The heads of the three great families felt a chill crawl up their spines.

Under Ethan's gaze, none of them dared harbor even the slightest stray thought.

"Solara, let's go."

After settling the affairs of Sun Moon City, Ethan did not linger. He stepped into the night sky in a single stride, his figure dissolving into darkness.

Solara followed closely, hopping up with light steps, while Alix, Shia, and Houda transformed into streaks of light and chased after them.

Five rays of brilliance pierced the heavens and vanished toward the north.

That direction led to Sun Moon Lake.

This place is a fishing spot and also a teleportation anchor point. From here, he could teleport to any anchor point he had previously opened.

Ethan had come for only one reason.

To return.

To the Azure Origin Dao Sect.

He descended beside the lake, the water reflecting starlight like a broken mirror of the heavens. With a thought, a holographic map unfolded before his eyes.

After selecting the destination, a translucent panel appeared.

[Teleportation starting point — Sun Moon Lake]

[Teleportation end point — Azure Origin Dao Sect, Echo Lake]

[Do you wish to begin teleportation?]

"Start," Ethan replied without hesitation.

[Please prepare and stand within the formation. Long-distance teleportation is activating.]

A countdown appeared.

Ethan had long been familiar with the process. He calmly sat down cross-legged, his breathing steady.

Beneath the bluestone where he sat, a circular formation with a diameter of three feet slowly emerged, glowing with a soft azure light.

"There's a large teleportation formation here," Ethan said calmly.

"Stand still. It will activate immediately."

"Understood, Mr. Ethan," Alix replied.

Shia and Houda nodded as well, their expressions solemn.

They stood beside Ethan, waiting.

The formation beneath their feet began to rotate, faster and faster.

Ten. Nine. Eight.

The hum of formation intensified, distorting the air.

Three.

Two.

One.

The instant the countdown ended, Ethan and the four others dissolved into streaks of blue light and vanished.

Sun Moon Lake returned to silence, as if nothing had happened.

.....

Skyreach Territory.

Azure Origin Dao Sect.

Night had fallen, but the sect-protecting formation was fully activated, covering the sect like a vast translucent dome.

Atop the formation hovered more than ten figures.

They wore black robes and masks, their auras cold and restrained, identities concealed.

This was the advance force sent only by the Vernal clan.

Two Intermediate Supremes. Three Inferior Supremes. Eight Mahayana experts, all at the Eighth Turn or above.

The leader of this group was Solin, the Seventh Elder of the Vernal clan—an Inferior Supreme.

Originally, they were meant to probe the situation and wait for reinforcements from Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets.

But Solin had grown impatient.

Azure Origin Dao Sect was nothing more than a declining sect in his eyes. Waiting felt unnecessary.

So he attacked.

Yet he never expected this.

Lyralei—the sect leader—had broken through.

A newly ascended Supreme.

As expected of the woman who once called herself the Empress in the Skyreach Territory.

Her cultivation speed was monstrous.

With the ancient sect-protecting formation left behind by Blue Void Ancestor—who once dominated the entire territory—Lyralei had actually blocked their advance.

The formation was a combined array.

It wasn't particularly offensive, but its structure was profoundly mysterious, its defensive power terrifying.

Lyralei personally presided over it, supported by the Mahayana elders, while all disciples of Azure Origin Dao Sect acted as auxiliary nodes.

Their combined power condensed into the formation, making it as stubborn as a turtle shell.

Unbreakable—at least for now.

But Solin was waiting.

People grew tired.

Maintaining such a formation drained spiritual energy at a terrifying rate.

Inside the sect, spiritual crystals and stones were being consumed like water.

Once they ran out—

Even without another attack, the formation would collapse on its own.

High above the night sky, Solin looked down at the massive barrier and sneered.

He raised his palm.

Then slammed it downward.

"Attack."

The figures moved at once.

Boom! Boom! Boom—!

A storm of attacks smashed into the formation.

Ripples spread across the barrier, the light dimming slightly, its strength visibly weakened.

Solin laughed.

"The formation's power is fading," he said leisurely.

"How long do you think your Azure Origin Dao Sect can last?"

He waved his hand, signaling everyone to halt.

"Rest. Adjust yourselves to peak condition."

"There's no rush."

He planned to grind them down slowly.

Ideally, Ethan would arrive after hearing the news.

Then Solin could kill him personally.

Solin's gaze pierced through the layers of light and landed on the heart of the sect—Holy Peak.

"Lyralei…" he murmured.

"You really live up to the name of Empress."

—

Inside the Holy Hall.

Twelve Mahayana experts sat cross-legged in a perfect circle.

At the center sat Lyralei.

Mr. Stone and the others formed the primary nodes, their spiritual energy flowing in an endless cycle, sustaining the formation.

Lyralei wore a crimson dress.

Dragon, tiger, and phoenix patterns shimmered faintly along the hem. Between her brows, a golden feather-shaped mark glowed softly.

Her face was pale.

Maintaining the formation placed enormous strain on her.

She still couldn't understand it.

Where had these people come from?

And why had they chosen to target Azure Origin Dao Sect?

Ethan had left the sect a decade ago and never returned.

The group sent to attend the treasure appraisal conference and search for him—only Edwin, Seraphina, and Liana's spiritual beast Ashira had returned.

The rest…

Their soul jade tablets had all shattered.

Dead.

From her disciple, Lyralei learned that after fleeing to Noble Sun City, Ethan's cultivation had skyrocketed.

He joined the Blood Tavern.

Killed a mysterious Supreme.

Seized an artifact.

His name shook the region.

Lyralei had always known Ethan was extraordinary.

But even she hadn't anticipated growth of this magnitude.

Ten years ago, he could already slay Supremes.

If he is still alive now, with the artifact in his hand, he should have no problem dealing with this group of Supremes attacking the sect.

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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