He didn't bother to ask one by one.

There was no need.

If the inn was destroyed, everything would be resolved.

"Destroy!"

Valerius clenched his palm.

Golden flames erupted instantly, spreading across Fortune's Arrival Inn like a divine sun descending to the mortal world. The fire carried not warmth, but annihilation. Space trembled, formations shattered, and fate itself seemed to recoil.

In the blink of an eye, everyone inside the inn—humans, demons, wandering beasts—died in their sleep.

Their deaths were identical.

Limbs exploded.

Heads burst apart.

Blood, flesh, and shattered souls were erased by absolute power before pain could even form.

The inn collapsed inward, half of its structure reduced to twisted ruins and molten stone.

Valerius laughed softly.

Satisfied.

Then he turned and left, his golden figure fading into the night sky.

.....

Around the area, hidden Demon Lords had already sensed the terrifying fluctuation. No one was blind to such a violent eruption of divine power.

Yet not a single one dared step forward.

They watched from afar.

Because the man who acted just now was no ordinary Supreme.

He was very likely a Perfect Demon Lord.

In the northwestern region of the Demon Territory, there were only two kinds of beings with such strength—old demons who lived in deep seclusion, or the Chief Palace Master of the Palace of the Four Cycles, the clan head of the Golden Phoenix Clan.

And the golden robes had already revealed the answer.

Valerius.

Who would dare question such a person?

If he were displeased, death would follow.

Thus, only after Valerius departed did they dare approach cautiously, inspecting the ruins with suppressed anger and fear before retreating quickly.

When power reached a certain height, consequences no longer mattered.

To Valerius, these beings were nothing more than ants.

.....

On distant rooftops, dozens of demons in various garments stared at the half-collapsed inn in silence.

"That aura just now… it was terrifying."

"Of course it was. That was a tenth-level Demon Lord."

"And a Perfect Demon Lord at that. His combat power is almost invincible in the northwest."

A young wolf demon suddenly stiffened. "Wait… wasn't that the Chief Palace Master of the Palace of the Four Cycles?"

Realization dawned late.

Most nodded gravely.

"Most likely," an old goat demon sighed, stroking his white beard.

"What a pity. So many died without even knowing why."

"Let's go. There's nothing left to see."

Someone spoke quietly.

One by one, figures vanished from the rooftops.

In the end, only a single roe deer spirit with furry ears remained.

...

Ethan stood silently, gazing at the ruins.

Then he looked toward the direction Valerius had disappeared.

"So this is a Perfect Supreme," he murmured.

"The divine power aura is indeed extraordinary."

A faint smile curved his lips.

"Two conflicting divine powers—ice and fire—coexisting in one body. Interesting."

After Lunara left the inn earlier, Ethan had followed her out of caution. He had not expected that someone from the Golden Phoenix Clan would come knocking so decisively.

And even less expected—

That it would be Valerius himself.

Clan head of the Golden Phoenix Clan.

Chief Palace Master of the Palace of the Four Cycles.

Perfect Supreme.

"This Valerius is ruthless," Ethan said coldly. "Killing indiscriminately."

He glanced once more at the ruins.

"The folk customs of the Demon Territory really are simple and honest."

Valerius had thought things too simply.

Did he think killing everyone here would kill Ethan?

If he wanted Ethan dead—

He needed the ability.

Ethan withdrew his gaze and leapt down from the rooftop.

He had many trump cards and was backed by numerous artifacts. He was not afraid of a Perfect Supreme.

But this was the heartland of the Palace of the Four Cycles.

Here, Perfect Supremes were not alone, and Ultimate Supremes numbered more than two hands.

If he fought Valerius openly, he could easily be dragged into a siege.

He came to the Demon Territory to cultivate and seize opportunities—not to drown himself in unnecessary trouble.

Of course, this matter would not be forgotten.

Once the training trial ended, and once he completed the second stage of the Nine Emperors Dao Body, he would properly meet Valerius.

At that time, it would be the perfect chance to test his cultivation results and current combat strength.

Ethan entered the nearby Peaceful Haven Inn.

After returning to his room, he set up layer after layer of protective and concealment formations. Only then did he sit cross-legged on the bed and enter meditation.

Valerius' sudden visit tonight raised questions.

Did the old dog notice something wrong with Lunara on his own?

Or did Lunara accidentally leak his whereabouts?

Ethan preferred the former.

Lunara was young, bound by a blood contract, and desperate for freedom. There was no reason for her to destroy her only hope with her own hands.

More likely—

Valerius had simply seen through her mind.

With his strength and experience, controlling Lunara's modest skills was effortless.

What surprised Ethan was this—

Valerius had personally tracked the trail to Fortune's Arrival Inn.

That meant only one thing.

He valued Lunara deeply.

"A divine beast Golden Phoenix," Ethan thought, "yet still relying on dual cultivation furnaces to break into the Demon Emperor realm."

A faint sneer formed.

"It seems the rumors are true."

"That the Eight Strange and Ferocious Beasts are stronger… and feed upon mythical beasts."

With that, Ethan calmed his thoughts and returned to cultivation.

.....

Hidden Wind Cave.

Lunara lay rolling on the ground, her body trembling violently. Her eyes were blood-red, her face pale, sweat soaking her robes.

The burning pain of her soul had not subsided.

Worse—

Guilt gnawed at her heart.

If Aether was fine, then everything was bearable.

But if something happened because of her—

She could never forgive herself.

Huh!

Golden light flashed.

Valerius appeared inside the cave.

He stood with his hands behind his back, gazing down at Lunara's miserable state with a faint smile.

Lunara turned her head and glared at him fiercely.

Her palms clawed into the ground, veins bulging, nails digging deep into stone.

"Fortune's Arrival Inn."

Valerius spoke only three words.

Lunara's face changed instantly, her heart sinking.

"As expected," Valerius said calmly, "you are still too young."

"I've taught you many times—true strength requires emotional stability. Joy and anger must never be revealed."

"You," he said lightly, "cannot hide anything in your heart."

He smiled faintly and continued unhurriedly:

"Don't worry, I've already taken care of it at Fortune's Arrival Inn."

"But I don't know if your friend is related to the plan in your heart, and I don't know who your friend is."

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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