Chapter 1780

"Who are you?" Sebastian lifted his head sharply as his eyes flashed with cold light. He cursed inwardly—another scavenger trying to take advantage of the situation. However, in his eyes, this kind of vulture wasn't even worthy of playing the predator before him. "It looks like we were just the first wave of cannon fodder. Even the Burial Heaven Sect has shown up now," Jos of Harmonia Sect said, his face suddenly turning pale as his voice trembled slightly. "Burial Heaven Sect? Are you talking about one of the top ten sects in the State of Lewington?" Nodin of the Infernal Gate was utterly shocked. Compared to Burial Heaven Sect, the Infernal Gate was nowhere near the same level. Burial Heaven Sect's infamy spread across the entire Celestial Region, while the State of Lewington was merely a tiny province. Within the Celestial Region, Alpha Sect wasn't even ranked, let alone the Infernal Gate. Both Alpha Sect and Harmonia Sect were insignificant against a force like Burial Heaven Sect. Burial Heaven Sect had once produced a cultivator at the Integration Realm. Though it had declined over the years, it still had powerhouses in the late Transformative Deity Realm, making it one of the dominant sects in Lewington. The sect was known for its secrecy, and its disciples rarely left the mountains. For one to suddenly appear here was utterly shocking. Alexandra's expression turned grim as she said in a heavy tone, "This must be Ecke Agerico, the younger brother of Schwerd Agerico, the greatest prodigy of the Burial Heaven Sect. Though he's not as strong as Schwerd, he's still not someone to be underestimated." A suffocating pressure weighed down on Nodin and the others. Ecke's presence alone felt overwhelming. They were nothing compared to him. Sebastian was strong, but the only reason he had been able to defeat Merle was because Merle had already been injured. This time, however, he was facing an elite of Burial Heaven Sect—completely unscathed and at his peak strength. Could Sebastian truly withstand Ecke? "Oh? So, someone actually recognizes me? How rare… That's rare indeed." Ecke's tone carried a faint trace of amusement as his lustful gaze brazenly swept over Alexandra. "Doll, you have exceptional talent and beauty. Why don't you return with me? We can practise dual cultivation together. How about that?" At this moment, Merle finally squinted her eyes and looked at Ecke carefully, as if recalling something. "Aren't you that kid who's been following me for three years?" Merle asked. "That's right. I'm surprised you actually noticed me. But at this point, it's meaningless." He sighed while shaking his head, looking at Merle with clear disappointment. "I once thought you were an unstoppable force, yet you've lost to a mere late-stage Holy Lord Realm weakling." Ecke cast a sidelong glance at Sebastian as his face filled with disdain. Merle trembled with rage upon hearing his words. "And what about you? Do you really think you're that much stronger than the rest?" Sebastian smirked, his tone dripping with mockery. "You're nothing more than a lowly Holy Lord Realm ant, yet you dare act arrogant before me?" Ecke's gaze turned icy, his face full of contempt. "I am the second strongest of the younger generation in the Burial Heaven Sect. Crushing you would be as easy as stepping on an insect!" Sebastian let out a cold laugh. "Save your nonsense! So what if you're at the mid-stage of the Transformative Deity Realm? Even if I'm a realm below you, I'll still beat you until you're begging for mercy!" "Hahaha! What ignorance! Since I stepped into the world, I have never seen someone as brazen as you. Hand over the Dragon Essence, and perhaps I'll let you die with an intact corpse." Ecke's expression turned ruthless as his flute spun rapidly between his fingers. Sebastian straightened his spine, his eyes burning with unshakable determination. "You want the Dragon Essence? Then, come take it yourself! Do you really think I'd fear you?" "Hmph! You have no idea what you're up against! I had no intention of slaughtering needlessly, but since you insist on being stubborn, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Ecke's face darkened as the giant roc beneath him let out a sharp, piercing cry. "Enough talking! Show me what you've got!" Sebastian's stance remained firm, his fists clenched tightly as a surge of powerful energy erupted around him. Ecke sneered. "Even my roc knows you're marching to your death." He lifted his flute to his lips and bellowed, "Soul-Hunting Melody!" A haunting melody filled the air, its invisible soundwaves transforming into razor-sharp blades, whistling toward Sebastian like a storm of death. Yet Sebastian stood his ground like an immovable mountain. "Is that all? This pitiful trick isn't worth my time!" His immense spiritual energy burst forth, instantly shattering the incoming soundwaves into nothingness. Ecke's eyes narrowed slightly. "Not bad… but this is as far as you go!" His figure flickered like a ghost, closing the distance between them in an instant as he launched a fierce barrage of attacks. Sebastian didn't retreat—instead, he charged forward to meet Ecke head-on. "You think you can act arrogant in front of me? You're not even qualified!" Every punch, every strike, carried an overwhelming force, each movement exuding sheer dominance and confidence. The clash between them was earth-shattering. Fists roared like thunder, footwork weaved like a tempest, and with every collision, shockwaves tore through the surroundings. Even the mountains trembled under the sheer force of their battle, and even boulders tumbled and dust surged into the sky. Ecke suddenly swept his flute through the air, unleashing a black beam of energy that surged forward like a sea dragon, roaring toward Sebastian. Sebastian responded without hesitation. With a wave of his hands, the forces of active and passive energy converged. Black and white energies swirled together before clashing head-on with the black beam in midair. The resulting explosion shook the heavens and the earth. The mountains cracked, the sky darkened, and the ground split apart, leaving behind a bottomless crater at the heart of the battlefield. Sebastian seized the moment to counterattack, his figure moving like lightning as he appeared behind Ecke in an instant. He threw a punch with immense force, and active and passive energy coiled around his fist, radiating overwhelming power. Ecke reacted swiftly, turning just in time to block with his flute. The resulting impact sent both of them staggering backward dozens of steps. "Today is the day you die!" Ecke roared as his aura surged violently. A black halo manifested behind him, and its ominous glow withered every blade of grass in its reach. "You want to kill me? Keep dreaming!" Sebastian retorted while his body radiated active and passive energy, shimmering like a war god. "This guy… he's insane!" Jos, who had been watching from the sidelines, widened his eyes in shock. "But the gap in their strength is obvious. I'm afraid Sebastian's chances are slim," Nodin muttered, his brows deeply furrowed with concern. "No, I believe in Sebastian. He can create miracles!" Jovi clenched his fists as his gaze fixed unwaveringly on the battlefield. Just then, Alexandra suddenly spoke, "I understand now. He's been hiding his true strength—he's a Transformative Deity Master." Everyone was utterly stunned by this revelation, their jaws nearly dropping to the ground. Jos sucked in a sharp breath. "Transformative Deity Master? How is that possible? Wasn't he just in the Holy Lord Realm?" Nodin's face was full of disbelief. "Has he been pretending to be weak all along?" Alexandra's expression grew even more serious. "It looks like we've all underestimated him." "You're courting death!" Ecke bellowed in rage, his figure flashing forward like a streak of lightning, his killing intent surging like a tidal wave toward Sebastian.