It had never occurred to Chase that Bianca would say something like this in front of him.Chase was figuring out what to say to reply to Bianca's offer. That was when Bianca came close to him while taking off her clothes piece by piece."You don't need to do this, Miss Cooper." Chase quickly picked up her clothes and put them back on her."Don't you like me, Mr. Collins?" Bianca's face flushed red as she stared at Chase to ask shyly."It's not that. I…""If you don't find me repulsive and my body can help you, I… I'm willing to…"Bianca lowered her head and bit her lips. She did not dare to look into Chase's eyes."I've liked you since the day you appeared at my home, Mr. Collins. I was sad for a long time when you got engaged to Quinn."When I heard you got divorced, I knew it was my chance. Quinn told me she doesn't mind me being with you, so, Chase Collins, I like you. I've liked you for a long time. Do you like me?"Bianca grabbed the hand Chase used to put the clothes bac
After Chase met up with Scott, both of them rushed to the entrance of the secret realm. There was already a crowd there.A few of Capital City's influential families had sent men there, and Chase recognized a few of them. There was Everett Cooper, Kingston Salvatore, and many others. Most of those in the crowd were independent cultivators, although all of them were marquises of martial arts. There was no true master of martial arts present, and everyone looked to be in their 30s.No one reacted when Scott and Chase appeared.Chase had put on the mask that Kingston had given him. It was able to hide him from being sensed by other practitioners, and his face was changed to look common.No one knew who he was except for Kingston, who seemed to recognize Chase. He nodded at Chase while Chase responded covertly.There was peace until the sun began to rise.Four figures suddenly appeared in the sky without warning. Four mysterious men floated mid-air, and the auras on them revealed the
Work together? Chase wanted to laugh. What were they doing waiting only until now to ask everyone to work together?It was probably more than enough that they did not kill each other inside the secret realm.Most of them began to dilly-dally when it was announced that they could enter the secret realm.Chase did not hesitate and was the first to step into the black hole. The four powerhouses had opened the secret realm at the same time. Chase believed that there was nothing to worry about when it was opened in this manner.He felt the world spin around him. When Chase opened his eyes, he was in a whole new world.It was barren and quiet. Sand was flying in the wind, and the sky was about to turn dark. Chase was looking around him when Scott suddenly appeared behind him. It looked like he had come into the black hole right after Chase. Scott gave him a nod, and both of them began to inspect their surroundings.The place was immensely vast and different from every secret realm Chas
Huh?There really was another species?Chase reached out his senses carefully.He looked similar to humans but had sharper ears. He was extremely good-looking, and his clothes looked extravagant. He was surrounded by everyone else, but they were dressed like refugees compared to him. Behind the group of people was a cart that contained a few different types of wild beasts.Chase hid his aura and acted like an ordinary man as he waited at the roadside.It was not long before the group of men came near to Chase. They whispered among each other when they saw him. After a while, one of them who looked like the leader approached Chase to ask some questions. He was speaking in Bactrian."Hey, my friend, what are you doing here? Monsters roam this place at night. You don't look like a powerful person. I'd suggest that you return to your tribe as soon as possible," he advised Chase kindly.This place had a tribal system!Could this place still be stuck in the agricultural era?Chase
It was the same with this tribe. It was rare to see formidable human powerhouses. Tribes without anyone strong watching over them end up serving stronger tribes to gain protection. However, even those who served other tribes had a mix of strong and weak people."I'm impressed, Chase. You're out here hunting with your tribe at such a young age," the man was convinced that Chase was really as ordinary as he looked. He thought that Chase was one of those people who had joined the powerhouses of his tribe to go hunting because he wanted to see the world.Chase went along with him and said, "I have no choice, Becker. My tribe is very small, and we have to do this to feed ourselves." From their conversation, Chase found out his name was Becker Conlay.They chatted all the way, and Chase found out that the people living in this secret realm mainly hunted monsters in the wild. These monsters also fed on humans in turn.The group finally walked through the forest, and Chase saw the biggest
A dark elf was watching him from that big tree. It was the dark elf that Chase had seen, and he was paying attention to everything Chase did. Even though the elf said nothing about Chase coming to this tribe, he was watching Chase covertly.For some reason, he felt his consciousness being suppressed, and his range of sense was half of what he was used to in Bactria. When Chase reached out his consciousness up into the tree, he realized that there was a part of the tree up there that he could not sense at all.This was truly an unusual place.Chase said good night to Becker with a troubled heart. He went to sleep like a normal person. Since he had decided to be an ordinary person here, he had to be convincing even though this place was rich with spiritual energy.It was late after midnight when Chase finally sensed the elf gradually stop watching him. That elf was quite patient. That was when Chase also finally felt relieved.He had some questions for Lucas."Sir, can you try to h
Everyone was slightly relieved to hear that Chase knew this man.However, Becker continued asking, "Are you two really from the same tribe? Did we bump into another one of you so coincidentally?""Yes, what a coincidence, isn't it? It's all thanks to you, Becker. If you hadn't brought me here, I would never have been able to find Rufus," Chase returned to showing off his acting chops."You're my lucky star, Becker. If you hadn't brought me here, I wouldn't have known what to do. Without Rufus protecting me, it'd be difficult for me to go back to my tribe…" Chase kept on explaining how their group had split up during hunting.Chase told this story passionately, and it almost sounded like it was true. Even Chase almost convinced himself of it.In the end, he managed to quell the dark elf's suspicion temporarily, and the elf disappeared into the big tree. Chase knew that they had managed to get through the most difficult part of the night.As Chase and the man he called Rufus had n
"There are two or three of us. Why aren't you with your clan?" Chase had no idea how many of the Salvatores were here and just gave a vague answer."You probably have no idea about this, Chase, but everyone inside here wants an opportunity of their own. No one would be willing to share such a resource. What about you, Chase? Why are you not with the others?" Bo asked."That's because I'm on another mission," Chase replied mysteriously."I see. May I know what news you've found out about this place?" Bo could tell that Chase was much more powerful than he was and would be better at Bo at getting information, so he decided to ask Chase the question."It's embarrassing to tell you this, but I've been here almost a day, and I haven't found out much yet. I have no idea where opportunity lies in this place much less complete my mission. By the way, do you have the same mission?" Chase asked."Finding the crystal?" they said in unison."What exactly is that crystal?" Chase thought that
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