Chapter 696 - These Martial Artists Are Way Too Fierce!

Julia's mind was numb from the repeated shocks, making her doubt whether this world was truly real. She was looking at Nightmares that hunted humans, and exorcists who fought against them. Her own boyfriend turned out to be the son of the president of the Exorcist Association. Then, mysterious and powerful martial artists suddenly appeared, destroying whatever they touched. Even the aftershocks of their clashes suppressed the Nightmares and the Exorcist Association, both of whom were already supernatural. Clearly, she was dreaming.

"These are martial artists? Can training in martial arts really reach such a level?!" In the center of the battlefield, the president of the Exorcist Association, who was locked in combat with the Nightmare leader, couldn't help but glance over.

Every collision between Holy Lion Simu, Burning Fist Carlo, and Blood Hand Vincent was like an explosion. Their tightly clenched fists cutting through the air radiated such violent force that no one doubted that being hit meant instant death. Even he, the strongest exorcist, would be no exception. In his mind, martial arts meant only boxing rings or underground illegal fights. Even the boxing masters he had met weren't this strong. He never imagined that true martial skill could look like this!

The three of them were rampaging through the forest. Their bodies were like tanks, their speed like airplanes, and their arms like machine guns. They moved so fast that eyes couldn't follow.

"They're too fierce..." The president of the Exorcist Association muttered.

By the cave, the Nightmare leader's grim face changed in the shadows.

The ritual was now complete. Blood linked the bones and the ritual was fully activated. A strange and unique ripple spread out. It swept over the ground and burrowed into the earth.

Despair resonated with despair, while fear echoed with fear. Beneath the yellow pine tree forest, light suddenly flared within a deep ruin's darkness, illuminating a stone chamber. It held an altar, where a stone pillar rose taller than a man. The top of the pillar was carved into a hand. The stone hand held a completely black longsword.

Buzz...

The sword trembled, releasing an aura of terror that pierced through the depths and into the sky! The Sword of Despair, stirred by the ritual, began continuously radiating fear. Even through layers of heavy soil, its despair reached the surface and could be felt by all present.

At the center of the ritual, the Nightmare leader raised his hands in ecstasy. "Excellent! We succeeded!"

All the Nightmares who felt the constant stream of despair were instantly boosted. It was as if they were soaking in a nourishing hot spring! The Nightmares instantly fell into a frenzy.

"The Sword of Despair. This is it! We must obtain it! It can raise our clan to the pinnacle of this world!"

The Exorcist Association president grew tense. "We cannot let the Nightmares obtain it! This source of despair is like a divine artifact to them!"

His eyes stayed on the Nightmare leader as exorcist energy gathered in his hands. The Nightmare leader stared back with bloodthirsty eyes. Yet neither side noticed that Holy Lion Simu and the other two had ceased their battle at some point.

Burning Fist Carlo and Blood Hand Vincent's eyes lit up as they realized this source of the despair was why the ruin produced artifacts steeped in despair. That sword was the true treasure!

Opposite them, Simu sensed it too. His sect master's task was to find the final rune, which was said to embody despair! It was here, underground! The aura was like a candle in the dark, guiding the way. Since he no longer needed Carlo or Vincent's knowledge, Simu could seize it himself!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Three explosions of acceleration rang out as all three martial artists shot toward the cave!

"Aaaaahhh!"

Any Nightmare or exorcist in the way was blasted aside. The three looked like blades cleaving the battlefield.

Nearby, the Exorcist Association president and Nightmare leader paled as they understood the huge unexpected factor beside them. Worse, the three warriors' goal seemed the same as theirs! If they had to compete, what chance would they have of winning?!

The three clashed again at the cave's entrance. Their attacks surged with effortless might as all kinds of techniques erupted.

Bang, bang, bang!

The mouth of the cave was nearly shattered in moments. At the heart of the storm, Simu clashed palms with Carlo and Vincent. But out of nowhere, a black-robed figure shot out of the dark forest. Pale hands clapped together, unleashing a palm strike. The terrifying palmprint crossed space, aimed at Simu's back.

Swish!

Simu suddenly turned, a grim smile on his face. "I've been waiting for you! Finally, you've come out! I’ve been holding back while playing with these two old men, just so you'd think you've seen my limit and reveal yourself!"

Roar!

Simu's Qi suddenly exploded, blasting Carlo and Vincent away. The aura of an extreme combat artist erupted and a lion's roar sounded out.

He turned, throwing a punch against the incoming palm.

Clang!

𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

A metallic crash resounded wildly through the forest. Around them, exorcists clutched their ears in pain.

Bang!

The two figures flew back in opposite directions. Simu slammed into a hill and smashed through tens of meters of rock before stopping. The black-robed man hurtled through countless trees before landing on their feet.

"The Gate Organization? Another deputy leader revived through necromancy?

Heh

, you've got impressive strength... for a dead man."

Simu barreled out of the mountainside, landing precisely at the cave entrance. His cloak was already torn to tatters. He tore it off entirely, revealing the bold "Golem" word on his back!

He stood majestically in the moonlight, golden Qi bursting like a pillar. Behind him, a lion phantom shot into the sky, as tall as an eight-story building. Simu's gaze was fixed a kilometer away into the weeds. A burst of black Qi flared, burning its surroundings away and revealing a black-robed figure.

Rumble...

Black flames shot into the sky, spiralling tens of meters high. A massive, ferocious crocodile with a wide jaw arose as if to swallow the sky. Both were condensed manifestations of Qi. They weren't just hollow paper tigers.

Thus, the two confronted each other. On the battlefield, Nightmares and exorcists alike went weak at the knees. The overwhelming pressure made every cell scream with primal fear.

"Run! Get away from them or you'll die!" At Joey's side, Julia outright fainted. Luckily, Joey quickly found that she was fine. To his joy, the fear mark was also gone. Likely the Nightmare that marked her had been crushed during the rampaging melee.

Simu's senses were locked onto the black-robed man. Nearby, Carlo and Vincent staggered. They were no longer even worthy as opponents.

"Get the rune first, then fight him later..." Simu weighed his priorities. His mission was to earn more of his sect master's favor!

He spun and darted into the cave like an arrow. The black-robed man chased after him. Carlo and Vincent hesitated, then gritted their teeth and followed. Only the Exorcist Association and Nightmares stood dumbstruck.

Should they enter? It felt like they'd only be cannon fodder... But not entering meant handing over the artifact... Unbearable!

Underground, the two extreme combat artists fought relentlessly. Golden and black shadows collided, smashing against the walls. Traps appeared here and there, but were quickly smashed through. Horrifying creatures were either dodged or crushed. This ruin wasn't as dangerous as those Cassius had faced. For extreme combat artists, this place was theirs to command.

After an unknown amount of time, they reached a passage to a vast stone chamber. Simu and the black-robed man burst forth like a dark storm cloud filling the tunnel. They smashed through stone slabs and charged into the passage.

Simu's eyes instantly landed on the altar's central pillar. Atop it, a black sword was gripped by a carved hand.

"That's the final rune!"

The hilt resembled petals and would perfectly fit five fingers. Two silver engravings ran straight down the blade. It looked exquisite, yet almost like it was thirsty for flesh. A strange twin-pupil symbol was embedded at its core. The overlapping eyes blinked, unleashing waves of despair.

At the entrance, Simu and the black-robed man exchanged glances. Then, terrifying battle intent surged with explosive Qi!

"Die!"

Boom!

The ground quaked as if an earthquake had struck. The next day, a third of the trees in Yellow Wood City were destroyed and the ground cracked like it had been tortured. Police cordoned off the area as reporters clamored at the barricades. Rumor said that many strange corpses were found but despite repeated questions, the police revealed nothing.

Meanwhile, under a mountain five kilometers away, a bloody black-robed figure stumbled weakly away.

"Never thought the Four Kings of Golem Sect had reached the extreme combat artist realm! This time, I lost..." The deputy leader of the Gate Organization, revived from some forgotten era, turned toward the forest. "The Golem Sect's power is expanding wildly, even into the United States of Yana. If our organization leaves a blood sacrifice here, we'll be discovered and attacked. The only safe place for a grand sacrifice is in the Blue Star Empire... Most of the organisation's strength has already gone there. Once the tide descends, all will return to calamity! I look forward to that day..."

The vice leader turned sharply, leaving without hesitation.

The cave at the heart of the forest had collapsed entirely.

Bang!

The rocks burst open, and a burly figure strode out. Black boots crushed stones underfoot as golden hair flowed in the wind. Holy Lion Simu stood on the ravaged earth with a black sword in hand, lifting his gaze to the bright blue sky.

"As per your expectations... Sect Master!"