Chapter 568
A streak of light shimmered with a faint red glow as it descended straight from the sky, speeding rapidly toward the oasis.
Cedric, Ophelia, and the others all looked up. In barely ten seconds, the light had already stopped above them, transforming into a figure with bare arms.
It was a middle-aged man.
His arms gleamed with a bronze-like sheen, and though his face showed no anger, his eyes carried an imposing authority. He was tall and powerfully built, and just by standing there, he gave off a crushing presence, heavy as a mountain pressing down on them, like Mount Everest bearing down from above.
“It’s the former sect master p>
As the man descended, Matthias and Tobey both clasped their fists and bowed in respect, their voices filled with reverence.
“Master Valor!” Evren bowed deeply as well, his face full of excitement.
This man was the legend of the Bulwark Sect, a super figure who had once shaken the world. He was also the former sect master of the Bulwark Sect!
Ever since Evren joined the Bulwark Sect, he had often heard the elders speak of the former sect master’s stories. From Matthias alone, he had heard more than a dozen legendary tales about him.
This man was a true powerhouse from a hundred years ago. He once served as the personal guard of the kingdom of Orenthall Empress Dowager, protecting the royal family.
He had even used his own flesh and blood to withstand steel warships and heavy artillery without suffering the slightest injury, striking fear into western nations. In fact, countless western experts had been defeated by his hands.
He had also survived the War of the King Phase, becoming one of the very few eastern King Phases, a clear testament to his terrifying strength.
Evren assumed that meeting this legend would require the right opportunity. He never imagined that the man would appear here instead.
The middle-aged man floated in the air, nodded slightly to Matthias and the others, then swept his gaze across the area before stopping on Leander, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
His legacy began a century ago. His insight far surpassed that of Matthias and Tobey, who were merely Infernal Crown Transcendents. With a single glance, he sensed that Leander’s physical body was extraordinary, radiating a strange and powerful aura. Even his own steel body, tempered through a hundred years of cultivation, faintly felt threatened.
“And who might you be?” he asked, taking the initiative.
Before Leander could answer, Matthias spoke first. “Master Valor, this is the most renowned legendary martial artist of the present era—Jeff Ashcroft, also known as Sovereign Ashcroft p>
“Is that so?” The man’s gaze paused, and a look of surprise appeared on his face. “So you are the famous, undefeated Sovereign! I am Darian Valor, head of the Bulwark Sect. My apologies for the lack of courtesy p>
He took the initiative to clasp his fists and salute Leander. If he had met Leander just a week earlier, he would have found it nothing special at all—at most, he might have simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Leander had risen to first place on the world combat power rankings, but in the eyes of a King Phase existence from a hundred years ago like Darian, that list was little more than child’s play, lightweight and meaningless. Even with Leander ranked number one, Darian still believed he fell far short of their generation.
However, news soon spread that Leander had single-handedly wiped out ten supersonic fighter jets, shaking the entire world. That level of strength was
something even some King Phase experts from a century ago had never achieved.
It meant that Leander had truly entered the ranks of the world’s top-tier powerhouses. Even Darian had to treat him as an equal and did not dare show the slightest arrogance.
A hint of surprise appeared on Leander’s face. “A King Phase p>
He had not expected the Bulwark Sect to still have a King Phase. And this was not a newly advanced, unstable King Phase like Neil. Darian had fully entered the King Phase, his foundation solid and complete.
The two were not comparable at all. Even with ten Neils around, he wasn’t a match for Darian.
Seeing Leander’s expression, Matthias and Tobey secretly laughed to themselves. They thought Leander had begun to feel wary of Darian, so Matthias immediately spoke up.
“Sovereign Ashcroft, it seems like Master Valor intends to enter the Westerian Divinity Vault and seek its treasures. You are both peak experts of this era. If the two of you join forces, you will surely gain enormous rewards! The both of us shall follow your orders. What do you think p>
Matthias was filled with confidence. Now that Darian had appeared, he was certain Leander would no longer be as forceful as before. Both were King Phase experts, after all. Leander could no longer rely on sheer strength to overpower them.
Suddenly, Leander let out a light chuckle. “Do you think you can enter the oasis just because another King Phase has arrived p>
A sharp, mocking curve formed on Leander’s lips, filled with contempt. “So what if a King Phase expert comes in person? As I’ve said before, no one else is allowed to enter the oasis, and I’ll stick to it. Even the former sect master of the Bulwark Sect is no exception p>
The spiritual energy within the oasis surged sky-high. Leander had long sensed that something he needed was hidden inside. In the path of cultivation, it had always been survival of the strongest. Treasure lands were no exception, and only the capable deserved them. It was cruel by nature.
Darian wanted to take a share of it, whereas Leander would never agree. Hearing this, Darian’s expression shifted slightly, his face darkening. “Sovereign Ashcroft, what exactly do you mean p>
Leander did not hesitate, only wagging a finger at him. “Very simple,” he said. “No one is allowed to step into the oasis, including you. Whoever enters without permission shall die p>
Darian’s pupils shrank sharply, and the hands he had clasped in salute to Leander earlier now fell slowly to his sides. “I’ve long heard that you dominate the present age, arrogant beyond measure. Seeing you today, it seems like they’ve downplayed how cocky you are. It’s a shame, truly p>
He stood suspended in midair, his gaze icy. “Jeff, you are indeed a legend of this era, I’ll give you that. But just because you can face an army alone, doesn’t mean you are truly invincible under heaven. You know far too little about King Phase experts from a hundred years ago p>
He stared straight at Leander and continued, “You and I are both the strongest of Astria, both peaks of Eastern forces. We should not enemies. But if you block me from entering the treasure vault, bave no want to cross hands with me here, in this endless desert p>
other choice. Do youvinet
He was determined to claim the treasures within.
With Leander present, he was willing to enter together and take what each deserved. But Leander wanted to keep everything for himself, so how could Darian possibly accept that?
Darian was known as ‘The
Siegeborn’ who roamed the world
for over a hundred years and had never feared anyone. Even in the era when King Phase experts ruled absolutely, he had still stood firm, Surviving the great King Phase battles and becoming one of the very few Eastern King Phases left alive. Without true strength, how could that have been possible?
Leander might have shot down supersonic fighter jets, but Darian knew well that it had been done by catching them off guard. He admired it, but it was not enough to inspire fear Back then, with
weakened body, he himself had
faced Western invaders head-on, smashing through fifteen ocean warships with flesh and blood alone. Compared to Leander, he was no less formidable.
For this rising junior to try to exclude him from the treasure vault was nothing less
than a challenge to his century-old King Phase authority.
Leander might be the sole King Phase at the top of today’s rankings, but he was still
a newcomer—a junior among juniors.
There was no way Darian would back down.
“A battle here in the dunes?” Leander swept his gaze over the endless yellow sand around them, then suddenly broke into a grin. “Why not p>
As his words fell, he wasted no more breath. He raised his hand and threw a punch.
In an instant, sand and stones exploded into the air, and the world itself seemed to lose its color.