Only with Ethan's level of strength could one barely gain a foothold in Blue-Wave City—and not be forced to bow their head before the Palace of the Four Cycles.

Brush!

A sharp sound of air tearing apart rang out.

The crowd instinctively looked toward the arena.

In the next instant, the space around Bruce trembled twice, as if struck by an invisible hammer. Before anyone could react, a figure stepped out from distorted space and landed firmly on the stage.

Gasps erupted from all directions.

"It's him!"

"He actually went up!"

Bruce's eyes snapped open.

The relaxed, arrogant posture he had maintained shattered instantly. When he saw the familiar white figure standing not far away, his pupils contracted sharply.

"You?" Bruce's expression darkened. "It's you?"

"Aren't you already a guest elder of the Sky family?" he demanded coldly.

"Why are you still interfering?"

The smile on Bruce's face vanished without a trace, replaced by solemn vigilance.

Ethan stood calmly, hands behind his back, the hem of his robe fluttering gently in the residual wind pressure.

"When I first arrived in Blue-Wave City," Ethan said lightly, "I felt something familiar the moment I saw Miss Elara."

"There was a sense of déjà vu—like an unfinished bond from a past life."

"So today," he continued, eyes calm and steady, "I came to challenge Mr. Bruce."

"And to renew fate with Miss Elara."

Ethan raised his gaze slightly and smiled.

"Please take action."

Bruce's fingers twitched.

"Ethan… you!"

He pointed at Ethan, chest heaving, but no words came out.

He had never expected Ethan to step in at this moment.

This was no longer just a personal dispute.

This was a direct confrontation—with him, with the Heavenly Palace, and with the Palace of the Four Cycles itself.

Bruce clenched his fists until his knuckles turned pale.

He had seen Ethan's strength with his own eyes.

He knew... deep down... that he was no match.

But now that Ethan had stepped onto the stage, retreat was no longer an option.

If he backed down now, he would become a laughingstock.

A coward.

The murmurs in the crowd exploded instantly.

"It's Ethan!"

"The one who crushed Sasha!"

"He's actually participating in the recruitment of a son-in-law?"

"Isn't this too unfair?!"

"Unfair?" someone sneered quietly.

"The rules are about strength and talent. Bruce can participate—why can't Ethan?"

"Everyone saw Ethan's strength. Bruce won't last three moves."

"This is no longer a wolf among sheep. This is a dragon descending into a flock."

"Isn't Ethan a demon? The Sky family rules..."

"He's a white fox! Half-human!"

The whispers grew louder, more chaotic.

At the edge of the arena, Tyler's face darkened visibly.

His originally relaxed expression had vanished completely.

He stared at Ethan with a heavy gaze.

He could already tell—this was going to end badly.

Ethan's combat power was absolutely on the level of an Ultimate Supreme.

Bruce had no chance.

Bruce steadied his breath and spoke loudly, his voice sharp.

"Ethan, the rules for recruiting a son-in-law are human rules," he said coldly.

"You know that, don't you?"

He turned his gaze toward Elara.

"Miss Elara, are you really going to ignore the rules and let this man participate?"

Before Elara could respond, Max laughed.

"Mr. Bruce is overthinking," Max said calmly.

"Mr. Ethan is not a pure demon. He possesses half human bloodline. This can be verified at any time."

"It does not violate the rules."

Elara followed immediately, her tone gentle yet piercing.

"Or is Mr. Bruce afraid?"

"Are you only brave when facing those weaker than you—and retreat when you encounter someone as strong as Mr. Ethan?"

Bruce's face instantly turned ugly.

Those words—spoken by the woman he admired—cut deeper than any blade.

The suppressed fury in his chest erupted.

The crowd did not miss the moment.

"Oh?"

"Afraid?"

"So the Heavenly Palace disciple only bullies the weak?"

"Hahaha, looks like the roles have reversed."

"Miss Elara probably doesn't like cowards."

Even though the mockery was quiet, every word pierced Bruce's ears clearly.

The last thread of restraint snapped.

"Haha!"

Bruce laughed coldly.

"Ethan, I'm not afraid of you."

"Come!"

With a violent motion, he yanked the purple spear from the ground and pointed it directly at Ethan's brow.

Boom!

A terrifying spear intent burst forth.

The wind howled violently, and space trembled like a collapsing wall. The oppressive force spread outward, slicing the air itself.

The onlookers' faces were cut by invisible blades. Many cried out in pain, hurriedly raising their arms to shield themselves while retreating.

Bruce's aura surged like a raging river.

His eyes burned with battle intent.

At this moment, he no longer cared about victory or defeat.

This was about standing his ground.

A cultivator who dared not challenge someone stronger was not worthy of the Dao.

"Ethan!" Bruce roared.

"Let me see how strong you, the so-called White Fox Demon Lord, really are!"

Below the stage, Tyler's face turned ashen.

His fingers curled slowly.

This was the worst possible development.

But he could not step in.

Not now.

Max had already stated that Ethan complied with the rules.

Ethan's age was not much older than Bruce's.

If he intervened, it would be bullying the junior generation.

And the Palace of the Four Cycles valued reputation above all else.

As the commander-in-chief of the Heavenly Palace, Tyler could not allow that reputation to be stained under his watch.

Under countless gazes, he could only watch.

Let his disciple face Ethan.

As for the outcome—

There was no need to think about it.

Ethan would win.

Even he could not see through Ethan's depth.

How could Bruce?

Tyler closed his eyes briefly.

"Let this be a lesson," he thought grimly.

"I only hope Bruce can accept defeat… and not let it shatter his Dao heart."

His gaze returned to Ethan, filled with deep suspicion.

"Who exactly are you?"

"You're young… yet carry such terrifying danger."

"Half-human, half-demon… that may only be the surface."

"Such a person cannot be unknown."

"Skyreach Territory? Blackspire Mountains?"

"Or an ancient old demon wearing the skin of a youth?"

Countless possibilities flashed through Tyler's mind.

Yet none fit perfectly.

One thing was certain...

Ethan was not someone who should exist quietly.

And yet he had.

That alone was the most frightening part.

Blackspire Mountain is home to the demon sects. They would not dare risk their lives by entering demon territory and causing trouble right under their noses.

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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