This move was enough to erase everything present.

If it landed fully, not to mention ordinary Upper Demon Lords—even those half a step into the Ultimate Supreme realm would be reduced to ashes.

Whether those Upper Demon Lords watching would choose to win over the roe deer, or simply continue watching the spectacle, all depended on this single blow.

If the roe deer could block Lunara's attack, it would prove that he truly possessed strength capable of rivaling the Saintess of the Palace of the Four Cycles.

If he could not—

Then he was merely another overconfident cultivator who had gone a little farther than others, nothing more.

High in the sky, Ethan looked at the black pillar of fire tearing down from above, the surrounding space collapsing inch by inch under its pressure.

Instead of fear, a bright smile spread across his face.

"Very good," he murmured.

"This kind of attack is finally worth looking at."

His fighting intent ignited.

The Emperor Star deep within his body trembled violently. Vast Star power surged out, flowing through his meridians like a roaring tide and converging toward his arms.

"The Star Reaching Hand."

Ethan raised his palm and slapped forward.

Boom—!

A colossal golden palm condensed instantly, blotting out the sky. Streams of star-patterned light flowed across its surface, while terrifying golden thunder and lightning danced between its fingers.

The aura alone made countless spectators gasp.

"What kind of move is this?!"

"So terrifying… I've never seen such a technique!"

Even Lunara's pupils contracted.

The instant the Star Reaching Hand took shape, she felt a sharp sense of danger. This was no ordinary technique—it was a profound technique, one that was no weaker than her own bloodline secret technique.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The falling black flames smashed into the golden palm, exploding one after another. Shockwaves tore through the sky, but the palm did not retreat even half an inch.

Only violent gusts of wind swept outward, making Ethan's robe snap wildly.

Phew!

The true killing move followed.

The black pillar of fire descended, carrying condensed demonic energy and bloodline flame, crashing directly into the center of the golden palm.

"Break!" Lunara shouted coldly.

"Heh."

Ethan sneered and clenched his fingers.

The Star Reaching Hand closed abruptly, gripping the black pillar of fire within its palm.

A deafening rumble echoed.

The golden palm trembled violently. Black light burst from the gaps between its fingers, and cracks rapidly spread across its surface.

It looked as though Lunara's attack might shatter it at any moment.

"Hmph, go!"

Ethan exerted force again.

The golden palm tightened further. With a dull, explosive sound, thick smoke poured out from between its fingers.

When the light and smoke slowly dissipated, everyone stared with bated breath.

The giant golden palm still hovered in the sky.

Cracked, trembling, on the verge of collapse—

But unbroken.

The palm slowly opened, releasing a wisp of black smoke that drifted away and vanished.

Lunara's bloodline secret technique had failed to break through.

"How… is this possible?"

Lunara's expression changed drastically.

Her heart sank.

That strike had been launched with almost no reservation, yet it still could not overwhelm him.

"How could such a terrifying genius appear in Skyreach Territory?" she thought, confusion surging.

The strongest figures she knew of from that region were limited and well-known. This Aether—this roe deer—was completely unfamiliar.

But the world was vast. Skyreach Territory alone was immeasurable.

And she had not paid attention to its developments for decades.

Ethan dispersed the Star Reaching Hand with a thought, letting it dissolve into scattered golden light.

At the same time, his brows furrowed slightly.

Several extremely powerful auras were rapidly approaching—deep, oppressive, unmistakable.

Ultimate Supremes.

The true pillars of the Palace of the Four Cycles were on their way.

"I have long heard of the Saintess's unparalleled combat strength," Ethan said calmly.

"Seeing it today, the rumors were not exaggerated."

"But I still have matters to attend to."

"So I won't continue playing. I'll take my leave."

With that, he turned and departed.

"You want to leave?" Lunara's voice turned cold.

"Have you asked me?"

Her wings beat violently as she gave chase.

Two streams of light streaked across the sky, disappearing into the distance.

They ascended higher and higher, until the world below was hidden beneath thick clouds. Cold winds howled, and only faint outlines of Blue-Wave City remained.

Ethan suddenly stopped.

Lunara sneered when she saw him halt. "You can't run anymore."

She thrust her sword forward.

Ethan shifted slightly, avoiding the blade by a hair's breadth as the black sword slid past his face.

At that moment, his calm voice echoed beside her ear.

"Saintess, does it feel uncomfortable…"

"…to be controlled by the Blood Contract?"

Lunara's mind exploded.

"Blood Contract?!"

Shock flashed across her face—but it vanished instantly, replaced by icy composure. She struck out with her palm, black flames detonating in the air.

Ethan stepped back lightly, avoiding the attack with ease.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Lunara said coldly.

Ethan laughed softly.

"Nonsense?"

"Whether it's nonsense or not—you know best."

"Your bloodline is suppressed. Your soul is bound. I'm not the one suffering from that blood contract."

His eyes carried a faint mockery.

Silence fell.

Lunara stared at him, her brows knitting tightly.

Shock. Confusion. Vigilance.

The Blood Contract was an ancient, deeply hidden secret technique. Even many Ultimate Supremes could not detect it.

Yet this man had pierced straight through her condition with a single sentence.

How?

"The dignified Saintess of the Palace of the Four Cycles," Ethan continued calmly, "controlled by a Blood Contract and turned into someone else's tool."

"If this spreads, how do you think the Palace of the Four Cycles will deal with it?"

"Or perhaps the Blood Contract was planted by the Palace of the Four Cycles themselves, in order to control you?"

His words struck directly at Lunara's heart.

It was laughable to believe that a force as powerful as the Palace of the Four Cycles was unaware that their Saintess was bound by a Blood Contract.

Lunara herself was one of the Eight Strange and Ferocious Beasts. Though she shared the phoenix form, the Golden Phoenix could never truly compete with the Black Phoenix.

For someone with such terrifying combat power to be bound and suppressed, there was only one possible explanation.

The Palace of the Four Cycles needed to control her.

The Eight Strange and Ferocious Beasts were incomparably powerful—but also incomparably violent.

They themselves were an unstable bomb.

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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