Even the Supreme Elder had been dispatched to monitor her master at all times.

This was the reality of the Black Demon Sect.

Outwardly respectful, inwardly suspicious.

On the surface, nurturing; in truth, wary to the bone.

Morwen's only lingering worry was this—

The Black Demon Sect and the Azure Origin Dao Sect were sworn enemies.

If she and her master truly went there… would they be welcomed?

Or would they be imprisoned the moment they set foot across the border?

"Alright," Kara said calmly, breaking the silence.

"In that case, from today onward, my relationship with the Black Demon Sect is severed."

"After leaving the Training Trial Secret Realm, I will take you to the Azure Origin Dao Sect."

"You may be able to find news about your parents there."

Morwen's body stiffened.

Her fingers trembled slightly.

"…Good."

She nodded firmly, as if afraid that any hesitation would cause the decision to crumble.

From the corner of her eye, she peeked at Ethan.

His gaze was calm—too calm. Cold and deep, like a still abyss.

It made her scalp prickle.

Morwen quickly lowered her head, not daring to look again.

"Master…" she asked hesitantly.

"We're mortal enemies with the Azure Origin Dao Sect. If we go there… we won't be imprisoned, right?"

Kara smiled lightly.

"Don't worry. Ethan and I have known each other for a long time. We're very close."

Her tone was gentle, reassuring.

She did not explain further.

Some truths were too heavy to lay bare all at once.

Especially the truth that she herself was once a blade hidden in the shadows—

A spy cultivated by the Azure Origin Dao Sect and placed within the Black Demon Sect.

Morwen was simple-minded. Honest. Loyal.

She didn't need to know this yet.

"I understand, Master." Morwen nodded obediently.

"Senior Sister Kara," Ethan said with a faint smile, "you really did teach an obedient disciple."

As he spoke, the Nine-Colored Soul-Living Bottle floated out, hovering quietly in the air.

"Morwen," Ethan continued calmly, "your strength is insufficient. Following your master around in this Training Trial Secret Realm will only hold her back."

"Stay inside the soul-living bottle for now. I'll let you out regularly to get some air."

With a wave of his hand, before Morwen could respond, a gentle yet irresistible force enveloped her.

Her figure was drawn into the bottle, disappearing without resistance.

The bottle sealed itself quietly, its nine colors circulating slowly.

"Junior Brother Ethan," Kara asked softly, "are you still worried about Morwen?"

"Senior Sister, you're overthinking," Ethan replied evenly.

"She's your disciple. I have no reason to distrust her."

Kara tilted her head slightly, unconvinced.

"Then why put her alone into the bottle?"

"I already said it—she's not strong enough. She'd be a burden."

Ethan chuckled.

"Besides, many cultivators dream of cultivating inside this bottle and never get the chance. It calms the mind, nourishes the soul, and doubles efficiency."

Kara nodded slowly.

Ethan wasn't wrong.

Morwen's realm was still too low. Compared to the monsters roaming this secret realm—Intermediate Supremes, Upper Supremes—she would be crushed without even a chance to struggle.

Staying in the bottle was safer.

And better for her cultivation.

What Kara didn't know was—

Whether the bottle was heaven or hell depended entirely on Ethan's mood.

"Junior Brother Ethan," Kara asked after a moment, "where do we go next?"

"The demon sects came all the way from Blackspire Mountain," Ethan replied, eyes narrowing slightly.

"They wouldn't do so without reason. Haven't you heard anything about this secret realm?"

"There is something," Kara said thoughtfully. "But I don't know much."

"They all know I have no demonic blood. When it comes to secrets, they've always guarded against me."

"All I know is this—this Emperor Sage secret realm hides something related to Demon Ancestor Xarion Veldrith."

"Emperor Sage rose to power by relying on part of Xarion Veldrith's inheritance."

"The inheritance of the Demon Ancestor…" Ethan mused.

"Is it possible Emperor Sage was also a demon?"

"I'm not sure," Kara replied.

"Some say he was half-human, half-demon. But he definitely obtained part of the Demon Ancestor's inheritance."

"That alone is strange."

"Not really," Ethan said lightly. "The Three Thousand Great Daos converge."

"Humans, demons, monsters—it's all cultivation in the end."

"You've practiced Black Demon Sect techniques too, haven't you?"

Kara smiled faintly.

"That's true."

"But inheritance at the Demon Ancestor level usually requires bloodline resonance."

"If the rumors are correct, it's hard to imagine how Emperor Sage did it without pure demon blood."

Kara walked closer, hands clasped behind her back, curiously examining the space barrier Ethan had set.

"Senior Sister," Ethan reminded calmly, "curiosity killed the cat."

Kara quickly withdrew her hand, looking momentarily embarrassed.

"Rest," Ethan said.

"The daytime here is short. When the fog clears at dawn, we move."

"Where to?" Kara asked.

"Where else?" Ethan smiled faintly. "To look for the inheritance of Emperor Sage."

"You have a plan?"

"No," Ethan replied casually. "Just follow me if you want to pick up treasures."

Kara laughed softly.

"Looks like I'll have to rely on Junior Brother Ethan from now on."

After Luca's death, a heavy shackle seemed to fall away from her heart.

Once she decided to leave the Black Demon Sect, her entire state changed. The pressure that had weighed on her for years vanished, and she felt lighter—almost free.

"Sister," Ethan said suddenly, fixing his gaze on her, "have you forgotten something?"

Kara blinked.

"Forgotten what?"

Ethan smiled faintly.

"Senior Sister has a noble memory, it seems."

"We agreed before. If I killed Luca and his group alone in the secret realm…"

"…Senior Sister would warm my bed."

"Senior Sister," he continued gently, "you didn't forget that, did you?"

"Heavens—!"

Kara's face instantly flushed crimson.

"⁄(⁄ ⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄ ⁄)⁄."

"I was serious back then," Ethan added calmly.

"Ahem—cough," Kara said hurriedly. "I was just joking."

"Oh?" Ethan raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"I remember it very clearly."

"Senior Sister said—if I truly killed Luca and his group alone, then Senior Sister would—"

"Shh!"

Before he could finish, Kara suddenly stood on her toes.

Her slender fingers pressed gently against Ethan's lips.

"Junior Brother," she whispered, her voice soft and flustered, "don't say it anymore."

Her breath was warm and faintly fragrant.

They were so close they could smell each other's scent and see the length of each other's eyelashes.

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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