As expected, a figure leapt from Commander Yan’s side. He reached the wandering cultivator’s neck with a single, wraithlike grab.

The poor sap didn’t even have time to resist before being picked up like a hapless chick.

He was thrown onto the ground with incredible force, making every bone and organ in his body creak in protest. The impact brought him to the brink of death as he breathed out without taking any air in.

The one who’d taken action was one of the captain’s capable underlings. After the deed was done, he dusted off his palms, like he’d done something utterly insignificant.

The display...