Trees fell like brittle bones.

The ground collapsed inch by inch, roaring as it split apart, while miserable howls rolled across the plains like funeral chants.

Countless creatures screamed as they fell, their flesh decaying mid-cry, turning into pale bones in the blink of an eye. Life was erased with brutal efficiency, as though the world itself had grown tired of existence.

Ethan stood atop a desolate hill.

Beneath his feet lay endless corpses, trampled into the soil, blood long since soaked into the earth. He raised his head slowly and looked toward the west.

The setting sun hung low, crimson as blood.

Within that deep red glow, dozens of gigantic figures gathered in the sky. Each one was vast as a mountain, radiating terrifying pressure. Together, they unleashed devastating attacks toward a single man standing at their center—a man with enormous purple wings spread wide behind his back.

Every strike carried power capable of annihilating a region of heaven and earth.

Space could not endure it.

It shattered instantly, breaking into countless fragments as violent turbulence surged forth, strangling everything in its path—mountains, rivers, laws, and life itself.

The giants fought until heaven and earth lost all color.

The sky dimmed, the land groaned, and the entire scene resembled the final moments before the world's destruction.

"Those wings…" Ethan's pupils contracted sharply.

"They belong to Emperor Sage!"

His expression grew solemn.

The patterns engraved upon the Sage token in his hand were identical to the wings borne by that awe-inspiring figure. There was no room for doubt.

At this moment, wisps of deep-red strands drifted through the surrounding space, floating like silk threads woven from blood.

They were not spiritual energy.

They were killing intent.

An incomparably violent, tyrannical killing intent.

"What terrifying killing intent," Ethan murmured, calmly observing the crimson strands.

"This level alone is enough to destroy the sea of consciousness of a Supreme expert."

Even an Ultimate Supreme would not dare to endure it for long.

"And yet…" His eyes narrowed slightly.

"This killing intent would be perfect nourishment for the One-Word Killing Technique."

With that thought, Ethan closed his eyes.

His mental power spread outward, cautiously attempting to absorb the killing intent permeating the illusory world.

A breath later, he opened his eyes again.

"No." He shook his head. "It's only an illusion."

A trace of regret passed through his gaze.

If this killing intent had been real, the gains would have been immeasurable. Unfortunately, this terrifying battlefield was merely a projection—yet even so, most Supremes would have had their consciousness crushed instantly upon entering.

Ethan shifted his focus back to the distant battlefield.

The one besieged was unmistakably Emperor Sage.

One against ten—yet he did not fall behind.

Each flap of his wings tore space apart. Each strike carried a will that suppressed heaven itself. Even when surrounded by enemies of the same realm, his bearing remained domineering and unyielding.

"One against ten…" Ethan muttered. "And still standing firm."

Among Great Emperors, this Sage Emperor was undoubtedly among the strongest.

"Heaven-piercing Mind Eyes—open!"

Ethan's sea of consciousness trembled.

A streak of blue light flashed across his pupils. Fine cracks appeared across the illusory world like fractures on a shattered mirror.

In the next instant—

The illusion collapsed.

Ethan's vision cleared.

He was once again seated in the Sky family's meeting hall, the Sage Token resting quietly in his palm, cool and faintly glowing.

"Mr. Ethan!"

"How are you?"

Voices rang out one after another as everyone turned toward him.

"As expected of something left behind by an emperor," Ethan said calmly.

"There was a scene sealed within it—likely the battle Emperor Sage encountered before his death."

"A scene?!"

Max, Bella, and the others exchanged glances, shock flashing across their faces before they forcibly suppressed it.

Even so, Ethan caught every subtle shift.

"Everyone," he said with a faint smile, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing," Max replied after a pause.

"We're just surprised. All of us have left mental imprints on the Sage Token, but none of us saw a complete scene like you did."

"All we encountered was overwhelming killing intent. We could only withdraw."

"I see." Ethan nodded.

"Your perception is astonishing." Max laughed lightly, lifting his cup.

Bella set her cup down, her tone turning serious.

"There is indeed a saying regarding this Sage Token. Everyone sees something different."

"For most people, it's nothing but killing intent filling the entire space."

"Only a few can glimpse fragmented scenes—memories of Emperor Sage's life."

"But no one has ever seen a complete picture, not even for ten breaths."

She looked directly at Ethan.

"Yet you saw a complete scene—the battle at Emperor Sage's death."

"These images may contain secrets of Emperor Sage's inheritance."

"Our Sky family is willing to pay any price for them."

Ethan squinted slightly, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Before he spoke, Elara stepped forward.

"I hope Mr. Ethan will recount what he saw," she said softly but firmly.

"I am willing to do anything for you—even sacrifice myself."

Ethan found it increasingly interesting.

The Sky family's reaction bordered on desperation.

Understandable—but revealing.

"This really is connected to something deeper," he thought.

Aloud, he sighed.

"It's a pity. I only saw a battle."

"A battle?" Bella frowned. "Emperor Sage fighting ten emperors?"

"That's right."

A sharp glint flashed through Ethan's eyes.

The Sky family was definitely hiding something.

"And then?" Bella pressed.

"Then," Ethan spread his hands, "I withdrew."

Damon covered his face. "Oh, my God…"

"A once-in-a-lifetime chance…" Max sighed heavily.

After a moment, Ethan asked calmly, "What if I try again?"

"No use," Max shook his head. "The Sage Token only allows the vision once."

Ethan nodded, then lifted his gaze.

"I think your Sky family is hiding secrets related to the Training Trial Secret Realm."

"Secrets are taboo in cooperation."

"If you can't be honest with me, I can only leave."

He smiled faintly.

"I prefer cooperating with open-minded people."

Silence fell over the hall.

When Max and Bella heard this, their expressions suddenly changed.

Not only them, but the faces of others present also became serious.

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 Magic Castle: @Zunsin

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