"When... did you take it?" Apollo stammered, still in shock.Chase did not answer. He merely focused on the Chamilia Bead in his hand. This little iron ball held a terrifying amount of energy. Even Lucas could not help but comment, "This thing is equivalent to my full-strength strike in my prime!"Lucas' assessment was quite exaggerated, considering he was a martial monarch expert."Chase, please spare us. I promise not to reveal anything that happened here. I can take an oath!" Now devoid of any leverage, Apollo softened his stance and began to beg for mercy. It was clear he feared that Chase would kill everyone to prevent what happened here from being exposed.If word got back to Bactria, Chase would undoubtedly face relentless persecution from Capital City's influential families, especially from those whose prodigies he had slain.Realizing the gravity of the situation, Slant also pleaded, "Chase, the Flaming Sun Clan has no grudge against you. If you spare us, we can swear
A group of people stood faintly visible in the swirling dust. The night still lingered in the sky, with dawn yet to break.Despite the dust flying everywhere, Chase and his group stood quietly, waiting. This was the very place where they had all entered the secret realm together."Why haven't we seen the exit yet?" Slant asked impatiently.Although Chase could leave and return to Bactria at any moment, he remained standing there. He could see the outskirts of Bactria's Capital City through a thin veil.At the entrance to the secret realm, representatives from the major families had already gathered. There were the Hawkinses, the Coopers, the Salvatores, the Brennans, the Kaydens, and the Welches. They were eagerly waiting.Chase even spotted Gareth, who had brought an entire armed troop to prevent any trouble from these families. Not far from Gareth, Chase also saw a banner of the Flaming Sun Clan.The four elders who had opened the secret realm suddenly appeared, and the entranc
After speaking, Thelonius waved his hand and took his three disciples away, disappearing into the sky. Meanwhile, the remaining family heads of Capital City exchanged looks.What? Even a powerful clan like the Flaming Sun Clan had only three out of over ten people return?The family heads immediately focused on the entrance, each hoping the next person to come out would be their family's prodigy.Inside the secret realm, Mitchell was about to step into the exit when he suddenly found himself stopped by something.He realized instantly that Chase was behind it."Chase, what do you mean by this?" Mitchell asked, his voice laced with frustration.Chase smiled faintly. "Mitchell, swear a blood oath and I'll let you out."Though Chase wore a smile, Mitchell had no doubt that if he refused, Chase would kill him.There was no escaping this, after all. Mitchell's face twisted with indecision. The exit was right in front of him, but if he did not agree, it might as well be miles away.
The voice of the patriarch of the Coopers, Lennox, rang out from behind them."What's the matter? Are you blocking my way?" Gareth immediately questioned."You represent Bactria, so naturally, I wouldn't dare obstruct you. However, I need to ask Scott and Basalt's Collins about the Coopers' prodigy,'' Lennox began, apologizing to Gareth before turning to Chase.Seeing Chase and the others emerge with no one else following from the secret realm, the family heads felt a growing sense of unease.Hence, Lennox directly voiced his concerns."I don't know," Scott replied nonchalantly, his expression unchanging.Chase remained silent."We're leaving," Gareth declared once more."Gareth, you're free to go, but Scott and Basalt's Collins, you can't leave until you explain what happened in the secret realm," Carson, the patriarch of the Hawkins family, said. He also stepped forward to block Chase and Scott."How dare you?!" Though without any cultivation himself, Gareth felt a surge of
"Even the entire cultivation world has never heard of such a heaven-defying existence," everyone exclaimed in awe.The two mysterious martial lords in the sky turned their gazes toward Chase as well."As you're a stage-three martial lord, was it you who claimed ownership of this secret realm?" one of them coldly asked, staring at Chase."So what if it's me?" Chase replied calmly.The two previously enigmatic elders now seemed less intimidating to Chase, perhaps because they were near the secret realm's exit. He could vaguely sense their auras, revealing them to be at most mid-stage martial lords, no higher than level six."It really is you! Such audacity, young man. You've just broken through and already you're so arrogant, showing no respect for your elders. Do you think becoming a martial lord allows you to challenge us?" the elder retorted angrily."It's your condescending attitude that's provoking me. I had no intention of being disrespectful. What now? After knowing that I c
Facing the demands of Ripley, Chase straightforwardly refused, stating, "I have none. Not a single one!""You impudent brat! Do you truly believe your Basalt status can protect you? I've spoken to you respectfully, and you still dare show such disrespect!" Ripley was furious, unable to contain his anger any longer."Respect is earned, not given. It was you who acted shamelessly first, so why should I be respectful?" Chase retorted calmly, his words dripping with sarcasm."You insolent whelp! With your disposition, you're truly fit to be the remnants of the Collins family—always courting death!" Ripley suddenly withdrew his anger and sneered.Hearing this, Chase immediately questioned, "What do you mean?""You know exactly what I mean.""So, you're admitting that the incident at Green Hills Orphanage was orchestrated by the Coopers?""So what if it was? Chase, even if I tell you that not only was the Green Hills Orphanage incident orchestrated by the Coopers, but we were also inv
"Yes, who would've thought Basalt's Collins had such bloodlust? It's a shame. With his control of this secret realm, Basalt's Collins might've been able to restore the Collins family's former glory in Capital City. Why did he get into this ordeal?""Indeed, it's such a pity," the crowd lamented.Although they did not know exactly what transpired between the two, Chase's moment of losing control made everyone make some guesses.Not only independent cultivators but also Scott and Gareth, who were standing beside Chase, realized something was wrong.What could have happened to make Chase lose his composure so completely? However, now was not the time to find out."Hmph. How dare you try to attack Ripley? You're doomed, Chase Collins!" Lennox sneered, casting a mocking glance at Scott and Gareth."Yes. Although our families don't always see eye to eye, I have to agree with you on this," Carson chimed in, watching the spectacle with interest.High above, Ripley deliberately led Chase
In an instant, an immense secret realm enveloped the two elders.Unaware of the change around them, they continued their conversation, smiling and chatting."Who would've thought that a young lad could give you such trouble, forcing you to call me for help?" Harley remarked lightly."Indeed. The last time we joined forces was during the Collins family incident. After all these years, it's still someone from the Collins family," Ripley added casually."Seems like the rumors about a rift between the Cooper and Hawkins families are false," Chase interjected. Seeing them conversing like old friends, he could not help but comment."A rift? That's just a squabble among the younger generation," Harley said with a smile, clearly thinking that Chase was no threat with the two of them joining forces.Ripley also spoke up, "If we didn't create some discord, Bactria wouldn't let us stay in Capital City. But you wouldn't understand even if I explained.""Young man, you're trapped in my domai
"What has this got anything to do with me?"Chase could not understand the woman in front of him. Why would she say all these in the arena?"Before that, allow me to share a secret with you. The male and female phoenixes were supposed to be one."Chase was about to say something when Yara interrupted him, "The Rising of the Phoenix is not only about enhancing power after rebirth; it's a process of a male turning into a female and vice versa."But since the Dragon and Phoenix Calamity, the Phoenix Deity is the only Phoenix Demon Saint left, and he lost his power from the Rising to switch genders. He's unable to recover to his original power as well."However, he predicted that someone would be able to break him out of his suffering while wading in the river of fate."Yara looked into Chase's eyes with a smile."Is that person… me?"Anyone could tell the answer at this point.Chase was aware of what Yara was trying to tell him, but he still found it unbelievable when he asked the
Chase was the only person qualified to judge if there was murderous intent as he was the opponent in the arena.When Yara played the flute, it sounded like a beautiful melody from above the Ninth Heaven at first. If one listened closely, one could identify the vague signs of murderous intent.Chase scoffed at this. He thought it to be childish for one to hide murderous intent that way.He did not know music at all, but even he could tell what Yara was doing. Yara was looking down on him by doing this.When Chase was about to make his move, he was suddenly pulled into an illusion by the opponent. Chase was on a floating cloud above the Ninth Heaven in the illusion. It was just as Carla had said.He was initially flustered. How was he going to defend himself against the next killing move with such a powerful technique?While he was gathering all the vital energy within him, a sweet, melodious voice was heard. "Please don't retaliate, Mr. Collins. I bear no ill will."A tall, slen
"History scrolls don't really help with my cultivation. They make me drowsy every time, so I don't read them," Ford continued explaining without holding back. It did not seem wrong to him.However, his words made an impression on those listening.Ford was able to pick up the dragon clan's mystical techniques after reading them once. He even claimed it was not necessary to read them a second time. Was he even human? Oh, wait. He was a dragon. Tiana stared at him, not knowing what to say next.The Saintess of Emerald Lake Holy Land had not only fought with her talents yesterday but also with her hard work.When Tiana first entered Emerald Lake Holy Land, her master told her that her talents were upper-middle at best. She was considered extremely lucky to be accepted to the sect.Emerald Lake Holy Land was one of the top five sects in this world. It was second only to Sky Dragon Holy Land among the Four Holy Lands. Every disciple was the cream of the crop.Tiana grabbed attention t
Yara placed his flute to his lips and warned Chase, "I'll be making my move, Mr. Collins.""Please go ahead." Chase waved his hand casually and indicated for Yara to go ahead.It was the third round, and everyone at this stage was not to be underestimated. A powerhouse with a musical instrument for a weapon was rare. Chase looked forward to exchanging hands with him.The melodious sound of the flute was soon heard. All of the spectators could feel the atmosphere become more relaxed."Why is this Musical Technique non-lethal?""This can't be right. How did Yara Fries get into the third round? There's nothing formidable about this piece of music.""Is there anyone here who can explain?""He used his flute as a weapon in the previous rounds and knocked out his opponents with a couple of moves. He didn't play any music then.""Is he giving leeway to the opponent?""Could he be hinting at the opponent with his music that they're soulmates? They might end up being taken with each oth
As Clive had gained quite a lot, he decided to let it be. He allowed himself to let go of things. However, that being's consciousness began to open up to Clive, and that was when Clive realized how powerful the being was.It was one against the 12 Primal Treasures, and the universe was its target. It had existed for millions of years. The result of allowing it to take over was Clive losing complete control of his body. It was a projected image that vanished after Chase defeated it.However, Clive's body had been modified by it, and Clive's mind and soul were unable to control his own body. This was what had caused Clive to look like he was in a daze right after the match.Rania then used a mystical technique to transmit her cultivation and combine the powers of both parties. It triggered a lost talent within Clive that merged all of the swordsmanship he cultivated to form an unknown sword form that had never been seen before.Clive felt like he had been revived.He looked at the Ni
Inside the halved corpse, faint outlines of Rania and the coachman's bodies could be seen. They were twisted and contorted.Foul-smelling digestive fluid bubbled and hissed, corroding their bodies.Rania appeared to retain a shred of consciousness. "Cli... Clive... Clive... Help me... Save..."Her voice was faint, tremulous, and laced with sorrow. It stirred pity in the heart.In truth, even before she had spoken, Clive had already detected her presence through his spiritual consciousness. He raised his sword. His face was tormented as if he wanted to put a swift end to things. Yet in the end, he let out a long sigh and released a surge of true essence, pulling both the coachman and Rania from River's corpse.The coachman's cultivation was far too low, and his clothes were made of ordinary fabric. They offered no resistance to the corrosive and toxic digestive acid inside River's body.Half of his body was already unrecognizable, with the bones and internal organs exposed. His b
"Pathetic."The Nine-Sea Giant Squid that River had transformed into spoke with a human voice, then opened its gaping maw and swallowed her whole.The coachman, who had leaped off the horse the moment River transformed, scrambled and sprinted away. He was already dozens of feet out.Just then, a dark blur flashed past, and one of River's tentacles shot forward at incredible speed, snatching him back and devouring him in a single gulp as well."Disgusting. That woman tasted better," he muttered while slithering toward the carriage on his tentacles.Suddenly, an explosion echoed from within his belly, and faint glimmers of light shone through the surface of his body."That woman's protective artifact is so weak. Looks like she wasn't treated well in the Norths, after all."River examined himself carefully and found that it was indeed Rania's protective talisman that had just detonated. Yet his body remained largely unharmed. With some minor healing over ten days to half a month, he
Outside Light Divine City, Rania sat inside a carriage with Clive."Clive, say something, will you? You staying silent like this is really worrying me," she said while wiping the sweat from Clive's forehead and letting out a sigh.As a collateral descendant of the Norths, Rania's life had never been particularly easy. She had thought she had finally snagged a golden opportunity with Clive, only for him to fall into a daze after just one match.What was she supposed to do now?Everyone had witnessed their behavior during the tournament. Though some might look down on them, they would undoubtedly see the two of them as a pair by now.If she abandoned Clive at this point, she would surely be labeled a heartless woman.Just then, the carriage came to a halt. They had only left the city less than an hour ago and were still far from Universal Holy Land. Was someone blocking the road? Rania frowned and lifted the curtain.Sure enough, there was someone standing in the way.She looked c
Even though the match had ended, Lisa still could not fully escape the lingering terror.The slimy, wriggling tentacles covered in suction cups and jagged teeth, stretching out toward her… Such images were seared into her mind. The impact had been too great.Though she was a direct descendant of the dragon clan—an authentic ancient lineage and one of the top races in the entire world—she had been completely overpowered then.Normally, her bloodline would exert natural suppression over most others. However, at the time, she was almost crushed by another.She could not even begin to imagine what kind of race could do that."It tried to eat you?" Walter exclaimed in shock.As a great beast himself, he understood just how powerful the dragon clan's pure bloodline was.Even though the incident with the Lightning Dragon kneeling to Chase had dulled some of the mystique around dragons, it remained undeniable that they were a superior bloodline."For a creature to make a dragon feel lik