"Miss Esther, it's been a while," Chase said softly with a detached gaze.He had only met Esther a few times and had no reason to act overly familiar now."It's good as long as you remember me." Esther Cooper nodded lightly before turning away and gracefully making her way to an empty couch where she took a seat."Miss Cooper?" An astonished voice suddenly called out.Esther turned her head and smiled warmly. "Mr. Stark, hello."The voice surprised Chase as well. Chase looked over at the man called Hadley Stark.He appeared to be in his early 20s. He was dressed in a crisp white shirt and donned polished shoes, also sporting a Rolex worth around 30 grand. He had a clean, sharp look and came off as rather charming."Who are you, and how do you know Miss Cooper?" Hadley's brows knit together, his tone carrying a hint of hostility.Chase did not respond, simply standing there with an indifferent gaze."Oh, I forgot to mention. This is Hadley Stark from the Starks of Capital City,
Everyone gasped at the sight.One single move had defeated Hadley! Who was this man?This banquet hosted by the Coopers had mostly drawn members from various provincial branches, along with a few core family members. These guests, though not part of the immediate family, were still the elite children of wealthy provincial families.Each one, by their own merit, held significant influence even in a top-tier city like Capital City.For a moment, everyone froze, stunned by Hadley's embarrassing retreat."Mr. Collins is truly strong!""He even knocked out Hadley just like that. No wonder he dares act like he owns the place!"After a brief silence, the guests began whispering among themselves, their eyes filled with newfound respect for Chase. As she sat on the couch, Esther sipped her tea with an unreadable expression. She seemed unaffected by the chaos."Miss Cooper, I apologize if I've caused a disturbance," Chase said, preparing to leave."Hold on!" Esther suddenly stood up, st
"This…"Everyone was astonished by what they saw. They were all stunned.Hadley was a martial artist. How could he be defeated so easily?"T-That's impossible!"Esther's pretty face turned pale as she stared at Chase in disbelief. She was not willing to admit it. Chase's power far surpassed her imagination. She thought Chase was just an ordinary man but it looked like he was more than that."Chase Collins, w-who are you?" Esther clenched her teeth. She had a feeling that Chase was not as simple as he seemed.He did not reply and turned to leave."Wait!" That was when Esther suddenly shouted.Chase stopped and turned back to look at her. "What do you want?""Stop your arrogance, Chase Collins. This party was organized by the Starks. Hadley Stark is the most outstanding person among the Starks' youngest generation. They won't let you get away with this so easily."Hadley's companions began to snap out of it. They looked ferocious as they glared at Chase with animosity. It was b
Chase swept a glance at everyone. A sarcastic smile appeared on his face. "Do you think you jokers can scare me?""Do you want to continue having some fun?""Too bad even the king can't save you!""You should get out of here like a coward or you'll only embarrass yourself!"These people kept insulting Chase, but he remained calm until the last of them spoke."I'll say this once more. I don't care if Hadley offended you. Let him go right now and knock your head on the ground three times as a show of your apology. You might be able to live if you comply."The man who said this was Dale Cooper.Chase raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Who are you to talk to me that way?""You're dead!"Dale's eyes turned dark as he narrowed them. He was close to Hadley and would not stand by quietly to see Hadley being beaten.There was the sound of wind gushing. Dale raised his right fist, and shots of energy shot out as quick as lightning. They were aimed at Chase's chest."Hmph! You're not as good as y
"Huh?" Hadley's eyes widened in shock. He could not believe that Conrad, who had always done everything he said, would defy his orders."Are you crazy, Conrad?!" Hadley roared at him. He wanted to punch Conrad to death. It was clear that Conrad refused to go along with him. He ignored Hadley and turned to leave."Damn it!" Hadley laughed in anger. He took a deep breath as he forced his temper down."What are you waiting for, Esther? Kick that country bumpkin out! Don't worry. If you help me, I promise the Starks will always be an ally of the Coopers."Hadley clenched his teeth as he looked at Esther. His tone was threatening."You…" Esther's pretty face turned pale, and her dainty body trembled. She had expected Conrad to comply with Hadley's orders. However, things did not turn out as she thought.Esther looked at Chase.Chase had returned to his seat. He was sipping some wine calmly. There was a sarcastic smile on his face. He looked like he knew that the Starks would be humil
"W-What do you want?"He got a loud slam on the table in response. A long table made out of redwood cracked, and wood chips flew everywhere. Hadley was not prepared for this and almost got hurt."Ow!"Everyone took a sharp breath as they looked at Chase fearfully while backing off. They knew that Hadley was a goner.Esther, the young heiress of the Coopers, was also trembling from fright. She tugged at Chase's sleeve, afraid he might do something overboard.However, he next did something no one expected.Chase grabbed Hadley by the neck and pulled him up from his seat. Chase said coldly, "You want to play? I'll play!""You!" Hadley panicked. He tried to struggle but was unable to exert any strength.Chase elbowed him in the abdomen, causing Hadley to scream. He instantly sucked in his stomach as his face turned pale. Hadley's lips trembled. He broke out in a cold sweat from the pain and could hardly speak.He fell onto the floor the next second. He was heaving and covered in s
Hadley's face was pale as he tried to push himself up with both hands on the ground. He stumbled out of the hall.Chase looked around and said calmly, "Everyone, the charity event tonight will continue."The noise in the hall gradually died away after he declared this. Everyone looked at each other and kept silent. There was respect and fear for Chase in their eyes."Are you helping me?" Esther was stunned and asked the question.Chase took a gentle sip of red wine as a glint flashed in his eye.The Starks were a powerful family in Capital City. They had great influence, especially overseas, and they had immense power that could take down any government. They even had military power.If it were not for the Coopers, Chase would have gone ahead to destroy the Starks."Chase Collins…" Hadley soon walked out of the washroom with a dark look on his face.Chase turned to glance at him. "What do you want? Do you still want to fight me?""No, I don't!" Hadley could feel this chest tig
The hall fell into silence, and everyone looked at Chase with shock.Chase was very young. They wondered about his background and how he managed to beat the young successor of the Starks into begging for mercy all on his own."Thank you, Chase…" Esther's pretty face flushed red as she said in a low voice.Chase glanced at her coolly and shook his head to say, "Don't forget what you promised me.""Yes… I won't go back on my promise…" Esther said in a small voice."I hope so." Chase smiled. "I have something to attend to. I'll be leaving first."Chase got up after that and strode toward the stairs."Wait… You…" Esther wanted to call out to Chase but decided against it when she saw the cold view of his back.Chase's attitude hurt her, but there was nothing she could do about it. After all, she could not grasp his temper at all."Hmph! He loves putting up a good act, doesn't he?!" Esther said with clenched teeth.She had to admit that Chase was handsome and full of charm.Howeve
Meanwhile, Chase was glowing in gold light, looking like a God of War.He was dressed to hunt, and there was a cold look in his eye. He displayed no emotions, acting like all he had done was kill an ant.Chase pulled out his sword, where blood was dripping down the blade.He turned to leave and headed to look for the Webers. Now that he was done with the Starks, it was time to take care of the Webers.Chase thought about this as he walked there. The Starks were one of the most wealthy families in Capital City. It did not bother him to destroy the Starks, but he had to find a good reason to do so or it might make others suspicious."Forget about it. I'll destroy the Weber Secret Sect first before thinking about this."Not long after, Chase arrived at the door of the Weber Secret Sect. He pushed the door open and strode in.The guards of the Weber Secret Sect saw Chase barge in and shouted, "Who dares come into the Weber Secret Sect?!" Chase kept silent as he continued walking i
"Who exactly is that young man? Why haven't I heard of him? The Starks are finished for making such a powerful enemy."Chase was decisive and resolute. He was ruthless, which frightened many of the Starks' guards.He closed his eyes to rest. Thin, black smoke began wafting out of his body and it eventually covered everything around Chase. No one was able to get near him.This was a lonely mountain peak that was far away from the bustling city.After some time, a car came by and parked near the mountain."Bastard!"Someone roared in misery. Theo Stark jumped out of his car. He was furious and roared with great anger.He looked at the abandoned house in front of him. Sorrow, fear, and revenge consumed him. His roars echoed all around."Chase Collins! Where is my son, Tank?!"He ran toward the ruins crazily.Just as Theo was about to get inside, he suddenly sensed a great danger. The next thing he knew, the mountain began shaking. It felt like the sky was about to fall. Theo was
Something sped by in the air, and several powerful auras were coming in close."Who are you? How dare you slaughter the Starks?"The man in the lead grunted coldly. He had a spear in his hand and came speeding over in a flash to stab Chase in the back.Chase did not look back. He raised his left hand and flicked his finger. There was a loud bang, and the spear broke into pieces. Turning back, he waved his hand. The dagger shot out midair and stabbed right between the man's eyes."H-How is this possible…" The man's eyes widened as he looked at Chase in disbelief. His mouth moved as if trying to say something, but his body gradually turned cold and stiff. This happened in a flash.By the time the other powerful auras appeared, the man with the spear was dead."Who are you?!" The two men were shocked. They were looking at Chase in great astonishment."I should be the one asking who you are," Chase sneered, his eyes narrowing.The two old men stepped forward and said in a deep voic
Chase saw that the entire living room was covered in blood. The walls were filled with various frightening torture tools."Is this how the Starks treat their guests?" Chase's expression was cold. He said this slowly and carefully, making sure every word was heard.The Starks!They were crossing the line!"Who's there?!"An angry voice was heard from deep inside the house. It was followed by violent coughing.A young man with messy hair struggled to stand. He was covered in blood. An arm fell limply below his shoulders. The cut on it was clean, and it was a horrifying sight to see.His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Chase. "You worthless ant, you—pfft!"He only managed a few words before his throat caught something and he coughed up blood."Who are you? The Starks have never crossed paths with you. Why do you want me dead?!" He was a member of the Starks, and he questioned Chase with clenched teeth.A name immediately appeared in Chase's mind at the sight of this Stark fa
The elder was furious with what the Gold Devouring Voodoo Bug did."Damn it! You destroyed everything I had!"He was filled with anger. His eyes were red as he yelled hysterically. His voice was shrill, and it sounded like the shrill of a banshee."Did you think you were the only one who knew how to use voodoo?" Chase grunted coldly."Impossible! How could you know restricted mystical techniques?" The elder was in disbelief. Only a direct descendent of the clan was qualified to cultivate the Gold Devouring Voodoo Bug."Nothing is impossible in this world," Chase said with conviction.He flicked his fingers after that, and a green talisman appeared. It exploded with a loud bang and formed into a burning ball of flame.Two balls of flame came flying over and sat on each side of Chase's shoulder. The flames burned furiously as they formed into fire armor that covered him. His defense increased."You must die…"The elder laughed crazily.He waved his hand, and two wooden puppets
Chase's eyes narrowed as he observed the mountain of gold and jewels gleaming before him. They were treasures of immense value.He cast a cold glance at the glittering heap and shook his head. "These baubles are worth less than your pitiful insects. They don't even qualify to buy your life."Before his words faded, Chase extended his hand, unleashing a sharp burst of sword energy.The sword energy tore through the treasure, shattering the gold and jewels into dust, leaving not a single piece intact."I told you, you'll die a miserable death." The elder clenched his teeth while his fists trembled with rage.Suddenly, the space around them became distorted. A strange and eerie energy weaved itself into a cage that encased Chase."Devouring Spirit Ghost Domain!" the elder roared, his bloodshot eyes wide with madness. "You're doomed! I'll make you suffer every imaginable torment before you die!"Chase felt the oppressive atmosphere around him intensify, the air thick with the mournf
"You're doomed!" the elder spat venomously, his eyes ablaze with hatred.The Gold Devouring Voodoo Bugs were not so easily eradicated. Their corpses would transform into sustenance for dormant eggs within them, allowing the swarm to regrow stronger and more voracious than before. Eventually, they would consume their hosts' life essence entirely."I'll make sure you'll die without even leaving a corpse behind!" the elder bellowed, his voice tinged with madness.The desolate front yard crumbled under the destructive force of their battle, leaving not a single brick or stone intact.The elder's tattered robes fell apart, revealing a body covered in deep sword wounds. Blood gushed out from every gash. Yet he persisted, his resolve remaining unshaken. He believed Chase was merely a newly-ascended peak semi-saint, far from being a match for him."You won't win—not while I have the Gold Devouring Voodoo Bugs!" he roared, his bloodshot eyes burning with frenzy. "As long as they exist, I'l
A golden rune floated in Chase's palm, shimmering with radiant energy.The rune collided with the rusted blade, scattering dazzling sparks into the air."What?!" the elder exclaimed, his pupils constricting."Do you think a piece of worthless scrap metal can harm me? How laughable." Chase shook his head. He flicked his fingers, and the golden rune expanded to the size of a hand. In an instant, it transformed into a blazing flame that radiated intense heat. It spread in all directions."What kind of technique is this?"The elder's face twisted in fear. He leaped back, trying to escape, but the golden flames spread rapidly as they devoured everything in their path. Grass and leaves turned to ash in moments, and even the soil melted under its heat.When a single ember touched the elder's body, smoke began to rise from his flesh, causing him immense pain. The flames were not just hot—they burned through flesh and blood with ease."No! This fire is too dangerous. I can't let it touch
The elder was utterly astonished, unable to believe what he had witnessed.The Nine Dragons Shield was a forbidden technique that consumed immense amounts of vital energy to activate. Even martial arts saints who used it would suffer grave consequences, potentially causing their cultivation level to permanently regress."Who are you?" he demanded."Who I am doesn't matter," Chase replied, his tone calm yet piercing. "What matters is that I can kill you."Another bolt of lightning crashed down from the heavens.Chase stood still, unmoving, letting the lightning strike his body.Blood spattered as his clothes were shredded. His shoulders and back bore scorch marks from the impact. He smirked and said, "Not bad. This level of lightning barely affects me."As soon as he spoke, Chase launched a punch. The force of his strike condensed into a tangible blast. It was like a meteor crashing down, slamming into the elder's chest.A dull thud echoed as the elder's body convulsed violently