The Webers' arena already had four defenders picked. Chase found out that one of them was Herbert, whom he had met once before, and another was Link Scovel, who was also a White Tiger Guard. As for the other two defenders, Chase had no idea who they were.As for the Sosa Clan's arena, rumor had it that a woman was one of their defenders.It was said that anyone who saw the woman would be stunned by how beautiful she was. Since the arenas were set up, no one had ever heard the woman speak. Everyone who had challenged her was defeated, and she had yet to lose.If it were not for the rule of picking out four defenders per arena, the w
"You probably don't know this. Their first defender is Stan Mallard. I heard that he defeated several competitors during the preliminary rounds at Herb Hall before he managed to become one of the four defenders." Someone would immediately reveal what they knew the moment a question was asked."Wow, you have lots of insider news. Do you know who's the first defender for the Webers?"When someone was able to answer, another person quickly asked a question he was interested in. No one cared if the news was true or false. Everyone was just there to entertain themselves."That man's name is Link Scovel. It took him several difficult fights to become a defender, just like that defender from Herb Hall. They're both powerhouses who came out of nowhere," the man who answered seemed to have a good source of information."What about that guy from the Sosa Clan?" another man asked."He's Earl Laker. I heard he became a defender after only being in one fight. He's not one to underestimate."
Stan thought it was a good thing that Kamal admitted defeat readily and got out of the arena."Anyone else who wants a fight with me can feel free to get into the arena. Even though the rules state that we have to rest an hour after every fight, I'm just getting warmed up. Anyone is welcome to fight me."Stan called out with great energy while the atmosphere was still buzzing from his fight. No one dared to get into the arena.Chase lost interest in watching after that. No one else challenged the other three arenas either, and it seemed like everyone was taking their time on the first day. No one wanted to be the first to fight and reveal their strength to those coming after. Chase decided to get Trek to look out for anything that might happen while he returned to the base to rest and conserve energy.It was expected that everyone was reserved on the first day. Not many people got into the arenas, and they were almost empty. After Stan fought Kamal, another person came forward to
The fight went on for a long time, but Bard was not able to defeat Summer. He gathered his strength to use one last major move to take Summer down and give Herb Hall a bad start to this match. They would lose their reputation, and it would be even better if he could defeat all their defenders and maim them all right there.Summer might be an elite of the Obscure Sun Clan, but she was a woman, after all. Her moves were all soft and fluid, better used for restraining the opponent. Bard was a top disciple from his sect, just like her. Summer knew that things were about to turn bad for her.Even though the opponent was only casually attacking, Summer found it increasingly difficult to keep up. By the looks of how he was fighting, she could not help thinking that he was clearly preparing a major attack on her."I'm done for. I can't hold on much longer. If I let him defeat me, I might end up like Stan Mallard and get maimed by this man even if I don't die.""Looks like Miss Summer Lyman
There was a loud explosion followed by a flash of blinding light. Everyone shook their heads."That's the end of another talented genius in the world. What a pity. She was a pretty lady too," someone said with a pitiful look on his face."The Floating Cloud Sect doesn't know how to treat a lady right." "I bet you didn't know that the Floating Cloud Sect doesn't care for people like her. Sylph Clinton from the Floating Cloud Sect is just as good as she was."Someone among the crowd clearly looked down on the Obscure Sun Clan."Why would you need to go so far when she has already admitted defeat?" Chase asked calmly. He was in a long, green shirt and standing in front of Summer. He slowly put down his hand.His other hand was held protectively around Summer, who was behind him. His shirt billowed in the air naturally."Who are you? What right do you have to be in this arena?" Bard looked like he had seen a ghost.Bard knew how powerful his attack had been.However, this person
"Your name is Bard Clinton, right? There's a problem with your question. What do you mean I'm helping Herb Hall? Aren't I a part of Herb Hall? Isn't it right for me to give Herb Hall a hand?" Chase asked with a sarcastic laugh."B-But Herb Hall isn't the Three Schools or the Four Clans. It's not even under an influential family in Capital City. What right does it have to be one of the arenas?"Bard was still in disbelief but had no idea what else to say. He could not be commenting that Chase should not help Herb Hall."Come on. Didn't you want to fight the third defender of Herb Hall? That would be me. Let's fight. I'll be attacking if you don't." Chase did not care if Bard believed him. He insisted for the fight to happen."Wait, I don't want to fight anymore. I want to rest," Bard quickly said when he saw Chase about to attack. The memory of Chase blocking his ultimate move with one hand had made Bard afraid.He backed out in public."That won't be up to you. Do you think you c
The spectators began discussing among themselves once more at this shocking news."He's only in his early 20s and already has supreme abilities. Wouldn't he be even more powerful if he was given a few more years?!"Someone could hardly believe it."Didn't Elder Scovel from the Floating Cloud Sect say it himself? It must be true.""That might not be necessary. The Floating Cloud Sect might be just giving an excuse for their disciple's failure."There were some with a different opinion.Chase stepped forward at this point."I'm defending the arena, and Bard Clinton is attacking it, so we fought. I don't see any problem with that. What do you think, Elder Scovel of the Floating Cloud Sect?""Very well, Chase Collins. I'll remember you."Davy knew that there was nothing he could say about this. He had to prioritize healing Bard. If anything happened to Bard, Davy would not be able to handle the wrath of his master. Davy flew off after replying viciously to Chase.After Davy left,
Chase's eyes widened. He knew he was no match for this enemy.Even with his current stamina, he could only explode with a maximum strength equivalent to the weight of six thousand pounds. That middle-aged man could punch through a house with one move. If they got into close combat, Chase was bound to lose."How dare you barge into this forbidden land?"The middle-aged man spoke coldly. He glanced at the corpse and blood on the ground and immediately understood what had transpired. "I'd advise you to leave right away or you'll be sure to die."Chase laughed tauntingly."You're asking for it!" The middle-aged man was enraged. He suddenly made a move and lunged forward to kill Chase.However, a bright red sword slashed through the air as it aimed for the man's throat. The man frowned and reached out to grab the blade of the sword, causing sparks to fly everywhere.The man sensed a horrifying attack on him. His hand was torn and was almost dislocated."Your physique is extraordinar
"Oh no! I must've gotten poisoned!"Chase looked grim and quickly sat cross-legged on the ground as he began channeling his skills to stop the poison from spreading.Chase's clothes ruffled despite it being a windless day. He closed his eyes and focused his mind to meditate. He was attempting to communicate with the innate golden elixir.However, he was shocked to discover that everything he did helped nothing.He was like a statue as he maintained the pose for one hour. However, nothing happened during that time. Nothing unusual happened at all."What's going on?"Chase opened his eyes. He was bewildered as he mumbled, "True energy is the source of power for martial artists. Why am I unable to connect to it?"He looked away at a distance. The pretty man had vanished. Chase sighed."Looks like I can only give up cultivating for now."Chase could only rely on consuming normal food to maintain his life. He had to do this for quite a while. However, it was better than going hungr
"You're dead!"The pretty young man looked sullen. With an angry roar, his spear reverberated in the air. It kept buzzing as if gearing to tear a wound through the air and stab right into Chase's heart.However, Chase did not budge. He clenched his fist and punched out hard with a loud bang. The spear was immediately bent like a bow and began to break apart inch by inch. The spear had now turned to garbage."What?!" The man's eyes widened with shock.He never thought that his precious spear would be destroyed with one punch."Do you still think you're powerful?"Chase shook his head. "You're nothing in my eyes. I can kill you with one finger!"He swung another punch while speaking. He was so fast that his punch created a strong wind.A scream echoed in the air as the man flew off from the impact. There was a deep, bloody dent on his chest. Blood kept gushing out of it. He looked absolutely pitiful."This man… He's a monster!"The man clenched his teeth and stared hatefully at
Chase quickly raised his blade to block the attack.Both men's positions were swapped, and Chase was beaten back. His shirt was torn, and his muscled upper body was exposed."Are you stupid? Don't you know how to put on more clothes?!" The pretty young man attacked while shouting condescendingly.He came closer and closer to Chase. "Looks like this is all there is to you. Just surrender already."While he was speaking, the man twisted his wrist, and his black spear changed direction. It was now aimed at Chase's heart.There was a sharp whistle in the air when the spear stabbed forward. The air exploded from it.Such an attack would cause even a peak martial god to be instantly riddled with stabbing wounds.Chase grunted coldly before suddenly exploding with a roar. As true energy surged from his body, his muscles rippled and his physique expanded.Palm and fist collided to create a huge bang."Huh? How did your physique turn stronger?" The man was astonished. He was quite surp
However, there was no green poisonous gas coming from his body. The gas was unable to reach Chase because he was able to shield himself with the lightning-protective energy.This series of battles only happened within a short time.It took only about half an hour for Chase to kill everyone and for the group to escape in a fluster.The sinister mist vanished from the valley and the Thousand Soul Ghost Tree remained quiet once more.However, Chase's brows furrowed deeper. He had seen a figure appear at the border of the valley. It was standing there with crossed arms and admiring the view in a carefree manner."You… You're not dead."It was a young man.He had beautiful features and was smiling. He was as pretty as a woman. At one point, Chase thought he had entered another different world."Huh?"The beautiful man turned to look at Chase with an astonished look. "You came out of this alive! This is where the Thousand Soul Ghost Tree resides. If you didn't die, that means you ha
"Get him!""Kill him!"Corpses soon littered the area by Chase's feet.He swept his weapon through the soldiers and slaughtered everyone in front of him. Even muscled soldiers with shields in their hands were no match for Chase. Not long after, Chase leaped into the air and stood above the peak.That was when he noticed a huge vine on the other side of the alley. It was covered by thick, gloomy mist.Among the vines was a green crystal the size of an egg. It was glowing soulfully with blue light."That must be the Thousand Soul Ghost Tree."Chase's eyes narrowed.The Thousand Soul Ghost Tree was a unique ghostly vine. Rumor has it that it was formed by the resentment of spirits and contains a unique toxin.A ghostly vine like that was difficult to capture. It required a large number of people to attack it in order to capture it.The Thousand Soul Ghost Tree sensed danger and suddenly quivered. The green crystal on it immediately exploded, and thick, green smoke billowed from
"Not bad. You did better than I imagined," Chase said with a laugh.He did not feel guilty about causing the death of the Flaming Demon Eagle with his actions.Once it absorbed enough energy, it would recover.Such a situation was quite common for a young Flaming Demon Eagle.The eagle screeched happily after eating its fill. It perched on Chase's shoulder and rubbed against him intimately to display its friendliness.Chase rubbed its head. "Alright. I've lent you my power. I hope you'll be able to surprise me in the future."A notion moved in his mind. A drop of brilliant gold blood essence with extreme heat appeared in mid-air.The eagle was taken back but later looked delighted. It quickly swallowed the drop of golden liquid.Everything happened quickly, and the eagle's body began to expand.Its bright red feathers stood on end as its body burned brilliantly with flames. Its aura began increasing massively."Haha! You're truly the descendant of a holy beast. The effects on
The birth of a Heavenly Flame was tied to fate and fortune. Only under extraordinary circumstances could such a force emerge."That Black Demon Wolf must've had a trace of the Heavenly Flame's essence within its body," Chase speculated, his eyes flashing with insight."But the energy was too weak. Otherwise, that beast wouldn't have missed the chance to consume it and strengthen itself!"Just then, an overwhelming aura of bloodlust surged through the air.Chase's expression hardened as he instinctively concealed his presence and retreated into the shadows.Seconds later, a massive creature emerged from the depths of the dense forest.It was a beast covered in fiery red scales, its body stretching over eight feet long. As it spread its wings, they blocked out the sky, creating a powerful gust of wind that shattered branches and flattened grass."A Flaming Demon Eagle?"Chase's gaze sharpened.The Flaming Demon Eagle was a top-tier beast, considered royalty among its kind. It po
The sun set, and the moon rose.At dawn, Chase began running through the forest while practicing various sword techniques recorded in ancient texts. This sword style emphasized a balance between offense and defense, blending rigid force with fluid movement.Each sword strike carried immense power. Once executed, even warriors of the same level would struggle to block it.Chase practiced three full sets, his body drenched in sweat by the end. He stopped, took a deep breath, and entered meditation to recover and adjust his condition.Time passed unnoticed. In the blink of an eye, two hours had gone by.He thrust his sword forward. A flash of cold light erupted like lightning, instantly slicing a tree hundreds of feet away clean in half.Chase opened his eyes, raised his hand, and gathered true energy in his palm, condensing it into a three-foot-long sword that gleamed with a razor-sharp edge.This bronze sword, though unassuming in appearance, carried a tremendous weight. Even wit