Chapter 450: Without Respect

Everyone watching the scene was absolutely silent, as if a hammer were pressing down on their bodies.

The Grand Elder was the second most powerful figure in the entire sect, an Exalted Sage at Level 5. By every known standard, Priam’s words sounded like a ridiculous joke—a mere Level 9 Philosopher Sage wouldn’t even be able to withstand one casual move from her.

But... as they felt the oppressive atmosphere condensing around them, no one could bring themselves to laugh or feel anything other than unease.

Priam’s eyes shone with a majestic golden glow. That was the unmistakable hallmark of a Celestial.

In that very instant, everyone figured out the reason behind that oppressive sensation.

He... had actually awakened his innate Celestial nature, becoming a true Celestial Supreme and mastering the legendary Sovereign Manifestation.

Indeed, a fully awakened Celestial Supreme was an absolute anomaly, an existence capable of distorting reality and tearing apart conventional notions of power.

The Grand Elder took a deep breath, trying to maintain her composure, and spoke curtly:

"Brat, are you openly accusing me of treason? You know that’s impossible within the Inner Sect, don’t you?"

Priam snorted, radiating indifference. "Really? Then answer me this: can you see any mark from the Central Inscription on me?"

Upon hearing that, everyone turned their attention back to him and noticed the fact once again. Even after brutally executing two disciples, something strictly forbidden by the sect’s laws, Priam bore not the slightest stigma or mark.

But the Grand Elder didn’t have one either.

In other words, even if Priam’s accusations were justified, the Central Inscription recognized that both of them had their reasons, and neither had been labeled guilty.

The Grand Elder let out a slight sigh. "Indeed, it seems you have some grounds for what you’ve done..."

"Cut the bullshit," he spat out without the slightest restraint. "The Central Inscription isn’t intelligent enough to fairly judge every nuance of a situation. It merely performs a cold assessment based on major changes in an individual’s karma. There are countless ways to circumvent a rule like that. I’m no saint, but you... certainly don’t deserve even the slightest consideration. Go fuck yourself."

The Grand Elder’s expression changed instantly, darkening dangerously.

"You... truly believe your position is high enough to disrespect me like this? Believe me when I say I can simply take your life right here and now?"

"Haha... then give it a try," Priam burst into laughter, waving his hand at her in outright mockery. "I guarantee you’ll only end up embarrassing yourself. Besides, it’ll make a fine addition to your list of crimes."

Priam was genuinely furious, acting without the slightest restraint or hesitation.

At that very moment, the Central Elders arrived at the scene. But with the Grand Elder present, all they could do was watch.

The entire incident—from the initial explosion to the aftermath of the two disciples’ deaths—had taken little more than a minute.

"You insolent brat. Fine, I’ll capture you right now and investigate what the hell you’re accusing me of..."

The Grand Elder waved her arm, consumed by fury. Without hesitation, she summoned her Essence of Creation and instantly fused it with the wind element throughout the entire area.

The region around Priam twisted violently. With a mere thought, she compressed the atmosphere with overwhelming force, while a pulsating stream of glowing runes closed in around him, sealing all his meridians.

A sinister smile spread across the faces of the patriarchs of the two affected Sacred Families.

They could see that the Grand Elder hadn’t underestimated him for a single moment—she herself was wary of the hidden potential of an awakened innate Celestial. The elemental force she unleashed was so powerful that even the Sect Leader would feel pressured by it.

"Damn brat, you’re going to pay for this...!"

However, in that very millisecond, a chilling premonition washed over everyone’s chest, making them swallow nervously.

Priam smiled coldly.

For anyone else, escaping that encirclement at his current level would be madness. Even a supposed ’Innate Celestial’ of his level would have to push himself to the limit and fight with everything he had just to avoid being crushed.

But...

[Dominate?] [Yes / No]

Before confirming the option, Priam burned through the entire God-Weaver bloodline flowing through his veins in a single instant.

At that very moment, the Grand Elder’s expression changed drastically, a flash of surprise sweeping across her face.

However, it was already too late.

Priam used the system.

All the wind power she had summoned froze in midair, completely forcibly brought under his control.

Then...

*World Piercer!*

Priam simply took a step forward and vanished from reality, as though he had walked straight into the void itself.

But he wasn’t running away.

"!"

The Grand Elder’s eyes widened in utter shock as she abruptly twisted her body around.

All she saw was a blood-red blur rushing toward her...

**BOOOOOM!!!!!**

The entire planet trembled as if a meteor had crashed into its surface.

The Central Elders watching everything from a distance were left completely dumbfounded, their mouths hanging open.

A colossal, deep crater tore through the ground as a dense cloud of dust and debris rose up, obscuring the entire field of vision.

High in the sky, Priam was breathing slightly heavily. Everyone could still sense the ordinary aura of a Philosopher Sage surrounding him, but... his presence was so shocking that everyone in the area retreated several meters through the air, overwhelmed by terror.

Inside the crater, a figure emerged, covered in dust.

A gust of wind erupted from her, sweeping away the entire cloud of debris in the blink of an eye.

**BUZZZZ!**

The entire planet vibrated as the Grand Elder’s fury and unrestricted power surged out of control. The space around her body fractured into dozens of fissures, shattering like a spiderweb.

Everyone swallowed nervously, frozen in place. The left side of her face... was visibly caved in and broken from the impact.

The Grand Elder’s eyes locked onto Priam high above.

Then, emerald-green energy flowed across her face, instantly regenerating the wound. The physical damage itself meant nothing to her; it was equivalent to an insect bite, leaving little more than a slight itch in the affected area. But...

The humiliation of being struck and having her face disfigured like that by a young disciple was beyond measure.

Priam sighed, his expression cold and indifferent. "I told you what the outcome would be, didn’t I?"

"Fine, fine... looks like I’ll have to deal with you properly," she spat coldly, drawing her dagger.

Priam stared at the dagger with an icy gaze. It was the very same weapon from which he himself had removed the corruption in the past—a relic left behind by the Sovereign Goddess in the sect’s foundations.

"STOP!"

Suddenly, a violent roar tore through the heavens, bringing the entire area to a standstill.

An imposing figure emerged from the skies, descending at high speed and positioning himself directly between Priam and the Grand Elder.

"Sect Leader!" Everyone present hurriedly bowed in respect.

The man who held the highest authority in the sect stared sternly at the Grand Elder before turning his serious gaze toward Priam.

"What the hell are you two doing?"

"Damn brat! He has absolutely no respect and is even openly accusing me of treason! I merely tried to capture him so I could calmly investigate the whole situation..." the Grand Elder exclaimed, putting on an indignant expression as she immediately reined in her aura.

Priam let out a laugh dripping with mockery. "Haha... capture me and calmly investigate everything? Do you honestly think I’d trust you? Someone whose actions nearly caused my death and the deaths of everyone who was with me? You’ve got some incredible nerve."

"YOU!" The Grand Elder roared, the veins on her forehead practically ready to burst.

The Sect Leader turned toward Priam, his expression solemn and stern.

"Speak immediately. What exactly are you accusing her of?"