"You got lucky, young man. When you were falling down the abyss and fell unconscious, Master Vine conducted a test on your character while you were passed out. If he had found you to be filled with ill intentions, you wouldn’t be here at all."It’s because you've passed the test that you’re able to appear within the Holy Vine. I had no idea that you had a good heart," Lucas explained slowly with slight jealousy and slight relief."Is this the internal location of the Vine Saint that you mentioned?" Chase looked around curiously."Yes. You can only come here if Master Vine approves of you. Hurry up and cultivate, young man. I’ll explain more to you once you’re out," Lucas insisted.Chase stopped chatting with Lucas and immediately sat on the ground cross-legged. He began to cultivate.He found that his cultivation had been restored during the process and guessed that Master Vine had lifted all restrictive mechanisms off him. The moment he channeled his skills, a flash of green ener
Chase leaped down the abyss once more at this thought. He prepared to get to the bottom once more.Just as Chase made the leap and was right above the abyss, the restrictive mechanisms were triggered and Chase’s body fell downward.Chase was suddenly transported away.He returned to the cliff before the abyss.What?Did something go wrong with the restrictive mechanisms?Chase leaped down once more, and he was in mid-air.A flash was seen.Chase returned to the cliff again.He finally understood that there was no issue with the restrictive mechanisms.Chase vanished and reappeared inside the Dragon Vein Secret Realm. He realized that the dragon image in the air seemed to have consolidated more.He did not think much about it as he appeared in Lucas’ space."What happened, Sir?" Chase asked.Lucas had to know something because he was looking at Chase strangely."You’re the first person whom Master Vine has tried to hide from, young man. That’s really something."Lucas sta
The scent of herbal medicine filled the air. Anyone present would be astounded by this. Chase did not require a pill furnace to refine the pills. He was refining them in the air just like that.Probably no one in the cultivating world had witnessed such a thing before. Fortunately for Chase, he was doing this in the pavilion, and no one was there to see this.Only the two men in Chase’s mind were able to sense this with their mental energies. However, they knew that this was a crucial moment and did not disturb him. They waited until the pills were formed.The medical herbs in the air vanished. Ten Element Nurturing Pills floated in the air in place of the herbs.Lucas could not help exclaiming."Where did you learn to refine pills this way, young man?""I learned it from my master, of course," Chase replied."Who exactly is your master?" Lucas asked once more."I have no idea what his name is, but I’ve always just called him ‘old man’," Chase replied honestly. He had spent mor
"This isn’t possible!""How is this happening?""What exactly is your cultivation level?"The group of Esoteric Medical Sect disciples began exclaiming in shock when they felt the powerful energy from Chase.Livingston did not dare make a move as he stood still where he was. He stared at Chase’s back in fear. He could sense the astonishing power from Chase even from his back."You’re here under the orders of Floyd Bale, aren’t you?" Chase looked at them and asked slowly."N-No, we’re not. We’re just here to get to know you because you’re new to the sect," Livingston stammered in reply when faced with Chase’s question."How dare you lie to me?!" Chase raised his voice slightly.Livingston got scared."You…"Are you trying to kill me while inside the sect? Our rules have stated that disciples aren't allowed to kill one another. Don’t do anything stupid. If anyone dies here, the Esoteric Medical Sect won’t accept you!"There was fear in his voice, but it did not stop him from t
"I heard that he’s a cultivator who is younger than us. I wonder if it’s true that he’s a Pill Refining Master.""It doesn’t matter if he is one. I bet you guys don't know that Floyd successfully refined a grade-six pill yesterday. He's now officially a Pill Refining Master in our sect.""What? Is that true? Floyd finally did it. I wonder what grade-six pill he managed to refine?""It’s the legendary Inedia Pill. Even though this pill isn’t really anything powerful, it’s still a grade-six pill. Floyd would be at least in the top three.""But I heard that we’re not the only ones participating in the Pill Refining Summit. Many of the elders are taking part as well. The elders have been around for years. There must be a Pill Refining Master among them.""Is that true? If they’re taking part as well, what chance do we have?""Haven’t you heard? A new sect master might be appointed via the Pill Refining Summit. The elders would want to vie for that position.""We shouldn’t be comment
Supreme Elder Phoenix, who was in child form, sat down slowly.Everyone standing in front of the tables got busy the moment he made his announcement."Look, Floyd is starting to refine his pill.""Elder Erwell is starting too.""Hey, look at Chase Collins. Why is he just standing around?"Most of the disciples watching the summit noticed that all Chase did was go blank while standing after Supreme Elder Phoenix announced the summit’s commencement. He was not refining any pills, and it ignited a discussion."He must've been scared silly because he has no experience in such a huge event.""You’re right. I heard that he was an independent cultivator before Elder Evans brought him back to the sect. It’s only normal that he feels frightened in an event like this."Many of the disciples agreed with this statement.It was not that Chase did not want to start refining pills. He watched as the people around him began to start fires while adding various spiritual plants into the pill fu
"Hahaha! Looks like it."While everyone was discussing this, Lundly had successfully refined a vat of pills and was presenting it to Supreme Elder Phoenix to verify."Good. Not bad at all. I didn’t know that you’ve become a Pill Refining Master. You’ve managed to refine grade-five Energy Reviving Pills!" Supreme Elder Phoenix exclaimed in surprise after verifying the pills."No wonder Floyd Bale was able to refine his pills successfully. It’s because he has a good master. Look at them, both master and disciple are now Pill Refining Masters. The sect will rely on them from now on."As the supreme elder, Supreme Elder Phoenix was happy to see this. It has been a long time since the sect had such encouraging news since the passing of their last sect master.Supreme Elder Phoenix’s words immediately attracted all the disciples to crowd around them."What? Did I hear this right? Elder Erwell managed to refine grade-five pills?""Is that true? That’s grade-five pills we're talking abo
Supreme Elder Phoenix replied, "This is a grade-five Element Nurturing Pill, and it’s a superior grade as well.""What? Chase Collins managed to refine a grade-five pill? And it’s an Element Nurturing Pill?""That’s impossible. Didn’t he suffer from stage fright? He was standing there in a daze all this time. When did he refine that pill?""Even though Inedia Pills and Element Nurturing Pills are both grade-five pills, Energy Reviving Pills are used to recover true energy after one has depleted their cultivation. Inedia Pills, however, are used to solidify elements within a cultivator. It’s clear that Element Nurturing Pills are the superior pills. How did someone like Chase Collins manage to refine such a pill?"Everyone was shocked to hear Supreme Elder Phoenix say those words, and there were looks of disbelief on their faces.It took a long time before Lundly approached Chase to say coldly, "You didn’t refine that pill just now, did you, Chase Collins?""I refined it last nigh
"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