"Let's go!"

The young man gave the order.

The old man and the middle aged man behind him responded at once, their figures flickering as they flew toward the direction of the Royal Beast Sect.

.....

Azure Origin Dao Sect.

After three rounds of wine, Ethan stepped out of Junior Sister Liana's room.

"Senior Brother, walk slowly," Liana said softly.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, her eyes moist and bright. Her skin glowed faintly, as if bathed in moonlight. Perhaps it was the wine, or perhaps it was simply because she had been alone with Ethan—either way, her entire bearing carried a gentle, radiant warmth.

"While I'm away," Ethan said calmly, "help me look after that boy Elias."

"Don't worry, Senior Brother," Liana replied seriously.

"With me here, Elias won't be bullied."

She hesitated for a moment, then added softly, "Next time you come back… you must bring Senior Sister Althea with you. She left the Azure Origin Dao Sect back then—for you."

Ethan waved his hand lightly.

His figure dissolved into the night.

.....

Echo Lake.

Ethan stood by the shore. The faint scent of alcohol had already been forced out of his body. His eyes were clear, his breath steady.

Swish—swish—swish!

Several figures appeared in succession.

Alix, Shia, Houda and Solara.

"Dad, are we leaving?" Solara asked, blinking.

"Yes," Ethan nodded.

"We'll head to the Royal Beast Sect first."

He glanced at Alix.

Back then, he had promised to visit the Royal Beast Sect and personally choose a suitable spiritual beast in exchange of their lives. He never forgot promises.

"Young Master, you may choose any spiritual beast you like from our Royal Beast Sect," Alix said with a smile.

"Good," Ethan replied.

"Let's go."

A formation activated beneath their feet.

Light rose.

Minutes later, the formation rotated once more, blue light dissipated, and the five figures vanished.

.....

Skyreach Territory. Calm Mountain.

Royal Beast Sect.

The grand hall was crowded.

Ever since the disappearance of the Sect Master, the Supreme Elder, and Houda, the entire Royal Beast Sect had fallen into prolonged unease.

The past and the future of the sect had vanished together.

Nearly ten years.

No one knew where the three were.

The sect's morale wavered daily.

Many elders could no longer endure the uncertainty and openly proposed re-establishing a sect leader.

"Everyone," a middle aged man standing at the forefront said with a faint smile, one hand resting on the armrest.

"The soul jades of the Sect Master, the Supreme Elder, and Houda are not broken."

"That means they are still alive."

"They simply cannot return for the time being."

"When the true sect leaders are still alive, is it appropriate to establish a new one?"

This man was Nox—the Great Elder of the Royal Beast Sect.

For the past ten years, he had served as acting sect leader, doing everything he could to maintain stability.

But time eroded patience.

The longer the three failed to return, the more divided the sect became.

A portion of elders supported Nox, believing no leadership change should occur while the originals lived.

Another faction felt otherwise.

"What the Great Elder says is too rigid," an elderly man stepped forward.

"A sect cannot be leaderless for even a day."

"Everyone feels uneasy. Establishing a new sect leader would stabilize hearts."

"When the three return in the future… we can discuss it then."

"Discuss it then?" Nox chuckled softly.

He knew exactly what the Sixth Elder meant.

The Sixth Elder wanted power.

More precisely—he wanted access to the sect's core inheritance.

And he wanted his grandson to form a soul contract with the Evil Mantis.

The Evil Mantis.

One of the Eight Strange and Ferocious Beasts from ancient times.

Its bloodline was purer and almost comparable to divine beasts.

Once fully awakened, it would possess at least Ultimate Supreme strength.

It was even rumored to have the potential to step into the Demon Emperor realm.

The Royal Beast Sect's guardian spiritual beast, the Azure Mantis, had given birth to this heir whose bloodline matched that of the ancestor.

Whoever contracted it would define the future of the sect.

Naturally, everyone wanted that position.

"Great Elder, bad news!"

Just as the argument reached its peak, a disciple rushed in from outside, pale-faced and breathless.

"What happened?" Nox asked calmly.

"Three people have broken into our sect!"

"They're extremely powerful—our elders and disciples can't stop them!"

The hall erupted in shock.

"What force dares to provoke our Royal Beast Sect?"

"Do they think the names of the Four Great Sects are just for show?"

"I… I can't identify them," the disciple stammered.

"But they don't seem to be from Skyreach Territory."

Silence fell.

Foreign enemies.

That alone made everyone's expressions darken.

"There's an external invasion," Nox said decisively.

"We'll settle internal matters later."

"All elders, follow me to repel the enemy."

But before he could step out—

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The ground shook violently.

A beam of spiritual light exploded outside the hall. Terrifying waves of power swept through the air.

The roof of the Royal Beast Sect's meeting hall was torn apart in an instant.

"Everyone, retreat!" Nox roared.

Figures scattered in all directions, streaking across the sky like shattered stars.

"Who is in charge of the Royal Beast Sect?"

A cold voice echoed from above.

"Come out."

Nox looked up.

Three figures stood suspended in the sky.

An old man.

A young man.

A middle aged man.

It was the middle aged man who had spoken.

Just now, a casual strike from him had carried power that made Nox's scalp tingle.

Nox's heart sank.

He was already at the Sixth Turn of Mahayana.

Yet he couldn't even gauge the opponent's realm.

"The gap… is too great," Nox thought grimly.

The three looked down upon the sect with open disdain.

Even the youngest among them radiated pressure Nox couldn't measure.

And as for the old man—

He stood quietly, hands clasped behind his back, his expression calm and indifferent.

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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