Looking back, Elias was just an ordinary person—a boy born into hardship and sorrow.
When he was young, his father was devoured by a fierce monster, leaving his family broken.
His mother’s relentless toil stretched her to the brink of collapse, and now she lay bedridden, her remaining days waning with each passing breath.
Refusing to give in to despair, Elias begged the village chief to care for his mother, ensuring she would not be alone in her final monts.
He was left to journey alone across rugged mountains and winding rivers, eventually reaching the gates of the Azure Origin Dao Sect.
Lacking spiritual roots, his fate was sealed as a re handyman of the Outer Sect.
However, upon learning of the legendary deeds of Uncle Ethan, he found renewed hope and began earnest cultivation.
Despite his gradual growth in strength, recognition remained elusive, and criticism abundant.
When finally granted entry into the Inner Sect, he beca the target of bullying and scorn from fellow disciples.
No friend, no kin, surrounded him.
The presence of Uncle Ethan was a ray of light piercing his dark world, a beacon that granted rebirth—confidence and purpose restored.
Elias’ fortune changed when Ethan bestowed precious dicinal elixirs, curing his mother’s ailnts and saving both their lives.
To him, Uncle Ethan was a savior worthy of loyalty beyond life itself.
.....
"Then train hard!" Ethan commanded, his countenance serious.
"This disciple will forever bear Master Ethan’s teachings in his heart," Elias promised resolutely.
Ethan nodded and prepared to depart.
Before leaving, a sudden, loud voice called out, "Uncle Ethan, may this disciple beco your apprentice?"
Ethan paused, slightly stunned.
To beco soone’s teacher... In Elias’s eyes, Ethan was a middle-aged elder, a guide to the young and hopeful.
Smiling gently, Ethan pressed on, not turning back. Instead, he waved and tossed a sword toward Elias.
"This is a parting gift. May you stand tall the next ti we et."
What threw was a top-tier spiritual-grade weapon—Hall Thunder Sword.
No longer useful to Ethan, it would gather dust in the system inventory.
Handing it to Elias was a symbolic inheritance.
He saw in Elias a reflection of his own youth.
Though he never lived those days in the Azure Origin Dao Sect, his mories were vivid and powerful—each recollection a life lived anew.
He fervently wished Elias to find a path of his own choosing.
.....
Unfurling massive phoenix wings, Ethan soared skyward and vanished into the horizon, a streak of cyan light fading into the distant heavens.
Elias lifted the Hall Thunder Sword, its spirit humming with rapid sword energy.
At this mont, the stars gathered along the rivers of ti, and the inexorable gears of fate turned once more.
With deep reverence, Elias bowed toward Ethan’s departing form three tis before turning back.
.....
Outside the Foreign Affairs Hall:
Lyralei arrived accompanied by the leader of the Law Enforcent Hall.
Her gaze fell upon the broken body of Adyr.
Frowning, she turned to the Peak Elder for an explanation.
The Peak Elder recounted the recent events.
Though Adyr died unjustly, his past contributions to the Azure Origin Dao Sect were many.
"We shall retrieve his bones and bury him with due honor," Lyralei ordered solemnly.
She swiftly transford into a ray of light, heading to the mountain beside Serene Mirror Lake.
There, she noticed the formations protecting Ethan’s forr residence had vanished.
Her expression tightened imperceptibly.
In the next mont, Lyralei flashed into Ethan’s bedroom.
Four jade slips lay on the table, each inscribed with a na: Lyralei, Liana, Burn, and Althea.
Her fingers closed around the jade slip bearing her na, activating it with ntal energy.
The ssage was brief—only seven words:
"I am leaving. Don’t look for !"
.....
"Ethan!"
A surge of contempt welled within Lyralei’s heart—though inexplicably so.
With a forceful palm, she shattered the jade slip.
Yet ntal energy surged forth, forming a vision of Ethan’s smiling face before her.
His smile was mischievous, carefree, utterly at peace.
Lyralei’s defenses faltered.
"Ethan, do you consider the Azure Origin Dao Sect a ruined temple’s outhouse? To co and go at will?" she spat, teeth gritting.
"My Azure Origin Dao Sect nurtured you and gifted you the ultimate inheritance of the sect founder. Yet you depart so casually, as if nothing matters..."
Lyralei’s fury rose to the brink of curses but she restrained herself.
Her gaze shifted to the remaining jade slips, poised to examine them.
Yet she released her palm in the end, letting silence claim the room.
A long, heavy sigh escaped her lips.
Shaking her head, she turned away.
It was a feeling unfamiliar—regret mixed with a profound sense of loss.
.....
Azure Origin Dao Sect, Holy Hall.
Lyralei presided over a sect eting.
She rose from her seat, eyes sweeping over the gathered assembly—peak masters and elders in attendance, with one conspicuous absence.
"Why isn’t Peak Master Althea here?" she demanded coldly.
The third elder of Sword Peak stood solemnly. "Not long ago, Peak Master Althea learned of ancient ruins in Black Forest Mountain and departed to explore early this morning."
"Black Forest Mountain... Ancient ruins? Why was I not inford?"
Her tone frosted with anger.
Around the hall, mbers exchanged uneasy glances.
Why was Lyralei’s mood so uncharacteristically severe? So whispered it was a sign of approaching disaster.
The third elder remained silent.
"Did she go alone?" Lyralei pressed.
"Yes..." ca the soft reply.
"Preposterous!" Lyralei’s anger flared and her hand slamd the armrest.
"Althea is the future hope of Sword Peak, and yet she travels alone to a secret realm in Black Forest Mountain?"
An elder tried to soothe her. "Empress, rest assured. The peak master is accompanied by an elder, and the Supre Elder of Sword Peak, who guards the Demon Sealing Cave, also follows secretly to protect her. That elder is a mighty cultivator in the Mahayana Realm..."
Lyralei’s brows furrowed slightly as tension eased, though unease lingered beneath.
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
Reviews
All reviews (0)