The Celestial Jade Physique Scripture began to operate with renewed vigor, and the hideous wounds that had once marred Ethan's body slowly healed, the blackened scars fading beneath the scripture's purifying light.

Ethan's chest heaved, his breath ragged from the fierce battle endured.

At that moment, he began to move cautiously, his footsteps light yet purposeful.

The superimposed and mutated power of the five layers of Nirvana Tribulation was beyond terrifying.

Even those in the Supreme Realm might hesitate to face such a trial head-on.

He had survived only by wielding the Chaos Clock at the crucial moment when his endurance was near its breaking point.

Because only a physical body could truly withstand the Nirvana calamity; the act of breaking through and persevering in the face of the tribulation was a testament to body cultivation's strength.

"Damn, good thing you have this magical artifact. Without it, we'd probably be finished here tonight," Ethan heard Onyx Orchid's voice echoing inside his mind.

"I told you, trust me," Ethan said with a grim smile, clenching his teeth against the lingering pain.

"Though this Nirvana Tribulation is fearsome, it pales compared to the era long past."

"Is it because of those black chains hanging in the sky?" Ethan asked aloud, curiosity coloring his voice.

"Indeed," Onyx affirmed.

"The black chains block the power of Dao, the energy of heaven and earth, and even the Nirvana and Mahayana Tribulation itself."

"However, with the Tribulation's power suppressed, the benefits to cultivators diminish."

"That's why, in this era, whether one belongs to the Supreme, Nirvana, Mahayana, or even Emperor Realm, all are less powerful than in ancient times."

"But your Nirvana Tribulation is special—it carries the flavor of that ancient era, and the breath of the Dao you have acquired is indeed intense," he added thoughtfully.

"High risk, high reward." Ethan swallowed a few pills, steadying his heart.

At that moment, a milky white beam of light descended from the heavens, piercing through the black iron chains to weave a vast golden net.

Though its power was weakened, it was still sufficient for Ethan's use.

The white beam enveloped him, ethereal breath of the Great Dao entwining his being.

"It's so rich—worth all the pain!" Onyx Orchid praised, breathing in the sacred energy, his own form shimmering with renewed power.

The breath of the Dao transformed decay into vitality.

Ethan's broken body recovered faster than the eye could follow.

In mere minutes, scars vanished and strength returned as though he'd never been wounded.

"What a wonderful feeling," Ethan whispered to himself.

It was like arid land moistened by spring rains, a marooned fish finally released into the ocean.

As the milky power penetrated his body, Ethan felt every muscle and bone undergo a profound change.

Even his Original Pill pulsed, shifting beneath the energy's influence.

Ethan's heart quickened at the mysterious and boundless power coursing through him.

"Could this be Divine Power?" he wondered silently.

A sign of Original Power's transformation into Divine Power was divinity itself.

Though nearly killed by the Nirvana Tribulation, Ethan's result was fortunate indeed.

The luminous beam faded.

The breath of the Great Dao fully infused Ethan's body.

"Someone is approaching."

Ethan's expression hardened.

Sharp auras streamed toward his location.

His breakthrough had caused a ripple—nearby cultivators and powerhouses flocking toward the disturbance.

With Onyx Orchid's mask guarding him, Ethan swiftly departed.

Half an hour later, he reached a secluded valley.

He found a tranquil spot and seated himself cross-legged, absorbing the Breath of the Great Dao within him.

Greater transformations unfolded inwardly—this will be a long process.

…

In a rugged cave.

Snap!

A crisp slap cracked sharply.

The white-haired boy delivered a swift blow to Seraphina's mouth, drawing blood.

"How dare you, a savage and pariah ant, bargain with me?" the boy said coldly.

"Haha… judging by your appearance, you must covet the Ice Spirit Soul Body."

"I will blow myself now—what then?" Seraphina challenged, smirking cruelly despite the bloodied lips.

"You're seeking death," the boy warned, eyes chilling.

He reached out, grasping her neck midair, slamming her violently against the cave's stone wall.

Blood spilled from her nostrils.

Embarrassed yet defiant, Seraphina laughed through the pain.

"Even if you seal my meridians, I can still die—and your hope will be dashed!"

"So what if you possess the Ice Spirit Soul Body? You are but an ant. Why should I care for an ant's life or death?" the boy sneered.

"Haha, I know you don't care about me, but you covet my spiritual body!" Seraphina chuckled spitefully.

Only by consuming this could she survive.

Not long ago, she had been disturbed during cultivation by these two.

But she had never imagined the woman was so powerful—a terrifying presence beyond belief.

The aura of the nine-turn Mahayana powerhouse from the Ashenvale family barely matched one percent of this woman's aura.

The fourteen-year-old boy was himself a Mahayana powerhouse!

These revelations shattered Seraphina's understanding.

Even if he began cultivating within his mother's womb, it's impossible to reach Mahayana at the age of fourteen or fifteen, right?

Let alone Skyreach Territory, even the entire Oceanreach Continent may not have such a genius.

The two captors had held her without a word until now.

"You are smart, but with me here, you can't die even if you wanted to" Iris said with a poisonous smile as she extended her hand.

Suddenly, Seraphina's body trembled uncontrollably.

A horrific pressure squeezed her limbs, twisting them grotesquely.

Agonizing pain forced her to beg for mercy.

"Spare me… please…"

Iris released her grasp.

"You're just a pariah here in the barbaric lands. Consider it an honor to sacrifice for our Ice Spirit Goddess."

"I offer two choices."

"First: I will heal your arm and guide your cultivation, helping you break through Mahayana and even the Supreme Realm. All I ask is that you dedicate your perfect Ice Spirit Soul Body to our goddess. Your life will be spared, your loyalty rewarded."

"Second: Death."

Iris's tone was deadly serious.

Caught between survival and sacrifice, Seraphina's heart wavered.

"I choose… the first!"

Her fierce will to live made her relent.

To survive, she had to make this bargain.

"Weren't you talking shit just now?" the boy mocked.

He ducked before her, pinching her mouth and chin with a sly grin.

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

....

Thanks for the Inspiration Capsule: @cenap

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.