Chase strolled toward the massive stone monument, his gaze fixed on the four bold words carved into it. "The Hawkinses' Secret Sect? Perhaps today is the day this name vanishes.""Hmm?" Chase suddenly paused, sensing two powerful auras converging from different directions."As expected of the Secret Sect—full of hidden talents," he muttered while shaking his head lightly. He did not appear surprised; he had already anticipated this scenario before arriving.The ground trembled violently, followed by a chorus of furious roars echoing through the air.From deep within Hawkins Residence, Chase sensed a massive number of disciples pouring out from a grand hall. These disciples, all of them martial arts legends or higher, radiated intense killing intent.Together, they were a formidable force capable of annihilating smaller sects and clans. Yet even their combined might could not withstand a single punch from Chase. Within moments, their resistance crumbled, leaving corpses strewn acro
In an instant, a group of guards rushed forward to help the elderly man to his feet."Sir, are you all right?" they asked with concern.The old man clutched his swollen face while coughing up blood. His complexion was pale, and his breathing had turned weak. "This man's strength is extraordinary—likely at the late stage of the martial arts saint level. We can't defeat him. Summon the Council of Elders immediately!""Yes, sir!" The guards promptly obeyed and withdrew."You little brat! How dare you launch a sneak attack?!" Zion Hawkins, the second son of the Hawkinses, spat with venom as he glared at Chase."Save your words. If you hate me that much, then come at me," Chase replied indifferently.Zion, a mid-stage martial arts saint, stood flanked by more than ten early-stage martial arts saints and another dozen at mid-stage.Such a force could dominate most of Bactria, but to Chase, it was laughable at best."Arrogant fool! Prepare to die!""Raging Blade, Ninth Form!" Zion ro
Despite his exhaustion, Zion pressed on as he was convinced that Chase would eventually falter."Seventh Form!" he roared, unleashing a blade strike that seemed to split the heavens and earth.Yet even as the towering blade descended, Chase remained unmoved. With hands clasped behind his back, he stood still and made no effort to dodge or block the attack.An arm fell to the ground, blood splattering everywhere.Zion's eyes widened in utter disbelief as he stared at the scene. His most powerful strike had severed an arm, but it was not Chase's."T-This can't be… H-How is this possible?" he stammered. Zion looked lost, unable to accept the reality before him."It doesn't make sense! How could you withstand my blade? This defies logic!" he muttered, his voice tinged with confusion and despair."You're just too weak," Chase replied calmly while casting a cold glance at Zion.Flicking his finger, Chase sent a pill into his mouth. The pill dissolved instantly, replenishing his deple
"Reckless fools," Chase muttered coldly.He raised his hand and struck out, unleashing a golden palm strike that swept through the air like a tidal wave, enveloping a radius of dozens of feet. Everything in its path was utterly destroyed.The golden imprint descended, shattering every weapon it touched. Bones snapped, flesh tore, and blood splattered in all directions. The power of a single strike crushed everything in its wake."Run for your lives!""No…""Help me!"Agonized screams echoed through the air as bodies fell lifelessly to the ground.Luis' face turned ashen at the sight. He involuntarily stepped back while trembling. "You… Who are you?!"Chase did not bother to respond. Without sparing Luis another glance, he strode toward the Hawkinses' grand estate.It was a sprawling complex of magnificent architecture that exuded opulence and grandeur.Inside, the family members were already alerted to the attack. They had gathered in the main hall, and they whispered nervous
"What… What's happening? Why are these swords flying on their own? Such powerful sword energy! Are these... black iron swords?!"Everyone was stunned, their eyes wide with shock. The event unfolded so abruptly that none of the Hawkinses' guards could react in time.In an instant, countless black iron swords tore through the air, forming a dense cloud that surged toward the guards like a tidal wave."This is bad!" Luis roared in fury. "Block them!"A massive surge of energy exploded from him, forming a white fist aura that smashed into the incoming sword energy."Hmph! A mere insect of a martial arts saint dares to intercept my black iron swords? You people are courting death!" Chase sneered.With a wave of his right hand, the swarm of black iron swords merged into a single massive blade that slashed down toward Luis.A terrifying sword light split the air. Luis hastily countered with a punch, but it was not enough to escape unscathed. A gruesome gash tore across his chest, blood
"Young man—no, Mr. Collins—please, let's talk this through. There's no need for violence," Luis pleaded. His dignity as the head of the Hawkins family had all but vanished. The Hawkinses had been a cornerstone of Bactria, influencing its entire power structure. Now, however, Luis saw that everything could change with Chase. He needed to bring Chase to their side no matter what it took.After all, Chase's talent was extraordinary, and his potential for growth was limitless. If the Hawkinses could recruit him, they would gain a formidable martial arts saint. They could elevate their standing to unprecedented heights.Luis said, his face stretching into a fawning smile, "Mr. Collins, on behalf of the Hawkinses, I'm willing to compensate you with any resources you need. I can even offer you an entire mine to aid your refining pursuits.""You think I need your resources?" Chase scoffed, his tone dripping with mockery. "And from the Hawkinses? I doubt you can provide anything worthwhile
Luis was utterly stunned upon hearing Chase's words. He had never imagined Chase's appetite would be so insatiable. He wanted the entirety of the Hawkins family's assets!"Mr. Collins, pardon me for being frank, but if it's money you want, the Hawkinses are not lacking in that. I can offer you five times the amount you desire," Luis said, attempting to negotiate.Chase chuckled. "Mr. Luis, you've misunderstood. Money means nothing to me." He then added while shaking his head, "I'm after more than just your resources. What truly interests me is the Hawkinses' forging techniques. Surrender those, and I might spare your life.""The forging techniques?!" Luis's eyes widened with disbelief. "Impossible! Absolutely impossible! The Hawkinses' ancestral rules strictly forbid passing those techniques to outsiders. We can only offer you finished products!"The forging techniques were a legacy painstakingly developed by generations of the Hawkinses' forebears. They were the family's lifeblo
"You can try," Chase said with a faint smile."You…" Luis was consumed with rage.Suddenly, a pitch-black spear shot out from the side. It was aimed directly at Chase.Chase's expression shifted. With a light tap of his toes on the ground, he leaped back several yards, creating distance between himself and the attacker."I see the Hawkinses really are cunning!" Chase's gaze turned icy. "But since you're so desperate to die, I'll gladly oblige."Sword energy erupted, sharp and unforgiving. A single flash pierced through the head of a guard."Y-You're breaking your word!" Luis roared, his face turning an ashen shade.He had planned to use the family members as leverage against Chase, but instead, Chase had struck preemptively."I won't lay a single finger on your family," Chase said coldly. "But as for the others... Don't blame me for what's about to happen."He stared at Luis, his expression devoid of emotion. "Do you really think I care about the Hawkinses' wealth? To me, your
Lysander's body trembled as he gathered all the martial god energy within him, channeling it into his legs. He unleashed a flurry of kicks, each imbued with the force of his energy.At that moment, Lysander appeared like a masterful fighter. His movements were sharp and relentless.Each kick was faster than the last, and every punch carried a force that could shatter mountains as it slammed into the wild tiger's abdomen.The tiger howled in pain as its massive body slid several feet to the side. Its stomach was dented and bleeding profusely.However, Lysander's situation deteriorated rapidly. His body was drenched in blood, and his injuries became critical.The tiger lunged again, its jaws clamping down on Lysander's shoulder with a sickening crunch. Bones shattered, and blood sprayed in all directions, soaking his clothes."Help me!" Lysander cried out desperately."Run! Just run!" shouted the remaining martial artists who had not gotten far.The scene resembled a nightmare, l
The next day, Chase continued his journey.Suddenly, the ground began to tremble violently. In Chase's line of sight, a massive tiger-leopard hybrid came barreling toward him, its enormous paws smashing trees into splinters as it charged forward.This beast was akin to a martial god-level wild tiger, with a hulking frame, fur as tough as iron, and an aura radiating intense negative energy.The wild tiger let out a deafening roar. Its soundwaves reverberated in all directions, shaking the earth and instilling sheer terror in anyone who heard it."Damn it! That beast is back again!" a young martial artist cursed through gritted teeth.His left arm hung limp, shattered, and his chest bore a gruesome gash. He had nearly died from the tiger's earlier attack."Run! If we don't run now, we're dead!"The remaining five or six young martial artists turned and fled in panic.This wild tiger's strength was overwhelmingly powerful. Even elite martial god-level warriors would avoid a direct
The giant ape's massive club swept through the air, creating a terrifying gust that caused the crowns of nearby ancient trees to tremble violently.Meanwhile, Chase executed the techniques of his secret codex with agile movements. His figure flashed like lightning as he dodged the attack with precision.He surged forward without hesitation and delivered a fierce punch directly to the ape's abdomen.This strike was even more powerful than before, twisting the ape's intestines into a mess and splattering blood across the ground.The giant ape howled in anguish, thrashing wildly in an attempt to shake off its pain.Out of the corner of his eye, Chase noticed a crimson serpent coiled nearby. It slithered sinuously, measuring around ten feet long, with a body that released a pungent stench.The snake's cold, piercing gaze was fixed on Chase. It emanated a chilling sense of oppression. Its forked tongue flicked out menacingly as it launched itself at him.Chase's expression hardened.
The massive ape spread its enormous wings that spanned 25 feet in width, creating a dark shadow that blocked out the sunlight like two great black clouds.The ape let out a deafening bellow, a primal roar that resonated with the ferocity of an ancient beast.In an instant, the surrounding area—nearly 300 feet in radius—was swept by fierce winds. Sand whirled through the air, grass was uprooted, and trees swayed violently as their branches rattled and leaves scattered.The air was heavy with a menacing energy."A monster!" Chase muttered, narrowing his eyes as he took a defensive stance.The aura emanating from this creature was suffocating, its strength comparable to that of a martial god at its peak."Perfect! Let this serve as a lesson to all those fools that I'm not someone to be trifled with!"Chase launched himself forward without hesitation, closing the distance with the towering beast.His fist collided with the air, creating a sharp sonic boom that reverberated through
A sharp blade appeared in Chase's hand.This was a spiritual artifact named Azure Edge, forged by a renowned swordsmith after considerable expense and effort.A flash of cold light swept across, instantly felling over a dozen ghostly creatures.They stood no chance against Chase's strikes. Their throats were slit, and their heads separated cleanly from their bodies.A crimson crystal dropped into Chase's palm.It appeared unremarkable at first glance, but it contained a thick, viscous vitality and was more potent than ordinary blood. A faint spiritual essence seemed to pulse within it, emanating an almost sentient energy."Is this a ghost crystal?" Chase's eyes lit up with excitement.He immediately sat down cross-legged, focusing on restoring his depleted vitality.Within his core, his Sea of True Energy roiled and churned. Vitality surged as waves of energy coursed through his bloodstream, refining his muscles and bones."This ghost crystal is incredible. It's allowing my bo
Chase's pupils contracted as he sensed the impending danger.He unleashed a barrage of punches in an instant, executing the most powerful technique from the Dominion Codex.The void trembled and cracked as Chase staggered back several steps. Despite the force of his strikes, his attack barely grazed the massive beast's claws, leaving only minor scratches.The beast howled furiously, its eyes filled with unrestrained violence.Chase fixed his gaze on it, and he asked in a wary tone, "Who… or what are you?"The creature's aura was pure savagery. Its heavy, steel-like scales were nearly impenetrable. Chase's full-strength attacks barely left a mark, let alone inflicted critical damage.The beast let out a deafening roar and leaped forward, spewing a foul, dark liquid at Chase.Where the liquid hit the ground, it immediately began to corrode, releasing an acrid stench. The substance seeped into the soil like acid, causing nearby plants to wither and die almost instantly.Chase reac
"Damn it! What kind of mysterious medicine is this? The pain is unbearable!"Moments later, Chase calmed down, and his expression was dazed as he muttered to himself, "That scene… Could it have been an illusion?"Chase refused to believe it was merely an illusion. After all, if it were, how could he have seen that towering, majestic mountain?That night, Chase stayed in the cave instead of leaving. He continued to study the Dominion Codex, determined to master the technique as quickly as possible and ascend to a higher realm.…Meanwhile, a man clad in armor stood suspended in the air in another location.The man's posture was upright, his features sharp and striking, with eyes as deep and vast as the cosmos. He exuded an overwhelming aura of sharpness and power."So, it was an illusion?"The man frowned slightly, sensing a faint aura belonging to the Ghost King bloodline emanating from Chase. This discovery puzzled him."Something feels off," he murmured. "This human's bloodl
Chase stared in shock at the withered, lifeless corpse before him."So, this is the so-called secret?" Chase let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. "I thought I had stumbled upon a hidden relic, but it turns out to be nothing more than a trap."The eerie figure had used him as a mere sacrifice, intending to refine his body to restore his own strength and cultivation.The only secret Chase had uncovered was the entrance to the hidden realm, and he suspected it contained unimaginable treasures. Yet he realized the reason he could not enter alive was simple—he was not strong enough."If I've already been discovered, I might as well turn the tables!"His thoughts sharpened, and a ruthless gleam appeared in his eyes. Chase hurled a barrage of punches without hesitation.His iron fists rained down like a storm, striking the eerie figure with deafening impacts.The figure was caught completely off guard, stunned by the ferocity of Chase's counter-attack."Ahhh! You damn insect, st
With a flick of his trembling fingers, Chase unleashed a flash of silver sword energy from his fingertips, targeting the figure's forehead.The eerie figure was slightly surprised, clearly not expecting Chase to launch an attack. However, he simply raised his hand and flicked a finger.The silver sword energy shattered instantly, and Chase staggered back several steps, his chest heaving with labored breaths."As I thought... My cultivation is too weak. Even using the second stance of my sword technique can't harm this old monster in the slightest. If I want to win, I'll have to use that final move…" Chase's mind raced as his gaze flickered with determination.At that moment, the eerie figure opened his eyes again, revealing a mocking grin."Your physique is peculiar," he remarked."Hahaha! Don't worry. Once you become my servant, all these divine abilities and techniques, even the secrets of the True Martial Principles, will belong to you!"As the figure finished speaking, a s