The terrifying sword energy tore through the sky like a heavenly punishnt descending from above.
In just a few breaths, the spiritual light Alix and Shia released was shredded into nothing.
Huh~!
The remaining sword energy, sharp and rciless, slamd directly into their bodies.
Their layered spiritual defenses—painstakingly ford—were split apart like fragile paper.
A single blade mark, hideous and deep, ran across both their chests down to their abdons.
"Pfft—!!"
The two Mahayana cultivators fell from the air like broken kites, hitting the ground with heavy thuds as they spit out thick, dark blood.
The violent sword intent drilled into their flesh through the wound, wreaking havoc with no restraint.
Both their faces distorted in agony, their bodies twitching involuntarily, white teeth stained with bright streaks of blood.
"Damn it... who... who dares?!"
Alix gritted his teeth, forcibly circulating his spiritual energy to stabilize himself. Every movent sent waves of pain through his ridians.
He spent trendous effort pushing the rampaging sword intent toward the wound and slowly guiding it out of his body. After swallowing two healing pills, color returned faintly to his face, and his injury finally stopped worsening.
But Shia’s condition was far worse.
As a Sixth-turn Mahayana, she was significantly weaker than Alix. Her internal spiritual energy was insufficient to suppress the sword intent. She could only grit her teeth, body shaking as she endured pain like countless invisible blades carving through her organs.
"Shia!"
Alix flashed behind her, placing his palm on her back.
A burst of pure spiritual energy surged into her body.
"Urgh—!!"
Shia coughed out blood as a sliver of sword intent was finally forced out of her abdon.
"Huu... huuu..."
Her breathing grew ragged. Sweat soaked her forehead, and her complexion turned deathly pale.
At that mont, a streak of light approached from behind.
Houda landed heavily beside them, face filled with shock.
"Master! What happened?!"
"Sect Master—are you injured?"
Houda’s eyes widened as he saw their state, unable to process the severity of what had just transpired.
"Stand behind us!!"
Alix barked the command, raising a trembling arm to block Houda from stepping forward.
His expression grew solemn as he fixed his gaze in the direction the sword energy had co from.
Several shadows slowly appeared in the sky.
Then—
In the blink of an eye, four figures descended above them, each surrounded by an aura that seed to distort the air itself.
The first group from the Blood Tavern who had arrived earlier—
Magnus, Zeon, and others.
Alix’s pupils contracted violently.
"That’s... the Blood Tavern’s Crazy Blade Magnus..."
He instantly recognized the towering man holding a massive black sword. He had seen him twice before—his iconic presence was unforgettable.
But standing beside Magnus was another young man in golden brocade, radiating an aura so intense it surpassed even Magnus.
Alix had never seen him before.
But the emblem on his robe belonged unmistakably to the Blood Tavern.
Even worse—this young man’s cultivation was unfathomably deep.
"Crazy Blade Magnus," Alix said cautiously, lowering his posture.
"I wonder... why your Excellency attacked ?"
Magnus’s cold gaze dropped down to them. "You are from the Royal Beast Sect?"
"I am Alix, Supre Elder of the Royal Beast Sect," he answered imdiately.
"Our Royal Beast Sect has never offended the Blood Tavern. Why did you intercept us and gravely injure us?" Alix asked, voice deep with confusion.
"You’ve never offended the Blood Tavern?" Magnus’s voice was flat.
"Then do you know who you were chasing just now?"
Alix blinked. "Who?"
"Could it be soone from your tavern?" he asked hesitantly.
"No."
"Whew..."
Alix and Shia both breathed sighs of relief.
They had suspected as much. The Blood Tavern had few mbers—and all were infamous. They would never mistake one.
But Magnus’s next words froze their souls.
"She is not one of us... but Miss Ashira is a friend of a Blood Tavern mber."
Friend.
The one word hit harder than a hamr.
Alix’s heartbeat faltered.
But he quickly steadied himself.
Being a friend was better than being an actual mber.
If apologies and compensation could resolve the matter, there was still room to maneuver.
After all, the Royal Beast Sect was also one of the four major sects in Skyreach Territory.
He cupped his fists deeply.
"So she is a friend of your tavern. Then I have been disrespectful. I sincerely apologize for our offense. May I ask... who is the young lady’s friend?"
His tone shifted instantly—calm, respectful, and humble.
Years of wandering Skyreach Territory taught him one truth—
If you can’t win, then run.
If you can’t run, then beg for rcy.
Face and pride ant nothing before death.
But Houda behind them trembled with rage.
He had never seen his revered master bow his head like this.
In his world, others bowed to them—not the other way around.
His fists clenched so tightly the knuckles turned white.
Humiliation burned in his chest.
He wanted to rush up, to resist, to scream—but he wasn’t stupid.
Every one of the figures above could crush him like an ant.
Shia sensed his emotions and imdiately sent a voice transmission:
"Houda, calm down! We’ve hit a steel wall this ti. The Blue Phoenix has ties to the Blood Tavern! We can’t harbor any more thoughts about her!"
"Stand still, don’t speak, don’t provoke them. A single misstep could doom the entire Royal Beast Sect."
Her harsh warning made Houda’s teeth chatter.
Anger simred inside him, but he forcibly swallowed it down.
He stepped back, lowered his head, and didn’t dare look up again.
"Friend...?"
Ashira froze for a mont.
There was only one person she could think of—
Senior Brother Ethan.
Zeon crossed his arms and said casually:
"Miss Ashira is a friend of Brother Ethan."
"Brother Ethan...?"
Alix opened his mouth.
Then—
He froze.
No.
No.
His heart nearly stopped.
Ethan.
In the Blood Tavern... who else could it be?
His breath caught in his throat as realization struck him like a lightning bolt.
There was only one Ethan in the Blood Tavern.
The Ethan who had risen like a storm in the past six months.
His record was terrifying.
A physical cultivator at the peak of the Dharma Body Realm—
Who had slain the eighth-turn Mahayana expert from the Ashenvale Family of the Endless Mountain Holy Land.
If he broke through Nirvana, his power would soar even higher—
Even Ninth-turn Mahayana experts might not withstand him.
And behind Ethan stood not only the Blood Tavern...
But also Manager Lana of the Myriad Treasures Pavilion.
And in that battle, he had not only the Blood Tavern but also Manager Lana of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion behind him.
A/N:
Extra Chapters
100 power stones - 1 Extra Chapters
200 power stones - 2 Extra Chapters
Capsule - 1 Extra Chapters
Massage Chair - 3 Extra Chapters
Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters
Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters
Reviews
All reviews (0)