Chapter 384: Enlightening the Ignorant

“What the hell? This isn't the work of a martial artist!” “I’m detecting no martial energy! That old man must be an immortal!” “Where did the Jantz family find him? I want one too!”

The crowd gasped in disbelief. The situation far exceeded their expectations.

Venicus grinned. “Is that good enough for you, kid?”

Jared shook his head, sneering coldly. “I’m talking about real strength, not magic tricks! Your illusion magic is impressive, but it won’t fool me.”

He waved his hand, emitting a blinding golden light that illuminated the arena. When the light faded, Jared and Venicus stood atop the arena’s ruins, leaving the crowd speechless.

Venicus’ face contorted with frustration. He narrowed his eyes. “I didn’t expect a fellow mage… In that case, I’ll kill you!”

He produced eight black chess pieces and tossed them in a circle. Eight pillars of light erupted, surrounding them both.

“No matter your skill, you can’t use magic trapped in my Soultrapper Formation!” Venicus shouted triumphantly.

“Is that so?” Jared sneered. Looks like Master Venicus will be my next cultivation resource!

“What the hell? Is that a divine martial art? Are they fighting inside?” “It’s divine martial art! That old man’s an immortal!” “No, he’s a mage. Those are magecraft techniques. There are many mages in the Southwest; some even keep spirits or ghosts as pets,” someone explained.

Within the Soultrapper Formation, Venicus made a final offer. “Last chance, kid! Become my disciple, and you’ll have a bright future!”

“I’m giving you a last chance. Surrender your magical items, or I’ll kill you!” Jared retorted. He sensed strong spiritual energy from Venicus’s chest.

Venicus clutched his clothes, glaring cautiously. “Don’t touch my items! I’ll kill you!” Concealed within were the thousand-year ginseng the Jantz family had gifted him—a precious magical item.

“Enough talk! Let’s fight!” Jared’s impatience was growing.

“Fine!” Venicus vanished into the shadows, reappearing behind Jared with a palm strike.

Jared scoffed, grabbing Venicus’s wrist and neutralizing the attack. Venicus gasped and vanished again.

“If all you’ll do is run, I’ll destroy this formation!” Jared grabbed a pillar of light, absorbing it into his body. He repeated this with the remaining pillars, then crushed the chess pieces.

Venicus’s position was revealed. He stared at Jared in terror.

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