Chapter 657: Legend of the Death Grip

The main hall fell silent for a few seconds.

The men who were speaking loudly looked at A Xina as she entered through the doorway, their eyes showing astonishment. A female warrior so beautiful, with a unique aura, and whose strength was evident at a glance—such a sight is rare even on the New Continent teeming with transcendent beings.

The few women present were jealous of A Xina's looks and smooth skin.

Whoosh!

Some had already drunk a lot, the alcohol making them reckless, and they couldn't help whistling, their gazes at A Xina full of aggression, their faces teasing.

"What a beautiful woman!"

"Hahaha…" the men roared with laughter.

Someone took the lead, and everyone's courage grew; whistles rose and fell, and some, emboldened by the drink, uttered lewd words, filling the hall with merriment.

They dared not lay a hand on A Xina, but the inn's maid suffered the consequences.

"Ah…"

Amid the scream, a maid was grabbed by a nearby man and pulled into his arms; his rough, strong hands groped her wildly, his eyes fixed on A Xina, a lewd grin on his lips.

A Xina frowned.

The men's teasing was mostly admiration of her beauty; even if some harbored lewd thoughts, as long as they didn't show, she wouldn't mind.

But such obscene behavior was too much.

She halted, hesitating whether to act, when a voice without any emotion sounded nearby.

"Hmph."

The indifferent snort was heard clearly by everyone in the hall, as if right beside them.

Reslin successfully drew everyone's attention, and they instinctively cast glances his way.

Then, anyone who looked at him was instantly struck as if by lightning. It was as if they had seen the most terrifying thing in the world; their minds were violently jolted, pupils dilated severalfold, blood vessels filled their eyes, they stood frozen yet trembled slightly, seeming on the brink of madness.

Some with weaker willpower were so frightened they wet their pants on the spot, yet their bodies wouldn't obey, leaving them immobile.

Delirium Technique!

It is an ability inherent to the Mysterious Touch Clone.

It has an effect similar to Fear Technique, can be released through gaze, and triggers passively when others meet its eyes, hard to defend against, yet unlike Fear Technique it doesn't cause people to flee, also having an immobilizing effect.

Of course, not everyone was controlled by the Delirium Technique.

Several strong-willed transcendent beings in the hall, as well as some who possessed spiritual protection magical items, resisted the passive trigger of the Delirium Technique and kept their minds clear.

The transcendent who had assaulted the maid was one of them.

He was a legendary powerhouse, so he dared to brazenly provoke A Xina, instantly tossing the maid aside, leapt to his feet, slammed the table, and shouted, "New rookie, this is Shengfang Jige, not a place for you to run wild; you'd better crawl back to the Empire."

Reslin's mouth twitched upward, secretly surprised.

Sure enough, transcendent wanderers on the New Continent aren't the easy kind; he could tell at a glance that she was new to Albert Bay and even guessed she came from the Empire.

Probably the others saw it too, which is why they dared to be reckless.

Newcomers are always easier to bully.

Reslin stared expressionlessly at the man, who stood nearly two meters tall, strong and agile, clad in dark‑red enchanted armor, a two‑handed greatsword leaning by the table, bearing a domineering demeanor, a fierce face, and his Soul Eye marked him as an eleven‑level Great Swordmaster.

The Great Swordmaster wasn't alone; the transcendent at two or three nearby tables were likely his subordinates, and when the Great Swordmaster provoked, a dozen or so joined the heckling.

It seemed to be a mercenary corps or a soul‑hunting troupe.

Among them were several high‑rank transcendent, with more than half being Mid-stage or above, their professions well balanced, and with the legendary Great Swordmaster at the helm, their average strength in Albert Bay was definitely top‑tier.

The New Continent is a stark survival‑of‑the‑fittest world where the strong reign.

The Great Swordmaster dared to harass publicly; his power was his greatest confidence.

Reslin gave him a casual glance, his contempt unmistakable, and in a flat tone said, "A small lesson. Anyone who dares to stare again, watch your eyes."

At that moment, the transcendent in the hall gradually shook off the Delirium Technique.

Hearing Reslin's words, their eyes filled with terror, and they quickly turned their heads.

The Great Swordmaster sneered, glared at Reslin and barked, "I'm the commander of the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps, Wei Ersen, I look at whomever I please, can you control me?"

Mid‑sentence, his hand had already gripped the sword hilt.

Members of the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps who regained consciousness rose, drew weapons, raised staffs and longbows, ready to rush and slay the over‑confident Wizard at the commander's command.

These subordinates gave Wei Ersen even more confidence.

His gaze shifted to A Xina, unrestrained, and the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps men let out bizarre laughs, paying no heed to Reslin's threat.

The transcendent, seeing the situation, knew a fight was about to break out.

The Blood Blade Mercenary Corps dominates Hunter's Corner Dock, and the Golden Gate Inn is their base; they often cause trouble with their formidable strength. From commander Wei Ersen to the rank‑and‑file, none are good people—arrogant, domineering, plundering, and many have suffered heavy losses, even lost their lives, at their hands.

These two transcendent were clearly Imperial newcomers to the New Continent, likely powerful; the female warrior who sparked the clash seemed legendary, while the young male Wizard was inscrutable, at most also a legend.

But an ordinary legend could hardly match the battle‑hardened Blood Blade Mercenary Corps.

They were probably going to be at a loss.

Before that thought settled, the Wizard said, "I can control you," then pointed a finger at Wei Ersen, clearly preparing a spell.

"You're courting death!"

Wei Ersen reacted instantly, shouting, "Brothers, charge…" even before the Wizard could act, and he also raised his two‑handed greatsword to attack.

Bang!

A silent lash fell, striking the heads of all Blood Blade Mercenary Corps members, making their bodies shudder, rolling on the ground clutching their heads, crying out in pain.

Six‑ring Spiritual Spell — Mental Whip.

Below legend level, unless one bears a top‑grade spiritual talisman or possesses a steel‑will protection element, it's nearly impossible to resist a mass‑range Mental Whip.

In an instant, only Wei Ersen remained charging from the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps.

But after only two or three steps, before he could muster strength, a massive hand materialized from void; the semi‑transparent palm was as large as two tables combined, like a Titan Giant's hand, swift and precise, and it seized the target in one grip.

Wei Ersen was seized by the giant hand, lifted into mid‑air.

The giant hand's five fingers curled inward; he struggled desperately but to no avail. The seemingly light, transparent palm wielded terrifying force, crushing his dual swords outright. The armor on his body clanged and rattled, denting like a flattened tin can.

Wei Ersen's innards were instantly squeezed and ruptured, and fresh blood spewed from his mouth.

"Ah!"

Just as Wei Ersen cried out, a massive pillar of flame descended, pouring precisely into his mouth and stifling his scream.

"Flame Flood" also streamed in from his throat, coursing chaotically inside the armor and scorching every inch of his skin. Seconds later, strands of flame spewed from the armor's seams; through the giant hand, he could be seen turning into a fire man, his whole body ablaze.

The Legendary Transcendent's vitality is extremely tenacious; a four-ring "Flame Flood" alone could not kill him instantly, yet under these circumstances, his robust regeneration became a torment.

Reslin's casting had not finished.

A five-ring "Touch of Agony" instantaneously fell, affixing to Wei Ersen and amplifying his pain tenfold.

Finally, an invisible Soundproof Force Field enveloped Wei Ersen, preventing his screams from escaping.

All of this unfolded in an instant.

The other Transcendents in the lobby hadn't even reacted before the battle ended. Members of the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps lay scattered on the floor, while Wei Ersen was grasped by a giant hand above the crowd's heads, enduring inhuman torment as his body burned like fuel, yet no sound emerged.

The eerie silence of the scene was chilling.

Someone had already recognized the giant hand as the seven-ring spell "Bi Ge Bai Qin Na Zhang"!

The Transcendents fell silent as cold cicadas.

A Wizard capable of instantaneously casting a seven-ring spell must be at least Legendary High-rank, and he unleashed five spells in one breath, each with a high ring count.

Could he be a Holy Soul Wizard?

The lobby was dead silent; a few Transcendents of the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps had already endured the mental lash, yet none dared to rise and retaliate, continuing to lie on the ground feigning death.

Wei Ersen still burned, seized by the giant hand mid‑air.

Reslin did not glance at him again, calmly walked through the lobby to the inn's front desk and said, "Prepare the finest suite."

The lobby manager behind the desk had been frozen with fear for some time.

Reslin waited a few seconds before regaining his composure, forcing himself to stay calm, and respectfully replied, "Please wait a moment, esteemed guest."

The lobby manager prepared the room at record speed, carefully handing over the key card, daring not to ask the price nor request a name registration.

Reslin placed several Gold Shields on the desk before taking the key card.

"I have a question for you."

"Please, go ahead," the lobby manager shivered but remained unflustered.

Every inn in Albert Bay is a hub of information; selling, commissioning, and relaying news are essential services for attracting guests and boosting revenue.

A Soundproof Force Field enveloped Reslin, A Xina, and the lobby manager; Reslin, with his back to the others, asked, "Do you know an elemental archer named 'Jie Weiske'? He should be a Soul Hunter, accompanied by a female teammate named 'Ni Laman'."

"I know him, sir," the lobby manager hurriedly nodded, "They are members of the 'Wilderness Path' Soul Hunt Team, frequent visitors to the inn; the whole team are regulars here."

He offered no concealment whatsoever, nor any intention to protect the guest's privacy.

"Can you get in touch with him?" Reslin asked again.

"No problem," the lobby manager replied enthusiastically, "Mr. Jie Weiske hasn't gone hunting lately; I just saw him the day before yesterday. Sir, would you like me to send someone to notify Mr. Jie Weiske, or should I ask for his address so you can find him yourself?"

He couldn't discern whether Reslin's request was benevolent or malicious, so he dared not act on his own.

"Ask him to come to the inn and see me, saying an old friend invited him," Reslin said.

"Very well, sir."

Reslin deactivated the Soundproof Force Field and, with A Xina, turned and headed back upstairs.

His figure vanished upstairs, yet Wei Ersen still burned in the lobby's mid‑air; the Blood Blade Mercenary Corps Transcendents scrambled out, and a few loyal members glanced back at the clenched giant hand, hesitated, then fled.

Those Transcendents who hadn't clashed with Reslin stayed behind, quietly watching Wei Ersen burn to death.

Some wore expressions of schadenfreude.

Usually domineering, Wei Ersen this time not only hit a brick wall but also kicked away his own life.

He thrashed wildly within the giant hand, his mouth emitting silent screams.

After several minutes, Wei Ersen finally ceased moving; his blood evaporated, his muscles turned to charcoal. The giant hand squeezed hard, crushing the armor—now glowing red hot—into a lump of iron, then tossed it out of the lobby window, where it fell far into the bay and sank.

The transparent giant hand vanished along with it.

The Transcendents in the lobby collectively exhaled, glanced upward toward the upstairs, and felt awe for the unknown mysterious Wizard.

Known as "Blood Blade," Wei Ersen never managed a single counter; the battle‑hardened Legendary Greatsword Master was crushed like an ant.

Such a massive reversal they would remember for a lifetime.

The Transcendents rose and left; only after they were far from the Golden Gate Inn did they whisper, speculating about the Wizard's origins. News that an extraordinarily powerful Legendary Wizard had checked into the Golden Gate Inn and slain Wei Ersen spread quickly throughout Albert Bay.

Upstairs at the inn, A Xina sat on the balcony, admiring the bay's scenery.

Even from afar, she heard some rumors.

She turned back and asked, "Lei En, was your strike too heavy? That Greatsword Master only got an extra glance, causing no real harm; it shouldn't have cost his life, right?"

Reslin, meditating on the bed, opened his eyes and said earnestly, "I never kill the innocent; Wei Ersen got what he deserved."

"Huh?" A Xina asked, not understanding, "What crime did he commit?"

"He is a follower of the Blood God," Reslin replied.

At first sight of Wei Ersen, the soul eye saw his faith—a crimson hue like blood, exuding gore and cruelty; he was a follower of the "Lord of Blood" Hakasnu. Hakasnu is a classic evil deity, possessing the divine offices of "Gore," "Slaughter," and "Sacrifice," and his followers slaughter lives as offerings to the Blood God to gain power.

Because of these bloody sacrificial rites, he is called the "Blood God".

Typically only primitive, ignorant races such as trolls, ogres, or hyenas worship the Blood God.

Yet a few humans and elves cannot resist the lure of power and become his followers. Anyone who worships the Blood God is a murderous maniac, the most insane executioner.

Sometimes, the atrocities committed by Blood God followers are even more heinous than those of demons.

Wei Ersen thought he was well hidden, but the soul eye saw through him. If he hadn't provoked me it would be fine, but since he did, don't blame me for being blunt—I'll eliminate him, absorb his soul, and contribute dozens of energy units to myself.

Upon hearing he was a Blood God follower, A Xina's complexion shifted slightly, and she nodded, "Then he truly deserves to die."

Reslin closed his eyes and continued meditating.

Soon after, a knocking sound came from outside the guest room, and the lobby manager reported: "Esteemed guest, Mr. Jieweisi ke has arrived."

(End of Chapter)