Then he looked at Ethan: "Well, when I fully recover, I hope you can also enter the Nirvana realm. By then, we will have a fair fight!"

Ethan smiled faintly and raised his hand in reply. His blood was hot, boiling with the promise of future battle. Since Magnus desired to fight him, Ethan was naturally willing to accompany him. The words rang true—fighting was not just conflict but a crucial path to strengthening oneself.

Yet, it was a practice demanding balance; excessive exertion would only lead to injury and foundation damage.

Just as Ethan turned to ascend the stairs, a group of people entered the tavern from outside. Their leader was a stunning beauty cloaked in cold temperament. She cast her gaze upon the sign, confirming the place as the Blood Tavern, then stepped confidently inside, scanning the room before approaching the counter.

"Shopkeeper, do you still have a room?" Her voice was cold but pleasant, carrying an unmistakable aura of authority.

Ethan's expression shifted suddenly as recognition dawned. Such a small world it was, indeed. He had stumbled upon Seraphina once again.

Seraphina's eyes scanned the room and locked on Ethan. The air thickened with tension as their gazes met.

"Ethan!" Seraphina was the first to break the silence.

Her followers behind her turned their attention as well. On the stairs, a figure familiar to Edwin and the others became visible.

"Ethan..." Gale Reed and his companions faces grew serious.

This trip to Noble Sun City was multi-purpose: to participate in the treasure appraisal conference, to walk the world with Her Royal Highness the Saint, and most importantly, to find Ethan and bring him back to their sect. The Azure Origin Dao Sect's inheritance he bore could not be lost.

Whispers among the sect's members grew, speculating why Ethan was at the Blood Tavern.

Ethan's gaze lingered on Seraphina, surrounded by her familiar entourage. He noted they traveled in the same number as before in Sun Moon City—no signs of loss, indicating a peaceful journey.

Seraphina's voice sharp as a blade, "Our Azure Origin Dao Sect has treated you well. Yet you left without a word, and you carry the sect's inheritance with you..." She reached out as if to attack, but Edwin's hand stopped her gently.

Edwin motioned for calm, "This is the Blood Tavern. Here dwell powerful masters of the Mahayana realm. The conflict between you and Ethan is a matter of the sect alone and must not be exposed to outsiders."

Seraphina allowed her anger to flow into a calm breath, steadying herself.

Ethan smiled politely toward Edwin, "Long time no see, Uncle Edwin. How is Junior Sister Liana?"

Edwin returned the courtesy with grace, "Liana is fine. But seeing you reminds me—why did you leave without bidding farewell?"

Edwin's eyes hardened with unspoken grief and respect.

Ethan's strength was extraordinary; even when he was only in the Dharma Body realm—equivalent to the Tribulation Transcendence realm of spiritual cultivators—he matched strong Mahayana experts. The night at their sect, when Ethan experienced his epiphany and strange Heaven and Earth phenomena, still haunted Edwin's memory. Sword and scythe cultivation that morning had already entered the transforming the world realm.

Yet, Edwin did not foster hatred or confrontation toward Ethan—perhaps because of his daughter or sheer respect for Ethan's talent. Even if a battle erupted, forcibly taking Ethan would be impossible. Best to persuade him peacefully.

Ethan's voice was calm but tinged with a hint of philosophy. "Cultivators defy heaven's will, chasing immortality and the apex of martial arts. Yet, how much can be achieved by staying rooted in one place?"

A bitter laugh cut through. Gale Reed stepped forward, mocking, "So, the Azure Origin Dao Sect is too small for you now? After all we have done to raise you, you turn your back and scorn us? Such betrayal disgusts me!"

Ethan's laughter echoed twice, cold and dismissive, then he turned and ascended the stairs, ignoring the jeers.

"If you want to accuse me, save your breath," he thought quietly. No need to argue when his resolve was steel.

Edwin glanced reproachfully at Gale Reed and gestured, "There are many here. Why not move somewhere quieter, share a peaceful talk?"

Ethan responded calmly without looking back, "There's nothing to talk about now, Uncle Edwin."

He moved up to the second floor firmly.

Seraphina's voice cracked, full of fury, "Ethan, stop! Presumptuous!"

Before she could advance further, a cold, powerful voice exploded.

A pressure swept across the tavern, seizing Seraphina and her company instantly.

Rain, the tavern's shopkeeper, stood like a statue of cold judgment, eyes flashing icily at Seraphina.

The coercion pressed down with crushing weight, like invisible mountains squeezing her from every side. Seraphina's breaths became short, her body trembling.

She summoned every ounce of spiritual energy, unleashing her Ice Spirit Soul body aura—the chilling light blue breath spreading like frost in the air.

Yet, to no avail. Rain's pressure was unbreakable.

Seraphina's talent allowed her to cross realms in combat easily, but this was no mere opponent. The gulf between her power and Rain's realm was a chasm too vast to cross.

The humiliation was total.

"So strong... this pressure rivals even Master's," Seraphina murmured, frowning deeply.

As the pressure rose, her body began to fail her. Clutching her chest, her legs trembled uncontrollably.

"This... is the gap between me and the Mahayana realm experts..." she whispered, terror creeping into her voice.

Like an ant squashed beneath a merciless boot.

Though Seraphina struggled, she remained upright.

But the leader of the Serpent Wind Peak and several others weakened rapidly, collapsing into half-kneels. Their faces pale and sweaty, breaths shallow and quick.

Only Edwin and four others with Mahayana realm first-turn cultivation could maintain their stance, though their scalps tingled painfully from the intense pressure.

"What a rich breath of ice, ancient spiritual body, Ice Spirit Soul body."

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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Thanks for the Massage Chair: @Skarlet_Retro

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.