What kind of nonsense was this?

The guards of Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets had never heard of such a phrase in their lives.

Checking the water meter?

This was Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets—one of the absolute hegemonic forces of Sun Moon City. It had already closed its doors for the night, yet someone still dared to shout and pound on the gate like this.

They clearly did not take Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets seriously at all.

Did these people not know who the real king of Sun Moon City was?

"Who dares to shout and make trouble at the important grounds of Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets—are you seeking death?"

A cold, angry voice came from behind the door.

"So much nonsense," Alix snorted impatiently.

"Our lady asked you to open the door. Don't make me kick it open myself!"

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Alix smashed his fist against the massive gate again and again, the deep, muffled sounds echoing down the street.

"You're courting death!"

"Today I'll cripple your hands and feet, knock out your teeth, and let you learn who truly rules Sun Moon City!"

The guard captain roared and shoved the gate open.

But the moment the door opened, his expression changed completely.

His body suddenly lifted off the ground.

His breath stopped.

At some point, Ethan's hand had already clamped around his throat. A terrifying force surged out, instantly sealing the guard captain's meridians and dantian.

"Let… let me go…"

The guard captain struggled weakly. The punch he threw at Ethan's arm felt like cotton—utterly powerless.

"Who… who are you…"

His eyes fixed on the black mask on Ethan's face.

That mask was far too familiar.

Aether.

The nightmare recorded on the most wanted list of Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

The man who caused chaos in Sun Moon Lake years ago and escaped from Elder Oswin's pursuit.

But today, there were five intruders.

All of them wore similar masks.

For a moment, it was impossible to tell which one was truly Aether.

The guards inside the lobby froze.

Then chaos erupted.

"It's that mask!"

"Quick—inform Miss Ava and Elder Oswin!"

Someone shouted and turned to run.

"Hmph, you want to run away?"

Solara placed her hands on her waist and snorted coldly.

The next instant, orange-red flames burst out beneath the guards' feet.

In the blink of an eye, the flames crawled up their bodies like living creatures.

They didn't even have time to scream.

Their bodies were reduced to ash in silence.

Ethan released his grip.

The flames vanished, leaving only drifting black smoke.

"Up there."

Ethan raised his head slightly and glanced toward the top floor.

.....

At the same time, on the highest floor of Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

Three people sat around a table.

Oswin. Ava. Luke.

Luke had already stepped into the Nirvana Realm and condensed his Dharma Body. At the Second Turn of Nirvana, his combat power was terrifying—enough to suppress any of the three great families alone.

They were discussing the final steps to completely integrate Sun Moon City.

As Luke finished speaking, Oswin's expression suddenly changed.

"Old Oswin, what's wrong?" Ava asked.

Her bright, moon-like eyes were filled with confusion.

"Someone has broken into Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets," Oswin said in a low voice.

His aura shifted instantly.

"Come. Let's go down and see who dares to break into Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets."

Luke sneered coldly. "Who's so reckless? They really don't know how to read the word 'death.'"

"Hmph," Oswin snorted.

"No matter who it is, anyone who breaks into Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets will be killed without mercy!"

He was about to move—

Then his body froze.

His pupils trembled violently.

Not only Oswin.

Luke and Ava froze as well.

Because a black shadow had already appeared silently in the room.

And one hand was resting casually on Oswin's shoulder.

From beginning to end, none of them sensed anyone approaching.

The room fell into absolute silence.

The atmosphere grew suffocating, like a taut string stretched to its limit.

Oswin did not dare move recklessly.

He steadied his breathing and exchanged glances with Ava and Luke.

Silence.

So quiet that even a heartbeat sounded deafening.

Oswin took a deep breath, suddenly spun around, and shouted furiously,

"Who is this?!"

In an instant, he retreated several steps, standing together with Luke and Ava.

Ethan did not speak.

He merely looked at the three of them calmly.

Oswin stared at the mask on Ethan's face.

Confusion.

Then shock.

Then uncontrollable ecstasy.

"Aether… hahaha! Aether!"

Oswin laughed wildly, pointing at Ethan, his eyes reddening.

"I searched for you for ten years! Ten whole years!"

"It's truly hard to find you when you wear out cotton shoes, yet you deliver yourself without effort!"

"You're not dead after all!"

"You didn't hide properly and even dared to come provoke me—truly ignorant of life and death!"

"Since you've come here to die, I'll gladly accept it! Today, I'll cripple your hands and legs and wash away the hatred in my heart!"

As Oswin spoke, his aura exploded.

Killing intent surged out like a tide, instantly enveloping the entire Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

"Aether… I didn't expect you'd dare come back."

Ava frowned slightly, her gaze fixed on Ethan.

"This time, you even brought accomplices. But no matter how many you bring, it's useless."

"You will never leave here alive."

Luke stared at Ethan.

The memory of being crushed and defeated surged up violently, igniting uncontrollable rage in his chest.

"Hahaha."

Alix suddenly burst into laughter.

These people truly didn't understand what kind of existence they were facing.

Ethan didn't even need a single breath to kill them.

"You haven't even reached Mahayana. What are you laughing at?"

Luke asked coldly.

"I'm laughing at your ignorance," Shia replied calmly.

"You don't even know who is standing in front of you."

The three of them had already been completely convinced by Ethan's strength.

They had decided—the Royal Beast Sect would follow Ethan no matter what.

Soup or meat, benefits would come eventually.

"You're still young," Ava stared at Solara and spoke coldly.

"Don't follow Aether and ruin your future."

"If you leave now, Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets can spare your life."

"Sister, you're quite a nice person."

Solara smiled brightly, showing her neat white teeth.

"But your Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets' main pavilion in Noble Sun City has already been wiped out. Where do you get the confidence?"

Solara asked again, her tone calm, as if she was stating an ordinary thing.

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

...

Thanks for the Magic Castle: @Zunsin

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.