Chapter 844: 10th level of Master Rank

"Huh? Using a forbidden technique just to save your own life? Pathetic." Glen’s voice was laced with disdain as he slowly walked toward Max, each step echoing with confidence. His face was twisted into a sneer, the kind only the truly arrogant could wear so naturally.

Max sat slumped on the ground, his breathing ragged, body trembling, and blood still dripping from his lips. The black flame crown had vanished, and the surrounding heat had finally begun to settle, yet Glen’s presence radiated pressure like a thunderstorm waiting to strike again.

As he closed the distance, Glen tilted his head and stared down at Max with pure contempt. "I really thought you were different. Someone who could comprehend a level 2 sword concept... I assumed you’d die with some dignity, like a true swordsman. But you’re just another coward begging for life at the edge of a blade."

Max’s eyes widened in fear, and he weakly crawled backward across the charred earth, his fingers digging into the cracked, scorched soil. "Please... don’t kill me," he whispered, his voice filled with panic. His limbs trembled as if even the thought of resisting had been drained out of him.

Glen scoffed. "Heh, I will—" But the words caught in his throat. His smile froze, and a sharp jolt of pain flashed through his chest. His eyes dropped in disbelief. Right where his heart should be... was a gaping hole, smoldering with a faint black edge. Blood bubbled up in his throat. He looked at Max, stunned, unable to understand what had just happened.

"You—" he managed to spit out, but that was as far as he got. The next moment, an unbearable pain erupted in his head, as if countless hammers were crashing down on his skull all at once. His mind became a chaotic storm of agony, and his knees buckled slightly.

Before he could even gather his thoughts, five enormous black flaming spheres appeared around him, each one double his size, swirling with deadly power. The black flames pulsed like they had a will of their own, screaming silently as they surged toward Glen. He had no time to react—no time to heal, defend, or even scream.

Watching from just outside the danger zone, Max slowly stood up, patting the dust from his robes, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It’s so easy to fool someone who thinks they’re above everyone else," he said softly to himself, shaking his head in amusement.

He had never planned to fight Glen head-on. Despite his own strength and multiple concepts, he knew the risks. Glen was a true genius of the Absolute Sword Palace, a 7th-level Legend Rank cultivator, and once cornered, there was always the chance he might escape. And if that happened? Max knew the consequences.

He recalled Princess Lyra’s words again—"Don’t ever let your enemies escape. If you strike, kill. Or they’ll return stronger, and you’ll be the one running."

So he hadn’t gambled. Instead, he had played the sheep. Faking injury. Spitting blood. Pretending to be drained from a forbidden technique. Making himself look like easy prey. And just as Glen lowered his guard, full of arrogance and disdain, Max struck.

First, his Soul Sword Art pierced Glen’s heart with absolute precision—a silent assassin’s blow hidden in plain sight.

Then, the Soulpierce Ascension sent a mental shockwave that dazed Glen, severing his ability to focus or use his vital essence to heal.

And finally, he had unleashed the Absolute Reaper’s black flames, the killing move—five flaming spheres of death, each fueled by Max’s mastery over fire, soul force, and deathly intent.

Max turned his gaze toward the floating black spheres, which now began to pulsate violently.

"Explode," he muttered.

A moment later—BOOM!

The volcanic region shook violently as the spheres detonated in unison. Waves of lava surged out of their pools, overflowing like a flood from the heavens. Molten fire rolled across the earth. The sky turned red from the shockwave. For miles, the entire volcanic terrain rumbled like a dying beast, torn apart by the ferocity of the blast.

Hovering in the air, Max observed the destruction calmly. Nothing remained of Glen. No body. No sword. Not even a trace of clothing. Only the echoes of thunder and fire lingered. He shook his head slightly and sighed, "I guess his body was completely burned to ashes." His voice held no pride, just a quiet certainty.

A predator had been turned to prey.

And Max... walked away, unharmed.

"I should use the Life Soul Herb to increase my strength to the 10th level of Master Rank," Max muttered to himself as he surveyed the chaotic volcanic region around him. After confirming there were no other powerful auras nearby, he flew away swiftly, seeking a place where he could increase his strength in peace.

After half an hour of careful searching through scorched cliffs and narrow crevices, he finally discovered a secluded cave hidden behind a cluster of collapsed boulders far from the main volcanoes.

The entrance was narrow, barely enough for a person to squeeze through, but once inside, it opened into a quiet stone chamber with glowing red crystals scattered across the walls. The natural warmth inside helped his body adapt quickly, and the isolation was perfect.

To be absolutely safe, Max activated his defensive skill, Eternal Bulwark, which created a thick barrier around the cave’s entrance, preventing any sound, energy, or spiritual presence from leaking in or out.

Once everything was set, Max sat down cross-legged on a smooth patch of stone and calmly pulled out the Life Soul Herb from his storage ring. It glowed faintly in his hand—a red-gold herb with five curved leaves and a sweet, almost intoxicating aroma.

Without hesitation, Max threw the herb into his mouth and swallowed it whole. Instantly, a warm surge of energy erupted in his chest, flooding through his meridians and core like a tide of molten light.

His mana core began spinning rapidly, greedily devouring every last trace of the medicinal energy. He could feel his entire body resonate with power, his bones crackling slightly and his muscles tightening. After a few moments, he felt his aura rise, thicker and denser than before. Then, a soft, mechanical chime echoed in his mind.

[Congratulations to Max Voidwalker for leveling up to level 10 of Master Rank.]

A smile slowly crept onto Max’s lips as he opened his eyes. "Perfect," he whispered. The final step of the Master Rank—completed.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay