Pacino's eyes darkened. He actually discarded his serpent-headed staff and engaged Gideon in hand-to-hand combat.What shocked Gideon was that Pacino's strength was terrifying. Every punch was devastatingly heavy.Most crucially, Pacino's combat skills were extraordinarily refined. Out of ten punches, he could land eight on Gideon, whereas Gideon could only land two or three in return.The difference was clear."Heh! Kid, how does it feel? You might have raw power, but you don't know how to use it. Your fighting technique is pathetic. And you think you're fit to brawl with me? What a joke!"The moment those words fell, Gideon took a heavy blow. Pain shot through his entire body, and he crashed straight into the ground.The other hooligans unleashed a flurry of deadly attacks, bombarding the massive crater."Gideon!" Orabella cried out.Just then, a brilliant light shot skyward, slicing through the hooligans' attacks.Gideon burst out of the crater, looking battered. He panted
Ivo used the last of his strength to unleash an attack, successfully blocking Orabella. In doing so, he also shattered Gideon and Orabella's final chance at negotiation."Gideon, you're as good as dead. You destroyed Moblathos. How could I not take revenge? Killing you won't be enough."Once you fall, I'll head to Goldspire and butcher every last man in the Snow family, hacking them to pieces while they're still alive. As for the women, they'll all become my cultivation furnaces, used and discarded until they die."As for Umbra… That wretched woman dared to side with you? Unforgivable! Once I obtain Elara's pure-essence core and ascend to the next level of power, I'll crush Umbra beneath my feet and make her my obedient slave!"Ivo's face twisted with malice, his sinister laughter never ceasing.Gideon had already made up his mind. Ivo had to die.Orabella retreated to Gideon's side, her expression grave. "This is bad. Escaping Bandit's Hollow won't be easy."Seeing that Gideon
"This eerie mist, once it invades the body, brings unspeakable disaster and doom. Some die sudden and violent deaths, while some melt into puddles of pus. Some wither away entirely."The variety of deaths is truly horrifying. If Gideon has been in that mist for half an hour, he will have already reached his limits. He's doomed," Pacino explained.Orabella said, "If the mist is so powerful, and you can control it, doesn't that make you unbeatable?""No, no, no." Pacino shook his head and explained, "We can't control the mist. But we can control that stone gate, sealing Bandit's Hollow. And once the gate is sealed, or rather, once it falls shut, the mist naturally emerges."Orabella suddenly understood.So, as long as the stone gate was opened, the mist would disappear.Pacino said, "Ms. Corthopp, are you thinking of opening the gate to dispel the mist and save Gideon? Don't even think about it."She retorted, "Aren't you after Gideon's Solar Titan Body? That's a rare treasure. If
"No!" Mea screamed hysterically.The broken blade was pulled out. Ivo's corpse collapsed to the ground like a pile of rotten flesh, making Mea dizzy, her vision going black."You're not dead! How is that possible?" Pacino was in disbelief.His aged eyes flashed with sharp light as he scrutinized Gideon, realizing that not only was Gideon alive, but his energy was still as powerful as ever, too.It was as if the past half hour inside that eerie mist hadn't affected him in the slightest.How could this be?Gideon sneered. "What? Disappointed? That mist is indeed strange, but unfortunately, it has no effect on me.""Impossible!" "Nothing is impossible. There's a lot you don't know." Gideon was full of mockery, but his face quickly turned cold. "Now, I'll give you a chance. Hand over Elara, and we can go our separate ways peacefully. Otherwise… suffer the consequences!"Pacino sneered. "Gideon, so what if you're still alive? Do you really think you can escape?""Pacino, kill him
They had actually suffered a setback at the hands of some snot-nosed kid. If word got out, people would die laughing."How much farther are you planning to retreat?"At that moment, Gideon stopped in his tracks, took a deep breath to steady himself, and spoke in a detached tone, "Honestly, we're not even enemies. Ivo is dead. Why make an enemy of me for his sake?"Think about the consequences of crossing me. I could just leave Bandit's Hollow, but from that moment on, none of you would ever know peace again."Pacino's face darkened. "Are you threatening me?"Gideon shook his head. "I'm simply stating a fact. Making an enemy of me over a dead man is not a wise move."Besides, I have means of dealing an irreversible blow to you all. Initially, I intended to take you by surprise, but since I've already mentioned it, let me show you. Be careful!"Gideon waved his hand, and immediately, a mist began to spread.In an instant, the hooligans were horrified. They frantically retreated.
"Hm?" Pacino was taken aback.With a meaningful look, he asked, "Ms. Corthopp, what do you want to learn that for? The Hellrend Severance Technique is a vicious and sinister art. As a member of The Light Council, how could you study something like that?"Orabella smiled. "No technique is inherently good or evil. It all depends on how it's used."Pacino was no fool. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Ms. Corthopp, are you planning to strip Elara's pure-essence core?"She replied, "If the opportunity arises, I will.""For Gideon? Tsk! It seems Gideon holds quite a lot of weight in your heart." A strange smile spread across Pacino's face.Orabella asked again, "Mr. Albe, would you be willing to teach me? Consider it a favor. I'll repay you in the future."Pacino laughed and said, "Ms Corthopp, you hold a prestigious position in The Light Council. Having someone like you owe me a favor, that's a deal well worth making. I'll teach you the Hellrend Severance Technique right now.""I'd ap
Oasis Vale was isolated from the rest of the world. Few knew that in this peaceful valley lived a group of extraordinary people, including the overlords of the criminal underworld, business magnates with net worths that rivaled countries, and even core government officials of various countries.It was noon, and Gideon Snow walked out of the cottage with a basket in hand."Sir!"Ajax Bale, a burly, heavily bearded man, scrambled up to Gideon as he herded the goats around him. "As per your punishment, I have tended to the goats for a month. Today is the last day. What should I do next?""You can start harvesting the wheat next.""That's my job, sir! What am I supposed to do if Ajax takes over?" Donald Ingleson, Cherony's minister of defense, asked with a pitiful expression."You can be in charge of cleaning up the dung.""You got it, sir."Gideon had only taken a few more steps when someone approached him and reported, "Sir! Justin Mugler, the military commander of Magaria, and P
"I knew it! It's just as I thought. I knew you didn't die, you old bugger! You tricked me for three years!"Gideon hadn't found a body in the grave, but he had expected as much. Titus had been an enigmatic figure who possessed extraordinary abilities. Why would someone like that abruptly claim to have come to his life's end and decide to bury himself? It was unthinkable.Nevertheless, Gideon couldn't disobey Titus, his mentor, so he had to do as told and guard the grave for three years."If I don't get a treasure that's to my satisfaction, Titus, that means you wasted three years of my youth. I'll make you pay for that at some point," Gideon grumbled.Alas, even after combing through the entire grave thoroughly, he found nothing other than a letter."You old con artist," Gideon ranted before opening the envelope with a scowl on his face. He found two pages of a letter.After he read the first page, his scowl of dissatisfaction was replaced by a moved expression. According to the
"Hm?" Pacino was taken aback.With a meaningful look, he asked, "Ms. Corthopp, what do you want to learn that for? The Hellrend Severance Technique is a vicious and sinister art. As a member of The Light Council, how could you study something like that?"Orabella smiled. "No technique is inherently good or evil. It all depends on how it's used."Pacino was no fool. Lowering his voice, he asked, "Ms. Corthopp, are you planning to strip Elara's pure-essence core?"She replied, "If the opportunity arises, I will.""For Gideon? Tsk! It seems Gideon holds quite a lot of weight in your heart." A strange smile spread across Pacino's face.Orabella asked again, "Mr. Albe, would you be willing to teach me? Consider it a favor. I'll repay you in the future."Pacino laughed and said, "Ms Corthopp, you hold a prestigious position in The Light Council. Having someone like you owe me a favor, that's a deal well worth making. I'll teach you the Hellrend Severance Technique right now.""I'd ap
They had actually suffered a setback at the hands of some snot-nosed kid. If word got out, people would die laughing."How much farther are you planning to retreat?"At that moment, Gideon stopped in his tracks, took a deep breath to steady himself, and spoke in a detached tone, "Honestly, we're not even enemies. Ivo is dead. Why make an enemy of me for his sake?"Think about the consequences of crossing me. I could just leave Bandit's Hollow, but from that moment on, none of you would ever know peace again."Pacino's face darkened. "Are you threatening me?"Gideon shook his head. "I'm simply stating a fact. Making an enemy of me over a dead man is not a wise move."Besides, I have means of dealing an irreversible blow to you all. Initially, I intended to take you by surprise, but since I've already mentioned it, let me show you. Be careful!"Gideon waved his hand, and immediately, a mist began to spread.In an instant, the hooligans were horrified. They frantically retreated.
"No!" Mea screamed hysterically.The broken blade was pulled out. Ivo's corpse collapsed to the ground like a pile of rotten flesh, making Mea dizzy, her vision going black."You're not dead! How is that possible?" Pacino was in disbelief.His aged eyes flashed with sharp light as he scrutinized Gideon, realizing that not only was Gideon alive, but his energy was still as powerful as ever, too.It was as if the past half hour inside that eerie mist hadn't affected him in the slightest.How could this be?Gideon sneered. "What? Disappointed? That mist is indeed strange, but unfortunately, it has no effect on me.""Impossible!" "Nothing is impossible. There's a lot you don't know." Gideon was full of mockery, but his face quickly turned cold. "Now, I'll give you a chance. Hand over Elara, and we can go our separate ways peacefully. Otherwise… suffer the consequences!"Pacino sneered. "Gideon, so what if you're still alive? Do you really think you can escape?""Pacino, kill him
"This eerie mist, once it invades the body, brings unspeakable disaster and doom. Some die sudden and violent deaths, while some melt into puddles of pus. Some wither away entirely."The variety of deaths is truly horrifying. If Gideon has been in that mist for half an hour, he will have already reached his limits. He's doomed," Pacino explained.Orabella said, "If the mist is so powerful, and you can control it, doesn't that make you unbeatable?""No, no, no." Pacino shook his head and explained, "We can't control the mist. But we can control that stone gate, sealing Bandit's Hollow. And once the gate is sealed, or rather, once it falls shut, the mist naturally emerges."Orabella suddenly understood.So, as long as the stone gate was opened, the mist would disappear.Pacino said, "Ms. Corthopp, are you thinking of opening the gate to dispel the mist and save Gideon? Don't even think about it."She retorted, "Aren't you after Gideon's Solar Titan Body? That's a rare treasure. If
Ivo used the last of his strength to unleash an attack, successfully blocking Orabella. In doing so, he also shattered Gideon and Orabella's final chance at negotiation."Gideon, you're as good as dead. You destroyed Moblathos. How could I not take revenge? Killing you won't be enough."Once you fall, I'll head to Goldspire and butcher every last man in the Snow family, hacking them to pieces while they're still alive. As for the women, they'll all become my cultivation furnaces, used and discarded until they die."As for Umbra… That wretched woman dared to side with you? Unforgivable! Once I obtain Elara's pure-essence core and ascend to the next level of power, I'll crush Umbra beneath my feet and make her my obedient slave!"Ivo's face twisted with malice, his sinister laughter never ceasing.Gideon had already made up his mind. Ivo had to die.Orabella retreated to Gideon's side, her expression grave. "This is bad. Escaping Bandit's Hollow won't be easy."Seeing that Gideon
Pacino's eyes darkened. He actually discarded his serpent-headed staff and engaged Gideon in hand-to-hand combat.What shocked Gideon was that Pacino's strength was terrifying. Every punch was devastatingly heavy.Most crucially, Pacino's combat skills were extraordinarily refined. Out of ten punches, he could land eight on Gideon, whereas Gideon could only land two or three in return.The difference was clear."Heh! Kid, how does it feel? You might have raw power, but you don't know how to use it. Your fighting technique is pathetic. And you think you're fit to brawl with me? What a joke!"The moment those words fell, Gideon took a heavy blow. Pain shot through his entire body, and he crashed straight into the ground.The other hooligans unleashed a flurry of deadly attacks, bombarding the massive crater."Gideon!" Orabella cried out.Just then, a brilliant light shot skyward, slicing through the hooligans' attacks.Gideon burst out of the crater, looking battered. He panted
"Go!" After throwing that punch, Gideon decisively chose to retreat. Orabella also pulled Elara along with her.Ivo lunged forward in pursuit. "Do you think you can escape? Did you even ask for my permission?""Why the hell would I ask you? Get lost!" Gideon raised his hand and slapped Ivo midair, sending him flying.Orabella struck with Ex Cathera.However, it wasn't aimed at Ivo. He was nothing more than a minor obstacle. The real target was the seven hooligans chasing them down."This…""Woman, you're from The Light Council!"Orabella remained silent.The seven hooligans scowled. If The Light Council was getting involved, things were about to get troublesome."Even The Light Council has no right to act recklessly in Bandit's Hollow.""The Pope himself came here once, and he even treated us with respect. You, a mere little Episcorprie, think you can pull this off?""Hold them back!"At that moment, the seven hooligans finally unleashed their full strength.They moved lik
Blood splattered across the sky.Gideon struck again, aiming to obliterate Ivo. The sight sent Ivo into a panic, scaring him out of his wits."Stop!" Mea shouted in fury.The Hellrend Severance Technique was broken. The villains knew full well that Gideon was a ruthless force to be reckoned with. At this point, there was no way to seize the pure-essence core anymore. They had to deal with Gideon first.On the sacrificial altar, the pure-essence had also stopped its rampage and fallen into a state of calm. The condensed pure-essence energy transformed into a massive shield, wrapping itself around Elara.In the dense jungle, Orabella let out a long breath."That Ivo guy is such a waste of space. He couldn't even take a single hit. If only he had held on a little longer, the seven hooligans' Hellrend Severance Technique would have successfully stripped Elara of her pure-essence core!"Orabella felt a deep sense of regret. She was well-versed in the ways of the world. Gideon might n
"Hellrend Severance Technique… Damn, these hooligans have some seriously bizarre methods. If I could even learn a little, it would be enough to last a lifetime. But…"A trace of resentment flashed deep in Ivo's eyes. "These old bastards won't teach me a thing! It's utterly infuriating."Ivo felt disgusted, especially with Mea. To win their support, he had forced himself to roll in the sheets with her, nearly scarring himself for life.Regardless, once he became a ninth-tier peak transcendent, crushing these old farts and taking their ultimate techniques will be effortless.Ivo plotted in silence.What he didn't know was that, in the distant woods, two figures were secretly watching—Orabella and Gideon. With such a huge commotion in Bandit's Hollow, it was impossible for them not to notice and rush over."We can't wait any longer. We need to act!" Gideon was anxious.He had arrived just in time to witness this scene, but he had no idea it was the Hellrend Severance Technique. All