"This is just Bram's ploy to toy with our hearts. You have all cultivated the Dao for centuries, yet you still can't see through this?"

Edwin's voice rang coldly through the tense air.

"This is Noble Sun City. If Bram truly had no scruples, he would have attacked us long ago!" His words resonated with undeniable truth.

Silence fell over the group as everyone pondered Edwin's insight.

With the overwhelming power Bram and the two cultivators alongside him possessed, it would take little effort to break them.

Yet instead of direct action, Bram crafted discord—driving a wedge between them.

What did he gain from prolonging this? It seemed no more than a waste of precious time.

"Sixth Prince," Edwin offered calmly, folding his hands politely,

"this matter is grave. Only the sect leader can make such decisions. I continue to urge you to grant us time to consider."

Bram's cold gaze sharpened.

"Then do you want me to decide now?"

"If you prefer, I will refuse."

"I, Seraphina, will never ally with one like you, not even in death!"

Her voice cut through the growing tension, cold and resolute.

"It is true enough that if you don't eat the toast, you must drink the bitter penalty!" Bram suddenly raised his palm.

Pop!

Seraphina's face was slapped hard, turning sharply to one side.

Froze where she stood—the right side of her face blistered red instantly.

"Bram, what are you doing?!" Edwin struck out and stood firmly in front of her, voice icy.

"Does your arrogance persist simply because this is Noble Sun City and you think you are immune to consequences?"

"Haha! I see through these petty schemes you all scheme," Bram sneered.

A fist clenched in rage, Seraphina bit her crimson lips so hard her teeth cracked.

Blood trailed slowly down her chin.

Never before had she endured such humiliation.

Not even from her always stern Master had she suffered a blow.

Anger and powerlessness swelled within her.

Humiliated and despairing, she felt like a mere ant toyed with by Bram's cruel whims.

"Private battles are forbidden in Noble Sun City indeed. But I may not kill you here—for now. I can, however, torture you!" Bram proclaimed grimly.

His impatience surged.

He resolved to punish this defiant woman.

"Mr. Gilbert, Mr. Willow, detain them. I will teach Seraphina a proper lesson."

His words were delivered via message.

"Understood."

Gilbert and Willow nodded.

They immediately unleashed overwhelming spiritual pressure.

Edwin and the others were caught unprepared.

Against such a tsunami of power, resistance failed.

Unable to move, their legs trembled dangerously.

Bram plunged before Seraphina with scorn.

"I offered you a chance, but you wasted it. Do you still think this the Azure Origin Dao Sect? Do you fancy yourself as some lofty saint?"

"Mark my words. Without strength or backing, you are nothing."

"What use is unmatched beauty? If you lack power to protect yourself, you become mere plaything for others. Better to submit to me now and live!"

Bram's words cut venomously.

"You just don't see what's good for you. You don't understand how dangerous this world has become!"

His palm rose sharply to strike.

Yet a crisp snap of denial followed.

Bram's wrist was grabbed firmly.

He looked up, surprised.

Before him stood a handsome young man clothed in a golden robe, poised like a jade tree swaying before the wind.

"Who are you?" Bram demanded, taking a cautious step back.

The young man answered coldly.

"Your Excellency is from the Vernal Dawn Dynasty, is it appropriate to bully a girl in our Skyreach Territory?"

His face and features were three-dimensional, with thick eyebrows and piercing eyes.

Behind him were several young cultivators, a graceful middle-aged woman, and an elderly man.

"I asked who you are—answer me!" Bram's voice cracked with rising anger.

"Disgraceful! How dare you speak to my young master so?" A beautiful woman's face behind the young man twisted in fury as she suddenly vanished.

When she reappeared, she was in front of Bram, raising an icy palm.

Gilbert's eyes narrowed sharply.

He intercepted swiftly, expanding his murderous aura.

His fierce intent forced the beautiful woman to retreat.

"Nine turn Mahayana! What a formidable killing intent!" she said solemnly.

Her cultivation was at the pinnacle of the eighth turn and her strength paled beside this opponent.

"Who dares defy Lord Bram of Vernal Dawn?" Gilbert bellowed.

Suddenly before them stood an elderly man, calm yet imposing.

He clasped his hands behind his back, expression cool and indifferent.

"Just an old man of the Holy Land of Endless Mountains, from the Ashenvale family!"

A chill ran through the crowd.

"Ninth turn Mahayana?"

Gilbert's eyes flickered with new understanding.

He recognized the strength was close to his own.

Willow also stepped forward with a courteous smile.

"An old friend from the Holy Land of Endless Mountains. A pleasure to meet you."

"Who might this be?"

"The Holy Land of Endless Mountains, Cain Ashenvale."

"Cain Ashenvale, young master of the Ashenvale family from Holy Land of Endless Mountains, ranks third on the Skyreach Territory's Heaven's Prodigy List!"

Bram's face darkened, eyes appraising Cain.

Those on the Heaven's Prodigy List were under fifty years old.

Cain's cultivation ages far less than Bram's yet he had already reached the third turn of Mahayana.

The top five on this elite list were undeniably deserving.

"Lord Bram of Vernal Dawn," Cain greeted properly.

"I wonder, Lord Bram, what is your conflict with this girl? Why do you wish to fight her?"

"A private matter. Mr. Cain need not concern himself."

"Haha, naturally, I care not for Lord Bram. Only this stunning lady piques my interest. Whatever Lord Bram's disputes with her, for my sake, let us cease them here."

Cain's calm smile showed his noble intent.

Bram frowned at the words.

"Your Highness, it grows late. Let us depart."

Gilbert winked at Bram.

"Very well, I shall grant the Thousand Mountains Holy Land some respect."

With those words, Bram turned away, taking one last glance at Seraphina.

"You are lucky. But I doubt the young master of Ashenvale family in the Holy Land of Endless Mountains will long admire you."

Bram sneered inwardly.

The Holy Land of Endless Mountains comprised five families.

Every century, one was chosen as the Holy Son of the Holy Land.

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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