The three major families had re-erged and developed to this day, their thoughts ever fixed on passing the test within the Forbidden Land of Inheritance to uncover their family’s lost treasures and secrets.
Yet, through the years, only the Stormjade family managed to succeed.
Hence, they flourished and rapidly surged ahead, becoming the foremost among the three great families.
Now, however, the sixth elder Cecilia had returned bearing the inheritance and secrets of the Emberveil family.
This heralded a turning point.
Even if the Emberveil family missed the opportunity to cultivate at Sun Moon Lake, they would undoubtedly catch up to the Stormjade family in short order.
"Everyone, be silent."
Ario Emberveil’s voice cut through the excited murmurs like a blade, his expression solemn and resolute.
"Now, I will reveal the secret the Sixth Elder brought back from the Forbidden Land. This secret will shock you all!"
With that, he and the gathered elders raised their hands, weaving a strong barrier around the lobby that sealed it from the outside world.
In another part of the city, Ethan returned to the Peace Inn. He donned Onyx Orchid’s black mask once again and changed back into his previous attire.
With asured steps, he approached the Stormjade family estate.
Several Stormjade family guards stood vigil at the gate.
Upon catching sight of the black mask on Ethan’s face, their deanor shifted instantly, and they hurriedly saluted. "We have t Mr.Aether."
"May we ask the purpose of Mr. Aether’s visit to our Stormjade residence?"
Ethan’s voice was calm and even as he replied, "Inform Eunice that I will be waiting for her at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. The place remains unchanged."
With that, he turned and departed.
Inside the courtyard where Eunice was practicing, a knock sounded on the door.
She sheathed her long sword quietly, wiped the sweat delicately from her brow with a handkerchief, and called out, "Who is it?"
"Miss, Mr. Aether was just here a mont ago," ca a guard’s voice from the corridor.
The na "Aether" caused Eunice’s eyes to flash with surprise.
She quickly opened the door and looked outside searchingly.
"Where is Mr. Aether?" she asked hurriedly.
"He said he will wait for you at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion," the guard said, folding his hands respectfully.
"The Drunken Fragrance Pavilion... understood." Eunice nodded, turning back inside with a flurry of thoughts clouding her mind.
She had never expected to et Aether again, let alone so soon after cultivation at Sun Moon Lake.
Could it be that he had changed his mind and truly desired her to accompany him on his journey?
Motivated by nervous excitent, she hastened to remove her clothes and stepped into a fragrant bath.
After cleansing herself thoroughly, she slipped into a new dress and adorned herself ticulously.
Satisfied with the reflection she saw in the bronze mirror, she gave a confident nod.
Half an hour later, Eunice arrived at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion and ascended directly to the third floor.
She found the private box where she and Ethan had t before.
Her breath caught when she saw him.
Ethan wore a perfectly tailored black robe, his posture as straight and unyielding as a spear.
His face was obscured beneath that infamous ghost mask, and the dark pupils behind it were calm and unfathomable like a deep pool.
Ethan lowered the teacup in his hand and said simply, "Sit."
"Mr. Aether," Eunice greeted elegantly as she took her seat, her faint perfu trailing in the air.
She looked regal and refined—the sort of woman polished by education and proper upbringing.
Ethan offered a cup of tea. "Please, have so tea."
"Thank you." Eunice took a asured sip and nodded approvingly. "The tea is excellent."
"But Young Master Aether did not invite a young lady here simply for the sake of tea, I’m sure," Eunice’s eyes t Aether’s steadily.
She hoped against hope that he would say otherwise—just a casual visit.
Yet, Ethan’s hand waved imperceptibly, and a translucent barrier sealed the booth from the outside world.
Eunice’s hopes shattered.
Naturally, Ethan was here seeking sothing vital.
"What does Young Master Aether want with the little girl?" she asked, the excitent in her voice now tempered with caution.
Ethan’s gaze was sharp but calm as he rested his teacup on his fingers and twirled it.
"You already know why I called you."
Eunice’s brow creased deeply. "Young Master Aether has co to seek the little girl for the secrets beneath Sun Moon Lake, hasn’t he?"
"Very astute."
"The little girl thought Mr. Aether ca for ," Eunice added with a faint smile.
"There’s no need for idle talk. Let us get to the point. What is the secret beneath Sun Moon Lake?" Ethan’s voice was quiet but weighty.
"Did Young Master Aether recently visit Sun Moon Lake?"
"Do not ask questions you should not," Ethan’s eyes sharpened, chilling the air between them.
Eunice felt the coldness like a dagger pressing into her back.
"What a dangerous man," she thought, a strange thrill coursing through her at the thought. "But I like it."
"Since you know nothing of what to reveal, I will lead the way."
"What are the blue stone slabs and the sealing formation beneath Sun Moon Lake?"
"And what is the relationship between your Stormjade family and the sealing formation?" Ethan inquired with steady intensity.
Eunice’s expression shifted to one of deep surprise.
Her suspicions were validated—Ethan had indeed discovered the sealing formation beneath Sun Moon Lake.
The lake was guarded by layered formations, impenetrable to most, yet Ethan had skillfully evaded these protections and the patrols of all three great families to slip inside undetected.
One could only imagine the strength that enabled such an act.
"Mr. Aether," Eunice began hesitantly, "it’s not that I desire to withhold information, but I was warned by my family."
"If I reveal these secrets, I will be branded a traitor to the Stormjade clan and cursed for eternity."
She took a breath, deciding to seize this chance.
"Yes?"
"But if you do not tell now, you may end up a corpse. I will return to Sun Moon Lake with your blood if necessary," Ethan said in a tone calm yet laced with undeniable killer intent.
"Blood...?" Eunice gasped.
"He already knows the key to unlocking the sealing formation lies in our Stormjade bloodline," her mind raced.
"I’ll give you ten breaths to tell ."
"Ten."
"Nine."
"Eight..."
"No need to count, I’ll tell you."
The solemnity in her voice was clear.
"There is an ancient ruin beneath Sun Moon Lake, containing treasures of unimaginable rarity."
"Long ago," Eunice revealed, "my family, the Stormjade, were guardians of that ruin."
"The power of our blood is the key to unlocking the sealing formation."
"Guardian..."
Ethan looked up with curiosity filling his eyes. "Then why hasn’t your Stormjade family gone to hunt for those treasures?"
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: @orlando_whaanga
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