The Ice zed Heart floating above my head was being devoured at breakneck speed.


    My skin gleamed as threads of qi danced around my golden core, pulsing with an otherworldly glow.


    The Ice Pce Master had sworn that consuming this treasure would catapult someone into the Martial Saint Realm.


    But for me, that seemed like a pipe dream.


    Mabel Sean sat beside me, chin propped on her palm as she watched me quietly, an unconscious smile creeping across her lips.


    A week flew by in what felt like seconds.


    During those seven days, Mabel Sean officially began her cultivation journey.


    Surrounded by such dense qi, her advancement could only be called mind-blowing.


    The bloodline coursing through her veins seemed to rage like fire - a pure Sean family bloodline that pushed her cultivation to insane heights.


    In just seven days, she''d broken into the Grandmaster Realm.


    At that pace, even I at my peak couldn''t have kept up.


    ——


    Outside world.


    The entire seemed to be hunting for Mason Raymond and Mabel Sean.


    From the Capital City Martial Arts Association to every major power, they all scoured the globe for Mason.


    But they''d practically torn Pyro apart and still came up empty.


    In mere days, it was like Mason Raymond had vanished without a trace.


    "Damn strange. Where the hell has Mason Raymond disappeared to?" Saumel Baton muttered in a luxury hotel, his brow creased with frustration.


    He rubbed his jaw thoughtfully. "The world''s not that big. No way he just up and vanished into thin air."


    "Finding Mason Raymond isn''t the priority - we need Mabel Sean first," a Martial Saint beside him said grimly.


    "We all know what Mabel Sean''s bloodline means. If someone else gets their hands on it, we''re screwed."


    A vicious gleam sparked in Saumel Baton''s eyes at those words.


    He rose slowly. "If Mason Raymond won''t show his face, then we kill everyone around him! Kill them until he crawls out!"


    Saumel Baton moved to the window, that savage glint still burning in his gaze.


    "Guess I''ll be the bad guy," Saumel Baton smirked, hisugh cold and merciless.


    He pulled out his phone and called people like Elena Green, inviting them to a feast.


    By evening, dozens of well-dressed young aristocrats had shown up at Green Moon Vi.


    "What''s Saumel Baton''s game, calling us to this dinner?" Pearson Bowman asked, clearly puzzled.


    Zora Solomon beside him snorted with disgust. "He''s a sneaky little weasel. Makes my skin crawl. If dad hadn''t ordered me to y nice with the Mystic Realm crowd, I wouldn''t be here."


    Males Ran nodded in agreement. "Right. Ever since someone hit Martial Saint level, the Mystic Realm got exposed to everyone. The resources they''ve got have everyone drooling."


    The group chattered away, but Elena Green stayed quiet.


    Something felt wrong in her gut.


    Right then, Saumel Baton showed up with two Martial Saints in tow.


    The moment those Martial Saints appeared, crushing pressure mmed down on everyone!


    Even Capital City''s elite felt their hearts skip a beat.


    "Wee, everyone." Saumel Baton''s eyes swept the crowd, smugness written all over his face.


    Zora Solomon scoffed and turned away.


    Saumel Baton didn''t give a damn. He said casually, "Having you all here is an honor for me, Saumel Baton. Thanks foring."


    "Saumel Baton, if you''ve got something to say, spit it out. We''re all busy," Males Ran cut him off.


    Saumel Baton wasn''t in any hurry. He chuckled softly. "We''ve all been hunting for Mason Raymondtely. I''m sure you know why. Anyone here know where he''s hiding?"


    "How would we know? And even if we did, why would we tell you?" Zora Solomon said, his face like ice.


    Saumel Baton burst outughing. "To find Mason Raymond, we''ll pay any price and use any method."


    "Today, you''ll see exactly what the Baton family is capable of."


    With that, Saumel Baton walked into Green Moon Vi with his two Martial Saints.


    Green Moon Vi was peaceful and quiet, and Saumel standing there looked like some god of death.


    When Saumel Baton arrived, disciples from Green Moon Vi started emerging.


    Ximena Santos led the pack, naturally.


    "What brings Saumel Baton to our Green Moon Vi?" Ximena Santos stepped forward with a slight bow.


    Saumel Baton nced at Ximena dismissively. "Far as I know, Green Moon Vi''s got deep ties with Mason Raymond."


    "Now Mason''s ditched you all and run off. I can''t find him. What do you think I should do?"


    Those words sent unease rippling through the crowd.


    "No answer? Fine, let me give you the answer," Saumel Baton said quietly.


    The next second, ice-cold fury shed in his eyes as he suddenlyshed out!


    One of the Green Moon Vi disciples was instantly caught in his grip!


    The crushing force made it impossible for the disciple to budge!


    Saumel Baton looked around at everyone and said coldly, "This is just the start. Until Mason Raymond shows up, I''ll kill you one by one."


    Before he finished speaking, Saumel Baton''s w-like hand shot toward the disciple''s flesh!


    His hand was sharp as a razor - it actually sliced right through the disciple''s skin!


    Right in front of everyone, Saumel Baton began peeling the disciple''s skin off alive!


    The horrifying sight made everyone gasp, and some started puking!


    "Ah... Ah!!!" Finally, someone couldn''t take it anymore and started screaming!


    "I... I want out of Green Moon Vi! This... This has nothing to do with me!"


    "Don''t kill me, don''t kill me..."


    A cold sneer spread across Saumel Baton''s face at the sight.


    He looked at the two Martial Saints beside him, who immediately got the message.


    They gently pressed their palms together and sealed the entire Green Moon Vi. Escape waspletely impossible!


    "Toote to leave now," Saumel Baton bared his teeth in a wicked grin.


    Terror filled everyone''s faces at the sight.


    These Capital City rich kids usually looked down on regr martial artists. But they''d all gotten decent educations and couldn''t stomach this kind of brutality.


    "I''ll torture you nice and slow. Don''t worry, I''ve got plenty of tricks," Saumel Baton sneered.


    "Soon, I''ll turn Green Moon Vi into a real hell on earth!"


    Zora Solomon couldn''t help but shout, "Saumel Baton! Aren''t you going too far?"


    Saumel Baton nced at him with a faint smile. "Too far?"


    Zora Solomon clenched his teeth. "Even if you want to kill people, there''s no need to be this sick!"


    Saumel Baton sneered. "What''s it to you?"


    "Son of a bitch!" Zora Solomon ripped off his suit jacket, pointed at Saumel Baton and yelled, "I dare you to fight me one-on-one, three hundred rounds!"


    Saumel Baton''s eyes narrowed as he sneered. "You gonna be my enemy over these insects?"