Julep's apology on his knees was met with indifference from Chase, who returned to the backseat of the Alphard as if nothing had happened. He simply casually closed the door behind him.Seeing that Chase was not going to make trouble for him, Julep sighed in relief, feeling lucky to have escaped unscathed. As his relief settled in, curiosity about Chase's true identity began to grow. Such a powerful young man could not possibly be a nobody.Thankfully, Shea was quick to read the situation. Realizing that Chase had no interest in dealing with Julep, Shea quickly got out of the car and walked over to Julep."Mr. Longford, isn't Mr. Payne waiting for us? We should hurry so as not to keep him waiting," Shea said.Julep, who had lost his earlier arrogance, nodded immediately. "Yes, let's go."The rest of the journey was uneventful. Before long, the vehicles arrived at a sprawling estate. The entrance was heavily guarded by Yorels Organization members, who, upon seeing the approaching
Shea stood to the side, explaining the proper etiquette for meeting Aaron. Chase did not respond. He simply walked toward the area he had sensed earlier.Seeing this, Shea quickly moved ahead of Chase, trying to demonstrate how things should be done.After passing through several sliding doors, the space opened up into a large hall. Inside, a number of people were already seated, with an old man sitting at the front.Upon seeing the figure at the front, Shea immediately knelt down in greeting."Ozark branch's Shea Earling greets Mr. Payne," Shea announced.Noticing that Chase remained completely unmoved, Shea whispered urgently, "Boss, that's Mr. Payne. You need to show respect."Even Bianca, who stood beside Chase, looked pale, clearly overwhelmed by the formal atmosphere. She tugged gently at Chase's sleeve, trying to prompt him to act.Chase let out a slight chuckle. "He's not worthy. If anything, he should be kneeling to me."Though his words were softly spoken, they echoed
Originally, Aaron had gathered the numerous members of Yorels Organization to give Shea and the so-called true master of martial arts a show of force. However, things did not go as planned, and instead, Aaron found himself deeply shaken."Mr. Payne, this young man was so disrespectful to you. Shouldn't he be taught a lesson?" one of the members spoke up despite Aaron's order for everyone to leave. He was eager to gain favor.Aaron's voice grew stern as he responded, "Didn't you hear me? I said, leave!" His tone made it clear that there would be no further discussion. The members immediately fell silent, too afraid to speak further. They quickly left the hall.Aaron then noticed Shea still kneeling on the ground and added, "You can go too."Shea got up and hurried out, leaving only Aaron, Chase, and Bianca in the hall.Once they were alone, Aaron quickly ran up to Chase.With a heavy thud, he dropped to his knees. "Greetings, Master," he said, his voice trembling with fear and rev
Chase finally understood that the secular emperor was merely a puppet, and the real power behind Eastern Ocean resided in those cultivating on Forage Mountain.This revelation did not surprise him much. After all, the situation in Bactria was not much better. Chase had long suspected that a hidden force was influencing Capital City from the shadows.Recalling the task that Gareth had given him, Chase asked, "Have you heard any news about the Basalt Armor resurfacing?""Basalt Armor? What's that?" Aaron looked puzzled, indicating that he had not heard of it.Chase then remembered that 'Basalt Armor' was the name given to the artifact by Gareth. It might have a different name in Eastern Ocean. Thus, he continued, "It's the treasure passed down through Bactria's Black Turtle lineage. It looks something like this." As he spoke, Chase conjured an image of the armor in mid-air."Oh, you mean the turtle shell! Yes, I've heard of it. It was said to have appeared recently on Holy Mount
Chase pondered for a moment before speaking calmly."Do you really want to go?""Of course," Aaron replied with certainty."In that case, I'll accompany you. How about that?" Chase suggested.Although Aaron was not too keen on the idea, wondering if he would even get a share of any treasures they might find, he did not dare show any reluctance.He quickly agreed, "Master, the Jamesons have been gathering people these past few days, planning another trip to Holy Mountain. Without an invitation from the emperor, we can only sneak in."Since Celestial Master Jameson has already made the journey once, he must be familiar with the terrain. I'll reach out to him, and we can join their group. Does that sound good?"Aaron figured that with Chase being a marquis of martial arts, it would be safer to have a Celestial Master with them. Perhaps, with Celestial Master Jameson present, Chase might not dare to harm him, and there was even a chance that the Celestial Master might take care of C
As soon as the voice echoed out, a strange aura accompanied it.It was something Chase felt was familiar, as if he had encountered it before. However, the face in front of him was unfamiliar.Chase was certain he had never met this person before.While Chase noticed something was off, Aaron did not seem to realize it. He immediately stepped forward and spoke."I'm Aaron Payne of Yorels Organization, here to pay respects to Celestial Master Jameson. I ask that you kindly inform him of my arrival."Perhaps it was due to Aaron revealing his identity as head of Yorels Organization that the person at the door hesitated for a moment before coldly replying, "Wait here." Then, he turned and shut the door.The crowd outside immediately erupted in murmurs."Even Master Payne was turned away. The Jamesons are unbelievably arrogant, acting like they're above everyone else.""But what can we do about it? Their family has a Celestial Master. If your family had one, you'd probably act the sam
"Who else could it be if not me?" Lars Jameson made no attempt to hide his identity."Celestial Master, were you attacked? Was it this ghostly creature that harmed you? Tell me, and I'll immediately seek help from outside!" Aaron trembled as he pointed at the skeleton behind him."You mean this?" Lars raised his withered hand, and instantly, the skeletal figure before them disintegrated, collapsing into a pile of bones scattered on the ground.The sight chilled Aaron to the core. The skeleton had been under Lars' control all along, part of a performance orchestrated by Lars himself."Celestial Master, since no one is threatening you, I'll take my leave. I wouldn't want to disturb your peace," Aaron stammered, desperate to escape. He completely abandoned the idea of searching for treasures on Holy Mountain.It was obvious that Lars had undergone a horrifying transformation—he was no longer the man he once was."Heh. Since you're here, don't be in such a rush to leave. Stay a while
As Lars finished speaking, a shroud of ghost energy enveloped him.Suddenly, Chase's ears were filled with a hiss that sounded like a mix between a snake and a dragon.The ghost energy behind Lars coalesced, forming a three-meter-tall figure with the head of a dragon, the body of a turtle, and the tail of a serpent—an unmistakable image of the Black Turtle.Chase immediately recognized the form before him. To his surprise, it was real. The Basalt Armor was indeed in Eastern Ocean.Seeing the monstrous figure, Aaron was paralyzed with fear, unable to move a muscle."Alright. It's time for both of you to meet your end!" Lars commanded, and with a thought, the Black Turtle leaped forward from behind him. Its dragon head and serpent tail opened wide, lunging at the two men."How dare you?!" Chase stepped forward, releasing the powerful aura of a martial lord.Although Lars had boasted about his greatly increased power, Chase had already seen through it.Lars was nothing more than a
"Die! Burning Sky Demon Claw!" the cloaked man roared, thrusting his fingers toward Chase in mid-air.The void twisted, and a massive flaming handprint materialized. Its searing heat scorched the forest and raised the temperature to terrifying levels.Chase's eyes narrowed.The Burning Sky Demon Claw burned martial deity energy to unleash destructive power. If it struck flesh, even the hardest stone would melt away.Even so, Chase remained fearless. Gripping his sword aura, he leaped skyward, soaring toward the heavens and evading the strike."Hmm?"The cloaked man froze momentarily before letting out an angry grunt. He extended his palm again, this time channeling his entire reservoir of martial deity energy.A scream pierced the air as his right hand exploded into a cloud of blood mist.Chase, balancing on his sword aura, darted hundreds of feet away. His gaze locked on the cloaked man clutching his sword, and it carried a faint trace of mockery.The cloaked man clutched his
A thousand miles away from the ancient wilderness, a group of figures cloaked in black sat cross-legged beside a large stone."Sacred Emissary, I failed in my mission. Please punish me!" one of the martial gods knelt on one knee with his head bowed in shame.Another black-cloaked martial god also knelt, hesitating briefly before speaking, "Sacred Emissary, this man is merely an independent cultivator. Yet everyone we sent after him has failed. They couldn't even escape with their lives!""Useless!" A stern, aged voice resonated from the shadows.Moments later, a shadowy figure coalesced into the form of an elderly woman. She wore a gray dress that draped over her slender frame.Her white hair was meticulously arranged. Her gaunt face bore an unnatural pallor, and though her figure revealed traces of allure, it carried an air of deathly chill.She spoke with icy detachment, "So, are you both suggesting I handle this personally?""Sacred Emissary, forgive us!""We wouldn't dare!"
Chase stepped forward with precision and struck the cloaked man squarely in the chest, sending him stumbling back as blood sprayed from his mouth."Impossible!" The cloaked man's eyes widened in shock, and his face twisted with disbelief.Moments ago, he had held the upper hand in their exchange. How had he been defeated so swiftly?Though the young man before him wielded a similar level of cultivation, his sheer combat strength was monstrous beyond comprehension.The cloaked man was hurled several feet away, landing roughly on the ground. He struggled to stand, and his face was now as pale as a ghost."Who are you?" he demanded."Judging by your expression, you've never even heard of me," Chase chuckled while shaking his head.He smirked and continued, "Not that it surprises me. The factions in the nether realm are tangled and chaotic. It's easy to impersonate me.""Impersonate?" The cloaked man laughed mockingly, his tone dripping with disdain. "You're overestimating yourself
Chase's pupils contracted sharply as he unleashed his Thunder Sword Technique, sending a barrage of sharp sword auras slicing through the attacking vines.These vines were unnaturally tough, and even his razor-sharp sword auras only left shallow marks. Eventually, after sacrificing a few drops of his vital essence, the vines were shattered and disintegrated.Chase's face was pale as he panted heavily.'This place is truly unsuitable for me to linger around. Even with a peak martial deity's body, which can withstand ordinary weapons, these vines are incredibly powerful. A moment of carelessness can prove fatal,' he thought with heightened vigilance.He sprinted along the edge of the forest without pausing.After running for an indeterminate distance, he finally escaped the danger and reached a small grove.Suddenly, a bone-chilling cold enveloped him. Chase's eyes narrowed in alarm. Spinning around, he raised his hand and struck backward.Two swords collided with a metallic scree
Chase's figure vanished into the darkness as he hid himself while scavenging for spoils of battle.He discovered two bottles of pills—one for healing wounds and one to enhance vitality and blood flow.'No wonder martial gods are so formidable; their treasures are truly remarkable,' he thought, his eyes lighting up as he swiftly collected everything."This place is no longer safe. Staying here will only attract more danger. I need to leave immediately," Chase murmured with a frown.His physical condition was poor, and lingering in this precarious area might invite stronger foes.…By the next morning, as the faint light of dawn spread across the sky, Chase stepped out from his hiding place.Despite not resting the previous night, he had successfully advanced to the peak of the martial deity realm."It's time to head to the Nefarious Deity Sect," he muttered. The thought was heavy in his mind as he let out a sigh."I had initially planned to save Quinn once my cultivation progre
"It's too late," Chase said while shaking his head, his gaze icy and devoid of any emotion."It's not like we're both martial gods here. I refuse to believe you can defeat me. Die!" the elder roared, unleashing his final, desperate technique.A dark aura enveloped the elder, his energy surging explosively. His clothes tore apart, revealing a body brimming with muscle. Each fiber of his being pulsed with a terrifying power.His speed skyrocketed, transforming him into a streak of darkness. He lunged at Chase in an instant with his palms clenched like hammers, aiming to smash Chase's skull.The clash was deafening. Chase grunted as he was sent flying with blood trickling from his mouth. His arms trembled, nearly rendered useless from the impact.Although he had begun to form a prototype of the Sword Soul, he was still a novice. He was far from being able to withstand a martial god's full assault."Ha! In the end, you still lost to me. I'm the true ruler here!" the elder bellowed wi
"Don't delude yourself," the elder snarled. "Even if I only have two or three years left to live, you, a mere piece of trash, can never shake me!"Chase narrowed his eyes, his mind racing for a way out of the dire situation.Suddenly, a vast and overwhelming aura engulfed the surrounding area, shaking the very fabric of the environment. The trees quivered violently as if bowing to an unstoppable force of destruction."This is bad. There's a martial god nearby!" Chase's expression grew grim.The aura was immense, as if the sky itself were collapsing. No matter where he tried to hide, escape seemed impossible.Reacting swiftly, Chase became a blur as his figure darted away like a fleeting shadow. He aimed to put as much distance as possible between himself and this overwhelming threat.Nonetheless, he could not get very far.A colossal hand appeared out of nowhere, blotting out the sky. It slammed down onto Chase's back with terrifying force, sending him hurtling through the air.
'Damn it! This guy's body is even tougher than mine!' the elder thought while trembling with fear.Chase seized the opportunity to deliver a devastating palm strike that sent the elder flying. Blood sprayed everywhere as the elder wailed in pain.Within moments, Chase had broken seven of his ribs, leaving him twitching on the ground, utterly incapacitated.'This old devil can't be killed just yet. If I devour his nether spirit, my cultivation will soar to new heights,' Chase thought coldly.Planting his foot firmly on the elder's head, he sneered, "Do you want to live, or would you rather die?"The elder's face turned ashen. As a notorious dark spirit cultivator, being crushed by someone he considered an insect was the ultimate humiliation."Don't even think about it!" he spat.Suddenly, a sinister, eerie wave of energy erupted from the elder's body.Chase's instincts kicked in, and he leaped back just in time.A thick, bloody aura burst forth, forcing Chase several steps back
Chase struggled to stand, but his legs gave way, and he collapsed back to the ground. His entire body was numb and drained of strength.The elder's ghostly fire was sinister, leaving him feeling hollow as though every ounce of power had been stripped from him.To make matters worse, the fire carried a potent toxin that was eroding his internal organs. Chase took several deep breaths, channeling his true essence throughout his body to expel the poison and mend his injuries. Sweat dotted his pale face as he fought to recover from the harrowing battle."Boy, hand over your techniques, and I'll spare your life!" The elder's voice was cold, his gaze menacing as he drew closer. "Your soul and physique are remarkable. If I refine you, I might even break through to the late-stage martial god realm!"The closer the elder approached, the stronger the sense of danger Chase felt. His true essence surged toward the spiritual wheel in his core as though his body was preparing for some kind of