Chapter 3568

Before he could even finish speaking, Vesper darted off, heading straight toward the very spot agreed upon earlier for the Lord Emerald Sword's pick-up and drop-off. Zeke narrowed his eyes, a surge of anger rising within him. Boom! Zeke's eyes narrowed as anger surged within him. With a swift motion, he summoned his Black Dragon Spear, launching an attack that was both fierce and unrelenting. However, Vesper was already prepared. With a graceful sidestep, she easily dodged the incoming strike. "Interesting move." "Since you've decided to strike first, I won't hold back!" she declared. Without warning, Vesper made a subtle gesture with her delicate hand, and Lacey's silhouette emerged from the world she had created. With a chilling smile, Vesper tightened her grip around Lacey's slender neck. Lacey struggled desperately, but no sound escaped her lips. Her face flushed beet red as she gasped for breath. "Stop it!" Panic gripped Zeke as he hastily retracted the Black Dragon Spear. "Hand over the Black Dragon Spear," Vesper demanded icily. Grinding his teeth, Zeke reluctantly tossed the spear toward her. "Are you done? Don't tell me you did all this out of jealousy!" "Please, you're overthinking it," she retorted, smirking without a trace of genuine emotion. "Why would I be jealous of her? You're not worth it." Her gaze hardened. "Now, give me the Star Compass too." "You're pushing it, Vesper!" Zeke growled, glaring at her in disbelief. But faced with no alternative, he grudgingly handed over the Star Compass as well. "Come here," Vesper ordered with a wave of her hand, her tone casual yet commanding. Zeke had no choice but to comply. "Now, Suppress your cultivation and dissipate the pressure around you," she commanded, her voice cold and unyielding. Zeke was taken aback. What's going on? Does she want to kill me? Confusion flickered in his eyes, but as soon as he hesitated, Vesper tightened her grip around Lacey's neck again. Lacey's face paled to a deathly shade. "Fine!" Zeke snapped, his jaw clenched tightly as he reluctantly suppressed his aura and disarmed his defenses. In Nebula Class, an individual exuding pressure while in a defensive stance can produce the same effect as if they were on the offensive within the same realm. Therefore, by dispersing his imposing aura and concealing his cultivation, Zeke was undoubtedly lowering his guard.

Zeke's willingness to follow Vesper's instructions didn't stem from foolishness or a belief that he was falling into her trap. Despite her odd behavior, he trusted that she was on his side and wouldn't betray him. He suspected her actions were driven by jealousy upon seeing Lacey, convinced that she would never resort to a killing spree. Just as Zeke lowered his guard, Vesper violently thrust the Black Dragon Spear toward him. A shiver ran down his spine. "How could you?" Whoosh! The Black Dragon Spear pierced through Zeke's chest, unleashing a terrifying suction power in an instant. Rather than absorbing his cultivation, she seemed intent on drawing out the unique power of annihilation within him. Vesper's expression remained indifferent throughout the ordeal. Zeke stared blankly at her, offering a self- deprecating smile. She's still a demonic cultivator, after all. Everything that had happened began to fall into place. It explained Aretta's intense animosity toward Vesper and why the top prodigies of the orthodox sect feared her so deeply, even to the point of seething with hatred. The most amusing part was that Zeke had once believed Vesper had revealed her genuine feelings before him. At that point, he could only respond with a wry smile. In the blink of an eye, Zeke's vital energy began to wither, his hair turning white almost instantly. The power of annihilation was absorbed in a flash, leaving only a fraction behind. Just as he tried to stop the loss of power from his body, Vesper threatened him, "If you dare to resist, I'll kill Lacey immediately!" "Leave her alone!" Zeke's face turned pale, his strength failing him as he could no longer hold Lacey in his arms. He had no choice but to lay her down, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His eyes, void of any light, stared at Vesper. "Don't you dare kill her. Go ahead and drain me completely." "What a loyal and loving man," she scoffed with a playful smirk. In a brief moment, she had nearly absorbed all the forces from the Great Pryncyp of Annihilation that Zeke had just obtained. Vesper swiftly withdrew the Black Dragon Spear, lightly licking her lips, her gaze deeply entranced. "What a unique power! I didn't expect to absorb such essential energy from you. I suppose this power surpasses that of dark energy?"