She hadn't expected it.

Aether… was Ethan.

The truth struck Ava like a thunderbolt, shattering the last fragile structure of hope in her heart.

If Ethan was here—

Then everything in Skyreach Territory had already ended.

The Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets' grand plan, the countless calculations, the arrogance built on Supremes and hidden forces—all of it had failed.

Completely.

Dozens of Supremes… gone.

For Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, this was not a setback.

It was a catastrophe.

A disaster that could sever its roots for centuries.

Ethan grabbed Oswin by the head, stepped into the void, and appeared above Sun Moon City.

The night sky trembled.

Below, crowds surged around the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets. The three major aristocratic families, independent sects, merchant clans—after sensing the terrifying fluctuations, all had sent people to investigate.

Now, countless gazes were lifted toward the sky.

There stood a young man in blue robes, calm and upright, holding in one hand Elder Oswin—the tyrant who had dominated Sun Moon City for decades.

For a moment, the entire city fell into dead silence.

No one knew who this man was.

Yet some felt an inexplicable chill, a sense of familiarity buried deep in memory, as though they had once seen this face on wanted posters… or whispered legends.

Ethan looked down.

"From today onward," he said calmly, his voice neither loud nor urgent, yet imbued with terrifying penetrating power, "Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets is removed from Sun Moon City."

The words echoed through the night sky, lingering long after they were spoken.

At first—shock.

Then disbelief.

Then, slowly, faces lit up with uncontrollable excitement.

They had been oppressed for too long.

Transactions monopolized. Families bled dry. Cultivators crushed without reason.

Now—someone had finally raised a blade against Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

How could they not rejoice?

"Heh… hehehe…"

Oswin laughed weakly, blood bubbling at the corner of his mouth.

"You don't even know the true background of Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets," he said hoarsely.

"If you dare kill me today… in the future, Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets will grind you into ashes."

"Really?" Ethan replied calmly.

"Then I'll wait."

He tightened his grip.

"Don't be nervous," Ethan said softly, almost gently.

"Take a deep breath. It's normal to feel pain… and dizziness."

Crack.

Light-Azure flames burst forth.

Oswin's head exploded like fragile porcelain.

His body was instantly incinerated, reduced to drifting ashes scattered by the night wind.

"OLD OSWIN!"

Ava's scream tore through the ruined pavilion, sharp and broken, her eyes bloodshot to the point of madness.

Below, the city erupted.

But not in chaos.

In reverence.

One after another, cultivators knelt on one knee, heads lowered.

"Thank you, senior, for enforcing justice!"

The roar shook the heavens.

Ethan glanced down indifferently.

"No need to bow," he said flatly.

"I'm not a good person either."

His gaze swept across the three great families.

"From now on, all Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets' industries in Sun Moon City will be taken over by the three major families. Half of the profits go to me. The rest—you distribute among yourselves."

Not a single objection.

The heads of the three great families nodded immediately, fear and excitement intertwined in their hearts.

"Where is Eunice?" Ethan asked suddenly, his gaze turning toward the Stormjade estate.

The head of the Stormjade family froze—then his heart leapt wildly.

This man had crushed Oswin like an ant.

And now… he was asking for his daughter by name?

Could it be—

"The… the young lady is here," the Stormjade family head said quickly.

Enuice stepped forward, bowing respectfully.

She looked up at Ethan, frowning slightly.

This man… felt familiar.

Yet no matter how she searched her memories, she couldn't recall where she had seen him.

"From today onward," Ethan said calmly, "you will be solely responsible for Sun Moon City."

"At the end of each month, half the profits will be sent to the Blood Tavern in Noble Sun City. Do you understand?"

Blood Tavern.

The name alone caused another wave of shock.

Only a force of that level could openly oppose Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets—and win.

Eunice's mind went blank for a moment.

Happiness surged like a tide.

She… was the ruler of Sun Moon City now?

But doubt followed immediately.

Her cultivation was weak. Too weak.

Once this terrifying man left—would anyone still listen to her?

"Th-this…" Enuice hesitated, then gathered her courage.

"Thank you for your trust, senior. May I ask… your name?"

"Aether."

The name fell lightly.

Yet it struck like a meteor.

Enuice's eyes widened.

…

Ethan returned to the top floor of Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

The hall was ruined, cracked stone littering the ground.

Ava sat slumped against the wall, staring at him with bloodshot eyes filled with hatred and exhaustion.

"You're an inscription master," Ethan said calmly.

"Useful."

"I won't kill you."

Inscription masters were rare.

Those capable of engraving runes on spiritual weapons.

If trained properly, such a person could one day engrave runes on a divine artifact.

Bring her back to the Azure Origin Dao Sect and train her, so that she can hopefully reach the divine level in the future.

"I will fight you to the death," Ava hissed.

"You killed so many of my people. I will never submit."

"Birds choose good trees to roost in," Ethan replied.

"Think carefully."

"I'll give you a choice."

"Kill yourself."

"Or be used by me."

"I won't force you."

He paused.

"You're still young. You only have one life. It's precious."

Ethan flicked his fingers.

Clang—clang—clang.

A short dagger skidded across the ground, stopping before Ava.

The blade was sharp and bright, reflecting her pale face—and the fading bloodlust in her eyes.

Her hands trembled as she picked it up.

She pressed the blade to her neck.

Cold.

Sharp.

Final.

Her teeth clenched.

Her arms strained.

But the blade would not move.

As though death itself weighed a mountain.

Three minutes passed.

Three long, suffocating minutes.

Finally, her strength collapsed.

The dagger fell from her hand.

Ava dropped to the ground, palms pressed against the floor, breath ragged and uneven.

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

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