The old woman cackled ominously. "You're mistaken. This Element-Gathering Formation isn't meant to trap—it's meant to kill!"As her words fell, Chase suddenly felt a surge of killing intent rising from behind him. Whipping around instantly, his pupils contracted sharply as the old woman's withered hand closed in mere inches from his shoulder.At the critical moment, Chase shifted half a step sideways.The skeletal hand swiped through empty air, and the old woman's face twisted in surprise. "Such quick reflexes!" she hissed before launching another strike.A streak of blue lightning crackled from her palm that was coiled with violent energy. It shot toward Chase's neck like a serpent.Chase flicked his fingers, sending a fiery red spark hurtling forward. It collided with the lightning mid-air, exploding into a cascade of fiery embers. Chase moved like a butterfly through a field of flowers, deftly evading the relentless onslaught."Not bad for a remnant of the Collins family," the
With a crack, a bone snapped.The old woman screamed in agony. She released Chase as she crumpled to the ground, clutching her right leg."You bastard..." she hissed the words through gritted teeth, her disheveled black hair cascading wildly over her face. Her gaze burned with venom as her sunken eyes fixed on Chase like smoldering coal ready to ignite.Her flushed face glistened with beads of sweat as she fumbled in her robe, pulling out a small bottle of potion.She tilted her head back and swallowed its contents. Almost immediately, her contorted features relaxed, and the hollows of her stomach filled out as if by magic.She then spat out a mouthful of dark blood before casting Chase a venomous glare and retreating without another word. In moments, her figure had vanished into the shadows."She's physically formidable, but her soul lacks strength. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been caught off guard so easily," Chase murmured to himself. He decided not to pursue her. He was awar
Chase ignored the elder and remained focused on his cultivation.After a moment, the elder shook his head and sighed. It was as though he found the situation regrettable.With a single step, he appeared directly in front of Chase. A long spear materialized in the elder's hand, its sharp tip aimed squarely at Chase's throat."Hand over your belongings, and I'll spare your life," the elder said, his voice cold and laced with murderous intent."And why would I?" Chase opened his eyes abruptly, their depth like an endless starry sky. "This situation is in my favor, and you think you can resort to robbery?"While speaking, Chase studied the elder closely. He quickly noticed that despite the man's high cultivation level, his injuries were severe. His chaotic energy flow suggested an overreliance on medicinal pills."You dare defy me, boy? Do you believe I won't kill you right here and now?!" the elder roared."Go ahead and try," Chase replied with a cold laugh.The elder's eyes gleam
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
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
"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
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
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
By the time Chase noticed, a swarm of venomous creatures had gathered around him.Among them were common species like black mambas, golden-ringed snakes, green pit vipers, seven-step vipers, crimson scorpions, and long-tailed centipedes, but mixed in were also rare and deadly breeds such as Nether Vipers and Thousand Calamities Azure Snake.What was going on? Wait… Nether Vipers?!A familiar voice suddenly echoed above him. "Go to hell!"Chase looked up and saw a figure hovering in the air.Sure enough—it was the man with small eyes. He was still alive!Chase glanced at the corpse he had just slain moments ago. What lay there was not a real body but a pile of beast bones, blood, and shredded fur—a decoy.How careless of him. The warriors of the Nefarious Deity Sect were as troublesome as ever.He let out a quiet sigh.The man with small eyes, on the other hand, was seething with hatred.Back at the Nefarious Deity Sect, the three brothers had initially dismissed the Nefarious
The fierce storm-like assault proved effective.The man with small eyes managed to land a few cuts on Chase's skin, leaving faint traces of blood. Delighted, he sneered, "You brat, you've been poisoned! Just accept your fate and die!"Chase let out a low snort.He had allowed the venomous green dagger to graze him intentionally. The blade barely cut through his skin, and after a slight wisp of black smoke, the wounds healed instantly.Earlier, Chase had estimated that the man with small eyes was, at most, a stage-six martial god. Unlike the boorish man from before, his strength seemed to lie in his speed and use of poison.However, after undergoing multiple rounds of body refinement, Chase's physique had become virtually immune to ordinary toxins. This venom was just too weak!Chase shook his head in disappointment.The smirk on the man with small eyes faded as he watched the wounds he inflicted disappear in an instant.That dagger—the Heaven's Poison Dagger—was forged from t
Zacharias sighed as he spoke, his tone laced with regret.Chase furrowed his brows and asked, "Why did they spare the Nine-Sea Giant Squid?""Orin, the Abyssal Ape, Lysand, the Black Monk, and Elijah, the Skinscraper, were all martial cultivators. The Nine-Sea Giant Squid's flesh has immense benefits for body refinement, even for those at the peak of the martial god realm."So, they carved out a small lake here, set up a restrictive formation, and kept it captive. Every 50 years, they would return to harvest its flesh. That's the only reason I've been able to survive."Chase narrowed his eyes. "How long until their next harvest?"Zacharias calculated for a moment before replying, "It should be happening any day now."Chase glanced at the massive squid still writhing in the lake, seemingly not fully dead. He formed a new plan in his mind. The Nefarious Deity Sect practiced body refinement too. Perhaps this thing could serve as some bait?He pondered for a moment before asking, "
A stage-eight martial nirvana beast, clearly one with a physique-focused specialization, yet possessing an innate talent for mind and soul attacks?Chase was momentarily surprised.Then, a smug voice echoed within his sea of consciousness."What a powerful body! This is a heaven-sent opportunity! Finally, I don't have to be trapped in that slimy squid anymore! These past few centuries have been absolutely disgusting!"Hearing this, Chase immediately understood.This was not an innate mind and soul attack from the Nine-Sea Giant Squid; this was the remnant soul of a long-lost great cultivator attempting to seize his body."Who are you?" he asked."Kid, you should be honored! I've chosen you, so just enjoy the ride!"Before Chase could get more answers, the entity launched a full-scale mind and soul assault.A black shadow rampaged through his sea of consciousness, colliding violently and emitting waves of soundless sonic attacks, sending waves of dizziness through Chase's mind.
"Castiel can only rely on his own luck now. Ivana, we should leave," Turk, the white-robed man, sighed."I suppose there's no other choice," Ivana replied, casting one last glance in the direction Chase had flown. There was a hint of reluctance in her expression.In the end, she activated her movement technique and soared away.Turk had been paying close attention to Ivana. When he noticed the lingering look in her eyes as she gazed after Chase, his expression darkened, though his thoughts remained unreadable.Once Ivana had taken flight, Turk flicked his fingers, sending a small black sphere rolling into the cave before he turned and departed.Not long after, Chase reappeared."Interesting," he mused, watching the direction Ivana and Turk had gone. A smirk played on his lips.With his heightened spiritual awareness, his perception far surpassed others of his level. The two stage-three martial god weaklings were nothing to him.After confirming that they had truly left, he step
Four black tentacles shot out from the cave, heading straight for the four of them.The boorish man, still reeling from his earlier clash with Chase, had no time to react before the tentacles wrapped around him. He let out a series of agonized screams as he was dragged into the depths of the cave.The white-robed man and the woman in purple stood farther away and managed to dodge the attack, their figures flashing as they leaped to safety.Chase, however, remained in place, completely entangled by the tentacles.The white-robed man halted, initially showing concern for the boorish man being captured. But upon seeing Chase ensnared as well, his expression shifted to delight. He assumed the beast would eliminate this troublesome opponent for him.Yet despite the tentacles stretching taut, Chase remained utterly unmoved. It was as if he had taken root in the ground.Feeling the strength of the tentacles, he realized they were far more powerful than those that had restrained the boor
What?!Chase felt incredulous.He dodged the attack and retreated about three feet away."What is this?!" Chase asked."Did you release monsters into this cave?" the woman in purple yelled angrily with her sword raised in the air."Monsters?" Chase glanced at the cave entrance in bewilderment. He saw a long, black tentacle appear from the cave as it reached out for the woman."Look out!" The two men behind the woman shouted as they defended her at the same time.Sword stances filled the air as the man in white helped the woman stop the tentacle. The boorish man picked up his blade and leaped into the air. He slashed down the back of the tentacle.Black-colored blood splattered onto a rock. Hissing sounds were heard coming from the plants as holes appeared in them due to the corrosion. There was lethal venom in the monster's blood.Chase was shocked to see this. The wailing he heard must have come from the monster. It looked quite powerful. He felt lucky about not entering the
Chase opened his eyes. His clothes had been wet but were now dry.He channeled his skills, and strength circulated him. He got rid of all impurities and felt invigorated.After that, he stopped using his skills and punched into the air using pure physical strength. He could vaguely hear the sound of a sonic boom.The effects of the Mirage Dragon Tiger Pill on body refinement were not bad at all. He estimated that he could achieve an upper level if he could take another three to five more pills.It seemed like a visit to the Nefarious Deity Sect was now inevitable.Chase turned to leave.Right after leaving, dark smoke began to billow from the middle-aged man's corpse, forming into a man. "Damn it. I can't believe I can only escape using Nefarious Deity Form. But I've managed to obtain your mind and soul's aura. The next time we meet, I'll make sure you'll suffer a fate worse than death. I won't let you die so easily."The man, who was in Nefarious Deity Form, began to glow green
The man was only at stage three, where each punch possessed a weight of 30,000 pounds.Besides that, as the Nefarious Deity Sect's signature fist technique, it possessed the Nefarious Deity Energy. It could invade the opponent's spirit and soul upon contact.It was also the perfect complement to the Nine Mirage Ecstasy.However, Chase seemed completely unaffected. He seemed to have managed to defend himself against that punch.The middle-aged man knew that he had lost all opportunity at survival when he failed to hurt Chase with the punch. He quickly maneuvered to defensive mode. Black smoke billowed from his body and formed into a protective armor around him."Nothing but a party trick!"Chase checked himself for any injuries caused by the man.Thirty thousand pounds worth of strength was nothing but a drizzle to him.As for the Nefarious Deity Energy and harm that came with it, Chase was now able to withstand the evil power after using the Thunderfruit Core to strengthen his