Each time a star condensed within the dantian, Ethan's physical strength surged dramatically, while mystical powers corresponding to that star blossomed within his body.

He gazed at the vast starry sky above his head, emptying his mind, spreading his mental energy slowly, attempting to commune with the celestial heavens.

But the familiar sensation returned with a chill—his mental energy could not break through.

That monstrous network of massive iron chains loomed again, a gigantic web of imprisonment cloaking the sky.

"It's that bizarre giant web again," Ethan muttered with a frown.

"How did this thing come to be?" His brows knitted tightly.

He pushed his Heaven-piercing Mind Eyes to their absolute limit.

Two sapphire-blue beams of light shot forth from his eyes, striking the iron chains with devastating mental force.

But the beams vanished without a trace, leaving the iron chains unbent, undamaged.

"Supreme Profound Sky Sword Technique—final form—Silver Blade Breaking the Sky!" Ethan growled coldly.

His immortal weapon, the Remand Dream sword, appeared in his grasp.

He leapt high and slashed violently at the ethereal iron chains in the sky.

The sword's momentum was magnificent, overwhelming.

Yet, like a mountain unmoving, the chains held firm.

Not even the immense power of his sword could shift or fracture them.

"Even at my current middle phase of the Dharma Body Realm, I cannot break this strange chain with all my might," Ethan's eyes grew grave.

"What kind of existence wields the power to imprison the very heavens?"

The iron chains vexed him greatly; their presence severely hampered his cultivation.

He would need to find a way to overcome or bypass this shackling.

"Nine Emperors Dao Body, meditate!" Ethan commanded himself.

He once again calmed his mind and sought to commune with the stars beyond the prison.

At last, a breakthrough came.

Moonlight drifted softly down from the skies, filtered through the massive iron chains.

Though much of the moonlight was absorbed or dissipated by the chains, some precious fragments reached Ethan.

It was better than nothing.

Silver starlight cascaded over him in a delicate shower.

Utilizing the profound Nine Emperors Dao Body cultivation methods, Ethan absorbed the star essence deep into his body.

The moonlight's essence first entered the moon-side waist of the Sun and Moon Divine Fetus residing within him.

It then emerged again, nourishing and tempering every fiber of muscle and bone.

Simultaneously, his Dharma Body absorbed the moonlight energy, growing stronger incrementally.

Though progress was slow, qualitative transformation was inevitable.

Ultimately, the moonlight's power flowed deep into his dantian.

Following the Nine Emperors Dao Body method, Ethan began condensing his first star—the Emperor Star.

After extensive effort, a faint glimmer of starlight gathered in his dantian.

But the light was dim and fragile—only the faintest prototype of the Emperor Star.

Ethan gazed at the tiny flicker, shaking his head in frustration.

"With the iron chain network restricting me, my progress toward the Nine Emperors Dao Body grows maddeningly slow…. At this rate, condensing even the first star may take ten long years."

He withdrew from meditation, eyes snapping open as his vision returned to clarity.

There was no time for retreat or delay.

He had to gather all the treasures here as swiftly as possible and escape.

Finding a secluded place to practice without disturbance was paramount.

It would be best to strengthen himself before the impending treasure appraisal conference.

Such preparation also afforded greater security.

At that moment, Chrome Silkrain and the others peered toward the entrance.

Suddenly, a banging resounded—a loud assault.

Clearly, the three great families had discovered a way to breach the protective formation around Ethan's lair at the lakebed.

"They've finally come down," Ethan muttered with a frown.

He was preparing to depart when Onyx Orchid's ethereal voice rang, "Wait, don't leave just yet!"

"What's the matter?" Ethan asked sharply.

"There's something wrong with the corpse," Onyx warned.

Ethan's gaze shifted back toward the coffin.

The jade-white bones still gleamed with a smooth, lustrous surface.

"These bones must have lain here tens of thousands of years, perhaps even a hundred thousand," Onyx continued.

"Even a powerful Supreme Realm cultivator's bones wouldn't remain so bright and pristine."

"So, what's wrong?"

Onyx mused for a moment before suggesting grimly, "Burn him with your Original Spiritual Flame!"

"Light his bones on fire? Won't that be destructive to the corpse?" Ethan hesitated.

"Why fear? This cultivator has been dead for countless years. He is 'feverish' now, though. It is a rare chance to awaken hidden power!"

"Chance…?"

Those words spurred Ethan without further delay.

He unleashed the Profound Purifying Flame—his corrected Original Spiritual Flame—to incinerate the bones.

"Look! The Original Spiritual Flame causes no harm after burning, proving this Supreme cultivator sealed all his power within his bones!" Onyx declared.

"What does it mean for cultivation to be sealed in bones?"

Ethan intensified the flame.

Slowly, the jade bones darkened and crumbled into yellow dust, then turned to fine powder.

"This Supreme Master's death was unusual—'sitting death.'"

"Sitting death? What does that mean?" Ethan's eyes gleamed with curiosity.

"'Sitting death' is not merely death; it is a path to liberation. Some cultivators, realizing their Dao path is broken and strength capped, choose to 'sit' instead."

"Their cultivation is sealed within their bones, preserved untouched."

"Those who sit in the Mahayana Realm produce Mahayana pills as byproducts. Those who sit in the Supreme Realm form the 'Supreme Heart.'"

"Their soul's origin remains alive, carrying memories that enable reincarnation."

"Upon rebirth, they can reclaim power and memory to continue cultivation in their second life."

Onyx explained calmly.

"I see," Ethan whispered, realization dawning.

"The world is vast, filled with endless wonders."

Suddenly, Onyx exclaimed, "Look! The Supreme Heart emerges!"

The jade corpse, scorched by the Original Spiritual Flame, reduced to ash.

In its place floated a golden pill, enormous—nearly the size of a fist.

Power radiated from it—not essence or blood, but something akin to primordial essence and blood transformed.

It should be the Original Power formed after the transformation of essence and blood..

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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