As Atticus left the underground ring, the cheers and bloodthirsty roars of the crowd still echoed in his ears. His steps were steady, his expression calm, but beneath the surface, his body thrummed with a strange energy. The soul essence of the Bone Crusher, the life force of his defeated opponent, lingered within him, fueling his every step. The system was doing its work, absorbing the essence and converting it into raw power. His mind was flooded with the sensation of strength—a heavy, suffocating weight that both thrilled and disturbed him. The Reaper Points tally flashed in his vision, now at a staggering 50,000."All that from one fight," Atticus muttered to himself as he crossed through the dark, winding corridors. The weight of the negative emotions he had absorbed—the fear, the hatred, the malice of the crowd and the Bone Crusher—pressed down on him like a suffocating cloak. It had fueled his victory, his current profit. It was a dark, addictive power, one that came at the co
"It will only be in your best interest to surrender, tell your men to put down their weapons or your head comes off" Atticus said as his large sword stayed pointed to the neck of the man kneeling in front of him."Never" The kneeling man replied with a defiant look."I admire your bravery but I also despise your stupidity, you and your men are surrounded, there is no way out but death if you continue to fight." Atticus warned. He wasn't interested in anymore bloodshed and if he truly wanted to end the battle a long time ago it was within his capabilities to do so, but this would mean more blood and death."So once again I ask, do you yield?" Atticus asked as he looked at the opposing soldiers, using his stance to break their spirit. Bai Xu felt a sense of defeat as he stayed on his knees in face of a sword ready to rip his life, he took a deep breath and answered."What honor is there in cowardice, I am ready to enter the circle of samsara so I have embraced death and I am sure my me
Atticus approached her, wrapped his arms around her waist, with one hand stroking her pregnant belly, and kissed her cheek. "My love, I've missed you."His wife, Mei, chuckled softly, leaning into his embrace. "Sure you did. How was your trip?""It was war, darling, and it was as expected, successful," Atticus replied with a laugh, knowing how his wife loved to water down serious situations with the most simple terms."Of course, genius, a trip to wage war is still a trip," Xiao Mei rolled her eyes as she countered."At least now that you're home, I would finally have you all to myself. The kingdom has had you for long enough." Mei leaned in more into Atticus's embraces as she placed a kiss on his neck."Really don't wanna ruin the mood, my love, but I have just one more mission, orders from the king." Atticus broke the news of his upcoming trip to her and twirled her around so she faced him. Mei at this point had a look of disappointment on her face."Why can't the king send someone
King Jiang Shao stood in the heart of his lush garden, bathed in the golden afternoon sunlight. The garden was a paradise of vibrant colors and scents, a testament to nature's artistry. Ornate statues and intricately designed pathways wound through an array of exotic flowers, their fragrance hanging in the air. A serene pond glistened with koi fish, and a small waterfall provided a soothing symphony of water. It was a place of tranquility in the midst of a kingdom filled with turmoil.As Atticus and his royal guards entered the garden, their arrival went unnoticed for a brief moment as King Jiang Shao was engrossed in the delicate process of gutting the antelope he had captured during his hunt. He was a king who loved to do things with his own hands, from ruling his kingdom to providing for his table.King Jiang Shao had always been a hands-on ruler. His rise to the throne of Listrea had not been a mere formality but a brutal struggle, a path paved with the blood of his own brothers. H
"Swords will!" Atticus shouted, and his entire being became a whirlwind of sword energy. In a blur of motion, he cut through the attacking soldiers like a tempest, his sword lights finding every weakness in their defenses. The battlefield was filled with the screams of soldiers as Atticus carved a path through their ranks.As Atticus's gaze turned back to King Jiang Shao, a renewed determination filled his eyes. "Boom!"He moved with blinding speed, creating a shockwave that sent the remaining soldiers flying like leaves in the wind. His target was the king, and his intention was clear – vengeance.Jiang Shao, however, was not defenseless. As Atticus closed in, his general drew his own sword, wreathed in flames, and met Atticus's strike with a fierce clash. The two warriors engaged in a high-speed battle, their swords clashing with thunderous roars. The Listrea's general fire elemental powers surged through his strikes, adding an explosive element to their combat.The garden became a
"Seeing you use a forbidden technique leaves a bad taste in my mouth, so much potential burnt in one go," Jiang Shao remarked with a dark smile. Atticus could feel the oppressive presence of Listrea's king closing in, and he knew that he had little time left. "But since you are at the point of death, I guess I can't really fault you."Atticus had long abandoned his sword, for it had proven useless against Jiang Shao's overwhelming power. Body cultivators like Jiang Shao were always a pain to fight, and the Listrea's king had proven to be at a level that was borderline devilish. Atticus assumed a fighting stance as he raised his hands, preparing for a fight he knew he couldn't win."You really think you have a chance now?" Jiang Shao taunted. "Sorry to burst your bubble, kiddo, but I would still end you even if you could enhance your cultivation from what it currently is."But Atticus had other plans. In the face of certain death, he unleashed a technique rarely used in his repertoire
As Atticus stormed through the palace hallways, his blood-soaked appearance drew horrified gasps from anyone who crossed his path. His crimson-stained sword, gleaming with a murderous aura, seemed poised for violence. His determination to confront Emperor Ling Tian knew no bounds.Moving with a murderous aura, his aim was the throne room, along the way he stumbled upon a palace maid, her trembling hands carrying a tray of silverware. "Clang!"The clattering sound of falling dishes echoed through the corridor as her wide eyes locked onto Atticus, frozen with shock and fear. The scene before her was a nightmare - a battle-worn warrior, soaked in blood, holding a menacing sword.Atticus, despite his inner turmoil and the bloodlust his sword emanated, couldn't bear to harm an innocent soul. With a stern but not unkind voice, he demanded, "Where's the king?"The maid's lips quivered, and she pointed a trembling hand down the hallway toward the throne room. Her relief was palpable as Attic
Streams of light flowed along a bright pool, which was ring-shaped, and in each millisecond, a light would divert to the middle of the pool ring. If one looked closely, it would be seen that each light was like an ember that lacked a definite form as they flowed along this cosmic stream. The stream was known as the pool of reincarnation, or by some, the circle of Samara.In the peaceful stream where life was constantly created and renewed, where the embers which represented souls went on their way to a new world with a clean slate and no past memories.A particular soul within the stream showed erratic movement as it seemed to be fighting the flow of the reincarnation stream and constantly colliding with other souls."Riiiip!!"A large smoky hand with claws ripped space and made a large tear. This hand dipped into the stream and grabbed this erratic soul, which turned out to be Atticus's.In a swift motion, the hand pulled out Atticus's soul into the crack, and the space tear mended.