"Except for Azraeth V'Khorath, none of the other imprisoned demons could withstand the power of the formation," one of the elders said.

"It won't be long before they are reduced to nothing but ashes," he continued.

"It is thanks to you—Ehan—that these rampant demons will finally be purged."

Another elder stepped forward, reverence shining in his eyes. "Today, on behalf of the disciples of Azure Sky Peak who perished at the demon's claws, I express my deepest gratitude to you, Ethan."

With that, he bowed deeply, hands respectfully joined.

One after another, the other five elders followed suit, their stern faces uncharacteristically softened in solemn respect.

The war between the Azure Origin Dao Sect and the demons of Blackspire Mountain had raged for millennia.

Countless disciples had fallen—their sacrifice etched into the sect's very bones.

Hatred and longing for vengeance burned in every heart that fought against these tormentors.

Two eternal enemies, The Azure Origin Dao sect and The Black Demon sect locked in a deadly struggle.

They always dreaming of eradicating every demon sealed within the Demon Sealing Cave.

And now, Ethan had delivered a powerful blow in that war.

The elder's hearts swelled, years of resentment and grief finding release in this moment.

"Seniors, please—there's no need for such deference," Ethan interjected hastily.

Watching the elders reveal their genuine feelings stirred a strong emotion within him.

If only this sect was blessed with such wise and understanding disicples.

But the world was far from perfect.

Flaws and imperfections were an inescapable truth.

While everyone strived for perfection, fate remained indifferent.

Ethan tried to halt the elders from bowing so deeply, but they persisted.

They bent at the waist, almost kneeling, expressions fixed in solemn reverence.

He couldn't help but feel a hint of embarrassment seeing a group of gray-haired elders who he respected bowing before him.

"I humbly accept your thanks," Ethan said and returned their bows with respect.

"I have matters to attend to now. I will take my leave."

Without another word, he turned and ascended to the seventeenth floor.

Azel, who had been quietly observing, released a slow sigh.

"If all disciples of the Azure Origin Dao Sect were as formidable as Ethan…"

"Even if their strength or talent didn't reach his height, if their spirit and resolve were but a tenth as strong…"

"There'd be no cause to fear for the sect's future."

He took a steadying breath and hastened to catch up with Ethan.

Before long, Ethan emerged from the lower levels of the Demon Sealing Cave.

He was now on the first floor—the prison where sect disciples who had committed grave offenses were held.

As he passed by a cell, a burning, furious gaze pierced the darkness from a shadowed corner.

Ethan paused and stared at the occupant.

It was none other than Sam—the same man who had previously sent assassins against him.

Wearing tattered rags, looking bedraggled and defeated, Sam had long since lost what remnants of dignity he once had.

Even his spiritual aura was withered.

Ethan's eyes flicked to the figure, Sam, who had begun physical cultivation after being crippled by Ethan.

The old saying rang true—no matter the hardship, unwavering determination always finds a path.

Sam dragged himself to the iron railing, gripping the cold bars tightly.

His pallid face twisted in a snarl.

"Ethan! We meet again!"

"Indeed, we meet again," Ethan replied with a soft chuckle.

"Don't be complacent."

"Thirty years to the east of the river, thirty years to tgewest of the river, I will come out someday."

"When I do, you will be my first kill!"

Sam's venomous words spilled out with twisted fervor, his expression bordering on madness.

Ethan sighed and shook his head.

"Kill me?"

His gaze sharpened instantly.

Before Sam could react, Ethan's hand shot out faster than his eye could follow, fingers closing tightly around Sam's neck.

Sam's face flushed purple as he struggled, but Ethan's grip was like iron.

With practiced strength, Ethan lifted Sam through the iron bars.

His eyes cold and indifferent, he said, "Thirty years to the east, thirty years to the west—The cause and effect of these words is too great. If you say this sentence, you will die."

Ethan's palm applied pressure.

"Let me go! You'll regret this! Even here, I'm protected by the sect, and by my master! You'll pay!"

Ethan's expression remained implacable.

"Thanks to me, your master's been demoted to the outer sect. He can barely survive, let alone protect you."

Sam's disbelief was palpable.

"No… impossible!"

"Believe it or not doesn't matter."

"Since you care about your master so much, I'll send that old dog to join you soon."

With a sickening 'click,' Sam's neck snapped under Ethan's unyielding grip.

Ethan released him.

Sam's body collapsed to the floor.

His consciousness fading, he fixed Ethan with a gaze full of unspoken hatred and despair.

He had been foolish, naïve even—thinking to kill Ethan with mere spite.

But such was folly.

Sam died with regret, his foolishness leading him to a grim end within the Demon Sealing Cave.

Without a flicker of emotion, Ethan cast a white flame over Sam's corpse, incinerating it entirely.

Nearby, Azel had witnessed the entire scene.

His expression unreadable, neither approving nor condemning.

He only thought: "A foolish disciple willing to provoke death without a reason deserves the fate he earns."

Observing the remnants of Sam's incinerated body glowing faintly with spirit fire, Azel felt a rare flicker of awe.

"Such potent flame energy…" he murmured.

Could it be a new type of rare spiritual fire?

He was certain Ethan had mastered the Azure innate spiritual flames, but this white flame eclipsed those in power.

Could it possibly be the legendary Original spiritual fire?

Azel's breath caught, his heart pounding.

He recalled that cultivators were typically only able to master a single type of spiritual flame.

Yet Ethan wielded two—an impossibility.

He forced himself to cease these swirling thoughts.

Some geniuses defied common logic.

"Elder Azel, you don't have to walk me out."

"This junior will take his leave."

Azel nodded solemnly.

As Ethan disappeared from sight, Azel gazed after him thoughtfully.

He knew Ethan could not remain forever within the Azure Origin Dao Sect.

In time, Ethan would astonish the Skyreach Territory—

No.

His name would echo throughout the entire continent.

A/N:

Extra chapters

100 power stones - 1 Extra chapters

200 power stones - 2 Extra chapters

Capsule - 1 Extra chapters

Massage Chair - 3 Extra chapters

Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters

Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters

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