"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
"Fine! As long as you spare my life, I swear eternal loyalty to you. I'll serve as your slave or servant if that's what it takes!" Luis declared without hesitation. He knew too well that if he refused, death would be his only outcome.Luis was not afraid of dying—he simply could not accept defeat. A lifetime of prestige was ruined in an instant."I, Luis Hawkins, swear to the heavens that I'll submit to Chase Collins and never betray him. Should I break this oath, I vow to meet a terrible end!" Luis raised his hand and spoke in a firm, resolute tone.Chase scoffed, his expression tinged with disdain. He had no intention of believing Luis, and the mockery in his eyes was evident. "Luis, you think I don't see through your games? Do you think I'm unaware that you're merely stalling for time?""H-How do you know that?" Luis narrowed his eyes, a murderous glint flashing within them.Chase chuckled coldly. "Luis, I've dealt with countless schemers and liars. Your petty tricks? They don'
"Hmm? Someone's approaching," Chase muttered, his brows furrowing together.He sensed several figures drawing near, their presence becoming increasingly apparent."It seems some people aren't ready to give up. Fine. If they've come, they won't be leaving," Chase said, a glint of cold determination flashing in his eyes.Without warning, Chase leaped out of the window and slammed his foot into the ground.The courtyard erupted in a cloud of dust and debris."Chase, prepare to die!"Several figures in black emerged, their auras sharp and menacing. All of them were martial arts saints who were exuding lethal intent.Four blades streaked toward Chase, each gleaming with deadly precision."Child's play," Chase remarked with a sneer. With a casual wave of his hand, he deflected the incoming attacks.The sheer force of his strike was overwhelming, like the weight of a mountain crashing down.In an instant, two of the martial arts saints exploded into clouds of blood and gore, leaving
"How could it not be here?" Chase muttered, narrowing his eyes. He was certain the Hawkinses' treasured manuals should be stored in this library.Suddenly, his expression shifted as he sensed something unusual.A faint breeze seemed to manifest out of nowhere, followed by a soft green glow that gradually expanded, forming a hazy barrier.Chase focused his mental energy, triggering a subtle yet profound ripple from the depths of his consciousness."Break for me!"His spiritual force surged like thunder, tearing through the barrier in an instant."So, the library not only holds cultivation techniques but is also protected by a spiritual restriction formation! For an ordinary martial arts saint, even someone at the peak stage, breaking through this would be impossible!"With a cold snort, Chase strode confidently toward the center of the library.There, in the heart of the room, sat a skeleton cross-legged. Its surface glowed faintly with a greenish hue, and it radiated a powerful
Outside the library, the guards were startled by the sudden commotion."Intruder alert!"Within moments, hurried footsteps echoed as guards approached the library in a frenzy.Chase casually tossed the long spear into the air and lightly pushed off the ground with the tip of his foot. His figure darted forward like a phantom.…Meanwhile, from the opposite direction of the library, two figures were rapidly closing in."The library is under attack!""I can feel a surge of energy that's far beyond the capability of a martial arts saint. Could it be a martial arts overlord?"These two stage-five martial arts saints were skilled fighters stationed by a branch of the Hawkins family to guard the area.As they rushed to investigate, a deafening explosion filled the air.The roof of the library collapsed, releasing a violent energy wave that swept outward, making their robes billow wildly."This is bad!"The two guards were furious. They rushed into the library, only to see a crims
Chase emptied everything in there and prepared to leave. However, he suddenly sensed strong murderous intent from afar.There was a loud gush of the wind.He turned to look and saw a group of martial artists dressed in black coming at him in an attack. A young man was leading the group. The man stared sinisterly at Chase and asked coldly, "Were you the one who ambushed the Hawkinses' library?" He was tall and slender and had a good-looking face. He looked like a gentleman, but his eyes were cold and cruel."Are you Spencer Hawkins?" Chase narrowed his eyes and recognized the young man. "What do you want?""Cut the crap! You stole valuable books from the library. I have to detain you in the prison located in the Hawkinses' ancestral land. You'll suffer a fate worse than death!" Spencer said sinisterly.The prison was used to lock up members of the Hawkins family who committed crimes. Most of those locked up in that prison were guilty members or extended members of the Hawkins fam
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