Ethan opened his Heaven-piercing Mind Eyes, clearly discerning the cultivation realms of the three people before him.

Bram was indeed a rare talent in the Vernal Dawn Dynasty. After several years of absence, he had now reached the Mahayana realm, albeit just the first turn.

Beside him stood Willow, whose strength had also markedly improved, now at the formidable eighth turn.

Then there was another middle-aged man—their aura intense, eyes burning with fierce spirit, and a terrifying murderous intent radiating from his body.

Such a level of murderous aura was not common among ordinary cultivators.

This was the mark of one whose heart was steeped in killing intent, a man utterly merciless.

Moreover, his cultivation surpassed even Willow's, reaching the rare and dangerous ninth turn of the Mahayana realm!

"Haha, we truly walk the same path!" Bram sneered upon recognizing Ethan.

He twisted his neck with a sly grin, murderous intent blazing in his eyes.

Ethan immediately braced himself for battle.

Bram was a man determined to exact revenge, having suffered defeat at Ethan's hands years ago.

Though time had passed, his thirst for vengeance had not waned.

Today's confrontation was perhaps inevitable.

But Ethan remained calm.

Though Bram and his group were powerful, only the murderous Ninth turn Mahayana realm cultivator posed a real threat.

He was unfazed by Willow, confident in his ability to match or surpass him.

As for Bram, being a mere first turn Mahayana cultivator, Ethan knew he could overwhelm him with ease.

"Who did I think it was? The sixth prince of Vernal Dawn himself. It's a pleasure to meet you," Ethan greeted with a faint smile.

"Ethan, after hiding in Azure Origin Dao Sect for so many years, you finally emerge. Have you considered your last words when facing me?" Bram crossed his arms and laughed, full of disdain.

He admitted that he once had been inferior to Ethan but regretted the loss keenly.

Now, though, things were different.

He had attained the Mahayana realm.

As the saying went, "One who does not enter Mahayana will become an ant."

No matter how strong Ethan's power was, could he still defeat cultivators of the Mahayana realm?

Bram's confidence was overwhelming, his eyes filled with contempt.

Beside him, Mr. Willow reached the eighth turn, and Gilbert—one of the clan's infamous Imperial Killer—stood at the daunting ninth turn of Mahayana!

Their combined combat strength was fearsome beyond reckoning.

Previously, Mr. Willow had dueled Gilbert.

But under Gilbert's ruthless barrage, Willow had failed to survive even fifty moves, suffering near-annihilation with no chance to retaliate.

Mr. Willow was a powerful eighth-turn Mahayana cultivator, only a single step shy of Gilbert.

But that one step was an abyss difficult to cross.

With both Willow and Gilbert present, Ethan found escape impossible.

"This must be the Ethan of Azure Origin Dao Sect you mentioned—one who cultivates the physical body?"

Gilbert glanced up at Ethan, dismissive on the surface.

"Yes, that's him. A pure physical cultivator who conceals his true strength and plays dumb to prey on others," Bram clarified.

"His Nascent Soul realm appearance is a disguise—I don't understand how he does it," Bram continued.

"So his current state is just a facade? Interesting."

Gilbert let out a low chuckle as he observed Ethan repeatedly.

"It's a highly advanced concealment technique, one that deceives even my sharp senses. I am intrigued," Gilbert said.

"Since Senior Gilbert is interested in this kid's method, we shall capture him and extract it through thorough interrogation," Bram replied with a sinister smile.

"Then let's prepare for action."

"To deal with this kid, I need not move a step—I'll wield only my aura!" Gilbert narrowed his eyes, releasing his formidable murderous aura toward Ethan.

Ethan maintained an impassive visage.

A subtle aura of essence and blood quietly condensed, forming a protective shield around him.

It blocked Gilbert's murderous intent.

Though Gilbert was strong, simply using aura to subdue Ethan seemed wishful thinking.

"Um?"

Gilbert's face tightened as uneasiness flickered in his eyes.

Mahayana cultivators below the third turn found it extremely difficult to withstand an aura realm born from murderous intent.

According to the Sixth Prince, Ethan was only a physical body cultivator—still in the Dharma Body realm, not yet at Nirvana.

How could he resist such an aura?

"A son of heaven fighting beyond realms?"

"Interesting... the one I desire to kill most is always the proud one."

Gilbert sneered, his murderous aura intensifying like a volcano erupting.

Boom!

The overwhelming roar of a ninth-turn Mahayana cultivator's coercion shook the entire Myriad Treasures Pavilion.

The people on the Pavilion's first floor were rattled.

Their gazes searched instinctively for the source of the chilling aura.

They settled on Gilbert.

Though many didn't know Gilbert, Bram was a familiar face.

His crimson robes adorned with golden dragon and phoenix totems signified his royal status.

"That's from the Vernal Dawn Dynasty!" a voice whispered.

"Crimson robes, golden dragons and phoenix—he's the sixth prince, Bram!"

"Years ago, he came to our Skyreach Territory to tour. In the Ancient Sect's Spiritual Path Trial, he swept away the geniuses of the four major sects and claimed first place outright, winning a high level inheritance!" another murmured.

"The four major sects are so weak, they have brought shame on our Skyreach Territory," a dissenting voice said.

"You're right. The four sects don't represent our territory well."

"Is there even one person from the four sects among Skyreach's top ten geniuses?"

"Only one—named Ethan, at the eleventh spot."

"The top ten are mostly from the Holy Land or ancient hidden families."

"And a man named Aether recently appeared, ranked fifth, but his background is a mystery."

As the crowd whispered and gossiped about Bram and his entourage, they eyed Ethan with curiosity and caution.

Many wondered about the immense pressure Gilbert was projecting and speculated about who would challenge him.

"If you want to play, then I will too."

In response, Ethan unleashed a burst of powerful momentum, filling the space with overwhelming essence and blood.

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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