"Okay, we will just follow what Senior said."

Everyone cupped their hands in unison. The gesture was neat, disciplined—but beneath it simmered greed, ambition, and murderous resolve.

"In that case," Malrik said, slowly rising from his seat, "everyone, please follow me and take down the Blood Tavern!"

His robe fluttered despite the still air.

"The Blood Marquis and Talker Latham of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets have been fighting one against ten these past days," Malrik continued coldly.

"They have expended enormous strength while maintaining large-scale formations. At this moment, their condition is likely not even half of their peak."

A pause.

"Tonight, I hope every one of you will go all out—without reservation. Capture the people of the Myriad Treasure Pavilion and the Blood Tavern in one decisive strike."

His eyes swept across the chamber like blades.

"Once Talker Latham and Blood Marquis Asher are taken down, when Ethan finally shows himself, even if he possesses heaven-defying abilities, he will have no choice but to kneel and beg for his life."

The room was silent for a breath.

"Everyone," Enzo Vernal asked softly, his red lips curling, "you understand Manager Malrik's meaning, correct?"

"Seniors, rest assured. We will do our utmost."

"Let's go."

Hands cupped again. Promises exchanged. Killing intent sealed.

Both sides spoke politely, yet every word was meant to crush the other.

"Haha," Malrik laughed lightly.

"The three of us will take the lead. There's no need for reminders."

His figure flickered.

When he reappeared, he was already standing atop the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, robes billowing in the night wind.

Shadows emerged one after another behind him.

This lineup was far than what Atlas imagined.

Three Upper Supremes.

Six Intermediate Supremes.

Thirteen Inferior Supremes.

Twenty-two Supremes in total.

At this moment, all twenty-two figures turned their gazes toward a single direction.

The Blood Tavern.

There, only ten Supremes remained.

The Blood Marquis, Uga, and Corvin—who had rushed in days earlier to reinforce.

Five Supremes from the Myriad Treasure Pavilion, including Ghost Supreme Callum and one Intermediate Supreme who had been temporarily dispatched. The remaining were Talker Latham and two Inferior Supremes stationed long-term in Skyreach Territory.

And finally—

The leader and deputy leader of the Crazy Blade Mercenary Group.

The disparity was terrifying.

The only reason the Blood Tavern still stood was due to the overwhelming combat power of the Blood Marquis, combined with the three ancient grand formations layered over the tavern like overlapping coffins.

"Everyone," Malrik commanded, voice echoing through the night, "move!"

More than twenty figures transformed into streaks of light.

The sky itself seemed to split apart.

Like falling stars reversed, streams of radiance tore through the darkness, carrying pressure heavy enough to suffocate cities.

In less than a breath, they arrived above the Blood Tavern.

Malrik looked down, his expression cold and detached.

"Asher," he shouted, his voice booming like thunder, "tonight is your final deadline. Hand over Ethan and the artifact—or prepare to go to hell!"

Inside the Blood Tavern, the hall was eerily calm.

Three layers of blood-red light enveloped the entire structure, humming softly as formations rotated and intertwined.

Everyone sat cross-legged.

Four figures faced one another at the center.

Blood Marquis Asher.

Ghost Supreme Callum.

Talker Latham.

And Mira—the leader of the Crazy Blade Mercenary Group.

She was tall, fit, and sharp-featured, her long ponytail bound tightly behind her head. A three-foot-long blade lay beside her, plain in appearance, yet radiating lethal intent.

Suddenly—

A flash of fire bloomed.

When the flames dissipated, Uga appeared, kneeling on one knee.

"Master," he reported solemnly, "the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets has arrived."

"How many?" Asher asked, opening his eyes.

The blood-red glow in his pupils slowly receded.

"Full mobilization," Uga replied. "Twenty-two Supremes."

A heavy silence fell.

"So they've decided to go all in," someone muttered grimly.

"This damned Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets," another snarled.

"They secretly united multiple forces, colluded with the Vernal Dawn royal family, attacked our Blood Tavern, and even rescued the Vernal elders who caused chaos earlier!"

"And now they dare demand the artifact and Ethan," someone said bitterly.

"Our reinforcements haven't arrived yet, yet they act as if victory is assured!"

"So what if there are twenty-two Supremes?" Latham sneered, eyes sharp.

"Do they think we'll just roll over and die?"

He paused, then spoke again, voice lower.

"Malrik and Arza weren't the only ones dispatched to Skyreach Territory. Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets also sent several elites—and an Upper Supreme."

The hall stirred.

"They're hidden," Latham continued.

"Waiting."

Asher's gaze sharpened.

"Uga," he said calmly, "what direction did that group take?"

"They didn't join Malrik's force," Uga replied.

"They went south."

"South…?" Asher, frowned slightly.

Then he laughed softly.

"So that's it."

"They're heading to Ethan's hometown—Azure Origin Dao Sect."

A chill ran through the hall.

"They intend to use the lives of the Azure Origin Dao Sect as bait," Asher continued coldly.

"Force Ethan to appear. When he leaves seclusion and returns, he'll walk straight into the net Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets has prepared."

Rain's expression changed instantly.

"Brother," she asked anxiously, "what should we do now?"

"What to do?" Asher replied calmly.

"We can't concern ourselves with Azure Origin Dao Sect tonight. First, we survive this battle. By tomorrow at the latest, the other guardians will arrive."

He stood up.

"There's no need to worry about Ethan," the Blood Marquis said firmly.

"With his strength, once he steps into the Supreme Realm and wields the divine weapon fully, forget Upper Supremes— even an Ultimate Supreme may not be able to keep him."

"In less than ten years," Latham shook his head slowly, "breaking through from Seventh-Turn Nirvana to Supreme is too difficult."

Even Lana had taken fifteen years to advance from the seventh turn to the ninth peak.

And after nearly twenty years, she still hadn't broken through.

Such was the cruelty of cultivation.

The higher the realm, the more merciless the heavens.

After Supreme, even a minor breakthrough could take decades.

Silence lingered.

At last, the Blood Marquis spoke quietly—

"There is nothing we can do now but choose to believe in 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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