Chapter 342 342: One Word
Everyone froze at what they had just witnessed.
"W-What… what kind of power is this?"
Whispers spread through the crowd as many repeated the same question in a daze.
At last, the beam of light faded. The clouds slowly dispersed, revealing a clear sky above.
"Well done." Zola finally spoke.
Yuhe was still holding Chianxu hostage, her life hanging by a thread. Yet Zola's tone was calm — almost casual, as if Yuhe's presence meant nothing to him.
Or perhaps… it truly didn't.
Maybe Yuhe was nothing in front of Zola. And even less in front of Logan.
Because if Logan's earlier display had shocked everyone, what happened next was even more unbelievable.
"It's all thanks to you," Logan said with a faint smile. Then his gaze shifted toward Yuhe.
The smile remained on his lips, but his eyes turned sharp. A golden radiance began to glow within them until they became completely golden. His gaze locked onto Yuhe. "Kneel."
One word.
Just one.
No surge of mana. No manipulation of internal energy. No visible technique. Yet that single word stirred something deep within Yuhe.
Suddenly, the world before him changed.
Standing in front of him was no longer Logan.
Instead, he saw a colossal being, an existence so immense and terrifying that everything else vanished from his sight. Only that being remained. And its gaze was fixed upon him.
Cold sweat rolled down Yuhe's throat as he swallowed nervously. He tried to turn and flee. But not a single muscle obeyed him.
Instead, an overwhelming dread crushed down on his body. His legs felt impossibly heavy.
Thud!
With a dull sound, Yuhe dropped to his knees. His eyes remained fixed forward — toward where Logan stood. Because in Yuhe's mind, that colossal being was still there, staring at him. Watching him as if the slightest movement would result in his body being snapped like a twig.
Logan began walking forward slowly. Chianxu was free now but still staring at him in a daze.
He stopped in front of her. "Are you alright?" Logan asked. Chianxu said nothing. Her pupils were bright yet unfocused, as if she were trapped inside a dream — a dream she did not wish to wake from.
Logan raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
Snap!
Chianxu finally jolted out of her daze and staggered back instinctively. Her footing slipped, and she nearly fell.
But Logan grabbed her hand and pulled her upright. "Are you okay?" he asked again.
"Yes," Chianxu replied.
Even in this tense moment, with her family still in danger, she couldn't help it — her cheeks turned slightly crimson.
But neither she nor Logan noticed.
Logan turned toward Yuhe.
His hand slowly rose and stopped just short of pointing at Yuhe's throat.
Whoosh!
A sharp whistle cut through the air.
Everyone heard the sound. But no one saw the arc of air that left Logan's palm like an invisible blade.
The next moment…
A thin red line appeared across Yuhe's throat, circling it completely.
And then...
Yuhe's body tilted sideways. His head rolled off to the side. For a moment, no one moved.
But the scene that followed rooted everyone to the ground even more firmly.
A Martial Sovereign…
Dead!
Just like that.
Amidst the overwhelming shock…
One person moved.
"He's too dangerous. I can't let him live," he muttered.
It was Min Chong.
Desperate times forced desperate decisions.
He knew exactly how important Logan was — the only key to ascending to the Upper Realm. That was why he had wanted to control him — not only for the chance to ascend, but also because of Logan's monstrous talent.
Sixteen years old… and already a Martial Saint.
But after witnessing Logan kill Yuhe so effortlessly, Min Chong understood something clearly.
If Logan could not be controlled… then he could not be allowed to live.
Otherwise, his own survival would eventually be in danger.
As he rushed toward Logan, Min Chong kicked a fallen weapon on the ground and snatched a sword mid-motion.
Zola noticed it.
Logan noticed it as well.
The killing intent was unmistakable.
Yet Logan did nothing to stop him. He simply waited. Only when Min Chong got close did Logan lift his gaze and look straight into his eyes.
"Stop."
The command fell calmly from Logan's lips.
Just as Yuhe had been before him, Min Chong was forced to obey.
He felt it instantly — the dread, the crushing helplessness of being unable to disobey Logan's will.
'What kind of power is this?' Min Chong wondered as he desperately tried to resist the command.
Unlike Yuhe, Min Chong fought against it with everything he had. He was already only two steps away from Logan. But now…
Those two steps suddenly felt like an endless ocean. His teeth clenched. Veins bulged across his forehead. His muscles trembled with strain.
Yet his feet refused to move. It was as if they had been nailed to the ground.
Logan began walking toward him. He slowly raised his hand again, ready to pass judgment.
But just as he was about to strike...
His gaze flickered. For a brief moment, the golden glow in his eyes dimmed.
And in that single breath…
The invisible force suppressing Min Chong disappeared. That was all Min Chong needed.
His sword sliced through the air and came crashing down toward Logan.
Logan reacted instantly.
An ice barrier formed before him.
Boom!
Steel collided with ice.
The barrier shattered almost immediately.
The sword smashed through the fragments and struck Logan.
Whoosh!
Logan was sent flying backward into the cave. He slammed into the rocky wall, shattering it before his body continued to crash deeper inside, finally slamming into the trunk of a thick tree.
A long crimson wound spread across his chest.
"Blarrghhh!" He coughed a mouthful of blood.
"It's not that easy to control it," Logan muttered quietly as he wiped the corner of his lips. He slowly pushed himself off the ground. "I'll need more practice."
Meanwhile, Min Chong was already charging again, raising his sword for another strike.
"Die!" he roared.