Unfortunately, Blood Nightmare had no intention of letting him leave. He slowly shook his head and raised his hand. At his beckoning, the enormous tree spread across the sea like an umbrella split open from within, and a streak of sword light shot from its trunk and settled into his grasp.

With the sword in hand, Blood Nightmare fixed Luo Chen with a cold stare. "You woke me from my sleep and destroyed my bloodfood. Since you've come this far, you might as well stay here."

Luo Chen's heart tightened as he recognized the sword. It had been presented at the Jadecold City auction as a true spirit treasure. Han Zhan later said that it was only a pseudo-spirit treasure, but that did little to lessen the danger it posed. Its power had once been enough to threaten even Blood Hermit.

Blood Nightmare raised the Godslayer Blood Sword and brought it down in a simple and almost effortless slash. Luo Chen did not dare underestimate the strike, however, and thrust out both hands, summoning seven fire rings that overlapped before him to form...