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
It was just a useless piece of crap. It did not matter how much Dominic asked for it, it could not be worth as much as before.Chase did not name a price. He wanted Dominic to be the one to suggest a price.“I spent 50 grand on this stone. All my cigar money has been thrown in. I won’t sell anything to you if you don’t give me at least ten or 20 grand.”He spoke like a true head honcho. Everyone could see that all that was left of the stone were broken-up pieces.What else was there to be cut open? There was nothing left inside! How could he ask for ten or 20 grand for the crumbled pieces?!He had to be dreaming!“Don’t be stupid.”The man Chase spoke to was worried that Chase would actually take up the offer. He pulled Chase back to stop Chase from saying anything further.Everyone began discussing this.There was not much left of the stone, and it was quite an anxious situation to be in.“Nothing much is left. You can’t bully someone out of town like this, Dominic!” A col
There was no point doing something like that when he could cut a new stone for ten thousand.Chase was not affected by what the crowd was discussing. He took the remaining stones from the stall owner happily. He removed a piece of stone, which was the stone that contained the spiritual crystal.“Do you plan to cut your stone here, sir?” The stall owner asked Chase when he handed the cut-up stones over to him.Chase did not want the stones cut in public. Otherwise, Dominic might create trouble for him. Chase did not mind facing Dominic, but there was no need to give himself so much trouble.The crowd was still hanging around. Chase put away the stones and turned to leave. That was when he saw Enola and Enzo standing at the side.“Hey, Enola, isn’t that man your bodyguard? He’s such a joke. I wondered who that stupid guy was and it turned out to be him.”Enzo and Enola had been there for quite a while, but they could not squeeze through the crowd due to too many people standing aro
“Return it? Hey, what’s the look you’re giving me?! I bought this translucent stone with Enola in the high-end stone area over there. I spent a million on it. There’s bound to be something good in there. Not everyone can be like you, willing to spend money on useless stones.”There were many types of stones available, and the icy gem stone was known to be a more expensive type of gem.“What if there’s nothing inside the stone after you cut it?” Chase asked with a smile.“Nonsense! Who do you think you are? I’ve been around here for years and won’t ever pick a stone with nothing in it. Do you trust me, Enola?” Enzo was enraged to hear Chase doubting him.He was the owner of the underground auction house of Chitara. How could he continue holding his head up if he could not pick a good stone?“You have to trust me, Enola. Let’s go. We should ignore people like him who don’t know what he’s talking about.” Enzo looked at Chase with animosity.“I didn’t say I don’t trust you, Enzo.” En
Enzo sneered and said to Waylan Bolden, “Cut it open. I’ll make sure you reap the benefits as well if there’s something good in there.”“Alright.” This was a good deal for Waylan, and he was quite enthusiastic about it. He spat on both his hands.He grabbed the handle of the stone cutter. Everyone was watching intently, and he could feel the pressure that came with their stares.“Let’s start from the corner.”He marked all four sharp corners of the stone with a pencil before placing the stone under the cutter. He began to cut into it.When he cut the four sharp corners, dust flew everywhere, but there was no sign of any precious gem. If this was an icy gem stone, they would have seen some signs of a gem by now.Waylan was puzzled. However, he continued scooping water and pouring some over the surface of the stone. The water flowed along the gray sides of the stone.He laughed awkwardly. “Don’t be impatient, everyone. It could be because I didn’t cut the corners deep enough, whic
Everyone was surprised by this and laughed at Enzo with pointed fingers.“Look at this. He claimed that it was an icy gem stone. Hahahah! It’s just a useless piece of stone.”“To think he was so gleeful about it!”“That’s right!”“Looks like there’s a limit to the experience of the underground auction house owner. His expertise is just the same as ours!”Enzo’s face turned pale. He did not believe what he saw. He stumbled and fell sitting on the ground in a daze. How was that possible?He had never missed a mark before. Even though it required some luck, there were still some skills to it.Enola felt terrible to see Enzo look so beaten up. He had even wanted to give her whatever treasure was in that stone. A million had gone down the drain just like that!“Impossible!” Enzo suddenly jumped up from the ground. He grabbed Waylan by the collar with great force. Enzo lost control of himself and went a little crazy. He had never felt so humiliated before.“Talk! It must be your sto
“That sounds quite reasonable. After all, he did say he would take responsibility. There’s no comparing a stone worth a million with a stone worth ten thousand.”Everyone began discussing this.“What a waste of time!” Chase said and turned to leave.It would be fine if his stone was cut without anyone of expertise around. They would think that it was a jewel at best. However, if a cultivator spotted it, there would be endless trouble.“If you don’t cut open that piece of crap today, I guarantee that as the owner of this auction house, you'll never buy another piece of stone in Chitara’s stone gambling street ever again,” Enzo threatened Chase when Chase did not agree to this.Chase heard this. He finally turned back. It was not because he was afraid. Chase believed that with Enzo’s capabilities, he would not be able to do as he threatened.However, since someone really wanted to see what was inside the useless stone he had bought for ten thousand, he might as well let them have a
He opened his eyes and began cutting the surface of the stone smoothly.It was not long before he was able to cut out the fire gem. He placed it in a basin and used water to clean the dust off it. He placed it under the sun to have a good look. The fire gem sparkled under the sunlight. It shone through the gem, and he could hardly open his eyes from the bright light.Waylan exclaimed at the reveal of the gem, and everyone on the street could not stop staring at the shining fire gem. It was gorgeous. They wondered how many people had ended up bankrupt on this street just to have a gamble to become rich overnight.Yet, Chase managed to buy this piece of stone for a mere ten thousand.Some people had mistaken Chase for someone who had no idea what this jewel was worth. A man shouted out loud, “I’ll pay you a million for it, buddy! You bought that with ten thousand. I’ll pay you an additional 99 thousand for it. Sell it to me…”Before he could finish, another man called out louder wit
"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