"I guess you are Seraphina, the Saint of Azure Origin Dao Sect, a close disciple of Lyralei, right? You are the thirty-fifth ranked genius in the Skyreach Territory, the owner of an ancient spiritual body, and your strength is in the middle stage of the Tribulation Transcendence realm. Is that all?"

Rain smiled contemptuously, eyes gleaming coldly.

"Who are you?"

Seraphina's legs trembled, her breath ragged. She struggled to stand firm but faltered.

"Who am I?"

Rain's voice dripped with scorn. "As a saint from a first-class sect, don't you even have this kind of discernment?"

She laughed with biting sarcasm. "Haha, someone like you can become a saint. No wonder the Azure Origin Dao Sect is deteriorating."

"Think of the Blue Void Supreme, the famed figure in the Oceanreach continent. If he saw this, he'd never rest in peace."

The words struck Seraphina like poisoned needles, piercing deep into her pride and heart. Her teeth clenched tightly as she stared at the tall, imposing woman before her. Suddenly, her blue eyes flared with anger—an inferno that threatened to consume everything.

But just as quickly, the blaze extinguished, leaving a hollow emptiness.

Because a crushing sense of powerlessness descended upon her.

"You are from the Blood Tavern!" Seraphina's voice trembled but held a trace of defiance.

Rain's smile deepened. "Haha, you reacted quickly. You're not stupid."

"I am Rain, the person in charge of the Blood Tavern in Skyreach Territory."

"Ignorance is not guilt. This is your first offense, so I'll spare you today. Next time, there will be no mercy. You will die!"

With a cold gesture, Rain withdrew the immense pressure pressing on Seraphina's body.

Seraphina exhaled deeply, relief flooding her lungs, her breath steadying again.

"I was reckless. Please forgive me, shopkeeper," she said humbly, cupping her hands in reverence.

The harsh reality shattered her pride completely. Never had she been so contrite.

But faced with such an overwhelming gap in strength, what else could she do?

"You may escape death, but you cannot escape punishment. You will lose one leg and one arm."

Rain's cold decree struck Seraphina like a plunge into an icy abyss.

She struggled to comprehend why a minor quarrel with Ethan would lead the Blood Tavern's shopkeeper to cripple her.

She had neither offended the Blood Tavern nor withheld due respect, having apologized so humbly.

Her face darkened as fury mixed with despair.

Through gritted teeth, she implored, "The little girl came to the Blood Tavern seeking an invitation. She accidentally met a sect traitor and lost control."

"Shopkeeper, please don't remember her fault. Spare this little girl for once."

Her tone was dust-humble, a complete departure from her usual proud demeanor, nearly bringing her to her knees.

Edwin and the other sect members watched uncomfortably, their saintly daughter humbled before strangers.

But there was nothing they could do.

The Blood Tavern, alongside the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets and Myriad Treasures Pavilion, was a shadowy force across Oceanreach Continent—an entity all must respect, even the super overlord of Skyreach Territory's Holy Land of Endless Mountains dared not provoke it recklessly.

Its members were powerful cultivators and prodigious geniuses.

The invitation letter from the Blood Tavern was coveted far and wide.

Joining the Blood Tavern meant gaining a formidable backing; daring foes would think twice before targeting any member.

Seraphina was unaware Ethan was collaborating with the Blood Tavern.

She came only for an invitation letter herself.

Recent events had laid bare the sect's danger, and for its sake—and her own—she gambled on the Tavern's favor.

Once inside the tavern's fold, even Bram from Vernal Dawn would have to reconsider how he regarded her.

Though doubtful of success, she was ready to try.

She never thought she would meet Ethan here.

Her clash with him left a dark stain over the tavern.

And now, she faced the grim reality of possibly losing a leg and an arm.

But if she could claim that invitation letter, all troubles would vanish.

She believed the Blood Tavern would grant her such a chance.

"Um?"

Her expressed desire to join sparked murmurs across the tavern—surprise, confusion, and disbelief rippled.

Expressions there were even more drawn than when Ethan first arrived.

Roan scrutinized Seraphina closely.

She hovered in the middle stage of the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, her form bristling with sharp sword intent and a heavy breath of ice.

An ancient spiritual body—the Ice Spirit Soul body—and a genius sword cultivator.

A prodigy on the Heaven's Prodigy List.

Though formidable to other sects, to the Blood Tavern, she was far from impressive.

Yet Roan withheld judgment, cautious.

After Ethan's lesson, anyone hiding their true strength would make him suffer.

After a while, Roan was fairly certain Seraphina's level was genuine.

"Did I hear correctly?"

"You dare seek an invitation to the Blood Tavern at the middle stage of the Tribulation Transcendence Realm?"

"Do you really think you are Ethan?"

"No, why can't young people today see themselves for who they are?"

Laughter and scoffs echoed, tea cups raised as mockery flowed freely.

"Invitation to the Blood Tavern? Ha!"

Rain chuckled lowly.

"Yes, I want an invitation."

"Do you know the rules?"

"I know... complete three bounty tasks," Seraphina answered, her voice steady.

"But you're too weak. Forget even the three bounties, you can't complete the lowest, easiest one in the Blood Tavern."

Magnus, silent until now, set down his tea cup.

He placed a top-quality spiritual stone on the table as a tea fee.

Though tavern members drank freely, Magnus insisted on paying, a habit out of respect.

It drew no notice; all were accustomed.

"I accept that a proud warrior like Ethan can get an invitation directly, but others can't just show up."

"The Blood Tavern doesn't accept rubbish or chickens."

No need to say it outright; the disdain was palpable.

"If you want that invitation, prove your worth."

With a glance at Seraphina, Magnus slid the sword from his back and strode away.

Before disappearing, he called out loud:

"Ethan, remember the agreement between us!"

Ethan simply stared after him.

This man was a master.

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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