Chapter 83: Chapter 83
"Well, if Senior Sister comes, I will definitely entertain you with delicious food and drinks," Ethan said with a wry smile, the atmosphere in the room became much more relaxed.
Lyralei nodded slightly, her expression calm but carrying an undertone of urgency.
"It’s getting late, I’ll leave first."
Just as she turned, Ethan called out, "Senior Sister, wait a minute. There is something I need to tell you."
She paused, turning back with a raised brow.
"What is it?"
"I have stayed in the Demon Sealing Cave for a time," Ethan began thoughtfully,
"and I am very familiar with the demonic energy there. Recently, when I went to Azure Sky Peak on some business, I sensed a trace of aura—one very similar to that demonic energy—emanating from an elder named Ashen. I suspect..."
His words hung in the air, heavy with implication.
Lyralei’s brows furrowed, her composure tightening like a steel trap. "I understand," she said quietly, but with finality.
"You need not worry about this any longer."
Ethan nodded, though inwardly he was unsettled. "So calm?" he mused silently.
The demon spy was of great importance; yet she remained so composed, almost unnervingly so.
As Lyralei turned to leave again, Ethan subconsciously cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.
"Senior Sister, walk slowly."
She stopped just inside the doorway and warned, her voice low but resolute, "Do not get close to Ashen. Focus on your cultivation. As for the demons’ detailed movements... leave that to me. Do not put yourself in danger."
With a flicker of light, she vanished into the night sky like a streak of silver.
Ethan remained standing, hands clasped behind his back, eyes fixed on the spot where she had disappeared.
The care she showed... was it genuine? Or simply because the Master ordered her to protect him? Yet, he recalled how the first time she sensed his earth vein energy, she came immediately to share some with him.
Before fading away, she cautioned him to be safe and not take unnecessary risks.
A faint warmth stirred within Ethan at the thought. Was this sincerity, or merely well-played acting? He could not say for sure.
But even if it was an act, it was an act he could accept.
He shook his head and his expression settled back into cold calmness, like a white sheet of paper smoothed out from crumpled folds—though the wrinkles could never truly disappear.
Long ago, his heart had been similarly creased and worn.
...
Returning to his chamber, Ethan began to absorb and digest the profound flow of heaven and earth energy that now coursed through his body. Seven days passed in diligent cultivation, days marked by relentless focus and steady progress.
The joint martial arts competition between Azure Sky Peak and the other three peaks officially commenced on the seventh day.
Ethan awoke early each morning, adjusting his body and mind to perfect harmony. The seven days had allowed him to stabilize the blood elixir completely, fully absorbing the energy of heaven and earth he had condensed within himself.
With the blood pill now matured, he could continue to refine his essence and blood, the pillars of his cultivation.
A glowing pill pattern had begun to form on the surface of the blood elixir—once three such patterns appeared, he could attempt to advance into the Soul Refining Realm.
As Ethan continued cultivating, he carefully reconsidered the path of physical cultivation he had chosen. The journey was arduous but rewarding beyond measure.
This path demanded not only unwavering perseverance but also a pure heart and steadfast patience. Haste would only bring ruin; only slow, steady steps could lead to true mastery.
Ethan departed the silence of Serene Mirror Lake and journeyed to Serpentwind Peak.
The Four Peaks martial arts competition rotated among the peaks. This time, it was Serpentwind Peak’s turn to host.
Registration had been open from yesterday until noon today, and after an hour’s wait, the competition was set to begin.
Dressed in the azure robes marking him as a disciple of Azure Sky Peak, Ethan entered the bustling registration hall.
The crowd of disciples was vast, a sea of faces abuzz with excitement and anticipation.
Three teams had already formed lines in the square, chatting eagerly among themselves, and Ethan naturally joined one.
The conversations echoed pride and ambition.
"This competition is in our Serpentwind Peak this time; I swear I’ll be in the top twenty!" one disciple boasted loudly.
"Our Serpentwind Peak lost to Voidshade Peak last time, ranking second overall," another retorted confidently, "but this year, with our two senior brothers leading the charge, we will reclaim first place!"
Serpentwind’s disciples spoke with the boldness of champions defending their home turf, voices ringing out with youthful confidence and fiery determination.
Their optimism stirred discontent among disciples from the other three peaks, eliciting sarcastic murmurs and pointed barbs.
"Is it just you, Serpentwind Peak?" one scoffed.
"Ha! What can Kain and Cyrus do against us? Voidshade Peak has Silas, who’s broken through to the perfection of the Soul Formation," another retorted.
"Perfection of the Soul Formation? Stop your boasting! Everyone knows that’s just empty talk," another disciple sneered.
"If you ask me, both Voidshade and Serpentwind peaks are just fighting over scraps. This time, Azure Sky Peak will rise to claim first place," came another confident voice.
The noise swelled, weaving into a heated exchange of pride and rivalry.
"Kain... Silas, we’re all old acquaintances," one voice laced with bitterness.
"Enough talk. Let’s settle all past grudges in the martial arts competition," declared another.
Hearing these names brought a subtle smile to Ethan’s lips—both familiar and promising a fierce contest ahead.
Soon, it was Ethan’s turn at registration.
"Name, please. Quickly now," the elder in charge called out brusquely.
"Ethan, Azure Sky Peak," he replied calmly.
The elder paused, brows knitting as recognition sparked in his eyes.
"Ethan... You’re the one who, ten years ago, was caught peeping at a female disciple bathing and was sentenced to the Ancestral tomb in Serene Mirror Lake, right?"
"Released after only ten years—how have you fared?" the elder asked, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
He noted Ethan’s physical cultivation path and the wasted decade, expressing surprise that a peak still welcomed him.
"Now that you’re back, you can cultivate without worry," he added, his tone dipping into condescension.
"But with your limited strength, I doubt you’ll even pass the first round of this competition. It might just be a waste of your time."
The elder shook his head, the disdain clear in his voice.
"Check the disciple token," he ordered, stretching out a hand.
Ethan handed over the token without haste.
As the elder grasped it, his hand froze—he could not move it.
A quiet smile crept onto Ethan’s face.
"Like to lecture, do you?" Ethan asked softly, his voice carrying calm assurance.
A/N:
Extra Chapters
100 power stones - 1 Extra Chapters
200 power stones - 2 Extra Chapters
Capsule - 1 Extra Chapters
Massage Chair - 3 Extra Chapters
Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters
Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters