"Even I may not be able to stop him."

Dante's words echoed faintly in the night wind.

"It's not your fault." Knox replied.

Dante's eyes narrowed slightly. "What's his name?"

"Back to the palace master," Lunara replied respectfully, "he didn't reveal his name."

"Forget it," Knox said, clasping his hands behind his back.

"As long as he doesn't go against our Palace of the Four Cycles, there's no need to waste effort tracking him. Increase vigilance and that's enough."

"Such a powerful figure coming to Blue-Wave City has only one purpose," Grace added lazily.

"The Training Trial."

"He most likely wants his juniors to enter the Training Trial Secret Realm," she continued.

"If so, when the secret realm opens, he will definitely appear again. There will be time to meet him then."

Dante nodded. "Knox, send people to quietly observe the city. Anyone who matches this person's appearance—note them. If we find him, we'll go and meet him. If not, follow Grace's suggestion and wait for the Training Trial."

"Clear."

Knox and Grace acknowledged and immediately departed.

"Lunara," Dante said, turning toward her, "come with me. He wants to see you."

Lunara's pupils flickered almost imperceptibly, a trace of chill flashing deep within.

She quickly concealed it and smiled faintly.

"Master is out of seclusion?"

"He isn't," Dante replied indifferently.

"He simply misses you and wants to see you."

"Then I shouldn't delay," Lunara said gently.

She followed Dante toward Blue-Wave City, her expression calm, but her heart was far from peaceful.

.....

Three days later.

Late night.

Blue-Wave City was shrouded in silence, lantern light dim and sparse.

Fortune's Arrival Inn.

Ethan sat cross-legged on the bed, his breathing steady, his aura restrained to the extreme. The room was quiet, so quiet that even the sound of the oil lamp flickering could be heard.

Suddenly, his eyes opened.

A faint smile curved his lips.

"Sure enough… she's still here."

He lifted his hand. In his palm lay a jade pendant, identical to the one he had given Lunara before. The pendant emitted a faint warmth, resonating subtly with another of its kind somewhere in the city.

This was a jade pendant for contact.

Within a certain range, the two could sense each other's location.

To be safe, Ethan had activated it an hour earlier—deep in the night, when Blue-Wave City was at its quietest—sending Lunara a simple signal.

A final choice.

Not long after, a soft rustle of wind sounded outside the window.

A slender silhouette appeared on the window paper, elegant and enchanting.

Ethan raised his hand slightly.

The window creaked open.

A black shadow slipped inside like smoke.

"Close the window," Ethan said calmly.

Lunara frowned slightly, turned, and shut it carefully.

She wore a black cloak, her face hidden beneath a mask. Turning back, she removed both.

Her dark eyes fixed on Ethan, trying to see through him.

Yet… nothing.

He still looked ordinary.

Too ordinary.

But something was different from before.

This time, Ethan wore no mask. His furry ears were gone.

He was not a demon.

He was unmistakably human—upright features, clear eyes, a gentle smile that seemed harmless, yet impossible to read.

"You are indeed not a demon," Lunara said quietly.

"Mm," Ethan nodded.

"Not half-demon either."

Silence fell.

"If you show me your true face," Lunara asked slowly, "aren't you afraid I'll bring the palace masters of the Palace of the Four Cycles and surround you?"

Ethan poured tea unhurriedly, his movements relaxed.

"Even if your Chief Palace Master comes personally," he replied lightly, "there's no guarantee he can keep me."

He slid a teacup toward her.

"Since I dare to stay in Blue-Wave City, I'm not afraid of your Palace of the Four Cycles."

"And besides," he chuckled softly, "how can you be sure that this face is my true one?"

Lunara's fingers tightened slightly around the cup.

She did not respond.

"Saintess..."

"Don't call me that," Lunara interrupted.

"I don't like the name. Call me Lunara."

"Very well," Ethan nodded.

"Miss Lunara, please sit."

She did.

The tea was warm, carrying a faint fragrance that calmed the mind.

"Although I don't know what exactly happened to you," Ethan said casually, "I suspect your relationship with the Palace of the Four Cycles isn't exactly harmonious."

"Oh?" Lunara raised an eyebrow.

"Why do you say that?"

"If you were loyal," Ethan replied evenly, "they would've already started searching for me three days ago. The fact that they didn't means someone concealed information about me."

"…You're sharp," Lunara admitted inwardly, though she said nothing aloud.

"I came tonight for only one reason," she said at last.

"To confirm whether what you said three days ago was true."

"Of course it is," Ethan replied without hesitation.

"I've done some preparation these past few days. I'm now ninety-nine percent certain the Blood Contract can be broken."

Lunara's breath hitched.

"…Really?"

"I never lie."

Her fingers trembled slightly.

"Then," she asked after a long pause, "what price do I need to pay?"

Ethan looked at her quietly, a faint smile on his face.

"That depends on what you're willing to offer."

Silence stretched.

"You…" Lunara hesitated, then spoke bluntly.

"You want my body?"

Ethan laughed.

"It seems Miss Lunara is very confident in her beauty."

He waved his hand dismissively. "Unfortunately, that's not what I want. Though if you insisted on offering it, I wouldn't refuse. I'd just treat it as a bonus."

Lunara's expression darkened.

"Then what do you want?"

"There are human cultivators skilled in beast control," she continued coldly.

"They enslave demon clans and turn them into spiritual pets. If that's your intention, I refuse."

"I would rather die."

She shook her head.

She was already exhausted from a life of manipulation and restraint.

She came here tonight for freedom—not to exchange one cage for another.

Ethan's smile softened.

"It seems Miss Lunara has something to hide."

He leaned forward slightly, his gaze sharp yet calm.

"Since I've shown you my true face, Miss Lunara, stop hiding it and tell me what you experienced in the Palace of the Four Cycles."

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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