Chapter 13: Direct Strike

The higher the grade of the Martial Spirit, the more lifelike its form, and similarly, the stronger the power of the Martial Spirit. Even within the entire Skynet Sect, a third-grade Martial Spirit was considered high-grade. And the attributes of Martial Spirits varied in their effects. The Turtle Beast Martial Spirit could enhance a martial cultivator's defense, whereas the Flame Serpent Martial Spirit not only significantly boosted the martial cultivator's combat ability but also had a burning effect. "Tell me, how do you wish to die, so I can oblige you?" Palmer, surrounded by his Flame Serpent Martial Spirit, looked at Titus with a cold, piercing gaze. Titus didn’t speak but swung his refined iron sword, releasing a sword energy that left afterimages in its wake. The sword sliced through the air, severing the currents. The watching Outer Sect disciples were astounded, not expecting Titus’s swordsmanship to be so formidable. A casual swing could produce such sword energy, even cutting through the air currents. A smirk formed on Palmer's lips, his face showing mockery. Immediately, Palmer’s figure shifted slightly. The Flame Serpent Martial Spirit surged around him, and a sword appeared, with the Flame Serpent coiling around it, producing roaring flames of immense power. Titus’s sword energy was completely nullified by the Flame Serpent Martial Spirit, unable to harm Palmer in the slightest. "You do have some skill, but just this ability is enough to kill me? I must say, you're too naive. Also, Raelyn, that cheap wench, seems to quite like you. She really is cheap, not only in person but also in taste, to actually fancy someone like you." Palmer continued mockingly, "But it doesn’t matter. After killing you, I will take good care of her. Oh, and the Flower Moon Pavilion at the Heavenly Ultimate Hall is short of people lately. Female martial cultivators are quite popular there. Maybe selling her to the Flower Moon Pavilion would make her a top courtesan." Titus remained unaffected by Palmer’s words and continued to attack, his sword moves relentless and forceful. Palmer easily parried Titus’s attacks, always wearing a cold smile, playing with him like a cat with a mouse. Killing Titus too quickly would not satisfy the hatred in his heart; only by torturing Titus slowly could he fully quench his resentment. The watching Outer Sect disciples shook their heads in dismay. Titus was indeed strong, his Blade Cultivation emitting incredibly powerful sword energy. Ordinary martial cultivators couldn’t contend with it. But Palmer was not an ordinary martial cultivator; he was a martial cultivator with a third-grade Flame Serpent Martial Spirit, and his cultivation had reached the peak of the Ninth Level of Qi Refining Stage, half a level higher than Titus. Considering the current situation, Titus's defeat seemed inevitable. No matter how Titus attacked, he couldn’t break through Palmer's third-grade Flame Serpent Martial Spirit. Furthermore, his refined iron sword began to show cracks under the burning flames. "With a brain like yours, how did you become a Blade Cultivator? I've told you, your sword energy has no effect on me. No matter how strong your martial arts are, they're just mid-tier yellow-grade." Palmer sneered. "The final strike," Titus suddenly said. As he spoke, the refined iron sword in his hand burst out with even more terrifying sword energy, exuding an aura of unstoppable force. Wind Shadow Slash! The same technique, but the power it unleashed was entirely different – more domineering and terrifying than ever before. Boom! The refined iron sword could no longer withstand the strain and snapped in half. Sensing the imminent danger, Palmer's smirk froze. He pushed the power of his third-grade Martial Spirit Flame Serpent to its limit, thrusting forward with his strongest move. However, at the moment of contact with the broken sword, Palmer's sword shattered. The third-grade Martial Spirit Flame Serpent was sliced apart, and the immensely powerful Blade Gale struck Palmer's right shoulder. Half of his shoulder was severed, and his left rib cage was pulverized by the unstoppable Blade Gale. With a scream, Palmer was sent flying, crashing heavily onto the Yin Yang Platform. The turn of events was too rapid and unexpected. By the time the Outer Sect disciples had recovered from their shock, the duel had already ended. Palmer, an Inner Sect disciple, had lost? The Outer Sect disciples stared in disbelief at the Yin Yang Platform. Severely injured, Palmer tried to rise, but Titus was already standing over him, his foot crushing down on Palmer's left shoulder. Crack! The shoulder bone shattered under the pressure, and Palmer screamed in agony. "Do you understand my pain now? I entered the Inner Sect full of hope, aspiring to advance further in the martial path. But what did you do? For your selfish gains, you destroyed my Sea of Qi and took my Martial Spirit seed, shattering my hopes! Now, experience the pain of being crippled!" After saying this, Titus stomped heavily on Palmer's abdomen. Bang! Palmer's Sea of Qi burst open. "No..." Palmer howled in despair. With his Sea of Qi destroyed, not only was his path as a martial cultivator over, but he was also reduced to a cripple. "Do you feel it? This is what it's like to have your Sea of Qi destroyed. Painful, isn't it? You've experienced it, and now it's time to end your journey," Titus said gravely. "You can't kill me! My father is the head of the Heavenly Ultimate Hall. If you kill me, he will never let you go," Palmer shouted desperately. The Outer Sect disciples were shocked. No wonder Palmer was so arrogant, having the audacity to bring along three Inner Sect disciples like his personal followers. Even Bryan Zhou, a top disciple of the Heavenly Ultimate Hall, obeyed his commands. Palmer was the son of the Heavenly Ultimate Hall's head. "Release Yarbrough!" “Yarbrough is the son of the Heavenly Ultimate Hall head. If you kill him, you won't leave the Heavenly Ultimate Hall alive." "You still have time to stop. If you stop harming Yarbrough and surrender peacefully, we'll spare your life," Shouted the three Inner Sect disciples accompanying Palmer. Seeing Titus hesitate, Palmer thought he was afraid and spitefully thought, "Titus, just wait. As long as I live and leave the Yin Yang Platform, I'll make you suffer every day. I won't let you die; I'll torture you every day and make your life a living hell!" Before Palmer could react further, the broken sword fell, and he was beheaded. What... The onlookers were stunned, staring blankly at the Yin Yang Platform. Titus had actually killed Palmer? "Stop right there!" With a thunderous roar, a middle-aged man with graying temples rushed through the air, followed by a group of high-ranking members of the Heavenly Ultimate Hall. "The Hall Master has arrived!" the onlookers realized. Seeing Palmer's beheaded body, Malcolm, the head of the Heavenly Ultimate Hall, froze. After a moment of stupefaction, his expression twisted ferociously, and his eyes filled with blood-red veins. "You killed my son; you deserve to die!" Malcolm, raging with fury, charged towards the Yin Yang Platform, his palm striking down at Titus. Under the terrifying palm force, the entire Yin Yang Platform was engulfed in rolling air waves, and Titus was about to be completely swallowed by the force. "Enough!" An even more terrifying voice came from above. Zyaire descended from the sky, pointing a finger at Malcolm's palm. The overwhelming palm force dissipated instantly, and Malcolm was sent sliding back a good distance...