The sword intent surged straight into the sky.

The swamp water below boiled violently, waves churning as if a hidden dragon were stirring the mud. Clouds and mist were torn apart by the sharp, oppressive aura, revealing a patch of pale sky overhead.

Phew—

Azure spiritual fire crawled up the blade of the Desolation-Annihilating Sword.

The flame was neither blazing nor explosive. Instead, it flickered strangely, quiet and cold, dancing on the edge of the blade like a spirit born from the abyss.

It was beautiful.

And terrifying.

"What kind of tool is that…?"

Eryon's gaze followed the fading purple light that carried Kara and the others away. His eyes narrowed, the arrogance on his face finally restrained by caution.

"That speed… even flying holy grade weapons rarely reach such levels."

But he quickly looked away.

The ones who escaped were irrelevant.

Weak.

Even if they survived for now, once Ethan fell, they would have nowhere to run.

Their true target had always been him.

"Ethan."

Eryon stepped forward half a pace, his white tiger aura faintly leaking out, pressing down on the surroundings.

"Do you really think abandoning your companions will help them survive?"

"When we capture you, they won't even need us to search. We'll find them easily."

Ethan held the sword in one hand, his posture relaxed, eyes calm.

"The three of you," he said indifferently, "are wasting time."

"While you're here surrounding me, that Twelve Golden Eyes Dragon Leviathan Fish is tearing through your people."

"If you don't go help them, there's a real chance your Palace of the Four Cycles will suffer losses you can't afford."

Eryon laughed.

The sound was low and mocking.

"Losses?"

"Do you know why it's called the Palace of the Four Cycles?"

"Because it represents four absolute forces."

"Saintess Lunara, Miss Ember, the Wind Palace, the Slaughter Palace—right now, this is the true foundation."

"That fish may be fierce, but it is nothing before Her Royal Highness the Saintess and Miss Ember."

"You, on the other hand…"

His smile sharpened.

"You're alone."

Ethan's lips curved slightly.

"I think it's because you know nothing about me."

The air between them subtly tightened.

Behind Eryon, Seris remained silent, head slightly lowered. His white pupils flickered faintly, quietly observing Ethan, as if measuring something unseen.

Kairon, the old man cloaked in white hair, stood like a mountain.

Still.

Immovable.

At a distance, the battlefield shook again.

Boom—!

A thunderous collision echoed as the Twelve Golden Eyes Dragon Leviathan Fish slammed its massive body into Ember's golden flames. Demonic energy and phoenix fire clashed, sending shockwaves rippling through the swamp.

Water surged into the air like rain curtains.

Lunara and Sorrel seized the moment, darting around the beast, probing, testing, searching for flaws.

None.

Every strike slid off its hide as if striking divine iron.

Ethan's gaze briefly shifted.

Lunara's voice reached his mind through the jade token.

"Why did you stop?"

"You could have continued running."

"The old man and that boy aren't ordinary. If you find a chance, leave immediately."

Her concern was genuine.

Ethan replied calmly.

"These three are cautious. They won't attack recklessly."

"I asked Elara to check the direction of the heavenly vision. If there's progress, I'll know."

"Focus on the fight. Ember is sharp—if you slip, she'll notice."

There was a short pause.

Then Lunara's reply came.

"…Understood."

She turned her attention back to the Dragon Leviathan Fish.

As they fought, Ethan's eyes remained fixed on the massive creature.

Twelve golden eyes.

A monstrous body.

A bloodline containing the Winged Dragon blood.

Yet something felt wrong.

Very wrong.

This beast was too… intact.

Too complete.

Its strength was terrifying, but its usage of power was crude.

More importantly—

Ethan sensed something faint beneath the roaring demonic energy.

A rhythm.

An echo.

Like an ancient inscription humming quietly beneath layers of mud and flesh.

Similar to—

The original Dao text.

Not identical.

But close.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

At that moment, the jade token vibrated.

Kara's voice arrived, slightly urgent.

"Junior Brother Ethan, we've reached the edge."

"But something's wrong. No matter which direction we go, after a few steps we return to the same place."

"This swamp… it's a spatial maze."

Ethan wasn't surprised.

"I thought so."

"Find a hidden, safe spot. Stay inside the Heavenly Net Demonic Pearl's barrier and don't move."

"The key to leaving this swamp lies with the Twelve Golden Eyes Dragon Leviathan Fish."

Kara hesitated for a breath.

"…Be careful."

The connection cut off.

Ethan lifted his gaze and looked back at Eryon and the others.

The three still hadn't moved.

Like hunters waiting patiently for prey to exhaust itself.

"Why don't you attack?" Ethan asked calmly.

Eryon smiled.

"Why should we?"

"Struggling prey is the most interesting to watch."

"You'll die whether you resist or not."

"I'd rather enjoy it."

Ethan said nothing.

He didn't rush to attack either.

Instead, he stood still, conserving strength, observing.

The swamp trembled again.

Ember descended from the air, golden flames rippling around her as she took a short breath.

Her expression was no longer relaxed.

"This thing…"

She clenched her teeth.

"Is it a fish or a turtle?"

She glanced sideways and confirmed Ethan was still trapped by Eryon's group.

Good.

Now she could act without distraction.

Her wings flared.

"Bloodline Secret technique, Golden Phoenix Ignites the Prairie!"

A pillar of blazing golden flame erupted from Ember's body, surging skyward. In the air, the flames condensed into a massive phoenix, wings spread wide, its cry shaking the heavens.

The demonic energy roared, fire sweeping across the swamp.

Space itself seemed to ripple, faint distortions appearing where the flames passed.

Ember's expression changed.

Her pupils shrank.

"…This shouldn't be possible."

"How could space created by a Great Emperor be distorted by my power?"

Her gaze sharpened, locking onto the surrounding swamp, the sky, the water, the unseen boundaries.

"There's something weird about this space…that's it."

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

...

Thanks for the Magic Castle: @Chuckalotapus

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.