"But I'm just worried that I'm afraid of making a mess and ruining the reputation of the tavern. I can't afford it," Rain said softly, her gaze lowering.

Ethan nodded calmly. "I understand Sister Rain's difficulties. I have learned to care about others now."

"But don't worry. I've sent people to follow those troublemakers. Once they leave the city..." Rain made a gentle gesture, wiping her neck in a reassuring sign.

"Thank you."

Rain smiled softly. "How about you come have a drink with me tonight?"

Ethan cupped his hands respectfully. "Thank you, Sister Rain, for the invitation, but I need time to consolidate my realm now. When I have time, I will stay with Sister Rain until I get drunk."

"You won't stop until I get drunk; I am really looking forward to it," Rain replied with a delicate grin, her voice mild and playful.

Ethan looked at Solara. "Solara, wait for me at the tavern. I'll go out to run some errands."

"Okay, Dad," Solara nodded obediently.

Ethan took Ashira out of the Blood Tavern and sent her to the inn where Edwin resided.

"Ethan, you're back. I thought something happened to you," Edwin greeted warmly as he handed Ethan a cup of tea.

"I was practicing in seclusion for a while," Ethan replied.

Edwin studied his aura and asked, "I see. Judging by your aura, I guess you've become stronger. Have you advanced to the Nirvana realm?"

Ethan smiled. "Uncle Edwin has good eyes."

"You're a genius. We are already old and can't compare," Edwin sighed in admiration.

Ethan waved his hand gently. "Uncle Edwin, no need to belittle yourself. Everyone has their own way of living."

By then, Edwin noticed the figure behind Ethan. "By the way, who is this?"

Edwin's eyes widened upon seeing Ashira.

"Ashira?!"

Surprise flashed across Edwin's face as he exclaimed.

"Σ(⊙▽⊙"a!!"

He had searched for Ashira for over a month without any clue. Now, seeing her transformed and radiating an aura clearly at the Ninth level, he guessed she had encountered a great opportunity during her disappearance.

"Finally back. If I had lost you, I wouldn't know what to tell Liana when I return to the sect," Edwin sighed in relief.

"Uncle Edwin, you guys chat. I have other matters to attend to. See you later," Ethan said politely and left.

"Thank you very much, Ethan," Edwin bowed deeply, expressing sincere gratitude.

"No need for thanks. Ashira and I are friends," Ethan replied casually as he opened the door and left.

...

Back at the Blood Tavern, Ethan returned to his room, closing doors and windows behind him.

He then began to count the loot.

Mental energy swept out, erasing all imprints on the five storage rings belonging to Bram and others.

Now, these rings and their contents belonged to Ethan.

It had to be said that Bram and the others were truly members of the Vernal Dawn royal family.

Their accumulation was substantial—treasures from heaven and earth, elixirs, spiritual plants, weapon formation arrays, puppet talismans, and a myriad of other items, dazzling as a mall of wonders.

Many metals for refining weapons were included.

He also found numerous spiritual stones and crystals—nearly 100,000 top-grade spiritual crystals and over 8,000 ordinary spiritual marrows.

The total top-quality spiritual marrow reached two thousand!

This amount surpassed even Ethan's own storage.

Of course, he wasn't surprised.

Bram was originally a prince of the Vernal Dawn royal family.

His vast wealth was normal, given his elevation to Lord and the many rewards he received.

Now, coming to Noble Sun City for the treasure appraisal conference, he had been ordered by his clan to accumulate such treasures.

"No wonder everyone kills and grabs treasures—these resources replenish too quickly."

Ethan finally tasted the exhilarating rush of killing and looting.

He counted the spiritual marrow and crystals, placing them carefully into a storage bag to store within his storage ring.

The storage rings themselves were high quality and considered treasures, easily exchanged for many spiritual crystals.

He stuffed miscellaneous items into the other storage rings.

With time, these could be exchanged directly for spiritual crystals and marrow or used as materials for his cultivation.

He then placed five items carefully on the table.

A black scroll, a broken bloody sheepskin scroll, a shattered stone slab, and two jade bottles.

The jade bottles contained Mahayana Pills.

In total, there were ten pills.

However, their quality was far below that of the Nirvana Pills rewarded by the system.

The better the Nirvana Pill, the more Heavenly Vein energy it attracts.

The effect of these ten was likely equivalent to Ethan's own five Nirvana Pills.

A single Mahayana or Nirvana Pill could be used by any cultivator.

Still, it was better than nothing—just enough to survive Nirvana Tribulation.

His concern was whether the next tribulation would accumulate five layers again, as before.

If so, these Mahayana Pills wouldn't suffice.

At least twenty of the best Nirvana Pills would be needed for sufficient protection.

Ethan stifled the thought and put the Mahayana Pills away.

Picking up the black scroll, he carefully unrolled it.

Clearly, it was a skill.

"Soul Devouring Art?" Ethan whispered.

After studying, he exhaled slowly.

Unexpectedly, it was something like a dual cultivation technique of ancient origin.

At face value, it was a dual cultivation method.

But upon deeper analysis, the Soul Devouring Art leaned more toward a furnace method.

Dual cultivation methods matched male and female, harmonizing yin and yang and speeding cultivation beyond normal methods.

The Soul Devouring Art was a unilateral benefit—an advanced furnace method.

Most furnace methods relied on collecting yin to supplement yang or vice versa.

But the Soul Devouring Art was different.

True to its name, it absorbed the aura and cultivation of the opposite sex.

Those with special physiques gained even better effects.

Now Ethan understood why Bram desired Seraphina so intensely.

Her Ice Spirit Soul Body was especially attractive under this cultivation method.

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: @Dao_Explorer

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.