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
After all, Chase had to bring Yara along if they were really going to the Holy Path.Chase would not be able to hide it from them then. It was better to be honest with them from the start."What? He needed something from you? Will he come over to see you tonight?" Willow's question had Lisa and Walter exchanging a glance.Chase had no idea how to respond. "What are you thinking, Willow? Sweep those dirty thoughts out of your mind."He berated Willow.Willow realized what she had just said and quickly apologized. "Oh, that's not what I meant. I just wanted to ask what you meant by him needing your help."Chase sighed. "To put it in a nutshell, Yara has phoenix bloodline and requires the Light Divine Pearl's help to receive the Rising powers of the Phoenix Deity. He knows that I have hope of getting the Light Divine Pearl, which is why he came to me."Willow and Walter were stunned."The Phoenix Deity? Isn't that one of the Five Major Demon Saints who holds the same standing as th
"An old acquaintance?" There was murder in Carla's eyes."It's someone from long ago. I thought she was dead. I didn't expect her to still be alive, or rather, this could be her descendant." Fallon's mind moved quickly as he tried to squeeze any excuse he could from his mind."Why haven't I heard you talk about this old acquaintance before?" Carla was suspicious. However, Fallon had never lied to her before. At least, she had never caught him lying before. She was not entirely sure if he was telling lies right now."You know how the Nefarious Deity Sect would sometimes discover unique and powerful monsters whenever we visualize Nefarious Spirits or tame dark beasts. Yara Fries looks very much like a human-form monster I discovered with phoenix bloodline."She refused to bow down to me. Since I could not have her, I killed her. I was not as powerful then, and I had a hard time trying to kill her. I was relegated to using despicable methods in the fight. That's why I… lost my calm whe
However, the rules did not state that fighters were not allowed to admit defeat, which was why the referee ruled that Chase had won.Most elites in the spectators did not know the Fries family well, but they still came forward to ask about the fight. Some of them went off to watch other fights with a sorry look or a look of disdain on their face.Carla, who was seated at the very top, said, "Interesting.""Why would you say that?"Fallon, who had been looking forward to watching a descendant of the Phoenix Deity in action, was feeling upset about the outcome. He asked the question when he heard Carla's comment."They were putting up an act," Carla said with a smile."Huh? Wouldn't that be rigging a fight? What are you smiling about?" Fallon felt angrier after hearing her explanation. He was the one in charge of the tournament, and they were rigging a fight right under his nose. That was disrespectful to the city lord."Didn't he organize this tournament to find out more about thi
"Huh. I didn't expect you to know so much." Yara was surprised."Of course, I know stuff." Chase felt a little proud about it but quickly said, "You should hurry up. There are a lot of people waiting out there.""Alright. I'll make it quick."The Holy Path is a relic of the calamity years ago. As for the ninth level, it was created by the Light Divine Pearl to protect himself by fusing pieces of the world collected from every corner of the universe."Currently, the Holy Path on the sixth level leads directly to the sealed location where the Light Divine Pearl's true form is. The Light Divine Pearl's image projection on the ninth level is where he is able to use most of his powers."Something happened while he was fusing the ninth level. The maximum cultivations on each level are different, and the Light Divine Pearl's image projection is unable to merge with his true form."That's why he used the body refinement of the Divine Order's Flame to leave a mark on you to help you pass t
"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