LOGINKieran and the others felt a profound sense of awe growing from within them more than anything else.Ashton stated coldly, "You are to open your mind and allow me to instill a trace of flame within you. Your life will hang on a single thought of mine from now on. You will suffer the agony of burning to death if you ever betray me.""Got it, Master!" Xena was fully aware that only by surrendering her life could she obtain Ashton's trust.Xena relaxed completely, offering no further resistance to Ashton.Ashton conjured a strand of pitch-black flame in the next instant, which swiftly shot into the center of Xena's forehead and penetrated deep into Xena's soul, enveloping her entire body."You can get up now," Ashton said, tossing Xena some Energy Condensation Pills while channeling strands of energy into her body to stabilize her injuries. He didn't need a fatally wounded, dying ruler of Lavora's criminal underworld."Understood, Master," Xena said as she gradually rose to her fe
Ashton's expression remained cold. A chilling killing intent had already enveloped Xena. He had already shown his strength and offered both promises and benefits. If that still wasn't enough to make her submit, then there was no reason to keep her alive.He had no interest in wasting more time on her. Besides, she wasn't the only candidate for Lavora's new governor. He simply wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble.When that killing intent fully bore down on her, Xena's body shuddered. Nobody was fearless in the face of death, especially those who held power.She swallowed hard and looked up at him, still unable to see through him."You say you can help me reach the semi-otherworldly realm? Why should I believe you? You're only a divine realm expert," she asked evenly.He glanced at her and tossed an Energy Condensation Pill into her hand."Take it. Circulate your spiritual energy, and you'll understand. The pills you desperately seek from the Heavenly Medical Pavilion are nothing
"I already told you. Don't even think about it," Xena retorted.She felt a burning heat spreading through her body and clenched her teeth."What did you do to me?" she asked."Have you ever felt your body and soul burn at the same time?" Ashton asked coldly.Her face turned even paler. A deep sense of dread rose instinctively within her, and she curled up even tighter."Sovereign Flame," he said, his tone carrying the finality of a death sentence.Xena let out a scream of agony as her eyes flew wide open. Her body curled up as tremors tore through her from head to toe.One moment, she felt freezing cold. The next second, she felt like she was burning alive. Agonizing pain ripped through every inch of her body and sank deep into her soul, forcing broken screams from her throat."No… Please stop!"She clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. But no matter how hard she fought against it, the agony never eased in the slightest. Only now did she truly understand
A furious shout rang out, carrying the overwhelming authority of a great dragon's roar. The command exploded through Xena's Sea of Consciousness, impossible to resist.Her body shuddered violently, and she instantly lost control of herself, like a puppet yanked by invisible strings. Her steps halted against her will, and she froze where she stood. At the same time, a piercing pain stabbed into her eyes like needles.In that instant, Ashton's domain completely enveloped her, cutting off her last chance to escape.She swallowed her frustration and turned around. He was already right in front of her. With a furious roar, she gathered every last bit of strength she had left. Spiritual energy surged violently through her palm as she swung it toward his head."You still want to fight back? Then, I'll show you real power."A cold light flashed through his draconic eyes. He reached out, and the space around his hand seemed to twist under his grasp. Behind him, the phantom silhouettes of c
Spiritual energy burst from Xena's body. Two opposing streams of power twisted together overhead before condensing into a massive seal that slammed down and trapped Ashton within his domain.Her eyes lit up when she saw that he hadn't teleported away. Once someone was trapped beneath her Nirvana Seal, survival was impossible."Ashton! Pay for your arrogance and stupidity. Your head will earn me the Heavenly Medical Pavilion's pills and the chance to break through. Now, die!"This time, Xena held nothing back. She staked everything on this attack, pouring the power of her blood essence into the Nirvana Seal. Her aura surged to the absolute peak. This single strike would decide everything.Her hands trembled as veins bulged along her arms. Her hair whipped violently in the wind while the seal reached the absolute limit of the pinnacle of the semi-divine realm. The crushing force came down like an unstoppable catastrophe and swallowed Ashton in an instant. A torrent of power engulfe
Strands of dark energy emanated from Ashton's palm as he forcefully suppressed Xena's resistance. She struggled like a trapped animal in his grasp, completely unable to break free."Let go of me!"She kicked and thrashed, glaring at him furiously. The pressure of a pinnacle semi-divine realm expert erupted from her body, her anger and fear both reaching their limit.Xena had always been confident in her own strength. She believed herself invincible among the divine realm experts. No one at the same level should have been capable of threatening her.But now, Ashton had effortlessly restrained her at close range. She knew that if he wanted to, he could snap her neck and kill her instantly. The feeling of having her life completely in someone else’s hands filled her with terror.The people from Lavora’s criminal underworld were equally shaken. Kieran and the others stared at the scene in disbelief, fear written all over their faces.More than anyone else, they understood how terrify
Ashton didn't respond. He simply found that Roxy felt like a complete stranger to him now.In the past, when he looked at Roxy, he'd thought she was the woman he'd devote his entire life to—someone he would protect even at the cost of his life.But now, he sorely wanted to give himself a few good
"Sir… W-What is his rank?" Dex asked, feeling rather terrified now.Never in his life had he witnessed such a massacre. What had just unfolded before his eyes had completely shattered all of his preconceptions. He had always thought of himself as cruel and ruthless—but compared to Ashton, he was no
At night, the streets of Javonbury were filled with traffic. Cars sped by beneath the dazzling lights of the city."Mr. Gray, Ms. Langley, we've arrived.""Thanks, Mr. Larson. I'll have someone pick up the car from Noir Bar tomorrow," Sylvia said with a radiant smile.Gene soon bade them goodbye
Hector and his squad were already in position, lying low as they watched the cruise ship, The Horizon. In a hushed tone, he gave out the orders."According to the intel we received, we've got a slight edge in this operation. When I give the signal later, you guys are going to surround them from all







