However, the combat effectiveness of beasts is generally stronger than that of human cultivators at the same level. Ancient divine beasts like Phoenix are even more powerful.

Although she was now nothing more than a dainty, porcelain doll of a girl, Solara could easily defeat the likes of Bram and his peers without breaking a sweat.

"Daddy, Solara is sleepy and wants to sleep!" she yawned, rubbing her fiery eyes.

"Go to sleep, go to sleep," Ethan said, gently rubbing Solara's head. True to her nature, she immediately drifted off, falling fast asleep in just a second.

"So fast…" Ethan murmured, a fond smile on his face, as he covered Solara with a soft quilt.

[Tip: Solara's body contains a large amount of original energy sealed by her mother, which needs to be digested and absorbed while sleeping. It takes about three to five days. When she wakes up again, she can become a ninth-level monster!]

"Oh ho! Ninth-level monster!" Ethan couldn't hide his delight.

Although Solara would just have entered the ninth level, her raw combat power would likely rival a mid-to-high Mahayana cultivator—a formidable third-turn or perhaps even a fifth-turn. She would be his most powerful aide.

So Ethan stayed to carefully watch over Solara for three days.

Finally, on the afternoon of the third day, Solara opened her eyes.

She yawned and sat up, and Ethan was surprised to see she had already grown much taller. Now, her figure was that of a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl.

"Daddy, I'm awake!" Solara called out, her voice more mature than before.

"How do you feel?" Ethan asked, smiling.

"Solara feels much stronger now and can help daddy fight!" she declared, hand extended as a red-orange flame burst to life above her palm.

It was Phoenix's natal spirit fire, a power nearly equal to the original spiritual fire!

All this strength and knowledge flowed from her bloodline, passed on from her true mother—not just sheer power, but also combat talent and an array of inherited Phoenix arts!

Ethan gazed at the red-orange flames, admiring how intense and pure their energy was. Without question, this was a genuine Phoenix's natal flame. It would be perfect for mastering the Divine Flame Body Building Technique.

But Ethan was not ruthless enough to exploit his daughter's natal fire for his own cultivation.

"However, Solara is a little hungry now." Solara pouted, rubbing her belly.

"Haha, let's go—daddy will take you for a good meal," Ethan laughed, holding her hand as they descended to the tavern's first floor.

Rain was the only one present. She sat at the counter, absorbed in reading.

Ethan and Solara approached quietly.

Noticing their arrival, Rain snapped her book closed.

Ethan glanced at the title on the cover: "One Hundred and Eight Ways to Capture Handsome Guys." Tiny print at the bottom read: "Best-selling across six continents, 10 billion sold! The supreme guide for women rising to the top!"

"…nah." Ethan had to stifle a laugh. What kind of outlandish book was this? Who in a cultivation world would write a treatise on flirting strategies?

Outrageous—but somehow understandable, given the bizarre events he himself had experienced.

"Why, do you want to read it too?" Rain asked slyly with a grin.

"Ahem… I suggest you read less of this," Ethan advised.

"That depends. If you listen to me, I'll put the book away. Deal?" Rain leaned forward, her smile oozing charm.

"Then just keep reading," Ethan countered dryly.

"What a disappointment, brother Ethan." Rain pouted as she set the book aside. Then her eyes landed on Solara, and she blinked in honest surprise.

"This is…?"

"My name is Solara, and this is my father," Solara said sweetly.

"Ah?"

"Σ(⊙▽⊙"a?" Rain's jaw dropped.

"You… aren't you a man? How could you have a daughter after locking yourself in for three days?" Rain spluttered, her worldview shaken.

"Uh… do I look like a woman to you?" Ethan was deadpan.

Rain settled down and finally took a close look: while the girl was beautiful, there were no strong resemblances to Ethan. The mystery deepened as she recalled the celestial vision from three days prior.

"What a powerful fire aura… Mahayana? Could this be a spiritual pet you secretly raised?" Rain messaged Ethan privately.

"…"

Ethan simply smiled, letting Rain make her own guesses.

"Impressive, brother. That's no ordinary spiritual beast—she took the Transformation Pill, and she's already at the ninth level. She must be some kind of ancient bloodline."

"Shopkeeper Rain is as perceptive as ever," Ethan complimented. Then he added, "Let's eat first—the little one's hungry."

"There's only wine here, no food. Little sister, do you drink?" Rain teased.

"Drink!" Solara spoke instantly.

"…Don't tease. She's too young!" Ethan protested.

"I was kidding! I'll send someone to the finest restaurant in the city for a feast worthy of you and your daughter," Rain promised.

"Quick—say thank you."

"Thank you, Sister Rain!" Solara beamed.

"By the way, Edwin from Azure Origin Dao Sect came by this morning. He asked if you could visit Fragrant Zither Pavilion tonight—something important to discuss," Rain said suddenly.

"Uncle Edwin…"

Ethan's eyes flashed thoughtfully.

He'd promised Edwin before, and couldn't go back on his word.

He would go see Edwin at Fragrant Zither Pavilion that night—even if it was about returning to the Dao Sect (which he would never agree to).

Past kindnesses would be honored, but not blind obedience.

Shortly, servers delivered an impressive array of dishes from the best city restaurant. Solara's eyes sparkled, and she eagerly polished off every bite.

Afterwards, patting her belly, Solara announced, "Daddy, I'm full."

"Hmm, let's go for a walk." Ethan helped her up, and they left for the city center.

Their destination: Fragrant Zither Pavilion, the most prestigious teahouse in Noble Sun City. Only the powerful and respected could gather there.

Edwin's request showed just how much he valued Ethan.

Unlike Cain Ashenvale, Edwin's status was almost non-existent both in the city and all of Skyreach Territory.

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.