…And the source of her soul could not be burned for much longer.

Arza's lips trembled, blood seeping from the corner of her mouth as the sealing pressure crushed down on her like an invisible mountain.

"Damn it…" Seth Vernal's voice cracked, eyes bloodshot with regret.

"I actually believed the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets' lies! If I had known it would end like this, I would never have come to seek revenge!"

His heart was filled with despair.

This calamity would cripple the Vernal clan.

Not only had they lost elites, but even the Supreme Elder and Guardian Carlos Vernal had fallen. Once news spread, Seth Vernal would be branded a sinner of the clan, nailed forever to the pillar of shame.

"Resist tenaciously—and break."

Ethan's voice was calm, almost indifferent.

Yet with those words, the Heaven and Earth Compass blazed brighter.

Dark golden radiance surged violently, accompanied by deafening roars that shook the night sky. The divine power descended layer by layer, crushing everything beneath it.

How could a complete artifact, infused with divine blessing, be stopped by a damaged turtle shell?

Even with Malrik burning blood essence, and soul, gathering the power of everyone present, it was meaningless.

They were still suppressed—utterly and completely—by Ethan's Heaven and Earth Compass.

Crack!

A crisp, heart-shattering sound echoed.

The massive green turtle-shell phantom shattered at last.

Like fragile glass, it broke apart into countless fragments of light.

The sealing power and divine force poured down like a raging waterfall.

Everyone beneath it was struck violently.

Internal organs shifted. Meridians ruptured.

Blood sprayed from their mouths as their bodies were slammed into the ground.

"It's over…" Enzo Vernal murmured hollowly, staring at the descending compass shadow.

"It's completely over…"

Regret flooded his heart like a tidal wave.

Arza suddenly turned her head, eyes burning with resolution as she looked at Malrik.

She made a decision in an instant.

"Everyone," she said sharply, "blow yourself up!"

Drake Supreme and River exchanged glances.

They nodded grimly.

Death flashed in their eyes as they prepared to explode their cultivation, choosing annihilation over humiliation.

But—

Their calculation failed.

The sealing power of the Heaven and Earth Compass had already descended in full.

Their cultivation was locked.

Their spiritual energy froze.

Their souls were shackled.

Arza's eyes widened in disbelief.

They felt it clearly.

They were sealed.

Completely sealed.

At this moment, they were no longer Supremes.

Only flesh and blood—slightly stronger than ordinary cultivators.

"Damn it…" Arza whispered, biting her lip until blood flowed.

"This artifact's sealing power… it can actually completely seal our cultivation!"

Her clothes were tattered, revealing smooth, pale skin untouched by age. Even in this miserable state, she possessed a tragic, seductive beauty—mature, aloof, devastating.

And yet—

Her heart sank to the abyss.

She remembered Ethan's earlier words.

Slowly, she clenched her fists.

If she could not escape…

If she could not self-detonate…

Then she would not fall into his hands alive.

A long sword appeared in Arza's grasp.

Without hesitation, she placed it against her own neck.

"Brother," she said hoarsely, looking at Malrik, "after I die, notify the main headquarters. Tell Master to avenge me."

"I want Ethan—his entire family, his relatives, and friends—to be buried with me!"

"Sister…" Malrik's voice trembled.

"Go in peace. The Pavilion Master will avenge us!"

He closed his eyes, fists shaking violently, unable to bear watching her die.

"You want to commit suicide."

A calm voice interrupted.

"Did you ask me?"

White lightning flashed.

In an instant, Ethan appeared before them.

The speed was terrifying—beyond reaction, beyond thought.

Snap!

A sharp slap rang out.

Arza's face snapped to the side, half of it instantly red and swollen. The sword flew from her hand, clattering to the ground.

Ethan's hand closed around her slender neck.

He lifted her effortlessly, fingers pinching her chin as his gaze swept over her calmly.

"I didn't expect this," Ethan said indifferently.

"Ethan!" Malrik roared, eyes bloodshot with rage.

"If you kill us today, you become an enemy of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets! The Pavilion Master will never let you go!"

"Noisy."

Ethan glanced at him.

He flicked his finger.

The Desolation-Annihilating Sword shot out.

A silver arc flashed.

Malrik froze mid-roar, eyes filled with disbelief and unwillingness.

Then—

His body collapsed.

His head separated cleanly from his neck.

"Brother…!"

Arza screamed hoarsely, struggling desperately.

"Ethan! Even as a ghost, I will never let you go!"

"You'd better kill me now!"

Ethan smiled.

A gentle, almost pleasant smile.

"Very good," he said softly.

"I'm quite satisfied with your expression."

"Did you ever think," he continued calmly, "that this would be the outcome when you hunted me and coveted my artifact?"

He sealed the meridians throughout Arza's body with a flick of his fingers.

She could no longer exert even a trace of strength.

Only breathe.

Only scream.

"Brothers of the Blood Tavern," Ethan said indifferently, "this woman is yours."

He tossed her aside.

Arza tumbled across the ground, landing before the Blood Tavern, rolling to the feet of Roan and the others.

They stared at the fallen beauty, eyes widening unconsciously, throats rolling.

But—

They quickly looked away.

The Blood Marquis spoke calmly, "Uga. Lock her up. She's still useful. As a high-ranking member of the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, she knows many secrets."

"Understood."

Uga descended, struck Arza unconscious with a single blow, and bound her securely.

Roan and the others steadied their breathing.

Desire was fleeting.

Power was eternal.

At that moment, Enzo Vernal fell to his knees.

"Ethan!" he pleaded desperately.

"We were instigated by the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets!"

"Our Vernal Dawn royal family will no longer pursue the matter of Bram! We're willing to hand over everything we have—just let us go!"

"From now on, we will never step foot into Skyreach Territory again!"

Ethan glanced at him sideways.

Said nothing.

The Desolation-Annihilating Sword moved.

Silver light streaked across the night sky.

Each arc bloomed like a bloody rose.

"Et—Ethan…!"

Drake Supreme and River clutched their throats, eyes wide with unwillingness and terror.

The words they wanted to say never came.

The next second, the heads were separated.

A/N:

Magic Castle Extra Chapters tomorrow

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

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.