Geniuses possessing the Pure Spiritual Body can even compete for the position of the Holy son even within the revered Holy Land of Endless Mountains.

The disdainful attitude Kai encountered in the Blood Tavern was likely a facade, a veil of challenge to give Kai the opportunity to prove his true worth.

After all, the owner of the Pure Spirit Body—the pinnacle of ancient spiritual physiques—was no common prodigy. Recognition from the tavern was a mere formality.

"How do I gain your recognition?" Kai asked, head held high, radiating unshaken confidence.

"It is simple," Raze replied, rising to his feet. "Hold off ten moves from any of the Blood Tavern's members."

"I will suppress my strength to the peak of the Tribulation Transcendence realm, matching your level," he added, his eyes gleaming with a predatory gleam.

The only person who withstood the ten moves delivered by Blood Tavern members below the Mahayana realm was Ethan—the exceptional, yet enigmatic force.

Ethan was a rare anomaly, a peerless genius whose strength eclipsed many.

Could Kai stand as the second Ethan?

A monster of Ethan's caliber appears but once in a lifetime.

"Boy, are you ready?" Raze's aura plummeted as he suppressed his power to match the peak Tribulation Transcendence realm.

"If you don't suppress your realm, I'll surely be overwhelmed by you. But if you suppress your power below Mahayana, you're doomed," Kai answered with an arrogant grin.

Surprise rippled through the crowd.

How could a boy so young challenge with such audacity?

Ethan was formidable and talented, yet refrained from foolish arrogance.

Where did Kai's confidence stem from?

Was the Pure Spiritual Body the source?

True, the Pure Spirit Body granted inhuman-like cultivation speed—cultivators possessing it reached the peak Tribulation Transcendence realm in mere decades.

Even a pig with the Pure Spirit Body could reach such heights in twenty or thirty years.

"You really retreat our Blood Tavern as if it were a toilet, don't you?" Raze snarled, gathering black-green spiritual energy that coiled like a venomous serpent in his palm.

"Ok, show me the true power of a Mahayana cultivator!"

Kai emitted a roaring battle cry, waves of spiritual energy thundering outward.

The walls and windows trembled violently.

Just as the two prepared to clash,

A calm voice interrupted the Blood Tavern's charged atmosphere.

"Senior Raze, wait. I recently joined the Blood Tavern. Allow me to test is boy."

It was better to be early than to arrive by chance.

Ethan heard the name Kai from afar; uncertainty clouded his mind initially.

But when he heard "Wisteria Cloud Valley," he couldn't suppress a sigh—the world was undeniably small.

All eyes turned toward the voice.

Surprise swept through the room like wildfire.

Ethan had disappeared over two months ago without so much as a trace, causing deep worry among allies and rivals alike.

Magnus, who had been meditating, opened his eyes slowly.

A rare smile softened his usually stern features.

"You're finally back."

"A familiar feeling..." He murmured to himself, eyes scanning Ethan's aura carefully.

Though Ethan's realm remained veiled, a dangerous aura radiated unmistakably.

Magnus had never before sensed true threat at the Mahayana level.

Despite Lana's unmatched strength—a ninth-level cultivator of Myriad Treasures Pavilion—Magnus remained composed.

Skyler, Noble Sun City's deputy city lord, had ascended to the half step Supreme Realm.

Magnus recognized the aura Ethan now bore was on par with Skyler's.

It confirmed what he had long suspected: Ethan had reached the Nirvana realm.

At the peak Dharma Body stage, Ethan could defeat eighth-turn Mahayana experts with ease.

Magnus's breathing deepened, excitement and anticipation flooding his being.

He had waited, often bored by the prolonged stillness.

Now, the long-awaited confrontation with Ethan was imminent.

"This kid is finally back."

Rain exhaled in relief upon hearing Ethan's voice.

Though she trusted in his strength, his disappearance under dire circumstances had stoked anxiety within her.

"Dad!"

Solara's face lit with joy as she burst forth, racing out to meet Ethan.

Obsidian Howl and Kai turned toward the source of the commotion—curiosity etched upon their faces.

Kai especially yearned to meet the challenger who dared to contest him.

Was he truly destined to prove himself against Ethan, or merely a strong opponent easily consumed?

Ethan descended gracefully, landing firm and steady at the tavern's entrance.

Clothed in black, his lithe, balanced frame commanded attention.

His dark eyes were deep and still, resembling the bottomless wells of ancient lakes.

Trailing slightly behind, Ashira appeared delicate in her soft blue dress.

A hushed reverence seized the room at their presence.

"Is Uncle Edwin here too?" Ashira scanned the tavern's interior, shivering from the overwhelming presence of powerful Mahayana cultivators.

"He's staying nearby, at an inn. Once I finish here, I'll take you to see him," Ethan assured gently.

Solara ran up, throwing her arms around Ethan in affection.

Ashira's expression shifted suddenly, a feral coercion rising from her bloodline.

Her spiritual energies slowed, heartbeat faltered.

"This is...a Phoenix," Ashira whispered fearfully, quickly retreating two paces and hiding behind Ethan.

The Phoenix was a mythical creature—a formidable bird of prey feared for its primal fury.

In ancient times, the Phoenix preyed upon countless beasts, the Blue Phoenix standing among the first to be preyed.

The bloodline's compulsion induced terror in Ashira.

"Dad, you're back!" Solara chuckled, her innocence breaking the tension.

She sniffed Ashira, then bounded forward.

"This aura... you're a big blue Phoenix? Come here, let me eat you!" Solara teased, grinning widely.

Ethan chuckled, reminded that Phoenixes were divine beasts; other monsters instinctively shunned their bloodline coercion.

Bird-like monsters, in particular, reacted markedly to such primal forces.

"You shouldn't eat her," Ethan gently reminded, stroking Solara's head.

"Oh," Solara nodded and ceased to frighten Ashira further.

"Dad, is this your spiritual pet?" the little girl inquired, tilting her head with curiosity.

"No," Ethan replied softly.

"I see. Then, by dad's grace, you'll be my little sister from today," Solara declared, fingers pinching Ashira's waist like a protective older sibling.

"Okay... okay, Miss," Ashira meekly returned, bowing her head in surrender.

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

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.