Suspine stood frozen, his gaze sweeping over the fallen disciples around him. They were in such a miserable state that it was hard to tell if they were even alive.
Jared, despite being a Seventh Level Tribulator, had effortlessly defeated opponents stronger than himself.
It was clear to anyone watching that Jared’s true abilities far exceeded what he’d displayed. There was no doubt now-Jared’s strength was within Ultimate Realm Level Two.
“Well, weren’t you trying to test me? Have you figured it out yet?” Jared’s cold laugh sliced through the silence as he fixed his gaze on Suspine.
“I admit, I didn’t expect you to be hiding your true strength,” Suspine replied, his tone icy. “But from what I see, you’re merely at Ultimate Realm Level Two. That makes us equals, so don’t think you’re superior.”
With a sharp huff, Suspine flicked his wrist, and a crimson longsword materialized in his hand. The atmosphere shifted instantly as his aura deepened into something dark and oppressive.
“This isn’t a standard longsword from the Ten Thousand Sword Sect. Where did you get that demonic sword?” Judith’s voice rang out, filled with suspicion and anger as she took a step forward.
The Ten Thousand Sword Sect’s weapons were known for their purity, yet the crimson blade radiated an ominous, malevolent demonic energy.
Jared’s sharp gaze locked onto the longsword, narrowing as he recalled something familiar. The aura surrounding Suspine’s blade bore an uncanny resemblance to the blood-red sword Jared had seen in Ruth’s hand.
Ruth was a Demonic Cultivator. But Suspine- the eldest disciple of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect-was supposed to represent righteousness.
“The Demon Seal Alliance must have gifted him this weapon,” Jared murmured, his voice low. “That alliance has plenty of items tied to demonic cultivation. It’s clear now-Suspine has sold himself to them. No wonder your sect was annihilated.”
Judith turned sharply toward Suspine, her face twisted in anger. “Suspine, is it true? Did you betray our sect? Did you help destroy the Ten Thousand Sword Sect and harm our master?”
“Don’t believe baseless accusations!” Suspine snapped. “Everything I’ve done was to restore the glory of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect. If you won’t hand over the secret scroll documentation device, then you leave me no choice.”
With a fierce motion, Suspine swung his crimson longsword. A surge of blood-red vitality erupted, blanketing the area in a suffocating wave.
“Be careful!” Jared shouted as he yanked Judith out of harm’s way. His Dragonslayer Sword glimmered as it slashed forward-but hit nothing but empty air.
Suspine had vanished.
He actually took off and did so with such determination that he didn’t even bother about his fellow disciples, whose fates were unknown.
“This b*stard! He tricked me,” Jared muttered, gritting his teeth.
Suspine had seemed ready for a fight, all his actions and demeanor pointing toward a deadly confrontation. But, in truth, he had planned his escape from the very start. No one, not even Jared, had expected him to run.
One moment, Suspine was brimming with intent to kill; the next, he vanished, leaving Jared stunned. Jared didn’t even have time to react, let alone stop him.
“D*mn it! He slipped through my fingers,” Judith said, gritting her teeth. “If I’d stopped him, I could’ve avenged the fallen disciples of Ten Thousand Sword Sect.”
“Let him run,” Jared replied. “He’ll come back for you sooner or later. After all, you still have the secret scroll documentation device. Without it, he can’t control the Ten Thousand Sword Sect.”
He added, “I’ve already found the Myocyte Grass. I’ll contact Cloud right away, and we’ll head back.”
