"She should understand that no one will agree to such a request."

Ethan laughed softly.

The sound was not loud, but it was sharp, cutting cleanly through the tense silence that blanketed the white jade bridge.

"In that case," he continued calmly, "don't blame me for being cruel."

Lunara's eyes narrowed.

"The sword has no eyes," she said coldly.

"If someone is injured, they can only blame themselves for being weak."

Her voice carried no emotion, as if she were merely stating a fact carved into the laws of the world.

"And you said it yourself. If you can't beat me and get hurt, it's because your skills are inferior."

The moment her words fell, Lunara opened her arms.

Her body slowly lifted from the bridge, floating into the air as if cradled by invisible currents.

The next instant—

Her expression changed.

The calm frost vanished, replaced by a terrifying sharpness. Black fire ignited within her pupils, burning silently yet violently, as if staring into the abyss itself.

Boom

A massive black wing unfurled behind her back.

It spread wide, blotting out the light of the sky, its span so vast that it seemed capable of covering half of Blue-Wave City. Strange black flames clung to every feather, burning without heat yet radiating annihilation.

Gasps erupted everywhere.

"What terrifying fire!"

"It's not ordinary demonic flame… this is something else entirely!"

Ethan's gaze sharpened.

"What a powerful flame," he thought.

"Worthy of the Eight Strange Beasts. This fire surpasses even some original spiritual flames."

Boom

Lunara's demonic energy surged.

The space itself trembled. Blue-Wave Tower groaned as if struck by an invisible hammer. The ground cracked, stones jumping and shattering as ripples of force spread outward.

Only after several breaths did the violent shaking subside.

Panic erupted.

The onlookers scattered instantly.

Within three hundred meters of the bridge, the area was cleared in the blink of an eye.

Only a handful of figures remained—Upper demon lords and veteran experts who dared to watch from close range.

All shops in the city slammed their doors shut. Defensive formations lit up one after another, overlapping like layers of armor.

Everyone retreated to rooftops, towers, and distant streets, staring toward the bridge with faces pale and eyes burning with anticipation.

This was no ordinary confrontation.

This was the Saintess of the Palace of the Four Cycles.

A figure who can fight against Ultimate Supremes.

A battle at this level meant destruction with every stray wave.

Ethan raised his head and looked at Lunara hovering above him.

He had planned to keep a low profile in Blue-Wave City.

But the Palace of the Four Cycles had no intention of letting him leave quietly.

In that case—

He would fight.

"Aether," Lunara said, her voice echoing across the space like a blade scraping stone.

"Let me give you one last warning."

She stared down at him, black flames fluttering behind her wings.

"This Saintess is not someone who enjoys killing."

"I can tell that you are only a roe deer, yet you have stepped into the realm of a demon lord. That alone proves your luck and talent."

Her tone softened slightly—not with mercy, but with condescension.

"It is not easy to cultivate to this point. I do not wish to destroy your future."

"I will give you ten breaths to consider my previous offer."

"Thirty years may sound long, but for beings like us, it is merely one period of seclusion."

"Don't throw away your life for the sake of fleeting pride."

As she spoke, her demonic energy continued to rise, wave after wave stacking upon each other like a tidal surge.

She was not merely threatening him.

She was crushing his will.

"Ten."

"Nine."

"Eight."

Her voice was calm, yet it carried terrifying pressure, reverberating through the air and lingering without dispersing.

The crowd unconsciously began counting along.

Some clenched their fists.

Some swallowed hard.

All eyes were locked on Ethan.

Would he submit?

Or would he truly dare clash head-on with the Saintess of the Palace of the Four Cycles?

As spectators, they naturally hoped for blood.

But Lunara's gaze never left Ethan.

She was vigilant.

If this roe deer chose to flee, she might not be able to stop him with absolute certainty.

A tenth-level Upper Demon Lord determined to escape was no easy prey.

And if he escaped—

The majesty of the Palace of the Four Cycles would be trampled.

Her master's anger would follow.

Just thinking of that made a faint chill creep into her heart.

"Five."

"Four."

The pressure thickened.

The air seemed to solidify.

Then...

Before Lunara could utter "three," Ethan moved.

Boom

He leapt into the air, rising to face her directly.

In that instant, his aura exploded.

Golden light burst from his body like a rising sun. Thunder arcs crackled around him, dancing wildly through the air.

Although he possesses divine power, he can still use his former original power.

The Celestial Jade Physique Scripture roared to life within him.

Under the disguise of his breathing technique and Onyx Orchid mask, nothing seemed amiss to outside eyes.

But the momentum—

Boom boom boom—!

Wave after wave of pressure erupted from Ethan's body.

The river below boiled violently. Space trembled. The bridge groaned under invisible force.

Gasps turned into shouts of disbelief.

"This aura…!"

"It's not weaker than the Saintess!"

"He's also a tenth-level Upper Demon Lord!"

Shock rippled through the city.

So that was it.

From the very beginning, this roe deer had not been fearless because he was ignorant.

He had been calm because he was equal.

"No wonder he ignored Leader Ren."

"No wonder he dared challenge the Palace of the Four Cycles."

"This is a clash of titans!"

"This is going to be good."

Debate erupted among the spectators.

"No matter how strong he is, he's still just a roe deer."

"Bloodline alone decides fate."

"The Saintess is different. Her background, her inheritance... none of that can be compared."

"And don't forget..."

Someone swallowed and spoke with reverence.

"Saintess Lunara hails from the Golden Phoenix Clan and is a disciple of the Chief Palace Master"

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

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.