“I’m giving you this opportunity now. You will cultivate, and I will safeguard you for forty-nine days!”
Jett Thorne didn’t believe for a second that Kayden could resist such a temptation. A master, so skilled and so young, had to be a prodigy, someone obsessed with the art of cultivation.
Surely, Kayden would be moved. How could he not be?
But Jett Thorne wasn’t offering this chance out of goodwill. It was simply another way to kill Kayden. Kayden was too powerful-immune to poison and capable of defeating him in a single blow. Jett Thorne couldn’t allow someone like that to exist.
If Kayden agreed, Jett Thorne would strike when Kayden bathed in the ritual pool. In that vulnerable state, Kayden wouldn’t dare channel his energy, for doing so would trigger the blood pool’s devouring power.
Kayden tilted his head, glancing at the women standing outside the door before turning back to Jett Thorne.
Seeing Kayden’s thoughtful expression, as if he were genuinely considering the offer, Jett Thorne pressed on. “This is a supreme technique! If you master it, you’ll be unmatched in the world. The entire world will tremble before you. I’ve spent my entire life researching this technique and have finally reached its final stage!”
Kayden smirked. “Then why give it to me?”
“Because you’re stronger than me! Younger, more suitable! This is a world where only the strong survive. I’ve lived long enough to understand the harsh truth: victory makes kings, and defeat makes fools. Today, I admit defeat. But I don’t want this technique to die with me. If you master it, just let me stay by your side as your right hand. That’s all I ask,” Jett Thorne said, his voice trembling with emotion.
Finishing his plea, he sighed deeply. “Seeing this technique come to life would fulfill my greatest wish.”
Jett Thorne’s words stunned the onlookers.
The Grand Lords who had been preparing to flee froze in place. None of them had imagined Jett Thorne would surrender so easily. It was completely unexpected.
But amidst their surprise, a glimmer of hope emerged.
They knew Jett Thorne’s character well. A man of such ruthless determination wouldn’t give in so easily. If he was making this offer, he must have an ulterior motive.
“Commander, don’t believe him,” Wood Faulkner whispered softly into Kayden’s ear.
Kayden shook his head with a mocking laugh. “Sorry, not happening. Sacrificing others to satisfy your own desires isn’t my style. You should die. I think it’s better if this technique dies with you.”
From the start, Kayden hadn’t been tempted in the slightest. He needed something powerful to combat the elusive organization known as Hellblazer, but not through such sinister and corrupt methods.
Jett Thorne’s pupils dilated.
The deal was off.
Kayden had rejected him.
Someone had actually refused the allure of this technique!
“You fool! Do you even realize what you’re turning down? The legacy of the Venom Sect-and you treat it like nothing!” Jett Thorne roared.
Soren Thorne, Jett’s son, suddenly stepped forward, his eyes blazing with anger. “Father, I’ll fight him with you! Together, we can kill him!”
“Foolishness!” Jett Thorne barked. “You’re no match for him! Run!”
“No, Father. I will stand and fight with you, live or die!” Soren shouted back.
Before Jett could respond, Kayden moved.
With a single sweep of his blade, Kayden slashed Soren Thorne’s throat.
It took no effort at all. Soren collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
“Ah!”
“Ah!”
“Ah!”
Jett Thorne screamed three times, his voice filled with anguish as he watched his son die before his eyes. His body trembled, his mind shattered.
The Grand Lords, who had just begun to calm down, once again scrambled to flee in terror.
Kayden turned to Jett Thorne and sneered. “Don’t worry. Soon, you’ll join him.”
Watching the chaotic scene of panicked men running like headless chickens, Kayden ordered Wood Faulkner, “Kill them all. Not a single one escapes. The women outside-they were tricked into coming here through despicable means. Free them.”
As Kayden’s words fell, Wood Faulkner moved, mercilessly cutting down those who tried to escape.
Jett Thorne stared in disbelief. “Impossible! How did you break free from the vengeful spirits’ curse on me? How could you kill my son so coldly? Who are you? Who are you, really?”
The deaths of the Grand Lords didn’t matter to Jett Thorne. They were cowards, concerned only with their own survival. When faced with the true death of the Venom Sect, they revealed their true, selfish nature.
None of it mattered to Jett Thorne.
Kayden’s eyes were filled with disdain as he looked at him.
Jett Thorne was strong, stronger than the Nightshade assassins, but still far too weak. The aura of vengeful spirits surrounding Jett Thorne was deadly-anyone injured by it would either die or fall under his control.
His toxic black aura, made of venomous energy from corpses and souls, was lethal to most. Anyone exposed to it had to use their inner energy to suppress it, just to survive.
But against Kayden, it was useless.
Kayden had killed too many people. His body had long since become immune to such toxins.
To Kayden, Jett Thorne was nothing more than a weakling.
Kayden stared coldly at him, his silence speaking volumes. His arrogant gaze told Jett Thorne one thing: You’re trash.
Jett Thorne’s worldview shattered. He had underestimated Kayden, thinking him just another fool looking for trouble. How wrong he had been.
Could it be…
Jett Thorne’s eyes widened as a realization struck him. “Are you… an Innate Warrior?”
Only an Innate Warrior could explain Kayden’s strength. To be so young and immune to poison-that was a power reserved for those at the Master level or above.
If Kayden truly was an Innate Warrior, then the Venom Sect was doomed. Jett Thorne still had one last trump card, but it would be useless against such a genius.
Kayden met Jett Thorne’s gaze and shook his head. “I don’t know what an Innate Warrior is. But from this moment on, the Venom Sect ceases to exist.”