Hearing the sudden uproar, Seraphina hurriedly stepped forward, her voice hurried and trembling, "Senior, please calm down. This matter is too sudden. I don't even know Ethan well..."

Before she could finish, the beautiful middle-aged woman intercepted her, delivering two sharp slaps.

"Shut up, you dog!"

Her words rang out fiercely, sharp enough to cut through the tension in the air.

Seraphina clutched her reddened cheeks, burning with anger, her glare sharp enough to pierce through Ethan.

All this turmoil was because of him.

He deserved everything that was coming his way.

Ethan narrowed his eyes, a faint smile creeping over his lips.

Good. The plan had worked perfectly.

This was the art of diverting misfortune onto others.

"Seraphina, how do you plan to withstand the wrath of the Ashenvale family?"

"Don't die yet," Ethan whispered with icy amusement.

"You must live to repay the debts you owe. Death would be far too dull a punishment."

Those watching were unaware of the tangled motives and contradictions between the parties involved.

To the audience, the scene was a delicious spectacle—unpredictable and thrilling.

No one could guess what fate awaited Ethan or the Ashenvale family.

But without protection, Seraphina's fate was grim.

A beautiful woman in the Tribulation Transcendence realm with no true strength could not hope to survive unscathed.

What sense had she made, joining the tumult of Noble Sun City's battle?

Beauty was no advantage here — it only drew the dangerous eyes of power players, like a shining jade inviting thieves.

Without true power, she was destined to become a plaything.

"Skyler, show the Ashenvale family some respect. After we deal with Ethan, a satisfactory reward awaits you."

"The Second Elder of the Ashenvale family—Ethan is from the Blood Tavern. I cannot favor you beyond saving Cain Ashenvale. That is the limit of my authority."

Noel Ashenvale promised a lavish reward.

"One immortal spiritual weapon, five Mahayana pills!"

At this, Skyler's expression shifted.

Noel Ashenvale's determination to eliminate Ethan was clear.

He was willing to part with an immortal-grade weapon and Mahayana pills.

Though Skyler had no personal use for the pills, they were invaluable to the many Mahayana experts in the city lord's mansion.

Five pills could raise an eighth or ninth-turn Mahayana cultivator significantly in a short time.

Why not accept?

"All right, but make this clear — my bottom line is I cannot take his life."

Under the shifting currents of power and interest, Skyler reluctantly agreed to Noel Ashenvale's terms.

Another reason eased his decision.

Ethan belonged to the Blood Tavern — a foreign force.

The city lord's mansion generally favored local powers in Skyreach Territory.

And as the Holy Land of Endless Mountains ruled over Skyreach, accommodating their desires came with clear benefits.

"Enough!"

Noel Ashenvale's voice cut through the murmurs, cold and sharp.

"If you cannot kill Ethan, then destroy his meridians, his blood pills!"

"To be deposed is no different than dead."

"In fact, it is often more agonizing to endure such a fate than death itself."

Noel's desire was to torture Ethan endlessly, to crush his spirit and make him suffer.

A harsh lesson on the price of crossing the Ashenvale family.

"Sixth Elder, forget Seraphina for now. Let us unite and strike to destroy Ethan."

"Understood!" Alissa nodded firmly.

She ignored Seraphina completely, unafraid that she might flee.

Alissa had planted a mental imprint on Seraphina. Escape was impossible.

Where could she go? The Azure Origin Dao Sect?

When the time came, Alissa would deal with them all.

Seeing Alissa release her grip, Seraphina hurriedly fled into the dark night.

"Ethan, prepare to die!" she spat as she vanished.

Nearby, Bram frowned deeply at Seraphina's flight, tempted to pursue her but unwilling to miss witnessing the battle's climax.

His desire to see Ethan's downfall burned fiercely.

"Forget it. She's only in the Tribulation Transcendence realm; she won't get far."

"Your Highness, don't worry where Seraphina could go," Mr. Willow reassured.

"Most likely, back to Azure Origin Dao Sect."

"Once the treasure appraisal is over, we deal with them all — and capture Lyralei and Althea too."

"Mr. Willow speaks wisely. Keeping a close watch on Ethan is our priority," Bram agreed.

Ethan's face grew serious as he faced the threat.

Noel Ashenvale and Alissa stood poised, one at the eighth turn, the other at the peak ninth-turn Mahayana realm.

Although outnumbered and outstrengthened, Ethan exuded confidence and unwavering courage.

The strong must draw their swords against the stronger.

Ethan produced his scythe and gazed at his opponents calmly.

"You two, come at me! I am eager to test the strength of the Ashenvale family!"

"Good! Hurry up and bring it on! I relish the chance!" Noel roared, and he and Alissa struck simultaneously.

Two figures vanished from their spots.

In the blink of an eye, they closed the distance to less than a foot from Ethan.

One flanking left, the other right, the lethal charge swift and merciless.

Witnesses recoiled, retreating tens of feet in fear.

When cultivators like Alissa and Noel Ashenvale moved as one, devastation followed.

Without distance, survival was impossible.

Boom!

Their clapping hands unleashed devastating spiritual waves, obliterating all nearby houses to rubble.

As the dust settled, Ethan stood unscathed.

Two stalwart defenders stood shielded around him.

One was Rain from the Blood Tavern.

The other, tall and muscular, his muscles straining the fabric of his clothes.

This was Magnus.

Ethan hadn't expected Magnus's intervention.

With his heavy sword grounded before him, Magnus radiated overwhelming sword intent.

His presence was so fierce, observers scalps tingled.

Magnus's sword intent barely scratched the threshold of transforming the world.

"Crazy Sword, Magnus!" a voice exclaimed.

Noel Ashenvale's expression darkened.

Though Rain was only a sixth turn, she did not falter.

Magnus, however, stood at the peak eighth turn with a formidable reputation.

He was renowned for defeating many ninth-turn Mahayana cultivators.

Tales called him "Berserker" and "Crazy Sword."

Few dared claim assured victory against him.

"Magnus, why meddle in my Ashenvale family's conflict?" Noel demanded.

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

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.