It’s Just a Ninth-Grade Spirit Artifact

Prompted by Darren Fang Easton's reminder, Ian Song didn't dodge. Instead, he brandished his sword and shot skyward to meet the gigantic true-qi palm head-on.

Boom!

Bang!

In the next instant, the true-qi palm shattered, and Ian's figure was sent flying, crashing to the ground.

Pfft!

Just as he struggled to his feet, Ian coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood.

He's still alive!

Seeing that Ian was only injured, Ethan Chen Yuanshan's expression grew even darker.

Take another of my moves—Heaven-Shrouding Palm!

An even larger true-qi palm appeared above Ian's head, instantly condensing the surrounding space so tightly that he could barely move a single finger.

"Sect Master, please show mercy!"

Seeing this, Darren Fang Easton couldn't help but shout.

But Ethan Chen Yuanshan completely ignored him. His face twisted with ferocity as he roared inwardly, "Little beast, die for me!"

The true-qi palm pressed downward.

The ground emitted a series of cracking sounds as dense, web-like fissures appeared in the bluestone pavement.

Ian, standing on the ground, found his entire body forcibly compressed several inches shorter.

Die!

Seeing this scene, Ethan Chen Yuanshan's eyes flashed with excitement.

Ian!

Harriet Gu cried out and tried to rush over, but Elder Shea held her back.

As for the other Supreme Elders, their expressions were all complicated—only Marcus Ma looked delighted, gloating over Ian's predicament.

It looked like Ian was about to die beneath Ethan Chen Yuanshan’s palm.

Just then—

A series of high, resonant dragon roars shook the surroundings.

Suddenly, everyone’s eyes widened—because Ian had vanished, and in his place stood a six-zhang-long, scale-covered, horned flood-dragon, fierce and majestic.

What is this...?

It’s Martial Soul corporealization!

He’s only had his Martial Soul for such a short time, yet he’s already reached corporealization—he really is a once-in-an-era genius!

Haha, our Pristine Way Sect is truly blessed!

After a brief moment of shock, everyone realized that this flood-dragon must be Ian’s transformed body, and couldn’t help but cheer with excitement.

Aoo! Aoo!

Dragon roars echoed as the flood-dragon whipped its tail and soared into the sky.

Boom!

The seemingly unstoppable Heaven-Shrouding Palm was instantly shattered, and at the same time, the dragon’s tail whipped out like a bolt of lightning.

Bang!

Moving too fast for Ethan to dodge, the dragon’s tail struck him head-on. He shot through the air like a broken kite, crashing dozens of meters away in a thoroughly disheveled heap.

Damn it!

Ethan Chen Yuanshan struggled to his feet, his face twisted and savage.

In the next instant, black armor materialized over his body, and a vivid emerald-green spirit sword appeared in his hand.

Die for me!

Ethan Chen Yuanshan shot into the sky, the emerald spirit sword in his hand unleashing a dazzling, massive sword beam that slashed toward Ian’s flood-dragon form.

Sect Master, don’t!

Stop!

Seeing this, the Supreme Elders were all shocked, never expecting Ethan Chen Yuanshan to break his word and keep attacking after three moves.

Aoo!

Facing the terrifying sword beam, Ian—still in dragon form—opened his mouth and spat out a fireball.

The fireball started out only basketball-sized, but heaven-and-earth qi was rapidly sucked in, and it grew instantly into a giant inferno.

Boom!

The fireball collided with the sword light, erupting in a deafening explosion that sent both Ethan Chen Yuanshan and Ian stumbling backward.

But Ethan Chen Yuanshan immediately lunged forward again to attack Ian, only to be blocked by three figures—Darren Fang Easton, Cole Chong Duan, and Elder Shea.

Darren Fang Easton glared angrily at Ethan Chen Yuanshan and demanded, "Sect Master, what’s the meaning of this? Three moves have passed—why are you still attacking?"

Ethan Chen Yuanshan’s gaze flickered. He knew if he didn’t kill Ian, the Military Council wouldn’t let him off. Gritting his teeth, he pointed his sword at the trio: "Get out of my way—I have to kill this little beast!"

Sect Master, let it go!

Three more Supreme Elders flew out to join the blockade.

Seeing the reinforcements, Ethan Chen Yuanshan grew angrier and more anxious. "Damn it, I’m the sect master—you all have to listen to me! Move aside!"

Sect Master, enough—stand down!

Two more elders appeared, one of them even scolding Ethan Chen Yuanshan outright.

Bastards! You all want to oppose me? Then die!

With a furious shout, Ethan Chen Yuanshan unleashed the emerald spirit sword, sending out a barrage of terrifying sword beams at the eight Supreme Elders blocking his way.

Faced with such sword beams, the eight elders’ expressions changed slightly, but none retreated—instead, they met the attack head-on.

Boom boom boom!

A string of explosive impacts rang out as the eight sword beams were shattered, but the eight elders were all shaken, their qi and blood surging.

Just then—

In a flash, Ethan Chen Yuanshan darted around Ian. The emerald spirit sword in his hand flared even brighter, unleashing a sword aura more than ten zhang long straight at Ian’s dragon body.

Die! Hahaha!

Ethan Chen Yuanshan laughed maniacally.

Dream on!

Ian spoke in human tongue, then shot skyward with a whoosh, hovering hundreds of meters above.

The sword aura missed, soaring off into the distance and smashing a palace to rubble with a thunderous crash.

Seeing himself fail again, Ethan Chen Yuanshan was utterly desperate. With a flicker, he turned into a streak of lightning and shot off into the distance.

He ran away?

Watching Ethan Chen Yuanshan vanish, all the Supreme Elders were stunned.

It was well known that the emerald spirit sword in Ethan Chen Yuanshan’s hand was Pristine Way Sect’s town-securing treasure—the ninth-grade spirit artifact, Emerald Surge Sword!

If they lost the ninth-grade spirit artifact, Pristine Way Sect’s overall strength would drop a full level. Instantly, everyone’s faces turned grim.

Up in the sky, Ian—still in dragon form—flew off for a moment. When he returned, he had reverted to human shape and changed into fresh clothes.

What do we do now? The Sect Master took the ninth-grade spirit artifact—should we go after him?

How? Even if we catch up, what then? If he refuses to hand it over, can we really force him?

Absolutely not!

A wise-looking Supreme Elder shook his head. "The ninth-grade spirit artifact is the only thing deterring the Sea Emperor Tri-Sect Alliance. If they learn we’ve lost it, they’ll become even more reckless!"

Hearing this, the other elders all looked worried.

Ian’s voice rang out, breezy and confident: "Haha, it’s just a ninth-grade spirit artifact—nothing to worry about!"

"Don’t talk nonsense, disciple!" Darren scolded.

Ian smiled, reached out, and summoned an ancient-looking black longsword into his hand.

"Master, I don’t have much to offer you, but please accept this ninth-grade spirit sword!"

Ian held the sword with both hands and respectfully presented it to Darren Fang Easton.

"What?"

Everyone instinctively turned their gaze to the sword in Ian’s hands, their faces filled with excitement.