Chapter 9

Lu En seemed to sense something, and a startling guess flashed through his mind.

In his impression,

the only thing that could be linked to spiritual power

seemed to be only…

one of the three colors of Haki — the Conqueror's Haki!

Known as…

the latent kingly quality that appears in only one out of a million people!

"Could it be that I've awakened Conqueror's Haki?"

"Didn't they say…"

"Conqueror's Haki can only be passively awakened when one faces a life-or-death threat?"

"Then what's going on with me right now?"

The astonishing guess that surfaced in his mind left Lu En utterly dumbfounded.

The next second,

before his emotions could even settle,

an inexhaustible surge of spiritual energy suddenly erupted from within his body.

Like a volcano erupting…

"I can't control it."

Lu En had no choice but to give up struggling.

And so,

he passively released the surging spiritual energy within his body.

Boom—

Terrifyingly immense spiritual energy

transformed into an unparalleled, dreadful aura.

In an instant,

with Lu En's body as the center point…

this invisible, transparent aura formed a circular arc, sweeping out in all directions with overwhelming force.

Spreading inch by inch.

In the blink of an eye,

it had already enveloped the entire area!

Mount Corbo.

This was the stronghold of the bandit group, the Dadan family.

In the central area stood a house.

It was late at night.

The house was brightly lit,

golden firelight driving back the surrounding darkness.

"That wretched kid!"

"In the middle of the night, making me specially deliver food to you."

Ace cursed and grumbled, his face full of resentment.

He was carrying a simple meal in his hands, walking step by step toward Lu En's room.

Because Lu En had yet to leave his room, Dadan had Ace deliver Lu En's portion of the meal to the latter's room.

And to check along the way

what exactly Lu En had been hiding in his room doing.

"Next time, I'll definitely beat you!"

Clearly,

Ace was still deeply resentful about today's crushing defeat at Lu En's hands.

Among his peers,

this was the first time he had ever suffered a setback!

And a crushing defeat at that!

Naturally, this left the extremely proud Ace seething with anger and unwillingness.

Moreover…

this defeat had been an instant one-sided kill by the opponent's single hand!

Because of this,

Ace declared he could not accept it.

He swore.

One day, he would definitely get justice!

He would definitely teach that guy Lu En a lesson.

"Hey, your food!"

Arriving at the door, Ace raised his hand, ready to knock on the door.

However,

he seemed to think of something and forcibly stopped his current action.

Driven by curiosity deep within,

Aice slowly approached the door, pressing his ear against it as if trying to eavesdrop on any movement inside the room.

"Why is there not a single sound?"

"This kid—could he have already left the room?"

Aice muttered softly to himself.

Just as he was about to knock on the door...

But at that very moment.

Without any warning...

Boom—

An incomparably surging aura burst forth violently from the house ahead.

Like waves upon a raging sea,

Endless and boundless,

Dangerously extreme.

In but an instant,

This invisible, unseen aura completely enveloped Aice's young body.

Crushing all in its path,

Shattering heaven and earth!

This aura was utterly terrifying.

In but a single moment, it surged toward Aice's mind and consciousness.

Boom!

Completely grinding Aice's mind and consciousness to dust...

Annihilation!

Destruction!

And then...

Aice's eyes rolled back.

Having lost consciousness, his limbs could no longer be controlled.

Aice's body slowly tilted and toppled to the side.