Selena’s black barrier wasn’t just any spatial prison—it was an advanced space confinement technique, leagues above the crude, half-baked domains that Heaven Martial Realm cultivators could muster. Even Divine Martial experts would have to tread carefully here.
From the outside, Selena’s black barrier looked small and harmless, but inside, the middle-aged man and Elder Yan found themselves lost in endless black mist, unable to even glimpse an exit. It was as if the world itself had been swallowed by darkness.
The middle-aged man was clueless about the real power of a Divine Martial Realm expert’s space prison, but Elder Yan knew all too well—he was Divine Martial himself. His face twisted with urgency as he shouted, "This is her spatial confinement! Unless we hit the same spot with everything we’ve got, we’ll never break through!"
"She’s at least third-layer Divine Martial Realm! If we don’t combine our attacks on one point, we’re doomed—there’s no way out!"
Selena caught every word, her lips curling into a taunting smile. "Break my space prison? You two aren’t even close to having the skill!"
In a blur, Selena flashed to the edge of the barrier, her hand slipping into the black light. With a casual yank, she dragged the middle-aged man out as if plucking a chicken from a coop—effortless, ruthless.
With her other hand, Selena unleashed a punch—Evan Chu saw her fist shrouded in swirling, sinister black mist, like something out of a nightmare.
Boom! Her fist crashed into the man’s chest, blasting him dozens of meters away. A gaping, bloody hole appeared where his heart had been—he was killed in an instant, no resistance, no chance.
Evan Chu felt like his eyes were playing tricks on him. Was this for real? Selena’s killing methods were terrifying—two Heaven Martial eighth-layer experts, wiped out with a single punch, as if Heaven Martial powerhouses were nothing but cabbage and radishes. Was the Heaven Martial Realm really this pathetic?
Just then, Elder Wayne appeared. He stared at the two corpses, heart pounding with shock—Selena’s strength was monstrous beyond belief.
He’d thought they’d need to join forces to take down Winston’s three guardians, but now it was obvious—Selena could handle it solo, and with almost frightening ease.
Once again, Elder Wayne found himself awestruck by Selena’s power. He’d never seen her fight before, but he’d heard she was at least Divine Martial Realm. Now, after witnessing her slaughter these experts so effortlessly, he was sure—she had to be third-layer Divine Martial or higher.
Selena spotted Elder Wayne and flashed him a sly smile. "I’ll leave one for you, Elder Wayne. You should at least get a little credit, right? Otherwise, it wouldn’t be fair for me to hog all the glory."
“You must be joking, Miss! With your strength, there’s no need for me to lift a finger. I wouldn’t dare claim any credit for this!” Elder Wayne replied, bowing his head with respect.
Inside the black barrier, Elder Yan caught every word, and the truth hit him like a thunderbolt—this was a setup. They’d known all along that the three of them would come for Logan Zhao, and they’d laid this trap on purpose. Judging by the way things were going, Selena must have been the one who killed the young master too.
When Elder Wayne called Selena 'Miss,' he suddenly remembered the infamous female auction master of Valorcrest Auctions in Xuanwu City—the one rumored to be terrifyingly strong. Could this really be her?
He hurled three attacks at the black barrier, each more desperate than the last, but not even a ripple appeared. Elder Yan’s heart sank—there was no escaping a monster like this. He was finished.
What puzzled him most was how Logan Zhao seemed so familiar with the auction master. From the way they acted, they looked more like lovers than allies.
Selena laughed coldly, her voice echoing through the darkness. "What’s wrong, Elder Yan? Run out of tricks already? This space prison was tailor-made for you. Aren’t you Divine Martial Realm? Then I’ll crush you with your own realm!"
Elder Yan spat back, fury burning in his eyes. "Never thought the auction master would stoop to being a lapdog for the Yuwen clan. I don’t care if I die, but you lot won’t last long either! Oppose the Sea Dragon Empire and your days are numbered! Just wait—General Yun, sixth-layer Divine Martial Realm, will come and slaughter you all!"
"You talk too much," Selena cut him off, her eyes icy. "Sixth-layer Divine Martial Realm is strong, but I can slaughter one just the same!"
With a sweep of her hands before her chest, Selena sent the black barrier drifting upward, rising into the air like a dark omen. As her palms drew together, the barrier began to shrink, compressing tighter and tighter.
"Die!" Selena’s expression turned ruthless as her hands clapped together. The barrier instantly compressed to a razor-thin sheet of black, then vanished. From the sky, Elder Yan’s body plummeted to the ground.
Or maybe 'body' wasn’t the right word—he’d been crushed flat, like a piece of black paper, fluttering down in torn shreds. Evan and Elder Wayne stared, horror gripping their hearts. Once again, Selena’s terrifying power made them shudder.
Selena turned around, catching sight of their stunned faces, and burst out laughing. "Come on, it was just three kills—is that really worth those exaggerated looks?"
"Selena, you’re incredible. I still feel like I’m dreaming," Evan blurted out. It was his first time witnessing a Divine Martial expert kill—there was only one word for it: terrifying.
Selena’s laughter was bold and teasing. "If I want to be your woman, I’d better have some real strength, right? Otherwise, if you run off, how am I supposed to find you?"
Elder Wayne was so shocked by Selena’s words that it shook him even more than her massacre. The auction master—a top Divine Martial powerhouse—was openly declaring herself for Evan, a mere Earth Martial cultivator. It was enough to overturn everything he thought he knew about the world.
Evan shot Selena a glare. "Can you quit saying you’re my woman every five minutes? I haven’t agreed to anything yet, so what’s the rush?"
He didn’t give Selena the slightest bit of face, hoping she’d finally take the hint and back off.
But Elder Wayne was even more stunned—Evan actually refused Selena, tossing aside a blessing from the heavens. He felt a pang of regret for Skylar, but kept his mouth shut.
Selena smiled sweetly, her eyes full of hope. "Alright, I get it. Don’t be angry, okay? Now that everything’s settled, how about a walk?"
"I’d rather head back. My friend finishes the trial today—I want to see how he did. And who knows if Skylar’s convinced his father yet. Old dog Winston is still waiting for us to clean him up," Evan said bluntly.
Elder Wayne cut in with a strategic reminder. "No need to rush. First, we let Winston hear about his three dead guardians and watch his reaction. Killing him is easy, but wiping out his whole faction in court? That won’t happen overnight."
If the empire wants to grow strong, it has to solve its internal problems before dealing with outside threats. You two can come back later—I’ll handle the rest.
"See? Elder Wayne says we’re free, so why won’t you agree?" Selena pressed, her eyes dancing with mischief.
"I’ll be off then—enjoy yourselves!" Elder Wayne said with a smile, then shot into the sky and disappeared from sight.
"I’m heading back too," Evan announced, turning on his heel and walking away without sparing Selena a glance.
"Evan Chu, I dare you—take one more step!" Selena suddenly roared, her voice thunderous with rage. Her fury was palpable, the air itself seemed to crackle.
Evan froze mid-step, his heart pounding. "Crap, is Selena really mad? If she is, my miserable days are about to begin…" he thought, dread creeping in.
(Author’s Note: Skipped as irrelevant to the novel’s narrative.)