“Malevolent Path Hall!” Ferdinand’s face drained of color. “How did you track our every move?” A coarse, mocking laugh rolled across the ravine. “Ferdinand, you can pose that question to the Ferryman himself once you’re dead.”
At the summit of the cliff, a lone figure began to appear. It was Bennett. Blood mist covered his body, and his crimson eyes stared at Jared with pure greed.
“So you’re Jared Chance? The Golden Dragon Bloodline is a heavenly treasure. I’m taking it today! Kill everyone except that Jared! I want him alive!” Bennett waved his hand. “Kill them!”
More than a thousand demonic cultivators shrieked as one, rushing toward the convoy alongside the malicious spirits from the array.
“Defensive array!” Ferdinand barked, driving his staff into the ground so hard the earth rang. “Earth Fire Mystic Array!”
The remaining ten disciples quickly formed an array, but the red shield was dimmer than before; the fight with the Flame Dragon had left them in bad shape. Jared, Vermilion Demon Lord, and the remaining escorts gathered outside the shield, bracing for impact.
A raspy cackle cut the wind. “A nobody dares to stop me?”
Three enforcers at Heavenly Immortal Realm Level Seven attacked Jared. One wielded a bone staff, one had a Blood Cry Sword, and one held a Ghost Flag. Jared’s gaze turned cold as he unsheathed his Dragonslayer Sword.
Clank!
A chaotic grey sword energy shot toward the sky, crushing the bone spikes, the Blood Cry Sword, and the summoned spirits. The three enforcers cried in agony and collapsed.
“A marvelous sword! It will be mine, too!” Bennett’s eyes flashed with excitement as he attacked. He turned into a crimson phantom, and a huge blood hand formed in the sky, rushing toward Jared. It was an attack from a cultivator at the Top Level Heavenly Immortal Realm Level Eight.
Jared countered with the Dragonslayer Sword.
Boom!
A terrifying energy burst outward. Jared staggered back seven steps, swallowing the blood rising in his throat. Bennett retreated three steps, surprise flickering across his face. “You withstand my strike even wounded? No wonder Blackwind Gorge fell to you. But this is where your story ends…”
He wove an intricate seal. “Endless Blood Sea! Ten Thousand Ghosts, converge!”
Blood mist roared from his body, flooding the ravine. Within the crimson tide, countless ghastly faces surged toward Jared. Jared drew one steady breath, knowing further restraint was suicide. “Dragon Soul awakens!”
Roar!
The roar came from the Dragonslayer Sword itself. Ancient dragon runes crawled across the blade like molten gold before a five-clawed golden dragon tore free. The sword’s dragon souls had been awakened by Jared’s Golden Dragon Bloodline. The dragon coiled above Jared, unleashing a torrent of golden breath that slammed into the onrushing crimson ocean.
“What? You still can summon the Golden Dragon!” Bennett was shocked.
Jared offered no answer. He slashed with his blade. “Dragonslayer! Starbreaker!”
The golden dragon soul merged with the sword energy, turning into a hundred yards of golden-grey light that tore through the blood sea toward Bennett. Bennett bellowed and formed a blood shield.
Clank!
A deep crack formed on the blood shield. Bennett was sent flying, blood trickling from his lips. He was badly injured. However, Jared was not much better; summoning the Golden Dragon twice had depleted his celestial energy. His face was pale, and his hand trembled.
“Jared, are you okay?” Lindsay saw the struggle and was worried. She tried to leave the shield, but Elliot grabbed her tightly.
“Lindsay, no!” he hissed. “Stay here! The outside’s a slaughterhouse!”
“But Jared…” She fought his grip.
“He’s powerful enough,” Elliot shot back, tightening his hold. “He’ll find a way.” Even as he spoke, a flicker of sinister delight crossed Elliot’s eyes. If Jared died here, his hands would stay clean.
