"No need to meet outside, just call me Senior Sister Althea," Althea said firmly.

"Okay, Senior Sister Althea," Liana replied softly, her tone wary.

Althea frowned, sensing the subtle shift in Liana's demeanor. This was not the lively junior sister she once knew. There was a chill in her eyes, a hesitation in her voice that wasn't there before.

"Senior Sister Althea, why are you here looking for me?" Liana asked, her voice trailing off as if uncertain of her own words.

Althea's gaze sharpened. "Why is Junior Brother Ethan not in the sect? Where did he go?"

Liana gulped, struggling to meet Althea's piercing eyes. "Senior Brother Ethan… he's gone."

"Gone? Where?" Althea pressed urgently.

Liana glanced down at the jade slip resting on Althea's neck. "Isn't it mentioned in the jade slip that Senior Brother Ethan left for you?"

Althea's hand swiftly concealed the jade slip beneath her clothes. "No."

"Senior Brother Ethan has left the sect. I don't know where he went, but it seems… he won't come back," Liana admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"He won't come back…" Althea repeated, her eyes darkening with growing unease.

"Why?" she asked, searching Liana's face for answers.

"Senior Sister Althea… I don't know either." Liana's head bowed, her voice growing faint.

Althea nodded slowly, a heavy weight settling over her shoulders. Without another word, she turned and left.

Liana closed the courtyard door behind her and opened her palms, revealing the jade slip Ethan had left behind.

"Senior Brother Ethan, why did you leave the sect?" she whispered to the jade slip.

"Where have you been, and will you come back?"

Liana's voice softened further. "I feel so bored when you're not here."

.....

Azure Origin Dao Sect, Holy Hall.

Althea's footsteps were steady as she landed before the hall's grand door and walked inside.

Inside, Lyralei was alone.

"Junior sister Althea, you are back," Lyralei greeted. "I heard from a Sword Peak elder that you went to Black Forest Mountain seeking opportunities. What was the result?"

Althea's expression hardened. "The so-called ruins of Black Forest Mountain are just a trap. They're traps laid by the Black Demon Sect."

She waved a hand, and the limp body of Daniel appeared on the ground.

"This person is Daniel. He has been a Sword Peak cultivator for over sixty years and even rose to elder."

"Sect Master, I suggest the Dao Sect undergo a thorough self-examination. Daniel may not be the only one responsible for aiding the Black Demon Sect."

Lyralei frowned deeply at the revelation. "I didn't expect that Ashen from Azure Sky Peak wasn't the only one involved. Sword Peak's involvement complicates things."

"Yet Ashen died at the hands of that mysterious senior in the Echo Lake. And I've never seen Ashen contact Daniel in all these years."

"The Black Demon Sect's network is incredibly covert, maintaining silence and isolation for decades."

Lyralei's eyes narrowed. "I will notify the Law Enforcement Hall tomorrow. We must conduct a large-scale inspection of the Azure Origin Dao Sect."

Althea hesitated, then said, "Sect Master, one more thing."

Lyralei raised an eyebrow. "What is it? Speak."

"I heard Ethan left the Azure Origin Dao Sect. Why?" Althea asked, lowering her voice.

"Where did he go?" She pressed again.

Lyralei's face twisted into anger at the mention of Ethan.

"That white-eyed wolf," she spat through clenched teeth. "The sect treated him well, even granting him access to the inheritance area as an exception. Yet he left without a word."

"Who knows where he went. Judging from the jade slip he left for me, he won't come back."

"I allowed him to enter the forbidden inheritance area without demanding the treasures he obtained. Afterward, he killed Adyr without authorization, but I did not press charges."

"Still… for him to leave silently? It's unforgivable."

"But do not worry. Saint and Uncle Edwin from the Peak will attend the treasure appraisal conference at Myriad Treasures Pavilion in Noble Sun City."

"With Ethan's reckless spirit, he will certainly show up. When that happens, Uncle Edwin and Seraphina will bring him back."

"Though his talent is remarkable, he has yet to reach the Mahayana realm."

"If he doesn't advance, he will be no better than an ant."

"No matter how powerful Ethan is, he can't face five Mahayana realm experts alone."

Althea's face darkened upon hearing this.

She wouldn't allow anyone to slander Junior Brother Ethan.

"First of all, Adyr's death was his own fault."

"Adyr allowed his disciples to harm their fellow disciples. He and his disciples should have died ten years ago!"

"Secondly, Ethan is not a white-eyed wolf."

"If you ask me, it's you who is the white-eyed wolf here!" Althea snapped, her voice sharp and deliberate.

Lyralei was stunned, then her face darkened with rage.

"Althea, what do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Althea retorted.

"Without Ethan, do you think the Azure Origin Dao Sect would have gained anything from Bram back then?"

"Without Ethan, who in this sect could bring out the true inheritance? You? Or your useless disciple?" Althea sneered.

"Althea, watch your tongue! Don't think just because you're the master of the Sword Peak that you can't be punished!" Lyralei's anger boiled as she slammed her palm on the armrest.

"Haha, don't use your status to pressure me. I'm not afraid."

Besides, the bloodline restrictions are lifted. There's no need to hold back.

Before I leave, I have to protect Junior Brother Ethan's honor!

"The Dao Sect inheritance belongs to Junior Brother Ethan!"

"Thirty years ago, if you hadn't indulged Seraphina and imprisoned Junior Brother Ethan on the Serene Mirror Lake to die, how could he have left the sect with a cold heart?"

"Ethan didn't want to leave. You forced him out!"

"And you, Lyralei, as the head of the sect, have you ever thought about your own faults?"

"Althea, you're so presumptuous to forget your place and status."

"In that case, I'll teach you a lesson."

Lyralei rose, an aura so fierce it made the air tremble.

"Teach me a lesson, you need to have that ability!" Althea shot back, activating her bloodline without hesitation.

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

...

Thanks for the Massage Chair: @Sheng_Mei

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.