Latham's tone was icy, and the spiritual pressure erupting from his body split the air with violent ripples. Cyan wind-attributed spiritual energy surged outward like a raging storm, shredding the air into countless sonic booms that echoed across the battlefield.

Carlos Vernal narrowed his eyes, the corners of his lips curling into a contemptuous sneer.

"Hmph. Talker Latham of Myriad Treasure Pavilion, you really have something."

His cold voice dropped into a deeper register.

"Then let me meet you today."

With a resonant hum, frost crawled across the ground beneath Carlos's feet. His ice spiritual energy soared to its peak, condensing into biting winds that twisted the temperature around them.

His cultivation surged upward—late stage of the Intermediate Supreme Realm, a half-step away from touching the Peak Intermediate Supreme.

Latham didn't retreat. He met Carlos's gaze head-on.

The two powerful auras clashed midair, compressing spiritual energy into a suffocating pressure. Wind and frost collided, twisting violently, as if the world itself bent beneath their confrontation.

Behind Carlos Vernal, Seth Vernal glanced only once at Latham before dismissing him entirely.

"The test is almost over," Carlos transmitted to him, voice steady.

"Latham is probably the strongest one the Myriad Treasure Pavilion has in Skyreach Territory. But the Blood Marquis and Ethan are absent—there is nothing to fear."

His gaze sharpened with lethal confidence.

"Although Latham is strong, he won't crush me. I can block him without difficulty. Third Elder, the rest is yours."

"Understood," Seth responded in his mind, stepping forward with killing intent brewing around him.

He didn't spare Latham another glance.

His target—the Blood Tavern.

More precisely, Rain… and Ethan's whereabouts.

Seth Vernal's cold smile cracked across his face as he faced the crowd.

"Young girl who doesn't know life from death. Latham can't save you. If you don't hand over Ethan, then I can only invite all of you as guests of my Vernal clan."

His voice dripped with sinister amusement.

Rain's expression tightened, but she immediately looked to her allies.

"Shopkeeper, take Solara away first. We'll block him."

Roan stepped beside her, aura firm.

"This man has just entered the Supreme Realm. With our combined efforts, we can still hold him off for a while."

"Yes," Poison Master Raze echoed, eyes blazing with determination.

"A few of us stopping a Supreme for a quarter hour is no issue. You take Solara and go to find Mr. Asher and Ethan."

He clenched his fists, teeth grinding.

"If we don't escape… then please ask Brother Ethan to avenge us!"

The others nodded fiercely.

They were wanderers, forsaken by the world—people with no home, no roots, until the Blood Tavern accepted them. The tavern had given them warmth, companionship, and belonging. Now their home was threatened.

They would not retreat.

Even if it cost their lives, they would protect the "pure land" in their hearts.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Rain scolded sharply.

"Our tavern has not yet reached the point where you must throw away your lives."

Her eyes brightened suddenly.

"My brother made arrangements before he left. Sister Uga has not left the area—she has been cultivating in seclusion in the forests nearby."

Rain took a breath, her voice trembling with relief.

"She is coming!"

The moment these words fell, everyone's tense expressions loosened.

Uga.

The Blood Marquis's spiritual pet—an ancient, tenth-level ferocious beast.

A single-legged crimson bird whose combat strength rivaled the Peak Intermediate Supreme.

Their hidden pillar.

Their final shield.

Seth Vernal frowned slightly at Rain's growing confidence.

"I'll remind you one last time. Surrender while you still understand the situation. I don't want needless deaths that would worsen the relationship between our sides."

Rain scoffed.

"Haha, old guy, so much nonsense. If you want to touch us—you don't have the ability!"

Her aura steadied as she swallowed several pills, her complexion recovering.

Seth Vernal's expression sank.

"Stubborn."

His patience snapped.

A Mahayana group dared to bark at him? Today he would personally break their arrogance.

"I didn't want to be cruel," Seth muttered darkly.

"But since you won't see reason… I'll take one leg and one arm from each of you."

A long sword materialized in his grip. Green wood-attributed energy spiraled around the blade, radiating sharp vitality.

"As for ants—one sword is enough."

His aura surged.

Seth rose into the air, sword raised above his head. A dazzling emerald radiance exploded outward. The blade refracted into hundreds of green sword shadows, each humming with destruction.

"Go!"

The shadows shot forth with terrifying force, weaving into a green rainstorm that blotted out the sky.

BOOOOM!

Wind howled as death descended.

Rain and the others braced themselves—

—but before the sword shadows reached them, the air ignited.

A burst of crimson flame erupted midair, blooming into a giant flaming lotus.

The lotus spun gracefully.

And devoured every sword shadow.

Huuu—!

A streak of red tore through the air.

A beautiful woman stepped forward—hot figure, crimson dress flowing like wildfire, feet touching the ground with silent elegance.

"Sister Uga!!" Rain cried out joyfully.

Relief flooded the Blood Tavern group.

Now the tides would turn.

Uga's eyes—blood-jade and merciless—locked onto Seth Vernal.

"You dare cause trouble in my Blood Tavern," she said, her voice striking like a blade.

"Do you not understand the meaning of death?"

Her flames crackled behind her, forming a dangerous aura of ancient ferocity.

Carlos Vernal's eyes narrowed.

"So this is the spiritual pet… an ancient remnant beast."

His voice deepened with caution.

"The power of its bloodline is comparable to a divine beast. Its growth is terrifying… it has reached the middle of the tenth level. Even I may not be its opponent."

Latham listened quietly, gaze sharp.

"Old Demon Asher truly planned ahead," he thought.

"With this ferocious beast here, the Vernal clan is courting disaster."

But a creeping unease flickered in his eyes.

"Yet… the Vernal clan only dispatched two Supremes. Are they looking down on us? Or do they have another trump card hidden?"

Latham tilted his head, eyes gleaming coldly.

"You Vernal clan came so fiercely, so confidently. But now? How will you handle the situation?"

His voice carried mocking amusement.

"Have you never considered that you might get stuck? Or perhaps… someone else supports you from behind?"

Carlos Vernal's face stiffened.

Latham smirked.

He had touched a nerve.

Carlos's jaw tightened as he slowly looked toward Uga.

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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