Ethan's figure suddenly flashed through Althea's mind, a silent reminder of the bond she refused to sever. Though her heart yearned to remain by Junior Brother Ethan's side, the merciless tide of fate surged relentlessly onward.

Life seldom bends to one's wishes, and destiny seemed determined to crush her.

For decades she had struggled against the crushing weight of inevitability, only to discover how small and powerless she truly was.

"Junior Brother Ethan...!" she gritted through clenched teeth, defying her cruel fate.

Shaking off the distracting thoughts, Althea closed her eyes and began silently chanting the ancient incantation.

The constraints on her bloodline power shattered with a resonant pulse. A breathtaking aura burst from her, soaring fiercely into the heavens above.

Though her cultivation level remained at the peak of Tribulation Transcendence, the momentum behind her aura had undergone a staggering transformation.

First turn of the Mahayana realm!

Then the second...

The third...

Finally, her spiritual energy surged to the peak of the fourth turn!

This renewed aura eclipsed that of Dael, the strongest commander here of the Black Demon Sect's Secret Demon Guard!

Morwen's eyes widened in horror, trembling as if confronted by a ghost.

"What exactly is this Althea?" she whispered, voice laced with disbelief.

"How can her aura suddenly surge so powerfully, nearly touching the fifth-turn Mahayana realm?!"

At the same time, the battle paused briefly on Marlon's side, the four commanders stunned beyond words.

Even Marlon was caught off guard.

Althea had concealed such a trump card until now.

Her aura rivaled a fifth-turn Mahayana cultivator!

"Must I still protect her?".

She is strong enough to protect herself.

At this moment, Althea radiated a transformation profound yet majestic.

Her long hair shimmered golden, a faint halo of light enveloping her like a Valkyrie descending from the heavens—majestic, untouchable, and inviolable.

Morwen's face hardened. The decision was swift and absolute.

"Retreat!"

With Althea in such a state, victory was no longer possible.

To prolong the fight only wasted energy and risked attracting other formidable cultivators from the Skyreach Territory.

The four commanders promptly obeyed, nodding in agreement as they withdrew to their saint.

"I never imagined you possessed such a trump card," Morwen said, voice edged with grudging respect.

"Your background must be extraordinary. Tell me, why remain in the small Azure Origin Dao Sect?"

Althea responded coldly, refusing to exchange useless words.

Raising her sword, she pointed sharply at Morwen.

"Death."

A flash of golden sword light streaked forward with ferocious speed and overwhelming power.

Morwen's scalp tingled painfully as the sword intent approached like a meteor in the night sky.

"Let's go!" she shouted, spinning sharply to flee.

"Dark Demon Dance!"

The four commanders stayed to cover the saint, their demonic energies swirling violently.

Together, they formed immense black shadows that surged to intercept the radiant sword energy.

"Break!" Althea commanded with quiet resolve.

The golden sword aura blazed fiercely, expanding into a realm of power.

Her sword intent pierced through the black demonic shadows with overwhelming force.

Though much power was countered, what remained was beyond the endurance of ordinary Mahayana cultivators.

Golden light pierced the darkness, chasing after Morwen's fleeing form.

"Damn it!"

"Dark Palm!"

"Blood Killing Sword Technique, Final Style!"

"Dark Demon Shield!"

Morwen deployed every secret art she possessed, conjuring defenses that were shattered one by one by the relentless golden sword light.

"Damn it!"

With no avenue left, Morwen activated her spiritual armor—the protective shell encasing her body.

She knew it was unlikely to block the full force of the strike but steeled herself to absorb the blow with her chest.

The sword energy tore through her armor, ripping into her flesh and bones.

Pain radiated fiercely, incapacitating her instantly.

"Pfft!"

Morwen spat thick blood as her immaculate face drained of color, the intense pain written plainly on her features.

She quickly mobilized her demonic energy and took a elixir, neutralizing the lingering sword intent within her.

If she had failed to take the blow in her chest, her fate would have been far grimmer.

"Althea, you deserve death!"

Morwen's voice echoed with fury even as she fled.

The four demon commanders followed closely behind.

Althea did not pursue further.

With four Mahayana realm masters shielding her retreat, chasing Morwen now was both futile and reckless.

"Call..."

Settling her bloodline power and releasing the surge, Althea exhaled deeply.

The unleashed strength strained her body, but the side effects, though real, were manageable with rest.

If only she could reach the Mahayana realm fully, she could wield her bloodline power freely and without consequence.

"Back to the sect," she murmured, turning her gaze toward the familiar path.

Activating her bloodline power had triggered a beacon—in her clan's vast reach, signals surged.

Though the White North was far, her family would detect her presence within the month and send cultivators to bring her back.

For now, she wished to spend precious moments with Junior Brother Ethan.

Their time together, though quiet and ordinary, was precious.

The warmth of close companionship—these simple moments she cherished deeply.

She did not know his sentiments—was she simply a senior sister? A close confidant? Or something more?

There was no need for further pondering; in her heart, she was content.

.....

At the western edge of the Skyreach Territory, five figures sped away.

Morwen, having barely escaped, flew with the four commanders of the Black Demon Sect Secret Guard.

For a full day, they pressed onward without a stop, finally beyond the borders of Skyreach into the domain of Blackspire Mountain.

"Your Highness the Saint, we have safely left."

Dael glanced back at the mountains fading behind them.

"Regardless of Althea's strength, she cannot hope to chase us alone into Blackspire Mountain."

Morwen bit her crimson lips, angry but restrained her fury on her pale, haughty face.

"Your Highness, no need for anger," Dael said carefully. "Althea concealed her true strength—her combat power compares to the peak fifth-turn Mahayana realm. Losing to her is understandable."

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

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.