Thunderstrike sat calmly in his high seat, the captain still kneeling in the great hall, not daring to move.
“Father, this is the powerful warrior I found,” Xayah thought with concern, carefully observing Thunderstrike’s reaction.
Thunderstrike’s face remained impassive, his eyes curiously studying John. He asked indifferently, “Are you The Overseer?”
“Yes,” John replied, meeting Thunderstrike’s gaze without fear.
Thunderstrike was only an eight-star Awakened One, a level of strength inferior even to the Black Snake, and John was confident he could handle him.
“Very well!” Thunderstrike’s lips curled into a smile, though it was impossible to tell if it was one of approval or something else. His gaze shifted toward the captain beside him as he spoke with a detached tone: “You two will engage in a life-and-death duel. The one who survives will not be held accountable for any past mistakes.”
Clearly, he had already deduced that it was John who had saved Cand-Dragon and Storm.
The captain’s eyes lit up when he heard Thunderstrike’s words.
He turned to look at John. With only five stars of power, he felt he could easily crush this man.
He didn’t view this as a punishment at all, but rather a golden opportunity, and he looked at Thunderstrike with gratitude.
John, however, remained indifferent and spoke, “Seems like it’s hard to fight properly in this hall, doesn’t it?”
“No problem, let’s go to the courtyard,” Thunderstrike said as he stood and began walking toward the garden.
The captain initially wanted to say that there was no need for all this trouble—he could easily finish John off right here in the hall. However, not daring to oppose the Lord of the City, he obediently followed.
The courtyard was spacious enough for both to move freely. For extra caution, Thunderstrike waved his hand to set up a protective barrier and looked at both men as he said coldly, “No mercy. Begin.”
“Understood!” The captain, filled with excitement, was the first to step into the courtyard. He looked at John with disdain and said arrogantly, “Kid, don’t say I’m bullying you. I’ll give you three moves.”
John remained silent, unable to comprehend the captain’s overconfidence. He had no interest in wasting words and, in a flash, moved forward, delivering a powerful punch.
His fist felt light, but it carried an invisible pressure.
The captain’s brows furrowed slightly as he sensed something unusual. Yet, since he had already spoken, he gritted his teeth and decided to endure it.
A weak human—could he really harm him?
Boom!
John’s fist landed with a massive explosion of energy.
The captain’s expression twisted in shock as he felt a devastating blow to his chest, his body flying backward and crashing violently into the protective barrier Thunderstrike had set up.
“Cough!” Blood surged in his chest, and he coughed up a mouthful of blood, glaring at John with fury. “You… you were hiding your power!”
That strike’s force was certainly not something a five-star Awakened One could unleash.
Thunderstrike also frowned slightly, his expression growing more serious as he clearly felt that John’s strike contained several powerful laws of power.
This man was far stronger than he had anticipated.
John remained composed, watching the captain struggle to get back to his feet, clutching his chest. He calmly said, “Only two more moves.”
With that, John clenched his fist again and moved in for another attack.
“Despicable!” The captain, now beyond caring about his dignity, drew a long sword from his waist with a swift motion. Gripping the hilt with both hands, he crouched slightly, his entire body emanating a powerful aura as he slashed the sword downward with all his might.
John stood unarmed, not flinching or dodging. His attacks flowed without interruption, his body faintly shimmering with golden light.
He was absolutely confident in his own strength, yet he didn’t underestimate the captain. He knew that taking a full strike from a peak seven-star warrior head-on would be risky, so he activated his Immortal Art: Diamond Body Protection as a precaution.
Clang!
His fist collided with the captain’s long sword, producing a sharp metallic sound. The force of the impact sent the captain flying once again.
However, this time, John didn’t give him a chance to recover. His United Sword appeared in his hand, a cold, sharp glint flashing from the blade as it surged forward in an instant.
Pfft!
Blood splattered, and a severed head rolled to the ground, eyes wide open in disbelief, still staring at the world in death.
John flicked his longsword, shaking the blood off the blade, before turning to Thunderstrike. He spoke in a calm, detached tone, “Lord of the City, are you satisfied?”
Thunderstrike’s brow furrowed slightly before a hearty laugh echoed through the hall. “Haha, kid, with your help, Dragon Ascending City will definitely secure a high-tier city spot in this King Selection!”
He studied John with a satisfied expression, though his heart was not as at ease as his face suggested.
He could sense a thread of threat coming from John. To have so effortlessly killed a peak seven-star warrior… it seemed John had already reached eight-star strength.
This was a person who needed to be brought under control, and quickly!
Thunderstrike waved his hand, dispelling the barrier, and said coolly, “In this King Selection, Dragon Ascending City has three spots. You’ll be one of them, and that Cand-Dragon will count as another. We’ll depart for Forest City in three days.”
Clearly, Thunderstrike had already figured out what had transpired.
John didn’t try to hide anything. He cupped his fists and gave a polite bow. “If there’s nothing else, I will take my leave now.”
Thunderstrike smiled, nodding, then added, “Xayah, you stay behind for a moment.”
John’s steps faltered as he glanced at Xayah standing nearby.
Xayah felt a wave of unease but gently shook her head, signaling she was fine.
John sensed no ill intent from Thunderstrike and, with a confident stride, made his way toward the exit.
“Xayah, finding such a powerful warrior for me is no small feat. The punishment for your previous actions is hereby revoked,” Thunderstrike said, his voice flat and devoid of any emotion.
“Thank you, Father,” Xayah said, her heart easing at the words.
Thunderstrike then took out two porcelain vials, handing them to Xayah. He asked casually, “You mentioned that John has two more powerful allies?”
Xayah nodded, thinking of Sini and Tracy, then replied, “Those two are formidable in their own right, with potential that shouldn’t be underestimated.”
“Interesting,” Thunderstrike said, producing two more porcelain vials. He handed them over to Xayah and said coolly, “This is the Holy Spirit True Water. A reward for John.”
“Thank you, Father!” Xayah’s eyes gleamed with gratitude, and she quickly accepted the vials, feeling her spirits lift.
She knew that the Holy Spirit True Water was a unique treasure only possessed by her father. It could improve one’s cultivation, enhance one’s physical constitution, and make it easier to comprehend the Power of Laws. Only the most trusted and close allies of her father could be granted such a precious item.
Thunderstrike waved his hand, watching as Xayah left, his brow furrowing as he muttered to himself, “It seems that little girl is interested in that John?”
He didn’t pay it much attention. In his eyes, everyone was just a tool, nothing more.
“What a shame I didn’t get the Primordial Gourd. Luckily, I still have other contingencies. This plan should go off without a hitch.” His figure flickered, disappearing into the shadows.
…
John — World-in-Hand.
“Can I take a bite?” Spoorate stared fixedly at Cand-Dragon, her eyes burning with intensity as she spoke.
Cand-Dragon was momentarily stunned.
What was this, some kind of wolfish talk?
Then, he noticed the heat in Spoorate’s gaze, and a chill ran down his spine. This little girl seemed rather dangerous.
On the side, Avis, seeing this, let out a breath of relief.
With Cand-Dragon drawing the attention, the little girl finally stopped staring at him.
Spoorate licked her lips and continued, “Just one bite. I feel like you’d taste really good.”
Cand-Dragon opened his mouth, suspecting that this little girl was simply hungry and speaking without thinking.
His gaze shifted to Storm, and he spoke, “Little girl, I don’t taste that great. Why don’t you try this guy instead?”
Storm immediately panicked. While Spoorate wasn’t particularly strong, it was clear that Sini doted on her a lot.
If that girl decided to take a bite, Storm might very well end up skinned and stewed.
He scowled angrily, “Cand-Dragon, I treat you like a brother, and you’re gonna turn me into your food?!”
Cand-Dragon, knowing how crafty this guy was, responded indifferently, “A brother should be willing to take a knife for the other. Besides, asking for a piece of your flesh isn’t asking for your life.”
Storm was about to flare up when Spoorate’s words seemed to strike a blow right to his chest.
“I don’t eat pork,” the little girl said, looking at Storm, who had been swollen to the size of a pig’s head, with a look of utter disdain.
“Damn it!” Storm immediately lost his cool, jumping up and shouting, “I’m a cow! Cow Demon King, you hear me? The guy who nearly killed The Heaven, that’s my ancestor!”
He stood there proudly, eagerly awaiting the shocked expressions on their faces.
Cand-Dragon looked at him with disdain, replying coolly, “Nearly killed The Heaven? Is that supposed to impress me? We actually killed The Heaven.”
“Blowing smoke… talking big,” Storm sneered. “If you’d really killed The Heaven, would you be stuck in this Realm of Chaos?”
He scoffed, completely disbelieving. Anyone who could kill The Heaven would have taken its place, becoming the new ruler of the world, not end up exiled here.
Cand-Dragon couldn’t be bothered to explain further.
At that moment, a ripple of Spatial Power pulsed through the air, and a figure appeared out of thin air.
It was John.
“Godslayer, it’s finally good to see you!” Cand-Dragon’s face lit up with joy as he hurried to greet him.
Storm, too, was drawn to John, sizing him up and asking with curiosity, “Were you the one who saved me?”
John looked at Storm, whose face had swollen to the size of a pig’s head, and was taken aback. He couldn’t help but glance toward Sini, who was standing nearby with an expression of complete indifference.
It was clear that this was the work of Sini.
John nodded and said, “That’s right. It was me who saved you.”
He could feel that this guy was no ordinary person.
Storm solemnly said, “Old Bull knows how to repay a favor. Tell me, what do you want me to do in return?”
John frowned, feeling a sense of confusion. Was this guy mentally off?
Had Sini’s beating done this to him?
He ignored Storm and turned his attention to Cand-Dragon, asking, “Are there any of our people left in Dragon Ascending City?”
Cand-Dragon nodded, his face darkening with anger. “There was supposed to be a Nature Clan member and a Witch Clan Lord God, but they both died in the arena.”
Sensing John’s rising anger, Cand-Dragon quickly added, “I made sure the two who were responsible for it died in the arena as well. Consider it revenge for them.”
John sighed inwardly. He had already anticipated the chaos in this world.
But he hadn’t expected to lose Lord Gods, let alone those below that level.
“We need to speed up,” he murmured to himself. His strength had fully recovered, and he was now capable of holding his own against the seven major cities in this world.
Once they took Nature City, he planned to head to other regions and search for those of his subordinates who needed to be rescued.
“By the way, how much do you know about the Lord of Dragon Ascending City?” John asked, thinking about Thunderstrike with some curiosity.
“Thunderstrike?” Cand-Dragon paused, thinking for a moment before replying reluctantly, “I’ve been trapped in the arena, so I don’t know much about Thunderstrike. But from what I do know, this guy is really strong. He has quite a few eight-star warriors under his command, and they’re all incredibly loyal to him. Dragon Ascending City operates under a strict hierarchy, and he holds absolute authority there.”