"But Ethan is from the Skyreach Territory. You and I are all foreign forces after all. Will he really agree?" Lana looked confused, doubt flickering in her eyes.

Rain smiled confidently. "Although we haven't been together long, brother Ethan is a man who values grudges deeply. If I speak to him sincerely from the heart, honestly representing the Blood Tavern's intentions, he will naturally weigh my feelings alongside his own."

"Oh ho, you can't say for sure," Lana countered coolly.

"Everyone is selfish at heart. Very few can truly align their feelings with others."

Rain shrugged and looked out over the battlefield. "It doesn't matter so much now. Just watch. Don't say I didn't warn you—if you don't win Ethan's attention now, when he ascends, you won't reach the heights you want."

Lana's gaze fell back to the ruins below.

As the dust and haze began to clear, the carnage of the destroyed pavilion was laid bare—walls shattered, rubble strewn about, and the giant pit where Cain Ashenvale had been struck down by Ethan.

But Cain was far from defeated.

His body flickered with vibrant, swirling spiritual energy of both fire and ice, coiling tightly as if consuming any power that dared invade.

With a defiant shout, Cain threw his arms wide.

From the intertwining fire and ice spiritual energy erupted a colossal dragon-shaped manifestation, its scales glittering with raw power as it surged forward.

Ethan leapt aside, effortlessly dodging the attack, landing smoothly with nearly serene grace.

Such a display was expected; Cain Ashenvale was a proud genius of the Holy Land, so it made perfect sense he would withstand even a brutal test punch from Ethan unscathed.

Moreover, Ethan had held back, using merely a fraction of his full strength.

Cain calmed his chaotic spiritual energy and retreated from the pit.

A cold snort escaped his lips. "I admit I underestimated you, Ethan. But don't get too cocky. I didn't even use thirty percent of my power just now."

Ethan mirrored the words with a deadpan tone, "What a coincidence—I only used ten percent."

Seraphina, watching nearby, let out a soft breath of relief.

Though Ethan had the upper hand, she knew full well he was still far weaker than the young master of the Ashenvale family.

Ethan's advantage was partly due to Cain's carelessness or perhaps purposeful restraint.

Seraphina's voice piped in through Ethan's mind, "Mr. Cain, Ethan is a dual cultivator, skilled in both Scythe and Sword, and has reached the realm of intent. It appears he has even touched the level of transforming the world."

"Furthermore, he wields bows and arrows—use caution."

The words sparked a shadow across Cain's face.

"Transforming the world?" he muttered.

Only cultivators at the Supreme Realm could master the intent of transforming the world.

Only a rare few monsters even glimpsed it within the Mahayana Realm.

Cain had only seen one accomplished such a feat in Skyreach Territory—the eldest lady of the Stonebridge family from the Holy Land of Endless Mountains, ranked first on the Heaven's prodigy list.

She was the ultimate contender for the succession of the Holy Lord.

If Cain failed to perfect his Four Spirit Holy Body before the trial meeting, he did not stand a chance against her.

The idea that Ethan, an unknown Physical cultivator, had touched the transforming the world level was staggering.

"Are you certain?" Cain's voice hardened.

"Most likely, yes," Seraphina confirmed.

Cain laughed bitterly, "Intent transforming the world... so what? The gap between realms cannot be bridged that easily."

His gaze sharpened, fixing on Ethan.

"Boy, you're a master of both Scythe and Sword, wielding intent that can transform the world, right? Use it now—else you won't stand a chance when I get serious!"

Ethan frowned, surprised Cain knew about this aspect of him.

He glanced at Seraphina, silently blaming the little brat for spilling his secret.

"You're not qualified to command me to use my sword—let alone my Scythe," Ethan said disdainfully.

His arrogant words blazed with challenge, infuriating Cain.

As the young master of the Ashenvale family, he had never encountered such insolence.

Ethan, a mere disciple of the Azure Origin Dao Sect, dared to speak so boldly in his presence?

He sought death.

"It's shameless to speak that way. Since you insist, I'll gladly help you!"

Cain Ashenvale's face darkened.

He sent a message to Noel Ashenvale immediately.

"Second Elder, you must not let Ethan leave today. The Phoenix bonded to him is critical nourishment for the Four Spirit Holy Body. If allowed to grow, it will bring catastrophe!"

"I understand. Regardless of cost, Ethan must not leave Noble Sun City alive," Noel responded gravely.

Cain looked back at Ethan.

"Very well, I will begin the duel today, and I shall try to kill you by nightfall. If I fail, the Second and Sixth Elders will handle matters at the treasure appraisal conference."

Cain's glare intensified.

"Don't delude yourself. This kid is strange, but defeating you is a fantasy," the Second Elder spoke.

Cain folded his arms and fixed Ethan with a challenging stare.

"Ethan, do you know the rules of dueling in Noble Sun City?"

Today, Cain Ashenvale formally challenged Ethan to a duel.

"Do you dare accept?"

Surrounded by watchful eyes, how could Ethan refuse?

To do so would brand him a coward.

Ethan knew the rules well.

Private combat was strictly forbidden in Noble Sun City.

Though presently they fought openly, soon the city lord's officials would intervene.

The city lord's mansion boasted innumerable masters, rivaling or even surpassing branch pavilions like the Myriad Treasure Pavilion or Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

Though not as mighty as the Holy Land of Endless Mountains, its influence challenged many major families.

The city lord's decree required conflicts be settled by fists alone.

If both parties consented, duels could proceed—but only in duel mode.

There could be no interference from outside.

Fight until one surrendered or was death.

Ethan's smile was cold but resolute.

"Hahaha, Mr. Cain, since you insist on courting death, I will gladly help you!"

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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