After Chase was done speaking, both Asher and his assistant director were stunned.What?Chase planned to invest a hundred million?The entire drama only cost tens of millions.That was the very reason why they had to rely on green screens in the studio. "Alright, alright." Asher took the card. It was a black card, and he instantly understood that Chase was not lying.This type of black card was something even he was not eligible to apply for.Even Enola was exceptionally surprised at this moment A black card? She had one too, but it was issued to her as a celebrity by the Grand Bactria Bank, and it came with a certain limit. However, the card Chase had given to Asher just now was the legendary unlimited overdraft card.Enola recognized it at a glance.It was said that this black card could purchase anything that could be valued.She remembered the first time she met Chase. She even had the thought of treating him to a nice meal."Chase, who are you exactly? Do you have a
"Mr. Calder, I understand you want to keep your dignity, and I've given in to you. But don't push it too far!" Zara lowered her voice when she saw Asher persisting."What dignity? Zara, what are you talking about? Since you unilaterally decided to reject the role yesterday, then return the advance payment and pay the breach of contract penalty. Otherwise, I'll have to resort to legal procedures!" Asher reiterated."Mr. Calder, are you serious?" Zara looked incredulous."What do you think?""Do you know that if I leave, Bateman Consortium will withdraw its investment and your production won't be able to continue?" Zara made one last effort."No need for you to worry about that, Miss Bateman. I have my way with the funds. Let me tell you, as soon as you walked out, someone else invested a hundred million," Asher said calmly."Who? Which company?" Zara was furious, demanding to know.Just then, Chase and Enola arrived."It's him!" Asher directly pointed to Chase. He left Zara behi
Zara actually had not left yet and had been waiting until now."What's up?" Chase did not put down his lunch box and just coldly asked."Chase, I'm here to apologize for what happened yesterday. I wasn't targeting you; I just couldn't stand the director randomly bringing people into the crew. After all, this drama isn't just the director's; we've all put in effort. "But today, after observing you, I found that you're really suited for acting. So, I came to apologize to you and invite you to have a meal together. How about it?" Zara appeared apologetic."No need for a meal. This lunch box is pretty good. Just say what you need to." Chase shifted his lunch box and said."Chase, give me a chance. I won't hide the truth from you. After watching you act all morning, I realized I've fallen for you," Zara said with a half-hearted attempt.Chase felt a chill run down his spine."Stop right there."Chase quickly stood up, preparing to leave."Chase, give me a chance. Whatever Enola ca
“Follow me. It wasn’t easy for you to make the trip. I’ll get you something to eat. There'll be a meeting here later. I’ll bring you along to gain some experience.” Enzo released his hand and led them into the suite.“Is he really your older brother?” Chase asked curiously after Enzo left the room.“Of course. I’m a Langdon, and so is he,” Enola replied matter-of-factly.“Is he your real brother?” Chase asked further.“Um… Alright, I’ll be honest with you. I was adopted by my parents, but they never lied to me about it. They treat me like their real daughter, and my brother dotes on me a lot too. He treats me like his real sister,” Enola said with a happy look on her face.“Where are your parents?” Chase asked curiously. Chase had known Enola for a while but never heard her talk about them before.“My parents died in an accident when I just started out in the entertainment industry. Enzo had to stop his studies overseas and return to Chitara to take over the family business. My b
Even Chase was stunned.However, owning only one would not be of much use.His dead master had told him before that the current cultivating world no longer contained much spiritual energy. Chase did not expect to see a spiritual stone at this auction.The spiritual stone was a result of culminating spiritual energy.Could there be more than one if this particular stone was found via stone gambling?Chase decided to buy this spiritual stone.“Two hundred thousand!”Enola turned to look at him curiously when she heard him call a bid.“What do you want the ruby for, Chase? Rubies like that aren’t worth much. They’re just a piece of stone at the end of the day. It’s a gimmick to call it a jewel, just like those emerald pieces. They’re just items that have been slapped with the label 'precious,'” Enola advised Chase to prevent him from being scammed.“It’s fine. I’m just having some fun,” Chase replied casually.“I can’t believe someone is willing to pay 200,000 for a stone.”“Th
It was clear that Enzo was treating Chase as someone who had bad intentions toward Enola.“You’ve misunderstood me. I’m just a bodyguard your sister hired!” Chase was not bothered to explain much and left after saying that.Chase headed straight toward Chitara’s stone gambling street.There were not many people on the street when he arrived. Only a few stalls were open. It was thanks to the internet era that stone gambling was no longer an activity that was as easy to scam people as before. Most people were now aware of the tricks they played, which was why fewer people visited this street.An old man with a stall by the street saw Chase standing in a daze. “How about trying out one of these stones?”The old man’s eyes lit up when he saw Chase. He swung the stone in his hand for a bit. He wanted badly to force Chase into buying it.However, enforcement had been strict in recent years. He could not physically force someone to make a purchase. He could only rely on his words.
The old man grumbled silently. Young people nowadays were difficult to handle. He continued, “Just continue walking ahead until you cross two streets. You’ll find a shop called Emerald Studio. All you need to do is enter. You’ll find the real stone gambling street there.”He did not forget to give Chase a reminder.“There’s something else, young man. If you really want to visit that street, you’ll need to pay a fee at Emerald Studio. If there’s something you need, there’s no difference in buying it on this street. No one would be able to tell the difference if that person isn’t an expert…“Hey, where are you going?”Chase rubbed his nose. He was right. There was something up with this place.However, he did not expect this place to be divided into two streets.This street only sold fake stones.The real stone gambling street was in another place.It made sense. The stones on this street could only be used to con people.The real stone gambling street would have no lack of cust
All Chase had to do was wait for the last person to get his hands on that stone. He would convince that person to sell the stone back to him. If that person refused, Chase would just snatch the stone if he had to.Everyone present felt nervous as they stared at the owner cutting the stone. They watched it without blinking. Their eyes were glued to the stone as they held their breaths. The machine quietly slid down to cut the stone.The anxious look in everyone’s eyes turned to disappointment as the sound of the stone being halved rang in the air.That slice cut the stone in half, and the smooth cut surface looked dull. There was no sign that this stone contained anything precious. Most of the spectators were disappointed, but they insisted on continue watching it.Dominic was especially focused on this. He had a group of men behind him, and when he saw that the stone yielded nothing, he cursed out loud in anger. He had both hands behind his back and held back his anger as he did no
"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'
"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
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
"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
"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
"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
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
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
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