Chapter 137 Carl’s decisiveness, attacking and killing Dylan
Spirit veins were born from the heavens and earth, taking on countless forms—some resembled
intertwining roots, weaving through the land like an ancient tree, while others coiled like
slumbering dragons, hidden beneath the surface. Some even took the shape of ferocious
beasts, exuding a natural aura of dominance.
The source of the Blood Wolf Mountain’s spirit vein, however, bore an appearance akin to a
seed.
Buried deep within the earth, it radiated a faint white glow. It was this very seed-like spiritual
core that had allowed the Blood Wolf Mountain Range to retain its gathered spiritual energy and
lingering immortal mist for so many years.
But at this moment, the spirit vein’s core was in a semi-illusory state—a clear sign that it was on
the verge of collapse.
Some spirit veins continued to grow over time, eventually transforming into massive, powerful
spiritual networks. But most low-grade and mid-grade spirit veins would eventually deteriorate
and fade away.
The Blood Wolf Mountain’s spiritual vein wasn’t even a low-grade vein—it was merely a
micro-spirit vein, one of the most inferior kinds.
Even among micro-spirit veins, it was one of the weakest.
Deep underground, Arius steadily approached the spiritual core while retrieving various
resources from his storage ring.
Then, he activated the Appraising Immortal Mirror, directing its radiance toward the weakened
vein, hoping to restore and strengthen it.
His goal was simple—if he could halt its decay, he would already consider the endeavor a
success.
As for elevating it to a low-grade spirit vein—that would require far more resources than he had
on hand.
One quarter-hour passed. Then another.
The process of strengthening a spiritual vein was far slower than Arius had anticipated.
It took him over two full hours before the glow on the Appraising Immortal Mirror finally began to
dim.
During that time, Arius had been forced to consume medicinal pills and spirit stones just to
maintain his mana.
Sustaining the Earth Burrowing Technique at such extreme depths for over two hours was
draining, even for someone at the Late-Stage of Level 1.
Then, at the exact moment the enhancement was complete, the seed-like core of the spiritual
vein… bloomed.
A flower of deep crimson petals unfolded at the heart of the spiritual vein’s core.
Its six petals stretched outward, resembling dragon claws, yet also taking the shape of an open
palm.
A mysterious radiance surrounded the blooming flower, giving it an ethereal beauty, exuding an
aura of deep reverence and power.
Whoosh!
The moment the spirit flower bloomed, the spiritual energy across the entire Blood Wolf
Mountain Range surged dramatically!
The surrounding hundred-mile radius was instantly flooded with dense, revitalized spiritual
energy—more than ten times stronger than before!
Arius had never expected this outcome.
What was meant to be a simple restoration of a dying micro-spirit vein had unexpectedly caused
it to break through into a full-fledged low-grade spirit vein.
For a moment, Arius stood in silent amazement.
Then, after collecting the Appraising Immortal Mirror, he quickly returned to the surface.
With this newly strengthened spirit vein, combined with the fully restored Level 2-level Spirit
Gathering Array, his cultivation speed would double at the very least!
Without wasting another moment, Arius activated the Spirit Gathering Array and immediately
entered secluded cultivation.
Far from the De Molinos family’s territory, in a war-torn battlefield, remnants of a defeated army
lay scattered across the devastated land.
Amidst the broken formations and battered warriors, a weary-looking Carl sat among the
surviving soldiers, exhausted but alive.
The Sea Sand King’s army had been utterly crushed.
The father of Dylan—Jackson—had fallen in battle, slain before his forces.
The once-mighty vanguard commanded by Dylan himself had been reduced to fewer than four
hundred men.
And even among those four hundred, the majority were either critically wounded or merely at
the Body Tempering Stages—unable to change the tides of war.
As for Dylan himself—
He had suffered grave injuries, his body too weak to even walk on his own. Every day, his men
had to carry him just to move him from place to place.
If not for Carl’s faction, the Yellow Heaven Stronghold, providing timely reinforcements, they
would have already been wiped out by the small elite forces sent by the Abyssal Emperor.
Only two or three months ago…
The Sea Sand King’s dominance had seemed absolute.
At that time, the very idea of the Abyssal King declaring himself Emperor had been nothing but
a joke.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, the tides had turned.
Now, even the Sea Sand King’s fate remained unknown.
And the name Abyssal Emperor—once ridiculed—had become a title of true power.
Many sect clans and noble families had already begun to secretly align themselves with the new
ruler.
“Honey water… does anyone have honey water?”
“Someone bring me honey water—your general is thirsty!”
Carl’s thoughts were interrupted by a weak, hoarse voice.
Lying atop a makeshift soft bed, carried by several cultivators, Dylan suddenly sat up.
His complexion was pale, his aura frail, yet he still called out feebly for something sweet to drink.
Watching his adoptive father, Dylan, reduced to such a miserable state, Carl’s expression
remained neutral—but deep inside, a cold killing intent was beginning to surface.
Dylan was nothing more than a mere Early-Stage Level 1 cultivator, his strength now severely
diminished.
And with the Sea Sand King’s forces collapsing—some surrendering, some fleeing, and the rest
being wiped out
Dylan had lost all value.
For all the years he had followed Dylan, Carl had already reaped every possible benefit from the
relationship.
His own cultivation had advanced—he was now at the Mid-Stage of Organ Tempering.
Even the corpse of the Ten Thousand Venoms True Person, which he had been refining, had
now reached the level of Late-Stage Level 1.
With the refined corpse at his command, he still couldn’t defeat a true Late-Stage Level 1
cultivator, but against anyone below that level, he had no reason to fear.
Unlike the Sea Sand King’s faction, Yellow Heaven Stronghold had remained unscathed
throughout this war.
Not long ago, several of his subordinates had even suggested defecting to the Abyssal
Emperor.
At the moment, the Abyssal Emperor’s potential was undeniable.
Moreover, since his rule was still newly established, he was actively recruiting talented
individuals.
Even the Sea Sand King’s defeated remnants had been granted decent treatment upon
surrendering.
Carl’s only reason for not defecting yet was his adoptive father, Dylan.
The Abyssal Emperor had only one condition for accepting defectors
He would not accept anyone from the Sea Sand King’s lineage.
The Yates family—Dylan’s bloodline—was on the Abyssal Emperor’s personal blacklist.
If Carl wanted to join the Abyssal Emperor, there was only one solution—
He had to kill Dylan.
To begin with, Carl had never been truly loyal to Dylan.
Back when Dylan still had power and influence, he could tolerate being bossed around and
ordered about.
But now?
Dylan was nothing more than a crippled, powerless liability.
Although Carl had already made up his mind, he did not let his true intentions show on his face.
Instead, he acted even more devoted and respectful toward Dylan.
Hearing his adoptive father demand honey water, Carl immediately barked orders to his
subordinates.
“My adoptive father wants honey water! What are you all waiting for? Go find some honey at
once!”
He strode toward Dylan’s bedside, his face radiating sincere loyalty, and spoke in a voice filled
with genuine concern.
“Please rest and recover, Adoptive Father.”
“Once we reach the cities under Yellow Heaven Stronghold’s control, everything will improve.”
“With me by your side, I swear to keep you safe.”
As soon as Carl’s words fell, Dylan was deeply moved.
Even the few remaining Body Tempering cultivators at the Peak of Organ Tempering standing
beside him sighed in admiration.
“Carl truly knows the meaning of gratitude.”
But deep inside, Carl could barely hold back his laughter.
The only reason he wasn’t killing Dylan right now was the risk of a desperate last stand from his
remaining subordinates.
But once they reached Yellow Heaven Stronghold’s main base—
Carl had a hundred different ways to kill Dylan—
And every single one of them would be completely risk-free.