"However, what if you are at the ninth-level realm?

"Even if you are a tenth-level demon lord, you still have to lie down for me in Blue-Wave City!"

Ren's expression twisted violently.

Golden flame demonic energy surged from his palms like an awakened sun. The air rippled, heat roaring outward in visible waves. The bloodline of the Golden Phoenix was finally revealed—arrogant, domineering, and blazing with ancient pride.

Golden flame was the most distinctive symbol of the Golden Phoenix clan.

As long as the bloodline was pure enough, this flame would awaken. The bloodline fire is said to be comparable to original flame, a terrifying power that once burned ancient heavens.

But Ren knew the truth.

His realm was still insufficient.

What he released now was only an imitation—violent and hot, yet far inferior to true original spiritual fire. Only tenth-level Golden Phoenix Demon Lords, with purer bloodlines and perfected cultivation, could truly awaken that legendary flame.

Even so, this was enough.

More than enough to crush a mere roe deer spirit.

"Are you done?" Ethan said calmly.

"Now that you're done talking, hurry up and take action. I still have things to do."

He even raised a hand and casually picked at his ear.

That single movement completely shattered Ren's restraint.

Since when had the Golden Phoenix clan—the divine beast lineage, remnants of ancient supremacy—been treated with such disregard?

And by what?

A roe deer spirit.

Among demon clans, roe deer were among the lowest bloodlines. For such a creature to reach the ninth level was already a miracle granted by heaven. Whatever fortuitous encounter this thing had obtained, it did not change its origin.

Such trash dared to look down on him?

He deserved punishment.

"COURTING DEATH!"

Ren roared.

Golden flame condensed rapidly in his palm, compressing again and again until it formed a three-foot-long flaming sword. The blade burned with intense golden light, runes flickering faintly within the fire.

He raised the sword and pointed it directly at Ethan's brow.

The guards around them retreated at once, clearing the area without hesitation. They knew what was coming.

Huh—!

Ren slashed.

The flaming sword energy swept forward like a crescent sun, tearing through space with terrifying demonic energy. The temperature soared instantly. Stone beneath their feet cracked. The air burned, thick and suffocating, as if the world had been thrown into a furnace.

"So strong… is this the power of a ninth-level great demon?"

"That's the natal flame of the Golden Phoenix clan!"

"With this sword alone, most ninth-level demons would be killed instantly unless they possess comparable ancient bloodlines!"

The crowd watched as the half-moon-shaped flaming sword light rushed toward Ethan. Their scalps tingled from the heat and pressure alone.

This was absolute suppression.

Ethan did not move.

He watched the golden sword light approach, growing larger and brighter, about to split his head open.

Then—

He raised his arm.

Two fingers extended.

And gently flicked to the side.

The flaming sword energy shattered.

Not exploded. Not blocked.

It simply broke apart, dissolving into scattered fireballs before fading into nothing.

Shock.

Stunned silence.

Every expression in the crowd froze into the same disbelief. Some demons even forgot to breathe.

With a casual gesture, Ren's attack—an attack that could dominate ninth-level battlefields—had been erased.

What kind of strength was this?

A Demon Lord?

Yet from start to finish, the roe deer spirit had not released the slightest demonic or spiritual fluctuation.

No aura.

No pressure.

No sign of cultivation.

No matter how one looked at him, he was just an ordinary demon.

And yet—

That ordinary demon had brushed aside Ren's attack like dust.

"The Golden Phoenix is an ancient divine species," Ethan said calmly, rubbing his fingers together.

"Its natal flame is golden, violent, and powerful—comparable to original spiritual fire."

He shook his head slowly.

"But yours is too weak."

"Just like this, you can't even be called a divine beast. Your bloodline power isn't pure enough."

His tone was not mocking.

It was disappointed.

"How… how could this be possible?!"

Ren's face changed completely.

He released his perception at full force, enveloping Ethan, probing every inch.

Nothing.

Still nothing.

No hidden realm. No concealed demonic core. No fluctuation at all.

"Sorcery…" Ren whispered, pupils trembling.

"What kind of sorcery hides his realm so completely?"

He could not understand.

But his instincts screamed a single truth.

This roe deer spirit named Aether was far beyond him.

Otherwise, blocking that attack so casually would be impossible.

"There is always a sky beyond the sky," Ethan said lightly.

"And people beyond people."

"I didn't intend to cause trouble. I just caught a few fish."

"But you insist on making things difficult for me."

"You're making it hard for me to do my business."

The next moment—

He vanished.

Not fast.

Gone.

Gasps erupted as everyone frantically looked around.

Then someone screamed.

"He's there!"

Ethan stood beside Ren.

Hands behind his back.

Back facing Ren.

Ren's pupils shrank to pinpoints. A bone-deep chill crawled up his spine. He instinctively stepped back—

Too late.

A hand grabbed his face.

"Do I look easy to mess with?" Ethan asked softly.

He lifted Ren effortlessly, pinching half his face and raising him into the air like a broken doll.

Ren struggled violently, trying to mobilize his demonic energy.

Nothing responded.

His meridians were sealed.

His demon core was locked.

A mysterious force had completely suppressed him.

"Let… let me go!" Ren gasped.

"This is Blue-Wave City! Even if you're a tenth-level demon lord—!"

"Noisy."

Ethan flung him away.

Phew—BANG!

Ren crashed into the white jade railing of the bridge, shattering it, then fell straight down into the city plaza below.

The impact created a crater.

His body rolled several times before stopping at someone's feet. He barely pushed himself up, blood pouring from his mouth.

"Heavens…" Ren gasped weakly.

"Someone… has desecrated the majesty of our clan!"

Footsteps echoed.

Ethan followed the sound and saw a woman walking out of Blue-Wave Tower.

She stopped in front of Ren, glanced down at him briefly, her brows knitting slightly.

Then she raised her head.

And looked at Ethan.

She wore a black half-slit dress, her smooth white legs visible as she walked. Her oval face was flawless, her features exquisitely sharp. Her eyes were black and jade-like, calm and deep.

She moved like a black swan—proud, cold, and elegant.

Ethan narrowed his eyes as she approached.

A blue light flashed in his dark eyes.

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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