Born Almighty Warrior
Chapter 612 Duncan's Plot

"What does Samson think he is doing? Even if he kills Martin, he may end up perishing with him because of the blood sacrifice. There is a big price to pay for borrowing power from the ancestor of the Nanchao Clan," Terrence said in a low, anxious voice. "He will lose at least half his life, that stupid fellow!" Terrence wished he could stop Samson, but it was already too late.

"Maybe this is exactly what he wants—sacrificing himself. I mean, he's been blaming himself for the death of members of his clan, and he wants to atone for it. So perhaps sacrificing his own life is his way of apologizing and freeing himself from the guilt,” Ricky explained to comfort Terrence.

"But don't worry. I won't let him die, I promise.”

"That's good to hear. I do have faith in you, Ricky. Honestly, I have no idea how you're going to make it, but you haven't disappointed me so far," Terrence replied. Terrence expressed his gratitude to Ricky and breathed a sigh of relief. He truly thought that it was a blessing that Ricky was here to help at the moment.

The truth was, Samson's death was the last thing Terrence wanted to see. It was true that he and Samson had not known each other for long, but he somehow had the feeling they would become really good friends one day. Watching a friend die was difficult for anyone, so Terrence could not be more worried now.

"You've got to be kidding. What do you think you're playing at? You can't have mastered the blood sacrifice. Well, show me then. Let me see what the ancestor of your Nanchao Clan could do," Martin challenged mockingly. Although a bit shocked by the powerful energy released by the virtual shadow of the malevolent spirit, he did not flinch.

But he didn't look as confident as moments ago. Perhaps he could sense that the power form the virtual shadow was even stronger than that from his golden sword.

Samson ignored Martin's taunts. He could not afford to waste time humoring him now, for he knew that his peak form would not last very long. There was no more time for trash talk.

The virtual shadow's pale, cold eyes glimmered as it conjured a huge, miraculous water trident out of thin air and swung it straight at Martin.

It all happened in a split second. There was nothing fancy about the attack. It was simple but most merciless—a strike driven by sheer, immense power.

"You can keep dreaming about killing me, Samson!" Martin yelled as Samson launched his attack. "But don't blink as you might miss me tearing your ancestor's ghost apart, you bastard!"

Martin braced himself as he waited for Samson's strike to land. He was scared, all right, but he was not going to let his opponent see that on his face. He kept his arrogant bravado plastered all over his face. Defeat meant death here, which was a price no one wanted to pay. But if he was going to pay the price for defeat today, then he would do so with pride.

Martin roared as his golden sword started to glow brightly and expand. Mustering all his strength, Martin turned his weapon into a human figure large enough to block Samson's attack. Then, the trident wielded by the virtual shadow of the malevolent spirit crashed against Martin's figure.

Bang! The collision created a deafening metallic sound that left Martin's and Samson's ears ringing. Energy exploded all around and sparks flew.

It was the sort of awesome but horrifying scene one could expect from a battle between two warriors on their way to becoming upper spiritual kings. It took everyone's breath away, watching glowing ripples of energy radiating in all directions. Every surge of magnificent but terrifying power rocked the earth like a deadly earthquake.

All the warriors present including Ricky and Duncan quickly stepped back for their own safety. Without the time to activate any powerful skills to protect themselves, there was no way for them to get too close to the battleground and shield themselves from harmful energy surges.

When the crashing sounds died away and the energy in the air abated, all the warriors held their breath and stared in the direction of the two rivals, knowing that after such a violent clash, the fight would be over and the outcome would be decided.

"Aaaaaargh!”

Before anyone could see things clearly, a heartrending cry pierced the air. Then, a beam of golden light shot out from the blast and landed a few feet away. It took the warriors a few seconds to recognize that it was Martin's golden sword. Following the weapon, a ragged man staggered away from the center of the clash

From the golden clothes he wore, one could tell that it was Martin.

Pale and shaking, Martin fell on his face right beside his sword. Every shallow breath he took felt like a dagger to his lungs. He rolled on his back and coughed violently. Blood sprayed in the air. The clash certainly did him profound damage.

Moments later, the virtual shadows trident, still intact and powerful, appeared above Martin. It was floating in the air with its center prong pointed directly at his heart. One command from Samson and he would die.

'Say hello to Death for me, Martin, * Duncan mused with a cruel smile on his face. He was not about to help Martin now, seeing that his life was finally hanging in the balance.

"Young master!" cried Edward and the other young man from the Golden Leopard Valley as they rushed to Martin, ignoring all dangers. Even in the face of their master's certain defeat, they were still loyal enough to risk their lives for him.

Soar and Terrence were there to stop them.

"Duncan, you treacherous bastard!" Martin cursed. It could not be more obvious now that Duncan was thinking about leaving him to die in Samson's hands. "You would still be no match for Ricky even if I die before you do, you fool. You won't stand a chance against that ace genius without me," Martin hissed through clenched teeth.

"Take care on your way to hell, Martin. Don't worry. I will avenge you." Duncan laughed mockingly, making no secret of his satisfaction over Martin's defeat.

Ricky shook his head at the turn of events. One could not be more careful when choosing allies, for if you trusted a traitor like Duncan, you might get stabbed in the back when you were in trouble. In the end, it would not be your enemy who took you down, but your so-called friend.

Nonetheless, Ricky did not feel sorry for any of them at all. For one thing, they had asked for it. For another, they were both his sworn enemies. After all, he who shows mercy to his enemy denies it to himself. Ricky had fought enough battles to learn that.

"Damn you! You will die a much more painful death! You can be sure of that, Duncan!" Martin swore with what was left of his strength. Having condemned his crafty ally, Martin strained every muscle in his body and prepared himself to jump into the Ghost Corridor.

The Martial Corridor or the Enlightening Corridor would have been good choices, but Martin was well aware that Ricky and his men would catch and kill him easily in either of those corridors. Things might be different if he escaped into the Ghost Corridor or the Resentment Corridor. He would turn into a ghost or an entity of resentment before the enemy could catch him. Of course, it was the best choice he was left with now.

"You all think you could finish me? Not today. I would rather become a ghost than die in your dirty hands,” Martin declared, his eyes red from madness. As soon as he was done with his last words, he dived and disappeared into the Ghost Corridor without looking back.

"Young master, no!" called Edward and the other young man from the Golden Leopard Valley in despair. They could only watch as Martin got swallowed by the darkness of the Ghost Corridor. They descended into panic. Staring hopelessly into the Ghost Corridor, they felt as though Death itself stared back at them. They just lost their young master, which meant that they, too, were doomed. Without Martin, they were but two weak insects among powerful warriors.

On the other hand, all the explosive energy Samson had pushed out gradually faded. With half his life drawn out of him, Samson had lapsed into a coma and crashed to the ground.

"Brother!" Carley cried and rushed toward Samson. Ricky and Madeline followed suit.

"Your brother is dangerously weak now. He needs to rest. I will let him recover in my spiritual space tool. He will be safe there," Ricky told Carley reassuringly after examining Samson.

He then placed the unconscious Samson into his Devourer Zone that he activated to refine some precious Treasures from Heaven and Earth to help with Samson's recovery.

"Thank you so much, Ricky," uttered Carley and Madeline in unison, their eyes gleaming with gratitude.

"You're welcome. That's what friends are for," Ricky answered with a gentle smile.

While Ricky attended to Samson, Soar and Terrence pinned Martin's two men down.

The two men were certainly no match for the two warriors. After a few strikes, they were finished.

It ended easily and quickly.

But this was not yet the end. Several of their enemies were still alive, and another fight might break out any moment.

"Well, well. Looks like you still hold that spiritual space tool, Ricky,” Duncan told Ricky with a meaningful smile. His eyes twinkled with so much depravity that anyone could see it from a mile away.

Everyone present certainly felt that he was up to no good. Surprisingly, they could sense his composure and confidence in his voice.

"Now I really don't understand you, Duncan. How can you be this calm and wear that nasty smile? Do you seriously think you stand a chance in this game?" Ricky asked coldly, turning to face Duncan.

He wanted to kill Duncan now more than Martin ever did.

Ricky despised treacherous men the most, and he would not hesitate to end anyone who betrayed an ally or a friend.

"Honestly, I've got a lot to thank you for, Ricky. Martin wouldn't have brought out the best of his sword if it weren't for you. You know, I wouldn't have dared turn against him otherwise, for I myself don't hold that sort of power. It's stupid to betray him before he's weak from exhausting all his energy and skills, don't you think?" Duncan said casually, like he had done nothing wrong.

"Ah, now I see. You think you're clever to benefit from the fight and win the game without breaking a sweat. I'm afraid you're forgetting something really important,” Ricky answered sharply.