She was very fond of Ethan's style and character.

Low-key, restrained, yet sharp where it mattered. He neither feared power nor worshipped it. Strong, but never arrogant. Decisive, but never bullying the weak.

Such people were exceedingly rare in the cultivation world.

"Madam is right," Max said slowly, his gaze still following Ethan's retreating figure.

"This Ethan is indeed very strong. Before this battle, I guessed he might barely be able to contend with an Upper Supreme… perhaps even graze the threshold of the Ultimate Supreme."

He paused, his expression growing solemn.

"Now it seems I underestimated him."

"Facing Tyler—a monster even among Ultimate Supremes—he never once lost composure. That calmness isn't arrogance. It's absolute confidence in his own strength."

Max let out a breath.

"Overconfidence is arrogance. But Ethan is not arrogant. He's stronger than I thought. Tyler did not force a confrontation with him, which truly surprised me."

Bella nodded slightly, her eyes deep with thought.

"Tyler's attitude alone proves it," Max continued.

"Ethan's confidence and calm were not an act. If Tyler hadn't sensed danger, he would never have let Ethan go so easily."

Although Max was the head of the Sky family, he was never careless in his judgments.

Compared to the commander-in-chief of the Palace of the Four Cycles, his title meant very little.

Tyler was not merely an Ultimate Supreme—he was an Ultimate Supreme whose combat power was twisted beyond reason.

Even if Max, Bella, and the old patriarch in seclusion joined forces, the three of them together might still fail to suppress Tyler.

That was the gap.

Tyler had given him face today not because of strength, but because of value.

The Sky family's weapon-refining skills.

That was all.

A person as terrifying as Tyler would never retreat, let alone compromise, unless he feared the opponent's strength.

Ethan stood quietly nearby, his posture relaxed, his breathing steady.

He knew exactly what Max and Bella were discussing.

The Training Trial Secret Realm.

The Sage Token.

Whether to place their trust in him.

But Ethan did not rush them.

He waited calmly.

Because he knew—he would receive the answer he wanted.

Not long after, a ripple of commotion rose from another direction.

Max and Bella turned their heads simultaneously, drawn by a powerful aura.

In the adjacent arena, Tyler stood silently beside the ring, accompanied by two Demon Lords.

They said nothing.

They did nothing.

Yet an invisible pressure spread outward like a silent domain.

The surrounding onlookers subconsciously retreated, maintaining a distance of more than three meters. No one dared approach, afraid that even an accidental glance might provoke this terrifying commander of the Heavenly Palace.

At that moment, Tyler's disciple stepped onto the ring.

Bruce.

Hands clasped behind his back, posture upright, aura steady—he looked like a master surveying lesser beings.

And his actions matched his bearing.

When the match began, Bruce raised a single hand.

One strike.

One opponent sent flying.

Elite after elite of the Sky family was knocked off the ring, landing heavily outside the arena.

There was no suspense.

No prolonged struggle.

Pure suppression.

Gasps erupted throughout the audience.

"Who is that?!"

"Heavens… that aura—he's from the Palace of the Four Cycles!"

"A Supreme?! Why is a Supreme participating in a son-in-law recruitment?!"

"Isn't this blatant bullying?"

Someone whispered indignantly, but kept their voice low.

They didn't dare speak too loudly.

"This guy is clearly human. Since when does the Palace of the Four Cycles recruit humans?"

"And such a young one!"

"They sent a human Supreme from the Heavenly Palace to compete here!"

"Their intentions are clearly impure!"

Another voice sneered softly.

"Pure or impure, heroes have loved beauties since ancient times. If I had his strength, I'd do the same."

Whispers filled the air, rising and falling endlessly.

Bruce paid none of it any attention.

From the moment he stepped onto the ring, his eyes had locked onto a single figure.

Elara.

She stood not far away, clad in a long green dress. Her figure was slender, her posture dignified, her expression composed—yet her gaze was solemn.

Objectively speaking, Bruce was outstanding.

He met the age requirement.

His appearance was refined.

His talent and strength were unquestionable.

He had already proven himself.

But he was not the type Elara liked.

And more importantly—

He was from the Heavenly Palace.

When she sensed his aura earlier, unease had already taken root in her heart.

She had worried then—would the Palace of the Four Cycles truly allow someone like him to participate in the Sky family's recruitment?

Reality answered her doubts.

"Third Sister…" Damon muttered through clenched teeth, staring at the ring.

"This is too much. They sent a top human genius from the Palace of the Four Cycles—and he's here just for you!"

Elara shook her head slowly, her voice low and firm.

"That's wrong."

She looked at Bruce on the ring, her eyes clear.

"He's not here for me."

Damon frowned.

"Then what?"

"He's here for the Sky family."

Damon's expression darkened instantly.

This was bad.

Very bad.

Bruce was far stronger than any other candidate. If no one stopped him, the outcome was already decided.

And refusing him afterward?

That would be even worse.

Rejecting someone from the Heavenly Palace was tantamount to slapping the Palace of the Four Cycles in the face.

The Sky family might not survive the consequences.

Elara stepped forward.

"I don't know your name," she said calmly, looking at Bruce.

Bruce froze for a brief moment.

Then he smiled awkwardly and scratched his head.

"Oh… I'm sorry. Truly sorry, Miss Elara. I was so excited to participate in your contest that I forgot to introduce myself."

He straightened his posture and spoke earnestly.

"My name is Bruce. I am from the Palace of the Four Cycles—Heavenly Palace."

His gaze softened, filled with genuine emotion.

"I met Miss Elara some time ago. Your talent, your bearing, your beauty… they left a deep impression on me."

"For this reason, I set aside my duties and came here today."

He took a breath, his voice trembling slightly.

"I wish only one thing."

"To become a Dao companion with Miss Elara, and travel to the ends of the world together."

His words were clumsy.

His confession awkward.

His voice unsteady—like that of an innocent youth laying bare his heart.

Yet there was truth in every word.

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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