Chapter 166
The peak elder's throat rolled tightly as he fixed his icy gaze on Elias standing quietly behind him.
Anguish battled with resolve beneath his calm exterior. No matter how tense the situation, he couldn't be cowardly.
Elias was Ethan's favored disciple; to openly challenge Ethan was to invite peril far worse than any peak elder could face. He would rather offend Adyr and the Outer Sect than Ethan himself.
The elder's voice turned cruel and sharp, belying his internal restraint.
"Haha, Master Adyr, please do not assume strength excuses you from respect and law. Remember, you are only an Outer Sect elder now. Elias's fate will be decided by the Inner Sect's punishment hall. You have no authority here!"
Adyr's eyes narrowed with venom. His spiritual energy coalesced rapidly, transforming into a blade of searing light pulsating in his hand, aimed directly at the elder.
"Adyr, after all these years, you have risen to be the overlord of the Outer Sect. How majestic you've become," came a cold voice from afar.
Suddenly, a bolt of blue light shot through the air like lightning, forming a protective barrier before the peak's elder. Ethan's slight wave of his sleeve casually dispersed the spiritual attack.
"Who?!" Adyr hissed, incredulous.
As the spiritual blade faded, Adyr's eyes widened with shock.
The face standing before him was unmistakable.
It was the man he hated the most.
Years of rage and longing to crush Ethan had plagued him. Night and day, he had dreamed of trampling Ethan beneath his feet, severing his meridians, driving him to agony through venomous insects.
"Ethan!" Adyr growled each syllable.
Yet fiery rage gave way to cautious remembrance.
He knew Ethan was no longer the powerless disciple he once detested.
Ethan had already claimed the ultimate inheritance from the sect founder.
His victory against the powerful Sixth Prince of the Vernal Dawn Dynasty lingered in memory.
A rash attack could only lead to his downfall.
Summoning his killing intent, Ethan's eyes glinted sharply, the cold edge of lethal determination surging forth.
"Adyr, if you dare lay a single finger on my people today, I will send you to hell to reunite with Sam."
In an instant, Ethan vanished—faster than thought.
The peak elder doubted Ethan's threat.
Adyr was a pinnacle cultivator, renowned as the top combat force in Azure Origin Dao Sect, and an accomplished peak master.
Though hostile, killing him outright would risk nothing less than civil war.
"To kill me? You must first prove you have the power!" Adyr snarled defiantly.
But before he finished, his pupils dilated in sudden agony.
A searing, unbearable pain blossomed within his abdomen.
He looked down, stunned to see Ethan's palm piercing through him, tearing flesh and spirit.
Spitting a mouthful of blood mixed with shattered internal organs, Adyr's face contorted in disbelief.
"How… how is this possible?!" he gasped, unable to comprehend such sudden devastation.
He had not perceived Ethan's movements—one blink, and his body lay violated.
His dantian and meridians shredded by overwhelming power.
"Go meet your apprentice below," Ethan said coldly, his voice detached.
"Did you kill Sam as well?" Adyr stammered, voice trembling.
"He could have suffered a lifetime, but like you, he sought death. I granted his wish," Ethan replied coolly.
"I am a cultivator at the peak of Tribulation Transcendence, and master of Voidshade Peak! If you kill me, the sect won't spare you!"
Blood bubbled from Adyr's mouth like a fresh spring.
"Enough noise," Ethan said, withdrawing his palm. White Profound Purifying Fire erupted, cleansing the blood from his hand.
His fingers pinched Adyr's head gently and unleashed the fire once more—the flame roared with divine wrath.
In moments, Adyr's head crumbled to ash, smoke curling from the vanished form.
His broken body collapsed, blood spurting from a mortal wound.
The elder of the peak stood frozen, eyes wide with horror.
So too did the disciples who witnessed the scene—disbelief etched deep.
Uncle Ethan had always been known as approachable and kind, but now his expression was frigid, ruthless.
To kill a powerful cultivator in the peak of the Tribulation Transcendence without hesitation, then return to a calm exterior as though nothing happened—this shocked everyone.
Ethan descended, landing before Elias with a satisfied glance at the stunned crowd.
News of Adyr's swift defeat would spread swiftly throughout Azure Origin Dao Sect, serving as a solid warning.
This was precisely the deterrent Ethan sought—to ensure no one dared bully Elias again after his departure.
"Uncle Ethan…" Elias's voice trembled in awe.
Ethan handed him a jade bottle filled with potent healing medicine, alongside a secret book—his personal compilation on body cultivation.
"Thank you, Uncle Ethan!" Elias grasped the gifts and saluted deeply.
Opening the book, he saw the title: "Detailed Explanation of the Basics of Physical Cultivation 2."
It introduced the second stage of physical cultivation—from Soul Refining Realm to the Dharma Body Realm.
Despite few stringent requirements, it gave Elias invaluable insight.
Condensing blood pills was notoriously difficult, demanding extensive heavenly materials, earthly treasures, and the energy of the Heaven and Earth.
Even with his Heavenly Overlord Physique, Elias's journey alone would be arduous without abundant resources and prime conditions.
"Get up," Ethan commanded.
Elias rose quickly.
Ethan released a surge of essence and blood that enshrouded him, and together they soared away.
Reaching the great white jade mountain gate of Azure Origin Dao Sect, emblazoned with its name, Ethan's voice was steady.
"Today, I am leaving."
"You possess a special physique that will awaken in time. Before then, practice peacefully."
"Do not fight until your strength matches your ambition."
"A gentleman never quarrels under a roof of danger."
"Remember these words well."
"Disciple understands!" Elias bowed deeply, his eyes glistening red.
"You helped me when I was in danger, Uncle," he said, voice choked with emotion.
"You gifted me pills and herbs, recognized my talent, and opened my path to physical cultivation."
"You even saved my sick mother."
"Your kindness is mountain-high."
"If I reach even a fraction of your achievement, I will cross mountains of swords and seas of fire."
"Just say the word, and I will follow everything you say without hesitation!" Elias said word by word, tears running down his cheeks.
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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