Jared’s brows drew together in a faint crease. “And what if I decide you’ll die here today?”
Hearing this, Everett froze for half a heartbeat, then a green longsword blossomed into existence in his right hand. “Brat, you dare mouth off to me?! If I don’t leave all of you as corpses on the ground, what face will the Azurecloud Sect have left?!”
The final syllable had barely fallen before Everett lunged, striking first without the slightest hesitation.
He swept the sword in a wide arc. Streak after streak of emerald sword energy shot toward Jared and the others.
Each beam carried the power of a Wandering Immortal Realm Level Seven cultivator, terrifying, brutal, and bristling with killing intent.
Jared’s gaze brimmed with scorn. He flicked the Dragonslayer Sword once, loosing rays of glittering light. The moment green met gold, Everett’s attacks withered into nothingness.
Everett’s eyes widened. His offensive had been erased as though it never existed, shock pounded through his chest.
He had never imagined the young man before could be this strong. Still, as the sect leader of Azurecloud Sect, surrender was not an option.
Letting out a thunderous roar, dredged up every ounce of strength in his body and unleashed the sect’s ultimate art, the Azure Sword Manual.
High overhead, countless teal lights materialized, forming a vast ocean of blades that crashed down toward Jared and his companions. Yet Jared, Flaxseed, Jhaelyn, and Jemima all regarded the oncoming sea of swords with utter calm.
Whether it was Flaxseed’s wry grin or the relaxed poise of the two young women, each of them understood that, for Jared, crushing the foe before them was no harder than stepping on an ant.
“Parlor tricks,” Jared muttered.
With a cold snort, used the Golem Body. In an instant, lustrous golden scales rippled across his skin.
The falling sword lights clanged against that golden armor like metal on metal, yet not a single spark of harm broke through.
The next heartbeat, Jared vanished. His speed punched past the limit of sight; Everett had no time even to blink.
Jared’s fist crashed into Everett’s chest. A brutal force hurled the sect master backward; slammed into the ground and skidded across the stone.
Disciples of Azurecloud Sect watched their leader’s defeat in horror, faces draining of color. They yearned to rush forward, yet Jared’s power pinned their feet like iron stakes.
“I’ll say this once more, we’re only lodging here temporarily. We have no wish to be your enemies.” Jared swept an icy gaze across the crowd. “If you still insist on being stupid, don’t blame me for slaughtering you. Killing you is no harder than crushing an ant.”
He delivered the words with deliberate swagger, every syllable dripping contempt.
Flaxseed raised a thumb in admiration. “King of swagger…”
“So cool when shows off…” Jhaelyn breathed, eyes sparkling. Beside her, Jemima practically swooned, stars dancing in gaze.
Groaning, Everett clawed his way upright. Frustration churned inside him, yet fear kept his arms at his sides.
Jared‘s voice out the air. “Tell me, which of these is closest to Azurecloud Sect, Destiny Sect, the Barbaric Clan, or Bloodshadow Palace?”
He fixed Everett with an implacable stare, awaiting the answer.
Everett blinked, baffled by the question. “W-Why are you looking for those three powers?”
“Minor grudge…” Jared’s tone remained light, almost casual. “I‘m planning to wipe them out, thought I‘d decide which to erase first.”
Everett swallowed hard. All three were top-tier forces of Third Heaven, far beyond anything Azurecloud Sect could provoke. Yet Jared intended to annihilate them.
“Our sect sits in the most remote corner of Third Heaven,” Everett answered truthfully.
“All three are a long way off, but the Barbaric Clan is relatively nearer….” He spoke the words with careful clarity.
Jared nodded once. “So, in all of Third Heaven, the strongest faction is the Seventh Hall of the Celestial Palace?”
He pressed for confirmation. After all, the Seventh Hall’s overlord was said to stand at the Top Level Wandering Immortal Realm, making the preeminent combatant of Third Heaven. And with the Celestial Palace itself behind him, that supremacy made perfect sense.
Everett bobbed his head, then hesitated and shook it.
Jared frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I mean… Yes, and no,” Everett replied, voice low.
