The battle between jin and the Orc King intensified. The Orc King was completely different from ordinary green orcs; the King was distinguished by his red color and possessed the skill of "Fear."
Clark desperately wanted that skill, thinking to himself: "One of the traits of the sealed Path of Greed is the 'Eye of Truth' or 'Authority of Truth,' through which I can steal skills. This is what I want! I made that fool Gene fight him so I could observe the skill. The more skills I see, the better my understanding becomes. Now I can see the status window of the monster. But that idiot Gene... I don't know, he's weak."
Suddenly, the Orc King roared in anger; Gene had jumped over his giant axe, delivering a powerful stab to his hand. Jin began stabbing and slicing forcefully, causing the Orc King to scream.
Enraged, the Orc King grabbed the axe with his other hand, attempting to strike Gene. But jin was too fast; he dodged the blow and made the foolish Orc King cut his own hand!
Jin didn't react at all; his eyes remained intensely focused.
Alisa approached Clark and asked him, "What's happening to him? What's wrong? He's so strong like this!"
Clark replied, "He's become calmer. His mental state has solidified."
Alisa responded, "But how?"
Clark stroked his chin and said, "Most people want to solve their problems. Jin has done something neither you nor I know about. But that thing is afraid of being exposed. Why are most people deceived by reputation? You now see jin fighting without fear of death, but the truth is he fears it, and we are about to witness a living example."
The Orc King roared, using the skill "Fear." Jin began to hallucinate that he was on the verge of death; he saw Lina and Eileen dragging him to the ground. Although these were mere illusions, he was terrified to the point of madness.
The Orc King charged, attempting to attack jin, but Clark quickly stepped in, pushing him away, and said, "I can't rely on you for anything!"
The "Fear" skill appeared before Clark and transformed into the "Authority of Will." Clark laughed to himself, "How lucky I am to obtain a hidden trait like this!" But he continued, "Such progress is not enough for me."
Clark gripped his sword and felt in his heart that it was like a pulsating blade; his will transferred to the sword, a phenomenon known as "Qi" or "Sword Energy."
A screen materialized before Clark, stating: "Your understanding of Qi has increased. Your level is now 8."
"You have upgrade points to use."
"All your abilities have increased by three points each."
Personal Status Window:
· Strength: 14
· Mana: 11
· Toughness: 12
· Agility: 19
· Stamina: 17
· Qi: 3
Alert!! Your understanding of the sword has deepened. You have broken through the first layer of refinement and the Path of Cultivation. You are at the first layer, the Birth stage.
Clark laughed, and an overflowing aura surged around him, but its color changed from blue to red, announcing a demonic energy.
The one observing them was shocked, saying, "I never expected someone like him to exist in Dranglik!"
But Clark raised his blade, declaring the "Authority of Will," which angered the Orc King because Clark had stolen his technique.
Everyone watched in astonishment: "What is this overflowing aura?" All fighting stopped: Alex, Calrez, Alisa, and jin, who was on the ground, watched with suppressed anger, biting his lips in sorrow.
The Orc King charged forward, but Clark swiftly launched a quick, cutting swing that split the ground with tremendous force, cleaving the Orc King in half!
A new notification appeared for Clark: "You have learned a new skill: 'Demon King's Sword: Heaven's Partner.' You and the sword have become one, and you have achieved 10% progress in forging a 'Sword Heart.'"
"Clark's levels have increased."
Several cosmic messages emerged. The World laughed, saying, "Such terrifying power!"
The Demon King "Agaris" took an interest in you, saying, "Become my messenger, and I will increase your progress."
"Athena," the Olympian goddess, bestowed her blessing upon you: "Blessing of the Goddess of Battle."
Clark laughed and said, "Who can stand against me?!"
Alisa stepped forward: "How did you obtain this power?"
He did not answer her nor pay her any attention.
Suddenly, several fast-moving figures rushed toward Clark. Everyone stopped to look: they saw an old man, accompanied by a man and a young woman.
Clark looked on in shock, thinking to himself, "I expected him to do this, but isn't it too soon?!"
Alisa shouted angrily, "They are the scum of the Qin nation!!"
"This matter can only be explained in the royal palace!"
The Minister entered and said, "Your Majesty, how did you do this? These are our nation's assets! Are you sacrificing them to the Qin nation, whose encroachments on our properties never cease?!"
The Emperor replied, "So what? Do you want us to fall under the mad sun that will devour everything? I asked the venerable 'Dok Ling Ouchi' of the Deep Heaven Sect to resolve this matter, as you know. He is at the first stage of 'Void Manifestation.'"
The Minister responded, "But this is the worst of them—"
Suddenly, he remembered in terror that Gene was in the forest, and perhaps even Clark was there! His heart trembled with fear as he said, "That was our only chance, and now it will be wasted before my eyes!"
He quickly left the royal hall, saying, "Summon the Three Venerables and my three disciples: Ethan, Brutus, and Lucille! We must go save them, along with fifty men! Quickly!"
The Minister's secretary replied, "Understood! But preparations will take time."
The Minister shouted, "Hurry, woman! We
have no time!"
But perhaps the Minister was a little too late, for the scum of the Qin nation were already before Clark and his companions.
The sect elder asked, "Who are you?"
Alisa wanted to respond and curse, but he raised his hand, signaling silence. Alisa was angry but suppressed her rage.
Clark said, "I am a disciple of the venerable master, the revered 'Vanquisher of the Great Sun, Revered of Love.'"
"How do you know this name? How dare you lie to my face?!"
Clark replied, "How would I dare lie before Your Excellency? As you can see, I have used one of my master's techniques. Also, I have heard of you. Your stories have spread, sir, from the west to the near east. You are the elder of the Deep Heaven Sect, Dok Ling Ouchi."
Ling Ouchi laughed and said, "Hahaha! Young man, you have a silver tongue! Very well, you speak the truth. But what exactly do you want here? It seems you are no frog in a well?"
Clark replied with a cold gaze, "My master's inheritance!!!!!"
An overwhelming killing intent swelled from the elder, who said, "And you say this in my presence?!"
Clark responded, "I walk the path of ruin, so I fear neither death nor anything else. The path of struggle and perseverance will place you in situations that may cost you your life, so why should I fear as long as I advance? What does revenge matter to me? No! No! If ten people come demanding their rights, I will kill them. If there are a hundred, I will kill them too. If the entire world seeks revenge, I will annihilate the world!"
Ling Ouchi laughed, "Young man, I've taken a liking to you! I'm not lying to you; I want you in my sect, and you have no right to refuse! Also, the inheritance is yours, but remember: do not exploit my kindness against me!"
He unleashed his true killing intent. Everyone felt as if someone were pressing down on their hearts, especially Calrez.
Clark nodded respectfully and said, "I would not dare, sir."
"Very well, remember! I will come for you shortly."
"Very well, sir, but I have a request... Could you leave your companions with me for a while?"
"Why?"
"Because I need them, honestly. They are experts in aura and strong, and there's no harm in them helping their younger brother."
The woman grabbed her master's hand and said, "I don't trust him!"
"He is too weak to do anything. Also, that's good! I want you to keep an eye on him, Yi Lian, and you too, Bai Hu."
They nodded to their master despite their objections.
The elder departed, and the two descended, bowing in greeting. Clark looked at them:
· Yi Lian: Her hair was dark black (from a family close to spirit fairies), and she wore blue men's clothing for ease of movement, though it slightly accentuated her chest.
· Bai Hu: He was exceptionally calm, with red hair swept back, a sharp jawline, and striking handsomeness.
Clark knew whom he should approach. But the third stage had already begun.
Calrez had disappeared!!!!!
To be continued....