If this person did not appear, Ethan would not move.

If he revealed his strength too early, it would only drive the real enemies from the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets into hiding. And Ethan had no intention of letting even a single rat escape the net.

"Are you a senior of the Azure Origin Dao Sect?" Seraphina asked, her voice restrained but tense.

"Yes or no," Ethan replied indifferently, "does it have anything to do with you?"

He glanced at her, eyes cold and measuring.

This woman was… useless.

In ten years, she had stepped into the Mahayana Realm and reached the third turn. By ordinary standards, that was considered talented.

By Ethan's standards?

Barely qualified to not be trash.

"…."

The chill in his tone stabbed straight into Seraphina's pride. Her fingers clenched tightly inside her sleeves, knuckles whitening.

But reason crushed emotion.

The sect was on the brink of annihilation. Pride was worthless.

She cupped her hands, suppressing her anger.

"Since you are a member of the Azure Origin Dao Sect, and the sect is facing a life-and-death crisis, I hope senior can lend a hand."

"Is that how you beg for help?" Ethan asked calmly, his gaze flat.

Before Seraphina could respond, a lazy voice sounded beside him.

"You're doing it wrong," Alix said softly.

"You're supposed to kneel."

"…."

Seraphina's pupils trembled. Humiliation burned through her veins like poison.

But she clenched her teeth.

If kneeling could save the sect, then so be it.

"I, the Saintess of the Azure Origin Dao Sect," she said hoarsely.

With a dull thud, she dropped to her knees.

"I beg senior to come forth and save the Azure Origin Dao Sect from disaster!"

Her forehead lowered until it touched the ground.

Silence followed.

Then—

"It's quite a sight."

The voice sounded right beside her.

Seraphina's heart skipped violently.

She raised her head—

And Ethan was already there.

"So… fast?!" Her breath caught.

No warning. No ripple.

She forced herself to calm down instantly. "Senior, my master, the peak masters, and the elders are currently battling the invading Supremes on the Holy Peak. We must hurry—"

"No need," Ethan interrupted, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed into the distant sky.

"They're not all here yet."

Seraphina froze.

"Not all… here?"

Before she could ask further—

Five terrifying beams of light tore through the horizon.

The heavens seemed to recoil.

The air screamed.

Seraphina's face drained of color.

Those five auras… each one oppressive beyond reason. One of them even surpassed the Intermediate Supreme who had been relentlessly attacking the Origin Formation.

"How… how did senior know?" she asked subconsciously.

"Because arrogant people are never late," Ethan replied flatly.

"And they never miss an opportunity to watch others bleed."

The calm dominance in his voice sent a shiver down Seraphina's spine.

Admiration, unwilling and instinctive, rose in her heart.

No wonder.

No wonder Aether had never spared her a second glance back then.

How could someone standing this high care about the dust below?

With a thought, Ethan raised his hand.

A silver humanoid puppet emerged, radiating cold, metallic might. Its aura alone was enough to make Seraphina's scalp prickle.

"Go," Ethan said calmly.

"Protect the Demon Sealing Cave."

The Silver Guardian bowed and vanished in a streak of silver light.

Seraphina's eyes widened.

This puppet—

She knew it.

Her pupils contracted violently.

"Grey… this is Grey's elementary-grade puppet!"

Memory crashed down on her like thunder.

Grey. Iris.

Their possessions had all been seized by a single man.

Ethan.

Her body trembled.

She slowly lifted her gaze.

"You…"

Ethan reached up and removed the mask.

The handsome face beneath was calm, indifferent, familiar—and utterly merciless.

Dark eyes like still water. No ripples. No warmth.

"Et… Ethan…"

Her legs gave out completely.

She collapsed.

"Your Highness the Saint," Ethan said lightly.

"Long time no see."

The words stabbed deeper than any blade.

"Your Highness…"

Seraphina laughed, but it sounded like choking.

"Is this… your revenge on me?"

Ethan didn't even bother answering.

She was irrelevant.

There were more important things to settle first.

"They're all here," he said calmly.

"It's time."

He turned to Seraphina.

"What are you still kneeling for? Move."

His voice snapped her back to reality.

She stood up shakily, head lowered.

"I understand… Mr. Ethan."

"It's Master Uncle," Ethan corrected coldly.

"…I understand, Master Uncle Ethan."

Her voice was barely audible.

.....

Holy Peak.

Blood stained the stone steps.

Dame's hand tightened around Liana's throat, lifting her effortlessly. Her feet dangled above the ground, face pale but eyes still burning with defiance.

"Very good," Dame said with a faint smile.

"You may go."

The man who had betrayed Liana froze—then ecstasy flooded his face.

He scrambled to his feet, bowing repeatedly.

"Thank you, senior! Thank you! I'll leave at once!"

Seeing this, others panicked.

"Senior! We have nothing to do with Ethan!"

"We voluntarily withdraw from the Azure Origin Dao Sect!"

"Please spare us!"

Dame's smile widened.

"Of course," he said gently.

"I always keep my word. Quit the sect—or give me information about Ethan's relatives and friends—and you may leave alive."

Hope ignited like wildfire.

One by one, elders, peak masters, disciples stepped forward.

In less than a quarter of an hour, over a third of the Azure Origin Dao Sect had chosen betrayal.

Dame let them go.

He truly did.

They flew away, relief flooding their faces—

Then—

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Bodies exploded midair.

Blood mist bloomed like crimson flowers across the sky.

Screams cut off instantly.

Silence followed.

Utter, frozen silence.

Shock paralyzed everyone left behind.

Lyralei's face turned deathly pale.

Only those who had remained loyal sneered coldly.

"Traitors deserve death."

"Did they really believe there was a way out?"

"These aren't humans. They're demons."

Lyralei took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain steady.

"Is there anyone else who wishes to leave the sect?"

No one answered.

No one dared.

Because everyone now understood—

Leaving meant death.

"You—!" The man who had betrayed Liana, still alive, pointed at Dame, eyes bloodshot.

"You despicable monster! You lied!"

Dame looked at him calmly.

A faint smile curved his lips.

"I only said that I won't kill you."

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.