There were indeed far too many people coveting the Sage Token in Kara's hand.

On the surface, the Black Demon Sect appeared united, disciplined, and iron-blooded. But beneath that calm exterior, undercurrents surged like venomous serpents hidden in deep waters.

Kara relied solely on her overwhelming strength and prestige to suppress the sect. Once her suppression weakened even slightly, the cracks would widen instantly.

If the Third Elder Elian truly stepped into the Supreme Realm, the Black Demon Sect would no longer know peace.

At that point, loyalty would become a joke.

Ambition would tear everything apart.

"Morwen," Kara said slowly, her voice steady but heavy with warning. "You are still too impatient. Don't jump to conclusions."

Morwen stopped in her tracks.

"Before there is evidence," Kara continued, "everything is merely speculation between you and me."

Her gaze was calm, but her words cut sharply.

"I'm telling you this not so you can vent your anger, but so you remember it. When you go out to train in the future, you must guard against being framed by villains."

"In this world, the most dangerous enemies are often not those standing in front of you with blades drawn—but those smiling behind your back."

"You must be cautious in everything and make decisions before taking action."

Kara's tone hardened slightly.

"Do you understand?"

Morwen straightened her posture and bowed deeply.

"I will follow what master says, be cautious in everything, and make decisions before taking action," she replied solemnly.

"Disciple will remember this."

Only then did Kara nod faintly.

"Go. Check on the others."

"Yes."

Morwen paused, then added with suppressed anger, "Master… the Third Elder went out today to meet the Holy Son of the Heavenly Demon Sect."

Kara's eyes flickered imperceptibly.

"I know."

Morwen clenched her fists. "That old fox caused trouble everywhere before you became sect master. After you took the position, he pretended to submit, but secretly colluded with outsiders. It's disgusting!"

"Calm," Kara said sharply.

Morwen's breathing stagnated.

"Have you forgotten what I taught you?"

Morwen closed her eyes, inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly.

"Disciple understands."

She turned and left, closing the door behind her.

The room returned to silence.

Kara sat alone, her fingers tapping lightly against the table.

The Sage Token lay hidden, but its weight pressed heavily upon her heart.

Three days later.

Ethan appeared once more in his room at the Peaceful Haven Inn.

His eyes opened, sharp and clear.

With a single thought, his perception spread outward like invisible ripples. Kara and her people were still in the inn, clearly planning to remain there until the Training Trial Secret Realm opened.

Everything was proceeding steadily.

Ethan sat cross-legged and began sorting through everything that had happened recently.

After leaving Kara's room that night, he had returned directly to the Azure Origin Dao Sect using the teleportation point.

He had personally sought out his master.

After confirming every detail Kara had revealed, Ethan had almost completely verified her words. The century-long undercover plan—it all checked out.

Afterward, he remained in the sect for two days.

He repaired several items, visited Elias, and exchanged a few words with Junior Sister Liana.

Only then did he return to Blue-Wave City.

And upon returning, he heard a piece of news.

A piece of news that interested him greatly.

The Sky family… was recruiting guests and a son-in-law.

The target of the recruitment was the third young lady of the Sky family.

A weapon-refining genius.

A martial cultivation talent.

The Sky family's tradition was well-known. Recruiting guest elders strengthened the present. Recruiting sons-in-law strengthened the future.

Strength determined whether one could become a guest.

Talent and age determined whether one could become family.

But what truly caught Ethan's attention was another rumor circulating quietly.

The Sky family was not merely recruiting guests.

They were recruiting a Upper Supreme with terrifying combat power.

Their goal was clear.

They wanted this person to escort their younger generation into the Training Trial Secret Realm.

The rules of the trial were strict.

Supreme Realm experts could not enter freely.

Only by relying on special spiritual weapons and secret techniques could one forcibly suppress their realm to deceive the trial's entrance rules.

And even then, the limit was harsh.

Inferior Supreme to Upper Supreme.

Ultimate Supreme—no matter how suppressed—was forbidden.

Perfect Supreme… absolutely impossible.

No exceptions.

Why?

No one knew.

Some speculated it had something to do with divine power.

Ethan narrowed his eyes.

He possessed complete divine power.

Yet his realm was only Intermediate Supreme.

From a technical standpoint, he could rely on Onyx Orchid's mask and breathing techniques to suppress his realm.

But divine power was an unknown variable.

Would it trigger the trial's rejection?

He didn't know.

But that didn't matter.

He had to try.

Right now, the most urgent task was obtaining a Sage Token.

The Sky family was a first-class family under the Palace of the Four Cycles—and the only human power in Blue-Wave City.

They relied on weapon refinement.

The Palace of the Four Cycles itself supplied them with two Sage Tokens every cycle.

One had already been given to the Sky family's peerless genius.

The remaining one…

Was meant for a guest.

If no suitable guest appeared, it would be used by the Sky family's strongest combatant to protect their juniors.

But now?

Opportunity had arrived.

Ethan smiled faintly.

This was his chance.

After adjusting his condition, Ethan left the inn.

The Sky family resided in the western part of the city.

The recruitment competition had already begun two days earlier.

If he delayed any longer, he might miss the window.

He didn't need directions.

He simply followed the crowd.

Along the way, discussions filled the air—loud, excited, full of desire.

Ethan disguised himself as a white-eared fox demon, blending seamlessly among the masses.

As he walked, voices drifted into his ears.

"You don't know that the third young lady of the Sky family possesses a beauty that can captivate the entire country. She is graceful and alluring, and her talent in both weapon refining and martial arts is outstanding."

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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