Seth Vernal and the others fell from the sky, crashing through branches before landing in a dense, shadowed forest. They quickly found an open clearing, its ground covered in layers of moss and fallen leaves.

No one spoke. They simply sat down, closed their eyes, and began adjusting their breath.

Night descended.

The bonfire crackled with a sharp _creak-creak_, sparks popping and floating into the dark canopy.

When Seth Vernal, Carlos Vernal, and dozens of elite guards opened their eyes again, the dim flames cast long shadows across their faces—faces twisted by suppressed fury.

Killing intent surged in their eyes like a storm waiting to break.

"This man killed the sixth prince of my Vernal clan," Seth Vernal's voice vibrated in the cold air, each syllable edged with ice.

"And he also killed the Imperial assassin trained painstakingly by our clan. If I don't avenge this hatred, I do not deserve to live as a human."

His fist clenched so tightly veins bulged across the back of his hand.

He rose, his gaze cutting through the forest like a sharpened blade.

"This place is not far from Noble Sun City. We go there at once—straight to the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets." His voice deepened, trembling with controlled rage.

"We will investigate this person's identity. Even if we have to dig three meter into the ground… we will find him."

Carlos Vernal also stood, eyes icy, murderous aura rising behind him like a phantom.

Dozens of cultivators rose as one, forming a sweeping tide of killing intent. Their silhouettes shot upward, flying toward the distant, lamplit Noble Sun City.

Noble Sun City, Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

Boom—!

Spiritual pressure descended like a falling mountain as Seth Vernal's group stepped through the doors of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets' resplendent first-floor hall.

The young woman at the counter stiffened instantly. Her face paled.

So many Mahayana-realm experts…!

She quickly stepped out from behind the counter, bowing respectfully, but her heart pounded violently. At the same time, she sent an urgent message to Elder River.

A gathering of this level could not be handled by ordinary staff.

"Seniors, may I know what you require?" she asked cautiously.

Seth Vernal ignored her completely.

His eyes swept across the hall—until they landed on several floating, radiant ranking lists.

Skyreach Territory Heaven's Prodigy List.

The first name glowed brilliantly:

First place:

Ethan — Seventh-turn Nirvana. Affiliation: Blood Tavern. From: Azure Origin Dao Sect.

Second place:

Isolde Stonebridge, saint of the Holy Land of Endless Mountains.

Fifth place:

Aether — Wandering cultivator of unknown origin.

His name highlighted in red, marked: Wanted by Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

Seth Vernal sneered faintly.

"The Azure Origin Dao Sect… the lowest among the four great sects. Fallen to this degree, yet still producing someone surpassing even the Holy Land's saint…"

He chuckled coldly. "Truly, fumes must be rising from their ancestral graves."

Because Azure Origin Dao Sect was near Vernal territory, he knew it well.

One guard leaned closer and whispered, "Third Elder, many years back, during his travels, the Sixth Young Master had conflicts with Azure Origin Dao Sect… and was defeated once by Ethan."

"Oh… there was such a matter?" Seth murmured.

"But no matter how talented a Nirvana brat is, he cannot kill Willow and Gilbert with a single sword." He turned his gaze toward the counter woman.

"Where is your person in charge?"

Before she could answer—

A cold voice cut across the hall.

"If you're here to do proper business, Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets welcomes you. If you're here seeking trouble… you're in the wrong place."

The bead curtain parted.

Elder River entered with steady footsteps.

Immediately, Seth Vernal and Carlos Vernal's expressions tightened.

An Inferior Supreme… at the peak stage.

No wonder the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets held influence across the entire continent.

Seth Vernal cupped his fists.

"Great Vernal Clan, Seth Vernal."

"Oh? The Third Elder of the Vernal royal family."

River smiled thinly. "I am River, elder of Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. A pleasure."

He narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Why would someone of your status bring such a large force into Skyreach Territory? Aren't you afraid of stirring the Holy Land of Endless Mountains?"

"I came to find someone, not cause trouble. The Holy Land naturally need not worry about that," Seth Vernal replied calmly.

"Then Brother Seth has no issue." River smiled.

"Pray tell, why bring so many experts into my Pavilion?"

"To find someone," Seth said.

"Describe him."

Seth waved lightly. "Give him the portrait."

A guard stepped forward, presenting a scroll.

River's palm lifted, and the scroll flew into his hand.

He unrolled it.

His expression froze.

That face… a storm flickered in his eyes.

Seth Vernal saw it. His voice sank. "Brother River, do you recognize him?"

River rolled up the portrait slowly and returned it.

"I do. Many years ago, he was a prominent figure in Skyreach Territory. May I ask what your purpose is in seeking him?"

"He is the enemy of my Vernal clan. Naturally, we seek him for revenge."

Coldness seeped from Seth Vernal's voice, though he kept his face composed.

River's pupils contracted.

Such murderous intent… clearly, the enmity runs deep.

And deep enmity meant leverage—leverage the Pavilion could use.

River folded his hands behind his back.

"I'm afraid brother Seth… might not be able to take revenge on Ethan."

Seth Vernal laughed coldly.

"There is no one in this world my Vernal clan cannot kill."

River did not argue.

"Then Elder Seth should listen carefully."

He turned slightly, gesturing toward the ranking lists.

"The person you seek… is the number one prodigy in Skyreach Territory. Ethan."

Seth Vernal froze.

The guards behind him inhaled sharply.

"It's him?!"

River continued calmly,

"And he is from the Blood Tavern."

The name struck like a hammer.

Seth Vernal's breath paused.

Blood Tavern— One of the most feared, most mysterious, and most ruthlessly efficient organizations in the entire continent.

Even the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets did not lightly provoke them.

Seth's fists tightened until they trembled.

Blood Tavern… so what?

His Sixth Young Master was dead.

The Imperial assassin was dead.

Both by the same person's hand—

And that person… was Ethan.

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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