After all, except for the similar color, the puppet he now had was a combination of all the bronze puppets and was completely different from them.

Moreover, the method of making puppets was roughly the same across the continent, so it was normal for different puppets to bear similar resemblances.

"Puppet, this is a Mahayana level puppet. How powerful can a Mahayana realm puppet be?" Michael's expression turned serious as he observed the towering bronze puppet beside Ethan.

Naturally, their Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets also possessed puppets of this level. It was no exaggeration to say that even Supreme realm-level puppets were in their arsenal. But none were stationed in Sun Moon City.

Their branch in Sun Moon City was a relatively remote outpost. Therefore, the standards imposed by the main pavilion were lower. They didn't even possess puppets of the Mahayana realm here.

Of course, given the current pressure in Sun Moon Lake, puppets were unnecessary. Michael and Oswin alone could handle all situations.

"This kid even has a puppet at the Mahayana level. His background has to be extraordinary. The Skyreach Territory is vast, with many hidden ancient families. Calm down!" Oswin cautioned Michael through a mental message, intent on preventing rashness.

He was no stranger to Mahayana level puppets. What Oswin truly feared was the power capable of commanding such puppets—only the direct descendants of hidden ancient families and hidden sects wielded puppets like these.

"Maybe, this guy has trump cards we don't know about," Oswin reminded Michael.

"Remember, our pavilion's mission here is vital. Until the sealing formation beneath Sun Moon Lake is opened, nothing can go wrong!"

Michael gave a curt nod, accepting the reminder.

"Let this kid dance for a while. When we meet again, we'll make sure he knows who rules the Sun Moon city!" Michael's eyes glittered with cold determination.

For nearly a hundred years, they had meticulously plotted a plan hinging on the treasures hidden beneath Sun Moon Lake—powers tied to the sun and moon's essence in the lake.

In this world, these two powers were rare and special—the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and the power of the essence of the sun and moon.

Both had profound effects on cultivators of the Mahayana Realm, Supreme Realm, and even the Emperor Realm, if sufficiently concentrated and absorbed.

Sun Moon Lake's current concentration wasn't enough for a qualitative leap, however. Its effects on cultivators beneath the Mahayana realm were exaggerated; on Mahayana realm experts, it was minimal.

Yet the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets dared not send stronger cultivators.

Once a Supreme Realm expert stepped into Skyreach Territory, they attracted the all seeing eyes of the Holy Land of Endless Mountains and hidden ancient families.

If the secrets of Sun Moon Lake were exposed, a battle would erupt, and their Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets would struggle to claim any share on foreign turf.

More so, Aether was no fool.

If he grew too reckless, it would only hasten the revelation of these secrets.

Thus, caution was paramount.

But caution did not mean Michael would make things easy for Ethan.

No, while avoiding outright conflict, Michael intended to make Ethan's path thorny.

He would fiercely contest for the sun and moon's essence and disrupt the lake's energy flow to prevent Ethan from cultivating in peace.

Michael plunged into the fight with renewed ferocity, drawing back another 10% of the essence.

"Haha, I stole another 10%. I'm going to make you miserable!" Michael taunted coldly.

Ethan opened his eyes slightly, watching Michael's pleasurable mischief with a faint sneer.

He deliberately allowed Michael to draw some, fearing that if Michael were denied completely, he might resort to violent measures—which could cost more in the long run.

The game between Ethan and Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets was all strategic—calculations drawn like invisible lines in midair.

Each side harbored its own thoughts and concerns.

In the end, Ethan's position was stronger.

Absorbing enough of the essence and practicing undisturbed was the goal.

For the Pavilion, disrupting this was their only thing—an act to protect their secrets.

Michael summoned his mental energy, launching a reckless assault toward Ethan.

The attack was wild, not sparing friend from foe alike.

Seraphina and the others found their cultivation flattened, unable to practice normally amid the chaotic energy.

Ethan, however, was unaffected.

A formation compass appeared in his hand, glowing with ancient runes etched over years of reward-gathering from countless fishing excursions.

Ready at any moment, he unfolded the protective formation.

It shielded him completely, isolating himself from outside interference.

Onyx's presence bolstered this defense further.

Even without the formation, Michael would find it difficult to damage Ethan's cultivation through mental attacks.

Seraphina was roused by Michael's hostile movement, teeth clenched tight in frustration and hatred.

She longed to strike at Michael with lethal intent—but lacked the strength.

So she suffered in silence, bearing the unbearable.

"This is all Aether's fault. Why did he have to provoke Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets? I'm paying the price too," she whispered bitterly.

Later, she sought to communicate with Ethan through mental energy, desperate for help.

But her mental energy was blocked, isolated by an unseen force.

At that moment, Onyx's voice sounded softly within Ethan's mind.

"That woman seems to want to contact you. You know her. Want to ignore?"

"Seraphina?" Ethan mused before letting the connection through.

Seraphina's voice entered his ears, carrying a quiet reproach.

"Aether, have you not gone too far? You've offended Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets and made us suffer."

Ethan chuckled softly, the thrill of challenge flashing in his eyes.

"Haha, don't blame me. Miss Seraphina, you don't have the strength to compete with Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets, so accept reality and be honest," he sneered playfully.

"You!" Seraphina's voice trembled with indignation.

"Why? Does Miss Seraphina have anything else to say?"

"If you share some of the essence of the sun and moon with me, I'll forgive you for what you've done before!"

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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