In Vexar's estimation, the four Dragon Kings working together were enough to stall him, nothing more.
Vexar himself was stronger than most of them individually. Rowan, in his eyes, was a fringe spellcaster who relied too heavily on formations and tricks. Dangerous in preparation, perhaps, but not decisive in open battle.
And this was the Jade Apex Sanctum.
He had disciples.
He had formations.
He had home ground.
Victory should have been inevitable.
Then the sky split open.
Above the Sanctum's vast inner realm, a colossal projection flared to life.
Two figures appeared within it.
Vexar.
And himself.
"Vexar, you've colluded with the Dragon Kings. What is your intent?"
"I should be asking you—why did you seize my father?"
The voices thundered across every courtyard, every training hall, every floating terrace.
The illusion was flawless.
It showed everything.
The assault on Harbor Pass.
The attempt to slaughter civilians and shift the blame.
The capture of Vexar's father.
Every word.
Every action.
The disciples froze mid-flight.
Spells flickered and dimmed.
The Dragon Kings seized the moment and disengaged, retreating toward Rowan.
"This is deception!" Vexar roared. "A beast's illusion meant to divide you! Hold your ground!"
But doubt had already taken root.
Vexar stepped forward, voice shaking with fury.
"That is my father!"
He gestured to the wounded man in Rowan's arms.
"He taught me to pursue righteousness. To earn my place here. And you chained him in secret to coerce me—forced me to hunt innocent beings for your experiments!"
Murmurs rippled through the ranks.
"That… he was brought in days ago, wasn't he?"
"Wasn't he supposed to be rehabilitated?"
"Senior Brother wouldn't… would he?"
Many of the Sanctum's disciples had no idea what truly happened to captured non-humans. They believed in discipline. In order. In justice.
Not slaughter.
Rowan's voice boomed next, amplified through magic and threaded with subtle mental influence.
"The crown has already been informed. Witnesses from Harbor Pass will testify. Other masters know the truth and are on their way."
He let the words settle.
"You can verify everything yourselves."
Then he withdrew Vexar's father into his private world and turned.
"Time to leave."
Teleportation was impossible inside the Sanctum's sealed dimension.
They had to fly.
Behind them, most disciples hesitated.
Some lowered their weapons entirely.
Even those unsure could not bring themselves to attack immediately.
Vexar stared in disbelief.
"You fools!" he thundered. "If this order weakens, if our authority falters, everything collapses! You think peace sustains itself?"
His voice cracked with anger.
"If even half of you trained with the hunger of those you despise, I wouldn't have needed to dirty my hands!"
He lifted off.
"Follow me! Those who stand with me will receive double elixir allotments once this ends!"
That did it.
Temptation worked where ideology faltered.
Roughly a third of the disciples surged forward, including most of the capture squads. Others joined gradually, uncertainty giving way to ambition.
Still, more than half remained behind.
Rowan glanced over his shoulder.
"Better than expected."
The Sanctum's strength had been cut nearly in half.
"Run while you can!" Vexar shouted from behind. "The master's formation has sealed this realm. There is no escape!"
Rowan ignored him.
They streaked past the plaza where the massive elixir cauldron stood.
Rowan's eyes sharpened.
"Now."
The Ruyi Jingu Staff expanded instantly, its weight warping the air around it.
Rowan brought it down with devastating force.
The Dragon Kings and Vexar attacked at the same time, their weapons striking the cauldron's surface.
Vexar's eyes widened.
"Stop!"
He accelerated forward.
Too late.
The impact detonated like thunder.
A massive hole blasted through the cauldron's side.
Fragments of divine metal scattered across the courtyard.
Vexar's expression twisted in shock.
"That staff…!"
He recognized it instantly.
The Ruyi Jingu Staff.
A relic crafted in ages past.
And what unsettled him even more—
The power Rowan had just unleashed.
It rivaled his own.
This was no minor wanderer.
This was something far worse.
...
Read up to 100 chapters ahead and access exclusive novels by joining my Patreon!
patreon.com/Zyxxar