Ethan suddenly moved.

His figure burst forth like a bolt of golden lightning, tearing through the air in an instant.

"Want to run?!"

"Have you asked me first?!"

Eryon's pupils constricted as he reacted immediately, his White Tiger bloodline surging as he lunged forward. At the same time, Seris and Kairon shifted positions in perfect coordination, sealing Ethan's retreat from three angles.

The killing intent locked down the space.

Ethan snorted coldly.

"Don't overestimate yourselves."

The next instant, his figure blurred.

"Apparition!"

An afterimage remained where he stood, lifelike and intact, while his true body reappeared dozens of feet away.

"If I truly wanted to leave," Ethan said calmly, his voice drifting through the air, "none of you could stop me."

He laughed softly—and instead of fleeing, his body dropped sharply from the sky.

Everyone's expressions changed.

They thought he was retreating.

But no one expected that Ethan would twist his trajectory midair, turning directly toward the Twelve Golden Eyes Dragon Leviathan Fish.

"What is he doing?!"

"Is he aiming for the Dragon Leviathan Fish?!"

Shock rippled through the battlefield.

"Don't chase him!"

Ember's voice rang out sharply. "That beast can't be killed even if we join forces. Charging at it now is courting death!"

"Mr. Aether, come back—now!"

Lunara's heart clenched as she shouted through mental transmission, her voice laced with genuine urgency.

Ethan didn't turn his head.

"I'm just confirming something."

His answer was calm, almost casual.

The Desolation-Annihilating Sword hummed violently as Ethan swung it without hesitation.

"Moon Void Slash!"

A brilliant crescent of sword light tore through the air, carrying a chilling intent as it slammed directly into the golden barrier surrounding the Dragon Leviathan Fish.

Crack—crack—crack!

Spiderweb fractures spread instantly.

Then—

Boom!

The barrier shattered.

But before anyone could rejoice, the Dragon Leviathan Fish made an unexpected move.

It voluntarily dispersed the final remaining layer of defense.

The golden light vanished completely.

Its colossal abyss-like mouth opened wide.

A terrifying suction force erupted, twisting the surrounding space as it locked onto Ethan like an inescapable vortex.

Ethan crossed his arms, teeth clenched.

Veins bulged on his forehead as his body resisted the pull with sheer physical strength.

For a brief moment, he held on.

Then the suction intensified again.

The Dragon Leviathan Fish went all out.

Ethan's feet left the air.

In the next breath, his body was swallowed whole, disappearing into the darkness of the beast's mouth.

Just before vanishing, a fleeting smile curved at the corner of his lips.

Hic—!

The Dragon Leviathan Fish let out a satisfied burp.

Its fins patted its swollen belly, radiating crude joy.

Not only had it devoured an enormous amount of energy today—it had even swallowed a living cultivator.

Very comfortable.

With a heavy roll of its massive body, it plunged downward, burrowing deep into the earth and vanishing beneath the swamp.

"It's escaping!"

Sorrel stepped forward instinctively, preparing to pursue.

"No need."

Ember stopped him coldly. "The Twelve Golden Eyes Dragon Leviathan Fish possesses an internal corrosive domain and a self-contained space. Anything swallowed is refined and digested. Once inside, survival is nearly impossible."

"In my view, Ethan is already dead."

Silence fell.

Lunara frowned deeply, her fists tightening.

She didn't understand why Ethan would take such a reckless gamble.

But now, there was nothing she could do except trust him.

"…That's enough."

Ember glanced at the darkening sky. "We've expended too much energy today. Let's rest here for the night. Tomorrow, we continue searching for the inheritance."

Her breathing was slightly uneven—proof that even she had suffered significant consumption.

The others were no better.

Lunara scanned the surroundings.

The shattered ground had already filled with surging water, forming a deep, silent lake.

She pointed south. "There. We rest there."

Flying over, she opened tree hollows in several massive ancient trees, each with trunks over two meter thick.

Each hollow could easily accommodate two people.

One by one, everyone entered, erected barriers, and sat cross-legged to regulate their breathing.

The sun dipped below the horizon.

Night fell.

…

Deep underground.

The Twelve Golden Eyes Dragon Leviathan Fish swam swiftly through an enormous network of subterranean tunnels.

Ten of its twelve eyes had closed, leaving only a single pair of golden pupils active as it navigated instinctively.

Within its body—

Ethan floated calmly.

A faint golden barrier surrounded him, isolating the corrosive gases and terrifying digestive fluids that churned around him.

He snapped his fingers.

Six milky-white flames bloomed into existence, rotating slowly and illuminating the interior.

The stomach walls of the Dragon Leviathan Fish were dark red, layered with thick folds like endless ravines. They pulsed rhythmically with each beat of the beast's heart.

Ahead, Ethan's gaze locked onto a square, black vortex.

A weak but constant suction emanated from it.

This was the core space within the Dragon Leviathan Fish.

All absorbed energy—spiritual energy, demonic energy, even refined essence—was drawn here, purified, and transformed.

From the opposite side of the vortex, streams of pale blue energy seeped out, penetrating the stomach wall and flowing into every muscle and bone of the Dragon Leviathan Fish.

Living prey would normally be corroded by stomach acid, reduced to residue, and then stripped of remaining energy by this vortex.

But Ethan was different.

He had already activated Onyx Orchid's concealment power and used his breathing technique.

To the Dragon Leviathan Fish's perception, his life aura had vanished.

In its senses—

He was already dead.

Ethan observed carefully, eyes narrowing.

Golden light occasionally flickered across the stomach walls—faint traces of refined inscriptions.

"It seems the Emperor Sage didn't just refine its skin…"

"He refined its internal organs as well."

Ethan murmured, floating cross-legged in midair.

Even the internal hardness of the Dragon Leviathan Fish, though weaker than its exterior, was still terrifyingly resilient.

He could break through.

But there was no need.

He needed the Dragon Leviathan Fish alive.

Only by remaining inside its body could he allow it to carry him out of the space maze—toward the true location of the hidden treasure.

This had been his plan from the beginning.

If the exit of the space maze could not be found—

Then let the master of this domain lead the way.

Time passed, minute by minute.

Ethan suddenly opened his eyes.

The Dragon Leviathan Fish's speed was slowing.

They were close.

Still deep underground, the surrounding space expanded dramatically.

The walls of the cavern glittered with veins of rare ores in countless colors—materials that would drive any refiner mad with envy.

Embedded among them were massive translucent stones emitting a soft, warm yellow glow.

In ancient times, they were often mined and used as lamps.

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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