Zeph felt it the moment the golden light pierced through the air.
Danger.
Pure, sharp, and undisguised.
His pupils contracted as he instinctively withdrew his claws and retreated two steps, abandoning the killing strike that would have taken Risa’s life.
Boom!
The golden arrow slammed into the ground, arcs of lightning flashing wildly as cracks spread through the earth. After a brief struggle, the power dissipated into nothingness.
"Who?!"
Zeph raised his head sharply, his gaze slicing toward the horizon.
Huh!
A violent gust of wind tore through the valley.
In the next instant, a figure appeared in front of him as if he had always been there.
Ethan.
He stood calmly, holding the still-disheveled Kara in one hand and the gravely injured Risa in the other, as if their weight meant nothing at all. His expression was relaxed, his posture casual, yet the moment he appeared, the atmosphere of the entire valley changed.
He tossed Risa toward Elara without even looking back.
"Catch."
Elara hurried forward, supporting Risa as her heart trembled violently.
Then Ethan turned his gaze to Zeph and smiled faintly.
"Young Patriarch," he said slowly, "I heard you were looking for me?"
The smile did not reach his eyes.
Heaven-piercing Mind Eyes quietly opened.
In an instant, everything about Zeph was laid bare.
Upper Demon Lord realm.
Tengu bloodline.
bat power... parable to Luca of the Heavenly Demon Sect—perhaps slightly stronger.
Ethan’s interest faded almost as soon as it appeared.
Behind him, Kara landed lightly on the ground, still smoothing her hair with an irritated expression. Her eyes swept across the surroundings, briefly pausing on Elara before settling on Zeph and the two figures behind him.
Their auras were deep and restrained.
Especially the two elders—each of them gave her a pressure no weaker than Luca’s, perhaps even more oppressive.
"People from the Palace of the Four Cycles?" Kara frowned slightly.
At the entrance of the secret realm, she had seen them.
Judging from their attire and bearing, these people clearly belonged to Heavenly Palace.
What she couldn’t understand was why Ethan had brought her straight into the middle of this mess.
Zeph stared at the man before him, his expression shifting subtly.
This face—
He remembered it all too well.
The arrogant man who had forced his way through the blockade of the Palace of the Four Cycles at the entrance of the Training Trial Secret Realm. The one who had openly defied the four palace masters and even looked down on the Chief Palace Master himself.
So it was him.
"So you’re Ethan?" Zeph asked slowly.
"Yes," Ethan replied calmly.
"I’m the Ethan you’re looking for."
He clasped his hands behind his back, standing as if he were merely chatting with an acquaintance.
"Young Patriarch of Heavenly Palace," he continued, "may I ask why you’re looking for me?"
Zeph suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha! Interesting—very interesting!"
"It really takes no effort to find what one seeks."
"I never expected the arrogant bastard from before to be you."
He shook his head, eyes gleaming with malice.
"I thought you didn’t enter the Training Trial Secret Realm. Turns out you sneaked in."
"Tell me," Zeph’s voice sharpened, "where did your Sage Token e from?"
Ethan glanced at him indifferently.
"That’s none of your business."
"If you have nothing else to do, you should leave. We’re busy and don’t have time to play with you."
His tone was flat.
Dismissive.
To Zeph’s ears, it was nothing short of humiliation.
"Haha!" Zeph’s laughter turned cold. "You know who I am and you still dare to speak like this?"
"You are the apple of the eye of Heavenly Palace, the young patriarch of the Tengu Clan!"
"In this Training Trial Secret Realm, you are nothing." Ethan replied evenly.
The words fell heavily.
Contempt was not hidden—it was deliberate.
For a brief moment, Zeph was stunned.
Then he burst out laughing.
"Hahahahaha!"
"In all my years, this is the first time I’ve seen someone as arrogant as you."
"But no matter how you pretend, you’re still just a loser."
"As for that Sage Token—don’t bother hiding it. It must have e from the Sky family."
Before Ethan could respond, Elara stepped forward.
"Young Master Zeph," she said calmly, "you may eat as you please, but you shouldn’t speak recklessly."
"Everyone knows the Sage Tokens in the northwest Demon Territory were taken by the Palace of the Four Cycles for unified distribution."
"Our Sky family only received two. Where would a third one e from?"
Zeph glanced at her and sneered.
"Miss Elara, spare me the act."
"There are one hundred and eight Sage Tokens scattered across the Demon Territory."
"Who knows whether your Sky family secretly obtained one?"
Elara’s eyes darkened, but she said no more.
"Believe whatever you want."
Zeph turned his attention back to Ethan, his gaze filled with ridicule.
"So this is where your confidence es from?"
"This kid?"
"You really think he’s qualified to challenge the Palace of the Four Cycles?"
Ethan shook his head lightly.
"Whether I’m qualified isn’t for you to decide."
That calmness.
That utter lack of urgency.
It finally ignited Zeph’s fury.
"Enough!"
"You still dare to act superior in front of me?!"
Ethan looked at him quietly.
"This is the Training Trial Secret Realm," he said.
"You don’t need excuses here."
Zeph’s smile vanished.
His eyes turned sharp, filled with killing intent.
"Good."
"Very good."
"At the Sky family, you openly challenged the authority of Heavenly Palace."
"At the entrance of the secret realm, you desecrated the majesty of the Palace of the Four Cycles."
"The Chief Palace Master already said it—bring back your head and claim the reward."
"Today," Zeph said coldly, "even if the Sky family protects you, I won’t hold back."
The air grew heavy.
Behind him, the two elders stepped slightly forward.
"Young Patriarch," Finn said cautiously, "do you need our help?"
"The mander-in-chief mentioned that this boy is not simple."
Zeph waved his hand dismissively.
"No need."
"If he entered the Training Trial Secret Realm, he hasn’t stepped into the Ultimate Supreme."
"As long as he’s not the saintess, Ember, or some abnormal monster like Alina—"
"I can handle him."
He straightened, eyes locking onto Ethan with absolute confidence.
"The two elders can watch from the side. Help me keep an eye on him."
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 Luxury Car: @Renoir_DS
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