Chase ran all the way out of the Kaydens' residence while Hubert went after him close behind.It forced Chase to use every fiber in his being to escape because he knew that if he was caught, it would be the end of him.He flew high into the air, but no matter how hard Chase ran, he got caught a few miles in the air."Why did you run when you saw me, Chase Collins?" Hubert stopped Chase but did not attack him. He smiled instead.It was freezing several miles in the air. They could see the vast Capital City below their feet if they looked down."You were coming after me. Of course, I'd run.""Why would I come chasing after you if you didn't run?""Alright, fine. Let's leave it at this. Why did you stop me, sir?" Chase quickly stopped this unending questioning and asked Hubert.Chase did not think that Hubert would come after him relentlessly just to take revenge for him breaking Alan's arm."That's a pointless question, isn't it, Chase Collins?""You need to explain things clea
"Hahaha! It's too late for you to try to escape, young man. Tell me where the Collinses' treasure is or I'll make sure you wish you were dead!" Hubert stopped putting up any pretenses when he saw Chase realize something was wrong. He decided to show his true colors, and his domain filled the entire air. Both their figures vanished several miles high in the air."This was all an act. Did you do this on purpose?" Chase knew that he had fallen into Hubert's trap and asked coldly."You're right. Everything started at the Kaydens' residence. Do you think a marquis of martial arts like you can really escape that far from me? It's because I wanted this opportunity for myself that I allowed you to escape this far. "To be honest with you, the Kaydens aren't the only ones with such a dagger. A few other influential families have one of their own too. It's used to verify your identity. Do you think that no one has been paying you any attention since you left Dragon Tiger Mountain? "I've b
Hubert did not even need to move. All it took was one thought in his mind to suppress a peak stage-nine martial marquis."Attack that spot!"That was when Caspian's voice rang in Chase's mind.Chase did not hesitate. He took out the Seven Star Dragon Abyss Sword and turned into a sword shadow as he headed speedily toward the spot Caspian pointed at.It felt like Chase had pierced into a strong, solid object. It was difficult to imagine something could be so fortified when attacked by the Dragon Abyss Sword."Stop thinking you can escape. Even a marquis lord of the same level as me won't be able to break out of my domain, much less a stage-nine marquis of martial arts like you," Hubert said coldly as he stared at Chase in the form of a sword shadow, desperately trying to pierce through to escape. He kept stabbing at the spot relentlessly."Ignore him, young man. Just focus on what you're doing. This domain is nothing in front of me. I can destroy it with one finger," Caspian conti
"Fine."Albus still looked unwilling.That was when the old man said something else to him, "By the way, he was the one who killed your grandson, Clay Hawkin!"All it took was one sentence and Albus formed into a flash of light as he sped out of the secret realm.…Chase headed east after he escaped Hubert's domain. He eventually slowed down when he realized Hubert was not giving chase and landed on the ground.He was covered in blood by then. It was not easy to break out from the domain of a martial lord. The injury he sustained from the struggle was enough to wound him seriously.However, Chase was curious why Hubert did not come after him."Are you wondering why he didn't give chase?" Caspian asked in Chase's mind."Yeah.""Do you know that even if two martial lords fought each other, they wouldn't release their domains so easily while in battle? It would be quite serious if any of their domains were damaged. A martial lord will only use his domain to bully those of a lowe
"Who told you I'm a stage-six marquis of martial arts?" Chase stared coldly at the figure in front of him as he asked with indifference.Just as the dark figure got cautious, Chase attacked him with another palm attack. He held the Dragon Abyss Sword in his hand and slashed at the throat of the dark figure with a backhand.A bloody gash appeared on the dark figure's throat.The dark figure grabbed his slit throat. He looked like he wanted to say something, but his windpipe had been slashed and he could not say a word.He stared at Chase and fell to the ground."Hmph! You're just a stage-seven marquis of martial arts, yet you're brazen enough to come after me. You deserve death!" Chase said with a cold look at the corpse.Even though the dark figure did not emanate any aura throughout, Chase had assumed that he was a martial lord powerhouse. It was only when the dark figure caught up to Chase that he realized the man was only a stage-seven marquis of martial arts assassin. That wa
He aimed his palm straight at Chase's face.Chase had to react quickly, and he met the attack with his palm as well.True energy flowed between them, and Chase flew backward from the impact of the attack. He crashed through several walls and smashed all the windows of the boxing gym.Another martial lord!Chase was shocked.No one but a martial lord could attack him with such a powerful impact.Chase watched as the entire boxing gym fell into ruins because of their palm attack. Fortunately, it was night and there was no one inside. Even though Fenton was hurt, he was still alive. Chase flew into the sky with a burst of energy."Where do you think you're going?!" Albus flew up as well as he went after Chase.They flew past a high-rise building and went up several miles into the air. That was when Albus sped up and stopped Chase."Don't worry. Bactria has a rule that says powerhouses like us aren't allowed to kill ordinary civilians. I know my boundaries even if you didn't fly u
" I heard that Chase Collins is suspected to be a descendant of the Collinses. Should we…?"A martial lord asked the question."Forget about it. It's just a rumor. Even if it were true, you would risk making an enemy out of the Martial Soul Hall."Another martial lord was cautious about this."You're right. It's the Martial Soul Hall, after all."…In a mysterious location in Capital City, a figure barged into an office."Bad news, sir!"Two old men were in deep discussion inside the office. The tea on their table was still hot. They looked at the man who barged in.One of the old men looked up and picked up the cup on the table. He took a sip of tea before saying, "How many times have I told you not to always act so anxiously, Scott? You have to be calmer."The figure who barged into the room was Scott.Scott regained his composure when he got scolded and said calmly, "Chase Collins is in Capital City, Mr. Cloves. He's fighting with someone in the air!""What? Who is he fi
Chase wondered how to explain this.That was when an aircraft came flying toward them. It got closer to them, and a loud frequency was heard."Fighting is not allowed within the borders of Bactria. Please leave immediately!"It was an unbelievable sight. There was a sea of cultivators standing in the sky while a battle aircraft was at the side trying to stop a fight.Chase was flabbergasted to see such a sight.Albus ignored the aircraft and formed into a shadow remnant once more as he sped toward Chase.Gareth was standing in front of an LCD monitor. It was screening the picture of Albus, Chase, and the cultivators surrounding them. When Albus ignored the warning, he said angrily, "Connect me to the loudspeaker.""Yes, sir!""Stop!"Gareth's elderly voice was heard coming from the aircraft.Albus paused when heard the voice, but he decided to continue his attack on Chase after that. He was the chief hall master of the Martial Soul Hall, and he was using all the true energy
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
At the entrance to Hawkins Residence stood a massive green stone monument engraved with four bold words—'The Hawkinses' Secret Sect'."The Hawkins family, the Secret Sect…" Chase murmured, narrowing his eyes as a faint, playful smile crossed his lips. Without hesitation, he stepped toward Hawkins Residence.The gates of Hawkins Residence were firmly locked, but to Chase, they were no obstacle. To him, it was as though the entire place was unguarded."Who dares trespass in the restricted grounds of the Hawkins family?!" The estate was heavily guarded, with patrols stationed at every corner. High vigilance was practiced here. Yet such defenses were meaningless to Chase. He moved through the compound as if walking through air, completely unimpeded.Suddenly, a massive, oppressive force descended, enveloping the entire Hawkins Residence in an aura of suffocating intensity. It was so overwhelming that even seasoned warriors shuddered instinctively.Chase halted mid-step, his gaze shi
"Hmm?" Chase's brows furrowed slightly."Did someone manage to escape?"His gaze sharpened, and his aura suddenly retracted as he transformed into a streak of light. He darted in a specific direction at an astonishing speed."Brat! Don't think you can be so arrogant! You won't escape. Your death is certain!""I'm an elder of the Secret Sect's Enforcement Hall!""Do you know what you're doing? Killing me will bring severe punishment upon you!""Our sect master is in seclusion, attempting a breakthrough to the Body Refining state. If you can't deal with us quickly, your end is inevitable once he emerges!"The furious shouts came from behind. Chase smirked coldly, his voice tinged with disdain. "An elder of the Secret Sect? Perfect. Today, I'll send you off to accompany your sect master."He did not pause to acknowledge their words and only focused on the task ahead. Behind him, the sound of explosions echoed relentlessly."This is bad!""Damn it! How is this kid still holding o