But no matter how hard he struggled, it was useless.

Ethan's fingers were like iron shackles forged by heaven itself, firmly clamped around Thousand Faces' throat. The more he struggled, the tighter the grip became, as if his resistance only pleased the hand that held his life.

What truly terrified Thousand Faces was not suffocation.

It was silence.

The spiritual energy in his body had completely stopped responding.

"You… sealed my cultivation!"

Thousand Faces spoke intermittently, his voice hoarse and broken. His eyes were wide, filled with disbelief and fear he could no longer conceal.

Sealing the cultivation of a Supreme at will—what kind of terrifying strength was that?

Such methods could only belong to an Ultimate Supreme.

Yet this conclusion shattered his understanding.

More than ten years ago, Aether had merely been a Seventh-Turn Nirvana cultivator.

Ranked among the top five of the Heaven's Prodigy List in Skyreach Territory, hailed as a genius—but still just a young cultivator.

In his eyes back then, such prodigies were nothing more than seedlings waiting to grow.

Even a freak like Ethan had only reached the Intermediate Supreme Realm.

And now—

This unknown Aether was stronger than Ethan.

Stronger than him.

For a brief moment, bitterness surged in Thousand Faces' heart.

Why did fate toy with him like this?

Why did every era produce monsters that shattered all logic?

Why did he always encounter such perverted geniuses?

"Deputy Pavilion Master… Deputy Pavilion Master, save me!"

Thousand Faces hurriedly sent out a mental message, his consciousness trembling.

He could not use the Heaven and Earth Reversal Method yet. The waiting period was too long.

If he forced it now, he would lose everything and be forced to live in hiding for years, fleeing like a hunted dog.

There would be no chance to hunt Ethan.

No chance to reclaim his dignity.

"What a loser."

Celeste's voice echoed coldly as she received his plea.

Her gaze carried undisguised disdain, and a trace of anger surfaced beneath her calm exterior.

"To be beaten into this state by an Intermediate Supreme physical cultivator."

Her words were merciless.

Yet as her eyes shifted toward Aether, they became heavier.

This man was indeed extraordinary.

Although his realm was only Intermediate Supreme, his combat power had already faintly touched the threshold of the Ultimate Supreme.

Such talent was rare—extremely rare.

Celeste bent her knees and vanished.

When she reappeared, she had transformed into a streak of blue light, tearing through the air toward Ethan.

Seeing this, the corners of Ethan's mouth lifted slightly.

"This woman finally took action."

Phew—!

Celeste raised her hand, and boundless ice spiritual energy surged outward.

In an instant, it condensed into a massive ice cone, sharp and crystalline, carrying frost power capable of freezing blood, meridians, and souls alike. It shot straight toward Ethan's brow.

Ethan turned sideways.

The ice cone grazed past his face, scraping his clothes and instantly coating them in frost.

But the frost melted in the next breath, steam rising as the heat from his body devoured the cold.

Celeste's brows furrowed.

"Well, you avoided it?"

There was genuine surprise in her voice.

This had been a casual strike—but it was still an attack from an Ultimate Supreme, infused with divine power.

"Nice reaction."

Celeste landed not far away, her feet touching the frozen ground.

The power of ice spread from her body, causing the temperature to plummet further. Frost crept rapidly across trees and rocks, and the once-scorching lake froze layer by layer at a visible speed.

Snow began to fall.

Heavy.

Relentless.

It was as if winter itself had descended.

This was the authority of an Ultimate Supreme—able to forcibly change the climate within a range.

Celeste stood amid the snowstorm, short hair fluttering, blue eyes shining like frozen stars. Her figure was graceful, her features refined. Even behind a mask, her beauty was unquestionable.

"Who are you, Your Excellency?" Ethan asked calmly.

"Do you also intend to take my head and collect the reward from Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets?"

Celeste laughed softly.

"You are merely a physical cultivator."

"Do you think having some fighting power makes you invincible?"

"You are not worthy of me personally killing you."

Her gaze flicked toward Thousand Faces.

"Release him."

"Before I decide to kill."

"Woman," Ethan replied indifferently.

"Do you think I'm scared?"

Celeste did not answer directly.

She simply said, "Ten breaths."

"After that—die."

As her final word fell, terrifying killing intent erupted from her body, causing the snowstorm to howl violently.

"The Ultimate Supreme is indeed powerful."

Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly. The raging air tugged at his hair and clothes, yet his gaze remained calm, unruffled.

It was as if Celeste's killing intent did not affect him at all.

"Alright," Ethan said lightly.

"I'll let him go."

With a flick of his arm, he threw Thousand Faces toward Celeste like a broken sack.

She caught him effortlessly.

"At least you know when to yield," she said coldly.

Then her eyes turned sharp again.

"But even so, you won't leave today."

"No one wanted by Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets escapes from my hands."

She tossed Thousand Faces aside and looked back at Ethan with a sneer.

"Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets?"

Ethan smiled faintly.

"Then tell me your name."

"I, Aether, do not kill nameless enemies."

Celeste laughed.

"Very well."

"I'll let you die knowing."

"Deputy Master of Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets—Celeste!"

For a moment, Ethan froze.

Then he laughed.

Low.

Cold.

Enemies truly did meet on a narrow road.

He had not expected the woman backing Thousand Faces to be not only from Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets—but its deputy pavilion master.

From the looks of it, Thousand Faces had been their shadow all along.

"No wonder," Ethan thought.

"No wonder no one could ever find traces of you."

"With Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets sheltering you, how could anyone hunt you down?"

His laughter stopped abruptly.

He looked at Celeste, and a sharp, chilling light flashed through his eyes.

"What were you laughing at just now?" Celeste asked.

"At fate."

Ethan smiled coldly.

"I never expected the famous Thousand Faces to be from Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets."

"And I, a mere casual cultivator, managed to draw out the deputy master herself."

Their expressions changed instantly.

Shock flickered across both Celeste and Thousand Faces' faces.

Celeste frowned deeply.

"How did Aether find out Thousand faces's identity?"

Although Thousand face's combat power is average, his hiding skills can be said to be unparalleled in the world.

If Thousand Faces deliberately conceals himself, even she may not be able to recognize him.

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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