"How many times can you hide?"

Thousand Faces snorted coldly. He and his clone moved in perfect synchronization, each drawing a long black sword at the same time.

The moment the swords appeared, sword intent surged skyward like a rising tide. The clouds above were torn apart, swept clean by the sharp and tyrannical sword intent.

Thousand Faces and his clone raised their swords at the same time.

Slash! Slash! Slash!

Black sword intent shot out in dense streams, tearing through the air as they stabbed toward Ethan's vital points—throat, heart, brow, abdomen—each strike precise, ruthless, and lethal.

The black vortex distorted the surrounding space, interfering with Ethan's movement and perception. His figure flickered within the compressed area, dodging again and again, like a shadow dancing within a storm.

Boo hoo hoo hoo—!

Sword intent raged wildly, shredding the air. The lake below churned violently as if boiling, waves exploding outward.

Thousand Faces' eyes gleamed coldly.

"Nightfall vortex chains, dance wildly!"

He thrust his palm forward. The ink-black cloud overhead roared as it condensed once more.

This time, hundreds of chains descended from the sky like a metallic rainstorm.

They sealed off every possible path of escape.

In the blink of an eye, chains wrapped around Ethan's wrists and ankles, coiling tightly. Dozens more locked onto his limbs, binding him completely in midair.

Ethan was trapped.

"Hahaha!"

Thousand Faces laughed loudly, the sound echoing between the mountains.

"Boy, you do have strength—but you're still too young!"

In his eyes, this battle had already ended.

Aether's combat power was indeed terrifying, at least comparable to a late-stage Upper Supreme. But experience was the true dividing line.

For nearly a thousand years, Thousand Faces had wandered the continent, surviving countless pursuits, assassinations, and battles against peak experts.

How could a young genius compare?

Experience was blood.

Experience was survival.

And experience decided life and death.

"Shadowed Earth Fiend Sword Technique—final style!"

His laughter faded as killing intent surged. He raised his sword and focused all his will.

He was no longer interested in playing.

Celeste was watching.

Delays invited variables.

The long sword in his hand screamed sharply. Thousand Faces slid two fingers across the blade, and black sword intent erupted violently, condensing into the shape of a massive black wolf.

Its eyes burned with killing intent.

"Aether—your life is mine!"

The clone mirrored every movement flawlessly.

Slash!

Two terrifying sword arcs tore through space.

The black wolf stepped onto the crescent-shaped sword light and charged forward, carrying a power that seemed capable of cleaving heaven and earth apart.

This strike—

Was meant to kill.

Ethan's limbs were bound, yet his gaze remained calm. There was no panic. No tension.

Only disappointment.

"So this is all?"

He had thought Thousand Faces would have something new after ten years.

Some hidden trump card.

Some breakthrough.

Instead, he found the same old tricks—only weaker.

"The true reliance… is still that cowardly mask."

"In that case, the test ends here."

Ethan clenched his fist.

"Break."

Boom—!

A terrifying burst of power exploded outward.

The chains binding him shattered instantly, reduced to fragments that vaporized in midair.

Blazing waves surged out, forming a semi-material aura that shimmered with overlapping colors, like a blurred starry sky.

This was the fusion of his original spiritual flames and the power of the stars.

Pure destruction.

The two sword intents, enough to obliterate an Upper Supreme, were incinerated on contact.

Gone.

The raging flames rushed upward, tearing apart the ink cloud and scattering it into nothingness.

The sky cleared in an instant.

"Nani?!"

Thousand Faces' eyes widened in disbelief.

Boom!

The shockwave slammed into him before he could react, hurling him backward like a ragdoll.

"The fire power…!"

He crossed his arms instinctively, shadow spiritual energy condensing into a shield.

Even so, he was blasted back dozens of feet before barely stabilizing himself.

Hiss—!

Thousand Faces gasped for breath. Sweat drenched his body. His arms were scorched black, flesh smoking faintly.

He had blocked it—

But only barely.

And that had merely been the residual shockwave.

"This power… it's no weaker than Celeste!"

Fear finally surfaced in his eyes.

"No. This guy is too strong."

"Retreat!"

Without hesitation, Thousand Faces turned and fled.

But—

A shadow appeared before him.

"So fast?!"

His pupils shrank violently.

He hadn't even sensed Ethan moving.

Before he could think further, a fist slammed toward his face.

Bang!

Ethan's fist was wrapped in Azure flames mixed with faint gray—Pure Azure Flame fused with Demon Flame, forming a terrifying new source.

The impact was overwhelming.

Thousand Faces hurriedly raised his palms, gripping his own wrist to stabilize himself while pouring spiritual energy into defense.

It was useless.

The sheer physical force alone made his arms go numb. The flame power burned through his defenses like paper.

Crack—!

A sharp sound rang out.

Pain exploded across Thousand Faces' face.

His palm bones and forearm snapped instantly.

"Ah—!"

He roared in agony.

If this continued, his entire arm would be shattered.

Thousand Faces immediately detonated his spiritual energy, forcing separation.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Six explosive sounds echoed as his body was hurled backward above the lake.

He convulsed violently and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Crushing.

Absolute crushing.

Facing Aether, he didn't even have the power to resist.

One punch.

Just one—

And he was already heavily injured.

Huh—!

Ethan appeared before him and seized his throat with one hand.

"I said it already," Ethan spoke coldly.

"You want my head for a bounty?"

"You're not qualified."

His gaze flicked briefly toward a distant bluestone.

"Aren't you planning to act yet?"

Ethan chuckled in his heart.

He looked at the Thousand Faces in his hand.

In his eyes, killing intent surged like a tide.

"With such strength, you dare take a wanted order to kill me."

"You really don't know how to live."

Thousand Faces gritted his teeth as his face turned purple. He kicked his legs and struggled violently.

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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