And this revenge had to be avenged.

Seth Vernal's aura surged like a tidal wave, but River remained calm, folding his hands behind his back as he continued speaking.

"Elder Seth, don't think Ethan is a soft persimmon you can casually pinch. Even without the Blood Tavern behind him, you would not be his match." River's tone was light, yet every word carried weight.

"Nine years ago, when a mysterious female Supreme invaded Skyreach Territory and a devastating war erupted… Ethan, with only the seventh-turn Nirvana realm, killed two Inferior Supremes—one late stage, one early stage."

A slight pause.

"And he wields multiple artifacts. Even an Intermediate Supreme can't claim certainty in front of him."

A sharp breath sucked from the Vernal entourage.

River went on, "But afterward, he vanished. Now nine years have passed. His strength must have grown even further. I dare say—your current forces cannot harm him in the slightest."

"WHAT?!"

Seth Vernal's face contorted with disbelief.

A seventh-turn Nirvana killing two Inferior Supremes? Not to mention—one at late stage?

Impossible.

Monstrous.

Unbelievable.

In ten thousand years of the Vernal Dawn Dynasty, no one like that had ever appeared.

And Ethan possessed several artifacts?

Even their clan's own treasured artifact—the one sealed in the forbidden grounds—was merely an ordinary-grade artifact. Only to be used for calamities of extinction.

Before Ethan's abnormal power, their so-called heritage was laughably insufficient.

River watched calmly as the anger in Seth Vernal's chest warred with creeping dread. When silence stretched too long, he continued.

"And that's only Ethan's personal strength."

"Behind him stands the Blood Tavern. He is personally protected by their guardian—the Blood Marquis. A being whose strength rivals the topmost figures in Skyreach: the Holy Lord of the Holy Land himself."

River shook his head slowly. "For your Vernal clan, revenge will not be easy."

Seth Vernal's brows knit tightly.

"The Guardian of the Blood Tavern… Blood Marquis?"

He had never heard the name, but the way River's voice lowered unconsciously made it clear:

This was a terrifying existence.

Carlos Vernal, silent until now, suddenly smirked.

"There's no need to tell us so much unless you, Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, have an idea of your own."

River burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Sharp. Very sharp!"

He leaned forward slightly, eyes gleaming.

"A divine artifact… who wouldn't want it?"

His voice dropped to a whisper.

"Come upstairs. Supreme Drake—the general manager of our Skyreach branch—invites you personally."

Seth Vernal and Carlos exchanged a look.

Supreme Drake.

A heavyweight figure.

Seth Vernal cupped his fist.

"Since the General Manager has summoned us, we shall naturally comply."

The group ascended the pavilion.

No one knew what was discussed. Only that by the time they emerged, the moon hung heavy and cold, bathing Noble Sun City in pale light.

Outside, Seth Vernal and Carlos walked side by side, their cloaks fluttering in the night breeze.

"I didn't expect Bram to provoke such a monstrous person…" Carlos murmured.

Seth Vernal's eyes turned to slits. "Whether he provoked Ethan or not, anyone who dares to kill a member of my Vernal clan must pay with blood."

"Carlos, what do you make of Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets?"

"They seem sincere about cooperating." Carlos's voice was steady.

"The temptation of a divine artifact is too great. With their help, subduing Ethan becomes possible."

Seth nodded slowly.

"Then let us cooperate with Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets—for now."

He glanced toward the distant horizon, where Azure Origin Dao Sect lay hidden among mountains.

"Send word to the clan. Inform the Supreme Elder: a divine artifact has appeared in Skyreach Territory."

A glint flashed through his pupils.

"We will kill Ethan… and seize at least one artifact from him."

They leapt silently to a nearby rooftop overlooking the Blood Tavern below.

A faint red glow seeped from its lanterns, smoke curling upward like blood mist under moonlight.

"According to Supreme Drake, two Supreme-level experts from headquarters will arrive soon," Carlos said.

"And Ethan and Asher remain missing. With no Supreme guarding the Blood Tavern, we can seize all personnel inside. Doing so will lure out the Blood Marquis."

"When the Supreme Elder and Pavilion's Supremes pin down the Blood Marquis, we will advance to Azure Origin Dao Sect." Seth Vernal's eyes gleamed with cruelty.

"Threaten Ethan with the lives of everyone in his sect—he will be forced to return."

"And once he returns," Carlos finished, "the Blood Marquis will already be restrained."

Seth nodded.

"Exactly. With Supreme Drake and an Intermediate Supreme assisting us in arranging a killing formation… even if Ethan has a divine artifact, he will still die."

"And after he dies…"

His voice turned frigid.

"I want the entire Azure Origin Dao Sect buried with Bram and Gilbert."

Carlos chuckled approvingly.

"This plan is flawless. Apart from the Blood Tavern, no other force would dare help Azure Origin Dao Sect. And when we destroy the Azure Origin Dao Sect, the Holy Land will not interfere."

"Three Intermediate Supremes. A trap laid in advance. The Blood Marquis restrained by two supremes. By the time Blood Tavern higher-ups receive word, it will all be over."

"And even if the owner of the Blood Tavern comes later," Seth added coldly, "we will have the artifact and the Pavilion as allies. No need to fear him."

Seth's eyes hardened.

"Well then… let's begin."

The two vanished, reappearing instantly before the Blood Tavern's entrance.

Inside, warm lantern light spilled across tables where Rain, Solara, and others were laughing softly. Roan and several regular members enjoyed tea and snacks, unaware of the storm about to erupt.

But the moment Seth Vernal and Carlos appeared at the door—

Every cultivator in the tavern felt it.

The air turned heavy.

The oppressive aura of two Supremes filled the room instantly.

Rain's smile faded.

Solara's brows furrowed.

Roan's teacup halted midway to his lips.

Everyone stood at the ready.

Seth Vernal stepped forward, his presence sharp like an unsheathed sword.

Rain's voice grew stern.

"You two, why did you visit my Blood Tavern late at night?" Rain stood up and looked at Seth Vernal and Evan Vernal with a solemn expression.

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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