In this way, Myriad Treasures Pavilion, Azure Origin Dao Sect, and the Holy Land of Endless Mountains would be able to watch over one another when danger arrived.

Azure Origin Dao Sect—Holy Peak Hall.

All surviving elders and peak masters were present.

Outside the hall, disciples stood packed shoulder to shoulder, filling the mountain paths. No one spoke loudly. All eyes were fixed on the great hall, waiting.

At this moment, Solara entered.

She dragged in Lyralei and Seraphina, both bound tightly.

Their hands and feet were restrained, their spiritual energy sealed, and they collapsed onto the cold stone floor in a sorry state.

Seraphina's former arrogance had long since vanished. Fear and desperation filled her eyes. She no longer cared about dignity—only about survival. Hers, and her master's.

Huh—!

A flash of lightning cut through the hall.

Ethan appeared before the main seat.

He did not sit.

He merely stood there, hands behind his back, quietly looking down at the two figures kneeling below.

Lyralei's gaze drifted upward.

That seat…

It once belonged to her.

Now, it belonged to Ethan.

And she—

She stood exactly where Ethan had once stood.

The humiliation stabbed deep into her heart.

Unwillingness flickered across her face.

No one is a saint, so who in this world has never made a mistake?

Was she truly going to lose everything because of what she believed to be a small matter?

Her chest tightened.

She scanned the hall.

The figure she was waiting for did not appear.

Her master.

Seraphina was also searching anxiously.

Ash Burn was nowhere to be seen.

"Master… have you abandoned me as well…?"

Lyralei lowered her head slowly.

She bit her red lips hard, blood seeping through, grief and resentment tangling together in her heart.

Her fists clenched tightly.

Her master's absence struck her harder than any punishment.

After a long while, she exhaled deeply, forcing herself to calm down, and raised her head to look at Ethan.

He stood where she once had.

His dark eyes were calm—too calm.

There were no ripples, no hesitation.

Only a faint, bone-chilling cold hidden deep within.

Ethan did not speak.

He simply looked at Lyralei and Seraphina.

The hall fell into complete silence.

So quiet that one could hear breathing.

Everyone waited.

This was judgment.

Without a doubt, everyone present already regarded Ethan as the true leader of Azure Origin Dao Sect.

Whether he accepted the title or not no longer mattered.

Strength had decided everything.

In this world, when one possesses enough power, many things come uninvited.

Authority.

Status.

Obedience.

Ethan remained silent.

No one dared speak.

The pressure grew heavier by the breath.

Lyralei felt as if her chest were being crushed.

Finally, she could not endure it any longer.

She looked up at Ethan and asked hoarsely, "Ethan… what exactly do you want to do?"

Ethan glanced at them indifferently.

"From today onward," he said calmly, "Lyralei is stripped of her position as Sect Leader."

"Seraphina is stripped of her position as Saint."

A wave of shock rippled through the hall.

"The two of you will reflect at Serene Mirror Lake and be imprisoned in the Demon Sealing Cave for fifty years."

"You are not allowed to leave."

His voice was light.

Almost casual.

But every word struck like a hammer.

This was exactly what they had once done to him.

Now, it was returned in full.

"…!"

Lyralei's teeth nearly shattered.

She never imagined that one day she would be deposed by Ethan himself—and imprisoned in the Demon Sealing Cave to reflect.

Why?

However, after the initial shock, she said nothing.

Because she knew—

There was no one in Azure Origin Dao Sect who could oppose Ethan.

So what if she was imprisoned?

With her strength, she could still come and go freely… or so she thought.

"Seal."

Ethan raised his palm.

Majestic divine power surged.

A beam of white light struck Lyralei's chest.

In an instant, her limbs went weak.

Her meridians froze.

Her spiritual energy stopped completely.

Unable to move.

Unable to circulate.

"My cultivation… has been sealed?!"

Lyralei stared at Ethan in disbelief, her heart sinking.

Ethan had clearly seen through her thoughts.

At that moment, Seraphina suddenly raised her head.

Determination filled her eyes.

"Uncle Ethan!"

She kowtowed heavily.

"What happened back then was all my fault. My master only acted because of me."

"The trouble was caused by me—then let me resolve it."

She took a deep breath.

"The sect is reviving. My master is a Supreme expert. She is still one of the strongest pillars of Azure Origin Dao Sect."

"I, Seraphina, am willing to die to atone for my sins."

She stood up shakily.

A cold flash appeared.

A long sword was in her hand.

She pressed it against her neck.

"Master," Seraphina said softly, tears falling, "your disciple was unfilial."

"It was my pride and arrogance that caused all this."

"Today, I repay your kindness with my life."

She closed her eyes and exerted force.

Lyralei's pupils shrank violently.

She tried to move—

But she couldn't.

She could only watch.

Despair flooded her face.

Finally, she abandoned all pride.

She lowered her head and cried out hoarsely, "Ethan… please!"

Before she could finish—

Ethan appeared before Seraphina.

Two fingers clamped down on the blade.

Crack!

The sword shattered into dust.

Only the hilt remained in Seraphina's trembling hand.

She opened her eyes and collapsed onto the ground.

Her whole body shook.

She was afraid.

Terrified of death.

"Lyralei," Ethan said calmly, "everything has a price."

"Back then, you indulged Seraphina and imprisoned me in Serene Mirror Lake without investigating the truth."

"If not for Master Burn valuing me and taking me in as a disciple…"

"I would have disappeared from this world without a trace."

He looked down at them.

"So tell me," he asked quietly, "what should you repay with?"

Lyralei lowered her head.

Silence.

After a long time, she raised her head again.

The pride that once defined her was completely gone.

"I understand," she said hoarsely.

"What happened back then… was my fault."

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

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