The gap between realms was like a chasm carved by heaven itself.

No matter how outstanding Lunara was, no matter how terrifying her latent bloodline might be, the difference between an Ultimate Supreme and a Perfect Supreme was not something talent alone could erase.

What was more frightening was that her Black Phoenix bloodline had never been fully awakened.

Suppressed.

Bound.

Crippled at its root.

Her true combat power was missing far too much.

Valerius looked down at her coldly, his golden pupils reflecting her kneeling figure like a reflection in still water.

"In this training trial," he said indifferently, "if you still fail to step into the Ultimate Supreme, then don't blame me for being cruel."

His voice grew colder.

"You know what it feels like when your soul burns. It's… very uncomfortable."

Lunara clenched her teeth.

"Disciple… understands," she replied hoarsely.

"In this training trial, this disciple will definitely break through and become the Ultimate Demon Lord."

"Mm."

Valerius nodded faintly.

He casually sat down on Lunara's stone bed, crossing one leg over the other, his posture relaxed—like a ruler admiring a possession that could not escape.

His gaze swept over Lunara slowly.

Arrogant.

Pitiful.

Enduring.

That mixture of defiance and helplessness stirred something twisted in his heart.

"Come here," Valerius ordered.

Lunara stood up and walked over, stopping in front of him.

"Kneel."

The word fell like a hammer.

Her fists clenched violently. Her red lips were bitten until blood seeped out. Rage burned in her eyes, so intense it seemed ready to incinerate the world.

"I'll give you three breaths," Valerius said calmly.

One breath.

Two.

Three.

Lunara knelt.

Her knees struck the stone floor. She lowered her head and said nothing.

Valerius raised his pale, bare foot slightly.

"Lick it."

Silence.

Lunara's head remained lowered. Her body trembled faintly.

"Still unwilling?" Valerius chuckled softly.

He reached out and lifted her face, forcing her to look up at him.

Her eyes were bloodshot. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Her teeth were embedded deep into her lips, streaks of crimson staining her mouth.

Her chest rose and fell violently.

Hatred.

Humiliation.

Pain.

All of it churned together, but she could not resist.

She could only endure.

"I picked you up," Valerius said lightly, "and raised you for nearly a hundred years. And yet you still refuse to accept me as your master?"

Lunara stared at him without a word.

Her silence was her resistance.

"For you," Valerius continued, unbothered, "I've maintained a pure body all these years. Just waiting for you to step into the Perfect Supreme."

"When that day comes, we will cultivate together. Body and soul will be fully sublimated."

"Then I will open the imperial path and become the Demon Emperor of the Golden Phoenix Clan."

"And you?" He smiled faintly. "You'll be my empress. Isn't that wonderful?"

"Not wonderful at all."

The words slipped out.

For a brief moment, the cave froze.

Valerius's expression twisted.

"You want to die!"

A sharp slap rang out.

Lunara was sent crashing sideways, her face burning, blood spraying from her mouth.

Valerius stood up slowly.

"So many years of raising you," he said coldly, "and you still refuse my love."

"Fine."

"The more you resist, the more I like it."

"The more I look forward to the day when you and I finally merge."

He leaned down, gripping her chin again, staring at her reddened cheeks and tear-filled eyes.

"Blood Contract," he said softly.

"Soul Burning."

The incantation echoed.

Whoosh!

Bloody flames erupted around Lunara's body.

She screamed inwardly but made no sound.

She collapsed to the ground, clutching her head, her expression contorted in agony.

It was as if countless ants gnawed at her flesh.

As if thousands of needles pierced her soul at once.

Her body trembled violently, veins bulging, blood seeping from her lips and nose.

Still—she did not cry out.

"As expected of my good disciple," Valerius said with satisfaction. "You're very good at enduring."

With a wave of his hand, the flames dissipated.

He turned and walked away.

Floating above Hidden Wind Cave, he sealed the entire area with layers of restriction.

Then his voice descended, cold and merciless.

"I've already investigated all the places you've been to since you returned."

"When you came back tonight, you looked… happy."

"That means you got some good news."

"But don't worry."

"I'll investigate thoroughly."

"All your little hopes will be crushed."

He sneered.

"Do you think I don't know what you've been thinking all these years?"

"A way to break the blood contract?"

"With your little tricks, how could you hide it from me?"

"Tonight," Valerius said calmly, "I'll shatter all your illusions."

"I'll kill everyone you've contacted recently."

"I'll cut off their limbs. Tear off their heads."

"And I'll bring them back… for you to remember."

"And you?"

"You'll have your soul burned for three days and three nights."

With that, his figure vanished.

Inside the cave, Lunara's eyes widened in horror.

"Damn it…!"

She slammed her fists into the ground again and again, ignoring the pain tearing through her body.

"I wasn't exposed… I shouldn't have been!"

She staggered to the entrance of the cave, only to find the space sealed tight.

"Mr. Aether…!"

She collapsed to her knees.

Her entire body shook. Blood dripped from her lips.

Because of her carelessness... Because of her hesitation...

Aether might be exposed.

Valerius was a Perfect Supreme.

Even if Aether's true combat power rivaled an Ultimate Supreme, how could he possibly withstand a monster like Valerius?

.....

Late at night.

Blue-Wave City.

Fortune's Arrival Inn.

Most lights were already extinguished.

Above the inn, a golden figure appeared silently.

Valerius stood in the air, eyes glowing gold.

In his vision, traces of demonic aura condensed into faint, broken trajectories.

He recognized this aura better than anyone.

It belonged to his obedient, foolish disciple.

"My good disciple," Valerius murmured, smiling faintly. "You even learned how to erase your aura."

"A pity."

"I possess a secret art for tracking traces."

"As long as it's within three hours, your path tonight can be fully restored."

He reconstructed the trajectory.

Two days ago.

Yesterday.

Lunara wandered around the city, then returned.

But tonight—

Her path lingered here.

Circling.

Confirming.

Entering.

Then leaving.

"So careful," Valerius said softly. "And yet still too young."

He extended his palm.

Terrifying divine power surged out, enveloping Fortune's Arrival Inn in an instant.

There were many guests staying at Fortune's Arrival Inn, and he didn't know who his disciple was looking for.

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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