"I am offering you freedom and a chance to go beyond this world. What else do you want?" Igaris asked calmly.
"Prove to us that you’re strong enough to keep your word."
As Karun said this, a muscular woman with golden hair stepped forward, a cruel smile tugging at the corner of her lips. A massive greatsword rested on her shoulder in a domineering posture.
"She is Carla, a Martial King. If you can defeat her, we will follow you wherever you go," Karun said as he calmly sat down.
Igaris narrowed his eyes.
Judging by her aura, she was at most at the Legendary Rank, while he stood at Mythic. The outcome of this battle was already clear.
Yet, this encounter gave him a valuable insight—these prisoners included some powerful individuals who could serve him well. If he defeated her, those thousands watching would likely fall in line under his command.
Igaris stood tall, his gaze never leaving the golden-haired woman named Carla. She cracked her neck lazily and smiled, revealing sharp canines.
"Don’t hold back," she said, swinging the greatsword off her shoulder and stabbing it into the cracked stone floor. The entire prison trembled faintly from the weight. "If you’re gonna be our so-called master, show us how you rule."
Igaris didn’t respond with words. He stepped forward, calm as still water. His cloak fluttered with a faint breeze, despite the heavy and stagnant air of the prison.
The other prisoners began to form a rough circle around the clearing, murmuring among themselves. Some mocked. Others watched intently.
"Fight!" Karun’s voice echoed.
Carla moved first, faster than expected. The ground cracked as she dashed forward, her greatsword swinging in a deadly arc.
But before it even reached Igaris, he vanished.
A heartbeat later, he reappeared behind her, whispering calmly, "You’re too slow."
Carla’s instincts kicked in and she spun around, but Igaris raised one finger.
World Destroying Finger.
A violent burst of invisible pressure slammed into her stomach, lifting her off her feet and throwing her several meters across the field. She crashed into a wall, coughing blood, but grinned.
"Interesting," she muttered, wiping her mouth.
She rose again and roared, her muscles bulging as she released her inner energy. A golden aura enveloped her body like a lion breaking its chains. The floor beneath her cracked. Wind howled inside the prison.
"Don’t go easy on him, Carla!" someone shouted from the crowd.
Carla lunged again, her blade shimmering with golden force. This time, she wasn’t holding back.
Instead, Kinetic Redirection activated.
The moment the greatsword collided with his palm, all the force Carla had generated reversed back into her body. It flung her backward, rolling across the ground.
He stepped forward, his voice calm, almost gentle.
"Is this what you needed? Strength without purpose is meaningless. But strength with vision... that builds empires."
Carla coughed again, but didn’t rise this time. Instead, she let her weapon go and lay on her back, laughing hoarsely.
"Fine. You win, Overlord. Or whatever the hell you are."
Karun stood, sighing.
"Then it is settled. From this day, the prisoners of Valley Six will walk under your banner."
The crowd of thousands went silent.
Then, one by one, they knelt.
Around 4,000 of them in total.
Igaris smirked as he took them all into his Acquisition Space.
But this was not the end. There were more places hidden within the Prison Valley.
Six unknown groups to be exact.
Igaris and Jian traveled to each of them and claimed their submission. Sometimes through strength, sometimes by offering freedom, and sometimes through sheer force.
Conquering those six groups took about one and a half days. Altogether, they added up to 30,000 strong soldiers for his growing army.
Among them were around 200 Martial Kings and Legendary Rank warriors. One stood above all—an eerie figure who had reached the level of Martial Emperor, or Mythic Rank.
He appeared as a young boy with crimson eyes, but inside dwelled an ancient and twisted monster. He had been imprisoned for illegal soul transference and possessing countless bodies over centuries. A crime so vile that even the Emperor himself had ordered his confinement.
Defeating him was difficult, even for Igaris. But under the full pressure of Igaris’ might, Vascar eventually submitted.
Still, to ensure this dangerous being stayed loyal, Igaris bound his soul.
After three long days in the depths of Prison Valley, Igaris and Jian finally returned to the surface. The sunlight stung their eyes for a brief moment, like a forgotten warmth.
Within the Acquisition Space, 30,000 warriors who were once prisoners now wander through the peaceful sanctuary.
Jian glanced at Igaris with quiet admiration. "Lord, You have done what no one else could. Those people would be Foundation for the empire you intend to build.."
Igaris gave a soft nod. "Let us see if they hold on to that cause when war truly arrives."
He activated Dimensional Sovereign, the air trembling as space folded in front of them. In an instant, the world around them shifted.
When their feet touched solid ground again, the familiar sky of the Soaring Dragon Sect welcomed them. The morning mist still hung across the ancient peaks. Courtyards buzzed with the sounds of disciples training, unaware of the growing storm now housed within one man’s command.
Several disciples nearby noticed their return. They quickly bowed, murmuring respectful greetings. No one dared meet Igaris’ eyes for long.
Without a word, Igaris began climbing the steps to the main compound, his black cloak trailing behind him like a silent omen. Jian followed closely, his demeanor composed.
At the entrance to the inner hall, Elder Hao stood waiting. His posture was firm, his body fully recovered from the previous poison affliction. A calm smile rested on his face.
"Yuhan. You have returned. I trust your journey brought results?"
"It did," Igaris answered simply.
"That’s wonderful news. The Imperial Tournament is in 3 days. And Ren Wen is among the 10 participants."
"I see. Where is Shirley? I can’t sense her anywhere."