The distance between him and Oswin began to widen, the air thick with tension and burning essence. Ethan's speed was staggering, each step igniting his blood essence with fierce intensity.

"How fast can it be? Is this burning blood essence?!" Oswin's frown deepened, his heart skipping a beat as his own essence ignited in response.

He had never expected a Dharma body realm body cultivator to push him so hard—forcing his own essence and blood to burn just to keep up the chase.

"Me and you are at odds with each other. The conflict is irreconcilable, and it will never end." Oswin's voice hardened with steely resolve.

"This child is extremely talented and evil. Letting him go would be a disaster. Today, no matter what, we must kill him and retrieve the treasure from the ruins and keep it!" His determination to kill Ethan was absolute.

"Burning essence and blood?" Ethan sneered inwardly. Not only was he brimming with essence and blood, but he had also many drops of blood essence left in the bottle for this very moment. He doubted Oswin could consume more than him.

For over half an hour, they chased each other relentlessly, essence and blood burning fiercely to fuel their speed and strength. Both their breaths came ragged and heavy now, their auras waning but resolve unbroken.

"No, this kid is a physical cultivator. His energy and blood can't compare to our spiritual cultivation. If this continues, he will run away sooner or later!" Oswin gritted his teeth in frustration.

Suddenly, Oswin halted and cut his palms sharply. Forming hand seals with terrifying speed, he silently chanted a cursed mantra.

"Forbidden secret method, cursed sword!" His eyes flashed with murderous intent as his essence and blood coalesced into a long, bloody sword crackling with black lightning.

With a fierce whoosh, the bloodied long sword surged forward, its speed surpassing even Ethan's.

The backlash was swift. Oswin violently expelled two mouthfuls of blood as his aura weakened significantly. Yet a sneer played across his face. "Aether, you forced me to use my forbidden secret technique at the cost of my life essence. Today, you will lose to this!"

Ethan glanced back at the sword chasing him. The spiritual energy emitted was wild and terrifying—the aura seeping from the sword was oppressive and wicked.

Though his physical strength was formidable and his spiritual-grade armor protecting him, Ethan knew he could not forcefully block or overpower this attack.

"This old dog really has such a forbidden secret technique," he thought grimly.

Seizing the moment, Ethan stopped in his tracks. "Boy, accept your fate." Oswin's eyes gleamed with cruel anticipation—he was certain Ethan, even armored, could not escape death, especially with the powerful curse attached to the sword.

The curse was no ordinary spiritual energy. It was a cause and effect, a lingering taint akin to a tarsal maggot—undispensable and painful, slowly disintegrating the body until death.

Ethan's eyes flickered with resolve as he activated his artifact. "Chaos Clock!"

A small, dark golden bell floated from his hand, expanding rapidly to envelop him in its protective embrace.

The bloody sword slammed into the Chaos Clock, but the artifact did not even budge—it collapsed the sword into specks of blood that dissipated like mist.

The sheer strength of the artifact was terrifying. Even without activating its divine power, the artifact's raw might was enough to block Oswin's attack.

"Impossible!" Oswin's shout was filled with disbelief and fury.

"What level of spiritual weapon is this? An immortal weapon? Where did you get such a treasure?! Could it be from the ruins?"

His sneer returned, "However, can you withstand both the attack and the curse's power? The curse differs from spiritual energy, essence, or blood. Spiritual weapons cannot stop it!"

Ethan's eyes narrowed as he saw black lightning arcs leeching through the Chaos Clock—it surprised him.

"Alicia, what is this?" he called to his system.

[The curse's power is difficult to resist unless the Chaos Clock's full divine power is activated.]

"Damn, so there's such a thing," Ethan muttered, clenching his fist to battle the curse's infiltration.

But the black arcs remained unaffected.

"My realm is still insufficient, and my essence and blood powers have yet to transform fully."

"Even turning to the Original Power first, only a portion of the power in the artifact could resist the curse, but now, using essence and blood alone, I can barely muster the artifact's strength."

Suddenly, a faint, teasing voice pierced the tension.

"Don't be afraid, just eat it and leave it to me," Onyx Orchid murmured.

Ethan blinked, curious. "Are you really good at eating it?"

"The power of the curse is extremely delicious to me," the voice replied with a sly lick and chirp of longing.

"Don't fool me," Ethan said with a smirk, "Hurry up, I can't wait!"

He stowed away the Chaos Clock and relaxed his fists. The black arcs penetrated his body, but instead of harm, they were absorbed.

"Where to run? Suck it for me!" Onyx Orchid called out loudly.

The black arcs were devoured by his's devouring power, disappearing instantly.

"Oh my god~ So refreshing, so delicious—a real tonic!" Onyx Orchid exclaimed, licking his mouth in delight, still hungry for more.

Ethan's eyes widened in surprise. Onyx Orchid, as always, brought unexpected advantages.

From a distance, Oswin's laughter rolled ominously.

"Aether, so what if you have an immortal spiritual weapon? My curse has already invaded your body. Now you only face one path—death!"

His smile grew wicked. "Why don't you obediently surrender the treasures from the ruins and become my slave in the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets? Maybe then I'll spare your life, how about that?"

Oswin's confidence was absolute. If he could subdue Aether, all his efforts would have been worthwhile.

But Ethan laughed, arms crossed. "Oswin, you're far too confident. Feel the power of the curse yourself and see if it still exists in me!"

"Boy, you can't beat me with strength. Now you can only talk..." Before Oswin finished speaking, he was stunned.

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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