Seven days later, Ethan stepped out of his room, refreshed and composed, and descended to the tavern hall.

Magnus and Zeon were already there, seated at a corner table, both waiting quietly for the Blood Marquis.

Moments after Ethan appeared, Asher approached with leisurely footsteps, his usual half-smile curling on his lips as he glanced over the three youths.

"The three of you are here. Very good. Come with me."

He clasped his hands behind his back.

"The place I want to take you to… is Heavenly Lake."

Asher's lips stretched into a knowing smile before he leapt lightly into the air and shot northward like a streak of blood-colored light.

Ethan raised an eyebrow.

Heavenly Lake?

He naturally remembered the silver-grade fishing spot marked on the stone tablet. More importantly, Heavenly Lake was listed as one of the weakest points of the heaven-and-earth barrier.

"Could it be…"

He didn't finish the thought, turning into a streak of golden lightning as he followed.

To go to Heavenly Lake at this time was perfect—he could fish and cultivate the Nine Emperors Dao Body without delay.

The journey from Noble Sun City to Heavenly Lake spanned nearly a thousand miles. They were in no hurry. Asher deliberately maintained a slow pace, moving through forests, mountains, and valleys.

Three days passed before the misty waters of Heavenly Lake finally came into view.

This area was rich with rolling mountains and drifting clouds.

Villages dotted the forested landscape, and close to the lake lay Windshore City—a cultivator hub brimming with wandering swordsmen, noble families, mercenary forces, and several hidden sect branches.

Though not as vast as Noble Sun City, its prosperity outweighed most cities within several hundred miles.

Asher led them to a quiet inn and booked rooms for all four.

Zeon flopped onto a chair with a sigh.

"Brother Asher, we weren't far! Why did you make us walk for three whole days?"

Asher shot him a side-eye.

"Little bd, what do you know? Cultivation is important, but cultivating your mind is equally important."

He waved lazily.

"You fought fiercely before. Though you didn't say it, you three—especially Ethan—are mentally exhausted. Cultivating under such fatigue only wastes time."

He smirked.

"Rest well tonight. Tomorrow, I'll take you to a good place."

With that, he vanished into his room, ignoring Zeon's grumbling expression.

"When will you ever tell the truth…" Zeon muttered.

"Brother Ethan, Brother Magnus—any guesses where he's taking us?" he asked curiously.

"It will definitely help cultivation," Magnus answered simply.

Then he paused, a thought surfacing in his eyes.

"By the way… did either of you feel something strange while cultivating? As if some unknown force in this world is suppressing us?"

Zeon blinked. "Now that you mention it… I did feel something like that. Could it be the so-called shackles of heaven and earth?"

Magnus nodded.

Zeon elbowed Ethan lightly.

"Brother Ethan? What about you?"

Ethan opened his eyes, gaze calm.

"I felt it too. But it's probably not a natural shackle. More likely a massive formation—or a restriction—cast by someone unimaginably powerful."

Zeon nearly choked on his breath.

"Someone powerful enough to block the laws of heaven and earth? That shouldn't be possible, right? Even a Great Emperor—"

"The Great Emperor cannot do it," Ethan said softly.

"But what about someone above the Great Emperor?"

Zeon and Magnus exchanged shocked looks.

Above the Great Emperor?

Magnus had grown up believing the Great Emperor to be the peak of cultivation. As for realms beyond… he had never even dared imagine them.

But Zeon, with his noble background, understood a bit more.

"The Great Emperor… is not the end. But for hundreds of thousands of years, no one has reached the realm beyond it."

He drew in a breath. "If what you say is true… then the possibility exists."

Ethan continued, "When practicing, you two must have noticed that cultivation feels different in different locations."

Zeon nodded. "Of course. Good places have better spiritual energy."

"But," Ethan said calmly, "what if the difference isn't in the spiritual energy… but in the distribution of these obstacles?"

Magnus' eyes gleamed.

Ethan smiled faintly.

"And the place Senior Asher is taking us to might be where the obstacles are weakest. A place ideal for cultivation."

Zeon's mouth dropped. "That… makes complete sense! Why didn't I think of that?"

Ethan didn't reply.

He had already confirmed the truth through the incomplete stone tablet—Heavenly Lake was indeed a weak point in the massive chain barrier, made by unknown forces.

Cultivating here would allow one to better draw in sun, moon and star power, speeding progress exponentially.

It also aligned with the subtle hints Asher had dropped along the journey.

Asher had discovered the same secret. During his absence, he had likely been cultivating here.

"Brothers, it's late. I'll rest first." Ethan cupped his hands.

Zeon and Magnus followed suit, returning to their rooms.

Ethan sat on his bed and retrieved the Nine-Colored Soul-Living Bottle.

It was now wrapped in white flames—the Profound Purifying Flame continuously burning the residual mental imprint within.

Iris's soul power had thinned drastically over the past seven days.

As for Grey, the young Mahayana realm soul was already on the verge of collapse, flickering like a dying candle.

Another day—maybe less—and he would be completely incinerated.

"Iris' mental imprint is indeed powerful. Even the Profound Purifying Flame took this long to loosen it."

Ethan flicked his finger.

His vast mental energy surged into the bottle, tearing apart the weakened imprint entirely.

The Nine-Colored Soul-Living Bottle had now become his.

As for the Compass of Heaven and Earth, the Chaos Clock's erosion had long rendered its previous imprint fragile. Ethan wiped it clean days ago.

Now, everything within his grasp was fully under his control.

Taking a breath, he closed his eyes and sank his consciousness into the bottle.

The world inside flickered with dim golden light.

Grey sat cross-legged—barely alive—his soul body frail and nearly transparent.

Iris, however, was still struggling desperately, releasing soul power in waves as she attempted to resist the burning force surrounding her.

A/N:

Extra chapters

100 power stones - 1 Extra chapters

200 power stones - 2 Extra chapters

Massage Chair - 1 Extra chapters

Luxury Car - 2 Extra Chapters

Dragon - 5 Extra Chapters

Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters

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Thanks for the Magic Castle: @DaoistKryQyc

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