The head of the Silkrain family frowned as he faced Ethan's demand. This young man was truly asking the lion to open his den.

Their Silkrain family didn't have a second Flower of Earth Vein either. Such an ancient and rare spiritual plant was a treasure beyond price. If one were to stumble upon another, it would be like smoke rising from their ancestor's graves—a celestial warning and blessing both.

"Little friend Aether," the Silkrain family head said cautiously, "our family only possesses one Earth Vein Flower, and you might not even care about the others."

"Is it really just one?" Ethan's voice carried gentle surprise, as if contemplating a delicate treasure.

"Of course it's true."

"Look at the Stormjade family. After practicing in Sun Moon Lake, the strength of their younger generation will leave your Silkrain family far behind."

"Your Silkrain family is already slightly weaker than the Stormjade family. The gap will only widen. How will your Silkrain family strive for equality?" Ethan's tone held no malice, only a cold analysis of the harsh future.

The Silkrain family head's frown deepened, the air around him growing heavy with melancholy.

Ethan had seen the simmering rivalry among the Emberveil, Silkrain, and Stormjade families, and had no intention of sparing their delicate pride. Today, he declared his intent to dismantle their complacency.

He glanced at the head of the Stormjade family, who touched his chin thoughtfully and let out a low chuckle.

It was clear the Stormjade family had suffered a heavy blow. Otherwise, how could Ethan so effortlessly extend the sun and moon essence to them?

If the Silkrain family abandoned their training in Sun Moon Lake, their younger generation would forever trail behind the Stormjade family.

Catching up then would be all but impossible—they would be forever suppressed.

"Damn it, this Aether is really ruthless!" The Silkrain family head clenched his fists, a storm of fury churning in his heart.

But there was nothing he could do.

Aether was an outsider, and it was highly unlikely they'd cross paths again in the future.

Centuries of enduring rivalry with the Stormjade family in Sun Moon City weighed on him.

He wouldn't allow himself to be left far behind this time.

"We only have one piece of Earth jade crystal which we found near the Earth Vein Flower," the Silkrain family head muttered through gritted teeth.

"It's a good refining material, teeming with rich earth attribute energy. But beyond this, we have no other treasures."

Ethan smiled. "Alright, it's a deal."

The Silkrain family head produced a small storage ring.

He handed it to Ethan.

Ethan examined the two treasures carefully—the earth jade crystal and the solitary Flower of Earth Vein—and upon confirming their genuineness, sheathed them securely before returning the ring.

"It's a pleasure to cooperate," Ethan said with a genial smile.

"Happy cooperation!" The Silkrain family head replied with a formal salute.

Though his words were polite, his heart festered with dissatisfaction—a heavy loss, to say the least.

Yet, compared to the Stormjade family's blow, his loss softened.

From that perspective, neither party had suffered truly devastating setbacks.

Instead, the Emberveil family bore the bulk of the damage.

Though their treasures remained intact, they lost their share of the precious essence of the sun and moon.

Meanwhile, their younger generation would fall far behind the other two families.

Over the next ten or twenty years, at least, the Emberveil family would lag behind.

The Silkrain family, unable to catch up with Stormjade, could at least surpass Emberveil by one level.

Ethan called over two young Silkrain cultivators.

They approached eagerly, joining the three from Stormjade near Ethan's side.

He offered each a portion of the sun and moon essence he had separated.

Their eyes shone as the essence poured into their bodies, and they hastened to practice.

Ario Emberveil stood on shore, clenching his fists with burning resentment at the sight.

The essence of the sun and moon was indispensable to the three great families.

Now, only Emberveil had missed out on this crucial cultivation opportunity.

The next chance wouldn't come for three years.

From the rate the essence in the Sun Moon Lake is being sucked away by Aether, it would be at least thirty more years before it was fully replenished to a level usable by Tribulation Transcendence experts.

"Aether, you deserve to die!" Ario gritted his teeth in bitter fury.

But he wasn't the only one seething.

Seraphina, still absorbing the Sun Moon Lake essence, was equally livid.

She couldn't fathom why Aether made deals with the three great families instead of her.

What did they have that the Azure Origin Dao Sect could not match?

"What a short-sighted fool!" Seraphina sneered coldly.

She had come to Sun Moon Lake specifically for that essence.

Now excluded, she saw no reason to linger.

She leapt from the water, landing sharply on the shore.

Before storming away, her eyes locked with Ethan's in a fierce glare.

"Next time we meet, Aether, I will make you regret crossing me!" she spat venomously.

Ethan smiled lightly. "I look forward to it."

Immediately, he turned away, ignoring Seraphina as he resumed his cultivation.

Time marched on swiftly.

In the blink of two days, just ten percent of Sun Moon Lake's essence remained.

Ethan ceased absorption.

His realm had now reached the middle stage of the Dharma Body Realm—just one step from the late stage.

The three Stormjade family members and two Silkrain members all completed their breakthroughs, nourished by the essence Ethan granted.

Among them, the strongest cultivators jumped two stages in succession, their power rising dramatically.

This infuriated Ario Emberveil.

"If you keep lingering here, you'll get yourselves killed sooner or later," he muttered.

Without another word, he turned and left with his family.

Michael, rising slowly from the water, locked eyes with Oswin on the shore.

"Don't worry, when Aether leaves, we can leave too," Oswin reassured him.

"Okay," Michael nodded and resumed guarding Ethan.

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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