“Cut the riddles and speak plainly!” Jared snapped.
The outburst sent Everett flinching. He rushed to explain, “On the surface, the Seventh Hall is the most formidable power in Third Heaven. But… There’s another place here… Mysterious, hidden. The force that rules that place is truly unmatched.”
“A mysterious place?” Jared’s brows knitted tighter. “What kind of strength do they have? What are they called?”
Everett shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t even know where that place is.”
“Damn it, you’re playing me…” Jared’s patience snapped, and his hands were already rising, ready to strike.
“I’m not! I swear I’m not toying with you! l truly have no idea where that secret place is, and I don’t even know the name of the faction that runs it. All I know is that they’re extremely mysterious!”
“Every time there’s a large-scale battle and heavy casualties here in Third Heaven, that organization shows up. They never help either side; they only collect divine souls. Because of that, many people suspect they’re a group of demons that exists solely to refine souls,” Everett blurted the explanation in one breath.
After listening, Jared’s interest was instantly piqued.
A group that specialized in harvesting divine souls?
In his mind there was no doubt, they had to be demons. But Jared had no time right now to investigate them. First on his list was wiping out Destiny Sect, the Barbaric Clan, and Bloodshadow Palace.
Only after that would turn his blade on the Seventh Hall, once the Seventh Hall fell, Jared would be the unquestioned overlord of the entire Third Heaven. Then could flaunt his power however pleased, unmatched beneath the skies.
“We’re already close to the Barbaric Clan’s territory. Take me there,” Jared ordered.
“I advise you not to go,” Everett urged. “The clan’s leader, Orestes the Barbaric King, is a Wandering Immortal Realm Level Nine cultivator. There aren’t many in Third Heaven who can stand against him. If you…”
Before Everett could finish, Jared tossed a severed head onto the ground with a dull thud.
“Were you talking about him?” Jared asked mildly, the faintest smile curling at his lips.
Everett stared, utterly stupefied at the bloody head of Orestes the Barbaric King.
A Wandering Immortal Realm Level Nine cultivator was slain just like that, and beheaded for good measure?
It was beyond belief!
In Everett’s eyes, the Barbaric Clan was an untouchable colossus, compared with them, the Azurecloud Sect was nothing but ants.
“Just lead the way. Leave everything else to me.” Jared’s tone brooked no refusal.
Everett could only nod, then led Jared and his companions straight toward the Barbaric Clan’s domain.
Guiding them through the mountain ranges of Third Heaven, Everett felt the chaotic celestial energy swirling everywhere. Primeval trees pierced the sky, and a faint metallic scent of blood hung in the damp air.
Flaxseed yawned noisily, while Jhaelyn and Jemima looked around with wide-eyed curiosity at the bizarre flora.
Jared alone walked with hands clasped behind his back, his golden dragon pupils sweeping the horizon with indifference, as though the lurking dangers were no more than garden scenery behind his house.
“How much farther, Everett?” Jared’s voice was calm and flat, yet it sent a chill slithering down the Azurecloud Sect master‘s spine.
He had just opened his mouth to reply when a chilling laugh drifted out of the dense forest ahead.
“Well, well… If it isn’t the old mutt from Azurecloud Sect. What’s this, bringing a pack of mongrels to make trouble on my Darkbane Ridge?”
Before the taunt had fully fallen, dozens of shadowy figures sprang down from the treetops. The leader wore a hideous blue-green demon mask and gripped a pitch-black battle-axe.
The aura of a Wandering Immortal Realm Level Five cultivator rippled from him, and everyone behind was of similar caliber-a clearly elite squad.
Everett’s face went ashen, leaned toward Jared and whispered, “M-Mr. Chance, these men are from Black Fiend Sect. Years ago, they destroyed an entire peak of my sect, so we have a grudge…”
“A grudge?” The masked man barked with laughter, slamming his axe into the ground hard enough to send pebbles flying. “Everett Cloud! You hid in your precious sect back then, afraid to show your face. Now you dare bring outsiders here to die? Who are these brats, your new backers?!”
His gaze swept over Jared.
Sensing only the aura of a Wandering Immortal Realm Level Five cultivator, snorted contemptuously. “Ha! You picked a Wandering Immortal Realm Level Five weakling as a patron? Azurecloud Sect really has fallen. You can‘t even choose a leg to cling to!”
