However, that little fox demon was truly handsome. Even though Damon was a man, the impression had lodged itself firmly in his memory, impossible to erase.

"What's wrong, Brother?" Elara asked, noticing the slight pause in Damon's gaze.

"It's nothing," Damon replied casually.

"Didn't I tell you before? I met a fox demon at Fortune's Arrival Inn. His appearance was astonishing—honestly, comparable to yours, Third Sister."

Elara smiled faintly. "Yes, I remember. Didn't you say you were rejected?"

"And that you even provoked a demon lord?"

Damon coughed lightly. "Third Sister, why must you always open the pot and lift the lid?"

"I've told you long ago. Although our Sky family's status in Blue-Wave City is second only to Blue-Wave Tower, most of that prestige comes from our ties with the Palace of the Four Cycles."

"If we truly fought head-on without that backing, our Sky family might not be able to suppress several first-class tribes and demon clans."

"So you must be cautious in everything. Don't bully the weak, and don't use power to pressure others recklessly. Otherwise, you might provoke someone you shouldn't."

Elara's tone carried the calm authority of someone long accustomed to responsibility.

Damon grimaced. "Third Sister, listening to you makes my ears hurt."

"I never embarrassed anyone that day. And after the demon lord appeared, I withdrew immediately. I wasn't stupid enough to escalate things and bring disaster upon the family."

"That at least means you still have a brain," Elara said, placing her teacup down with a faint smile.

"Then does this have anything to do with your reaction just now?" she asked.

"Yes," Damon replied, leaning forward slightly.

"There are many fox demons in Peaceful Haven Inn, but they clearly aren't from the same clan."

"At that time, I noticed a little white fox—very handsome. Look, Third Sister." Damon pointed toward the edge of the crowd, where Ethan stood calmly watching the arena.

Elara followed his gaze.

Her eyes immediately locked onto the white fox.

Tall and straight like a pine, white ears and tail pristine, facial features sharp yet restrained. He maintained a human form, his posture relaxed, his expression indifferent. Even standing among the masses, he carried an air that separated him from the crowd.

His temperament was indeed extraordinary.

But as Elara probed more carefully, her brows knitted.

Because what she sensed… was wrong.

"This…" her eyes narrowed. "Third level?"

An ordinary third-level demon.

Yet his presence was far too composed.

Such calm did not belong to a weakling.

"Why would someone with this kind of temperament be only third level?" Elara wondered inwardly.

"Has he cultivated a secret technique to conceal his cultivation?"

"What's wrong?" Damon asked.

"Don't you find him strange?" Elara replied softly.

"Of course," Damon nodded. "Otherwise I wouldn't have pointed him out to you."

"His temperament is completely different, yet his displayed cultivation is only third level. He's definitely concealing his true strength."

Elara nodded slowly. "Then what? You want to win him over?"

"I have that thought," Damon admitted. "But for now, it's better to observe."

"You should indeed observe," Elara replied.

"Even if he's hiding his cultivation, we don't know his true level—sixth, seventh, or eighth. We can't be sure."

"The Training Trial is approaching. Blue-Wave City is filled with hidden dragons and crouching tigers."

"Our Sky family holds two Sage Tokens," Elara continued.

"The Training Trial Secret Realm has strict rules. Ultimate Supremes cannot enter freely."

"Our family excels at weapon refining, not slaughter. We must recruit a powerful guest to accompany into the Secret Realm. Only then can the value of the Sage Token be maximized."

Damon swung his legs lightly, looking relaxed, yet his eyes were sharp.

"This is the Demon Territory. Strong human cultivators are rare. Recruiting one is like finding a needle in the sea."

Elara sighed softly. She had never been optimistic about recruiting a guest elder. The stakes were too high, and cooperation always carried risk.

"Don't worry, Third Sister," Damon said.

"If we truly can't find someone suitable, we still have our own family."

"Our combat strength may be weaker, but we aren't helpless. Besides…" He raised his eyebrows meaningfully and stopped.

Elara understood immediately and nodded.

"How has the recruitment been these past two days?" she asked.

"Not ideal," Damon replied.

"There are a few Supremes, but they're half-baked. Not much stronger than our own."

"Father and the Great Elder are still searching. This kind of matter can't be rushed."

"Third Sister, just relax and watch. Maybe your future husband will suddenly appear."

"Get lost," Elara snapped, rolling her eyes.

Despite her words, her heart was conflicted.

She disliked the method of recruiting a son-in-law.

Yet it had been the Sky family's tradition for thousands of years. Even her father had entered the family through such a process.

As a direct descendant, she had no right to overturn the rules.

She could only raise her standards, hoping someone truly worthy would appear.

Even if not perfect, at least close enough.

Born into the Sky family, responsibility came before personal desire.

Besides…

If men could have multiple wives, why couldn't women choose freely once they held enough power?

Ethan felt the gazes from the stage and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Damon and Elara had been observing him.

He noticed it—but didn't care.

Handsome men, like beautiful women, always attracted attention.

Along the way, countless eyes had sized him up. He was already used to it.

After watching for a while, Ethan found the arena dull.

He turned and left the dense crowd, moving toward another arena nearby.

This was the arena for recruiting guest elders.

There were far fewer people here, and it wasn't crowded.

After all, the third young lady of the Sky family and the direct descendants were not present.

Those who gathered here were either focused on strength, or simply uninterested in beauty.

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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