The cold voice of Korr, leader of the Dark Devil Secret Guard, cut through the night like a blade. "And even though you try so hard to escape, you still can't get away from our grasp!"

Korr was a fourth-turn Mahayana realm expert, the strongest among the pursuers, and was always known for his speed.

No sooner had his words fallen than he surged forward, his black demonic energy blazing like midnight flames, barring Althea's path with an oppressive shadow.

The four commanders of the Dark Devil Secret Guard joined forces. Their palms pressed together as they silently chanted a powerful incantation.

"Dark Hand!"

Blood curdling energy swirled through the air, coalescing into a massive black demonic hand that loomed ominously before Althea.

Dael, the first commander, waved his hand violently, sending the massive demonic hand crashing toward her like a furious tempest.

Althea halted abruptly, drawing her long sword with a fluid motion. Her sword intent erupted wildly like crashing waves, slicing through the night sky.

"Disperse all the clouds in the night sky!"

Her sword intent condensed sharply, forming a vibrant but focused domain. It expanded into a sphere of influence — evidence that Althea had already begun mastering the sword intent domain.

"Flower Burial Sword!"

She thrust a barrage of sword strikes forth, the sword intent weaving like delicate lotus flowers blossoming mid-air. The blossoms collided explosively with the demonic hand.

Boom!

Shockwaves radiated outward, slamming against everything nearby.

Althea staggered backward, sliding through the air from the force, but she regained her footing promptly.

"Fourth turn of Mahayana!" she declared, steadying her breath.

Dael's eyes narrowed beneath his dark brow. "So the famed Peak Master Althea truly lives up to her reputation. She blocked our Black Devil's Hand despite being at the peak stage of thge Tribulation Transcendence realm. The Natural Sword Body is indeed formidable."

Morwen, watching from a distance, chuckled darkly. "Is that sword intent a domain already? This will be interesting."

The other three commanders charged simultaneously, each unleashing the Dark Demonic Hand technique in swift succession, a relentless barrage.

But from behind, Marlon's voice cut through the chaos.

"You think I've vanished?"

Marlon's spiritual energy surged fiercely, coalescing into a vast palm of sheer power.

"Azure Palm!"

He appeared behind Althea just in time, slapping out the Demonic palm with force. The great palm rose, intercepting the trio of Dark Devil commanders' attacks.

Coughing roughly, Marlon took a step back, wounded but defiant.

His cultivation level was only the third turn of the Mahayana realm, equal to three of the Dark Devil Secret Guard commanders, his weakest enemy was on the second turn.

Resisting was a challenge.

Marlon laughed bitterly. "I did not expect the Black Demon Sect to value the new Sword Peak Master so highly as to throw their four Dark Devil commanders at her."

A cold expression fell over his face.

An unseen voice interrupted with a sharp inquiry.

"Who are you to help her? Tell us your name!" demanded the third commander arrogantly.

"Azure Origin Dao Sect Sword Peak, thirty-third generation peak master," Marlon replied clearly.

The third commander sneered, "Ancient to death, it seems. Time to send the old man on his way."

Marlon ignored the barb immediately and messaged Althea swiftly, "I'll hold them off, you get away!"

Althea shook her head fiercely. "Impossible. We face this challenge together."

As a Sword Peak master, sacrificing Marlon was out of the question.

Marlon grinned, "Don't underestimate me. I'm only at the third level, but I can stall these demons long enough for you to flee."

His eyes flicked warily toward the four commanders and the late-arriving Black Demon Sect saint, Morwen.

"If I'm right, that's Saint Morwen herself," he mused. "Your master's confidence to send you so deep into Skyreach Territory—are you sure you can return?"

"can return?" Marlon scoffed, mocking.

"Old man, you overestimate yourself. You might not even kill me in a fight alone!" Morwen laughed as she admired her palms casually, dismissing Marlon's bravado.

"Girl, I'll handle these demons. You use the opening to make your escape."

"No need, Mr. Marlon. Let's fight shoulder to shoulder. The Black Demon Sect may not last this day," Althea said firmly, brushing her hand sideways.

Suddenly, two towering figures emerged between them.

Two puppets—one golden, one silver—stood rigidly, exuding immense power.

The silver puppet was a gift from Junior Brother Ethan, a treasure she had hoped not to call on so soon.

The golden puppet was her own, a prized possession.

Daring to venture alone looking for opportunity demanded her own trump card.

Both puppets were at the Mahayana realm level.

Their cores fueled with the finest spiritual crystals, the silver puppet unleashed power matching a first turn Mahayana cultivator, while her golden puppet matched a second turn Mahayana cultivator's might.

Dael's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Mahayana realm puppets?!"

"How could she possess such treasures?" shock rippled across his face.

Puppets of this stature were rare and formidable, equivalent to strong Mahayana realm cultivators themselves.

Constructed from unknown special materials, these puppets were tireless and unyielding.

With enough spiritual stones and spiritual crystals, they fought relentlessly.

Their combat endurance far outstripped flesh and blood cultivators who were shackled by mortal limitations.

"Mahayana level puppets, two?" one whispered breathlessly.

"Could the Azure Origin Dao Sect truly harbor such relics in their forbidden inheritance place? But wasn't the true inheritance taken by that rat Ethan?"

Morwen's eyes glinted with newly sparked attention.

Even a first turn Mahayana realm puppet like the silver one could pressure those hovering at the second turn.

Morwen, though a saint, had no Mahayana realm puppet to defend her.

Althea was only a minor peak master among the sixteen peaks, yet wielded two such puppets.

This reality stirred a flicker of envy deep within her.

Yet the surprise barely stayed on the faces of the Black Demon Sect's members before their harden expressions returned.

"What about two Mahayana puppets?"

A/N:

Extra chapters

100 power stones - 1 Extra chapters

200 power stones - 2 Extra chapters

Capsule - 1 Extra chapters

Massage Chair - 3 Extra chapters

Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters

Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters

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