Ashira had faced countless hardships on her journey, but none as fierce as the encounter with the eighth-level monster that awaited her in the wilds.

A brutal battle erupted—a contest of raw power and unyielding will.

Despite her strength, she was overwhelmed, left broken and bitter in defeat.

Yet, fate was not unkind.

In the very lair of her defeat, she discovered a fleeting opportunity.

Seizing it with desperation and cunning, she broke past her limits.

A sudden surge overwhelmed her as she ascended to the rank of ninth-level monster, a formidable force capable of clashing even with Mahayana cultivators.

Her transformation complete, Ashira pressed onward, resolute in her journey back home.

But fate's webs had other plans.

She crossed paths with two humans—one young man, the other an older cultivator.

The youth was of a manageable threat; only at the first turn Mahayana Realm, Ashira knew she could evade him with relative ease.

But the old man beside him was a different story.

Expert at the eighth-turn Mahayana Realm, his presence alone was overwhelming.

Ashira was powerless against his might.

These two sought to seize her as a spiritual pet—a prize to be tamed and controlled.

How could she allow this humiliation?

Summoning every fiber of her speed, Ashira fled.

But these pursuers, persistent and ruthless, clung to her heels like starving wolves hunting prey.

For half a month, the chase stretched on—endless, exhausting.

Finally, she glimpsed the familiar contours of Noble Sun City—the sanctuary and battlefield to come.

However, her path was barred by a stranger, a man unknown to her.

Ashira spread her vast, azure wings and fixed her gaze upon him, her spirit resolute.

"Master…" she lamented silently, "Ashira cannot hold on much longer. I'm sorry I couldn't bring your father home safely."

Her gaze shifted to steely determination.

Though escape seemed impossible, surrender was never an option.

With steely will, she prepared to blow herself up, a devastating last resort.

"Fellow cultivator," a familiar voice reached Ethan's ears across the distance.

Squinting, he arched a wry smile.

An old acquaintance awaited.

Before him stood Bram, once the sixth prince of the Vernal royal family, notorious for frequent clashes with Ethan.

The six prince was no more—now he bore the more ominous title of Lord Bram.

Bram and his companion, Mr. Willow, hovered in the air, chests heaving.

Bram's realm hovered at the first turn of Mahayana.

The Azure Phoenix was a Ancient spiritual beast, famed for its blinding speed.

Now transformed to a ninth-level spiritual beast, its swiftness was unmatched by any ordinary Mahayana cultivator.

Only Mr. Willow kept pace, and he would not relinquish such a rare prize lightly.

His goal: to subdue and tame the magnificent beast.

Furthermore, the beast's female form —a breathtaking beauty—added allure and value.

Monsters, spiritual beasts, and unique clans like the Demon Clan ruled vast territories beyond Skyreach.

In the Vernal Dawn dynasty, some cultivators specialized in capturing demon women, crushing their cultivation, and selling them at brothels.

Fox tribe women, renowned for their enchanting charm, were especially prized.

"You, fellow cultivator, we hail from Vernal Dawn's royal family. Assist us in capturing this Azure Phoenix, and I shall owe you a great debt!"

Mr. Willow stepped forward, his gaze sharp, filled with calculating intent.

"We are all old friends—no need for ceremony," Ethan said, removing his mask with a chuckle.

"Old friend?"

Bram's eyes narrowed, the voice sparking a shadow of remembrance.

Then revelation dawned—Ethan stood before them.

His appearance confirmed, Bram's expression soured.

"Ethan!" he spat, clenching his fists.

This was the man he sought to destroy day and night, the thorn in his side.

His desire to tear Ethan limb from limb burned fiercely.

Mr. Willow's face darkened as he recognized Ethan.

Previously, Ethan had defeated an eighth-turn Mahayana powerhouse still being in the Dharma Body realm.

That victory left an indelible mark.

Yet greater fear plagued them.

Ethan's raw talent was unparalleled.

Thus, the three plotted to eliminate him before his power fully blossomed.

Their plan was simple.

Gilbert would monitor the Blood Tavern.

The instant Ethan left the tavern, they would strike, extinguishing him before he could retaliate!

Gilbert remained on guard for half a month—Ethan never appeared.

Yet fate intervened.

Meeting Ethan outside Noble Sun City manifested effortlessly.

Their encounter was fate's gift, the battle unavoidable.

Bram exchanged a silent glance with Mr. Willow.

Mr. Willow nodded grimly.

No matter how Ethan deceived Gilbert, evading his watch, his doom was sealed now.

"I've informed Gilbert; he's on his way here. Your Highness, please remain cautious. I will confront him."

"Understood," Bram assented before fixing Ethan with a cold sneer.

"Ethan, how daring to roam freely outside the Blood Tavern! Have you truly lost your mind?"

"Lord Chen wishes to make a move today?" Ethan's tone was calm, almost amused.

Bram laughed harshly.

"You have defied the Vernal Dawn royal family time and again. ""

"You are far from Noble Sun City—no rules, no one from the blood tavern."

Ashira's eyes widened in shock.

She recognized her old friend—Senior Brother Ethan.

Transformed into a humanlike form, she now took the shape of a tall, elegant girl in a flowing blue dress.

Yet her pale face and weakened breath spoke of the trials she'd endured, struggling to survive.

Softly, she whispered to Ethan, "Senior Brother, it has been so long. Let us not dwell on past times."

"That old brute in the eighth-turn Mahayana Realm is closing in."

"This place near Noble Sun City is too perilous—it would be safer to return to the city for now."

Ethan turned, eyes alighting on her fragile form.

His shock was immediate.

Σ(⊙▽⊙"a!

Alas, Ashira had transformed—her realm had advanced to the ninth level.

Her delicate features and radiant emerald eyes bespoke a blooming beauty.

"Are you accompanied by Uncle Edwin?"

"Yes," Ashira nodded.

Ethan asked no further.

Two jade bottles appeared in his palm.

"Take these elixirs."

"Leave everything else to me."

They contained precious healing medicines of the highest quality.

He doesn't have many things, just spiritual stones, spiritual marrow, and healing and recovery elixirs.

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 Massage Chair: @Sheng_Mei

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.