"It's getting late, it's time to go back to the tavern."

Ethan lifted his gaze toward the night sky. Stars glittered like scattered spirit crystals across the heavens, and a quiet breeze drifted through Noble Sun City. Althea and Solara walked beside him, the three moving leisurely through the lamplit street.

But they had taken only a few steps when a calm voice sounded behind them.

"Presumably, this is Young Master Ethan."

Ethan stopped and slowly turned.

A man and a woman stood behind him—silent, composed, and radiating an aura he recognized instantly.

Ethan narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Your Excellency?"

He already had a clear guess.

The woman must be the eldest lady of the Stonebridge family—the temporary Saint. The man beside her was the Supreme Realm expert who had probed him in the auction house with mental energy.

Supreme Realm experts could conceal their aura perfectly without employing any secret techniques. Thus, the armored man appeared like a mortal general, and only those with exceptional perception could detect otherwise.

The woman spoke first, her voice melodious but carrying a natural pressure.

"Stonebridge family, Isolde Stonebridge."

"So it is the saint of the Holy Land of Endless Mountains," Ethan responded with a polite smile.

"A name I have admired for a long time."

But inwardly, he remained alert.

He and the Ashenvale family were already locked in a life-and-death feud. As one of the five great families of the Holy Land, the Stonebridge clan should not ignore the Ashenvale family's stance. Moreover, Ethan had stolen the spotlight in the treasure gathering today and taken all five top-grade Mahayana Pills.

He did not believe Isolde Stonebridge was here merely to greet him.

But she smiled faintly and replied, "Mr. Ethan is joking. It is only an empty title."

Ethan stood silently for a breath, then asked directly, "I wonder what Miss Isolde wants from me?"

"Just a small matter."

Isolde clasped her hands behind her back, posture relaxed, gaze uninterested yet sharp.

"I wonder if Mr. Ethan is willing to part with a single top-grade Mahayana Pill. I am willing to offer seven hundred and ten spiritual marrows for it."

So that was her intention.

She had backed off during the auction not because she could not pay—but because she wanted to leave room to approach him here, away from the eyes of the public, signaling goodwill.

Ethan could see this clearly.

But he chuckled softly.

"Miss Isolde, are you not misjudging the current situation? As the Saint of the Holy Land of Endless Mountains, is it appropriate for you to make transactions with those considered enemies?"

Isolde showed no irritation—only calm amusement.

"Mr. Ethan, though the Ashenvale family is one of the five families of the Holy Land, today I stand here only as Isolde Stonebridge. The conflict between you and the Ashenvale family has nothing to do with me."

"I merely want to make a deal."

Ethan's brows drew together slightly.

It was indeed true she was speaking only for herself.

But caution was the foundation of survival.

And he was currently in dire need of Mahayana Pills himself. Even if someone familiar came asking, he might not sell—much less to a Saint whose allegiances were uncertain.

"I see. Miss Isolde understands the distinction."

Ethan's voice grew cool.

"But Miss Isolde should also understand how important Mahayana Pills are to physical cultivators. I do not wish to make a transaction. Please return."

The refusal was crisp, unhesitating.

Isolde Stonebridge and Damion both froze for a moment, eyes narrowing subtly.

This was unexpected.

Isolde had always been the one rejecting others. Never in her life had she been refused—not by a man, not by anyone. Suitors lined from the Holy Land to Noble Sun City, and merely speaking with her was considered a divine blessing.

But Ethan?

He was unmoved.

"Is Mr. Ethan serious? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." Isolde's voice cooled, her golden eyes sharpening like molten metal.

"Opportunity?" Ethan replied calmly.

"I do not think this is an opportunity."

He bowed the slightest fraction and turned away.

"If Miss Isolde has nothing further, I will take my leave."

He stepped off, Althea following behind him. Before she left, she turned her head slightly, meeting Isolde's gaze with a faint, knowing smile.

Isolde stood motionless for a long moment, frost lining her expression.

Then, slowly—her lips curved into a grin.

"Haha… if he were like other men, it would be boring. Now I acknowledge him."

Damion spoke with quiet admiration.

"Geniuses all have their own characteristics. Your Highness the Saint need not be concerned."

He too watched Ethan leave, interest deepening in his gaze.

Ethan and the others continued onward, turning into a quieter street. At the end of the alley stood the entrance to the Blood Tavern. Just as Ethan was about to turn—

Footsteps approached from ahead.

A familiar figure emerged.

Ethan stopped abruptly.

Althea tensed beside him, her brows drawing together sharply.

Three figures in blue cloaks embroidered with snowflakes passed directly in front of them.

One of them was unmistakable.

Even though her face was shadowed beneath her hood, Ethan knew that aura—cold, detached, and icy enough to pierce bone.

It was Seraphina.

Althea leaned in slightly, voice soft but tense. "Junior brother, that person looks a bit like Seraphina."

"It's not just looks," Ethan replied, gaze sharpening.

"It's her."

He activated the Heaven-Piercing Mind Eyes.

His focus moved to the two figures beside Seraphina.

The first radiated a chilling aura—first-turn Mahayana, yet the killing intent was heavy enough to rival a sixth-turn Mahayana.

Cold, bloodthirsty, eerie.

Could it be—

The evil cultivator behind the massacre?

The one wanted by the Blood Tavern?

His gaze shifted to the second figure.

Ordinary at first glance—but beneath the eyes of Heaven-Piercing Mind—

The aura was terrifying.

Stronger than the Myriad Treasure Pavilion's talker.

Stronger than the Supreme Realm bodyguard beside Isolde.

"Supreme Realm."

Ethan's pupils contracted.

What was happening?

"Junior brother, the two beside her are extremely extraordinary. One of them is likely a powerful Supreme Realm cultivator." Althea whispered, expression solemn.

Her bloodline power could sense cultivation realms—and the aura on that cloaked woman was stronger than elders of her clan.

"Well, let's go back to the tavern first." Ethan nodded, leading Althea and Solara towards the Blood Tavern.

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

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