Ryan never imagined that such a terrifying monster could erge from a place like Skyreach Territory.
Ethan’s talent... Ethan’s strength...
It was more than shocking—it was incomprehensible.
"I am truly sorry."
Ryan cupped his hands respectfully. Then, with a flick of spiritual energy, he rose into the air.
Before leaving, he looked back and smiled bitterly.
"I hope you beco famous across the mainland one day. And when you co to the White North... my lady will be waiting."
With that, Ryan turned into a streak of silver light and disappeared into the clouds.
"The White North..."
Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly, quietly morizing the na.
Though distant, he had long studied the map of Oceanreach Continent.
The White North region sat at its utmost northern point—an endless span of ancient forests and snowfields that blanketed the land year-round. A place untouched by sunlight for months at a ti.
By all logic, no civilization should thrive in such a frozen wasteland.
Yet the Riverborn family—a terrifying ancient clan with emperor blood—originated from there.
Truly, the world was far bigger than most could imagine.
...
Ryan sped across the sky until he finally caught up with the Riverborn family’s flying boat.
Landing beside his master, he cupped his hands.
"Master, I am back."
Valen glanced at him—and imdiately noticed the weakened aura surrounding Ryan.
"How?" Valen asked sharply.
Ryan shook his head. His usual arrogance vanished. What replaced it was uncharacteristic solemnity.
"Unfathomable."
Valen’s expression darkened. "How does he compare to Lucien Moonfall?"
Ryan inhaled deeply. "Only stronger. Not weaker."
He continued gravely, "And Ethan is a physical cultivator. His combat power should be comparable to the Inferior Supre Peak."
Valen was completely stunned.
"Master," Ryan added, "the Eldest Lady’s vision is beyond ours. If our Riverborn family can win over this genius... we will never decline."
"I understand," Valen whispered.
Soone who even Ryan bowed his head to... was no ordinary prodigy.
No wonder the Eldest Lady was so confident when speaking of Ethan.
Even the clan leader might reconsider their previous plans.
...
anwhile, Ethan was preparing to leave when a streak of red light descended rapidly from the sky.
Asher landed with a grin. "Solved already?"
"Mm." Ethan nodded casually.
"Good. Because now cos the real problem." Asher’s eyes glead.
Both he and Ethan had sensed it—the third presence.
A hidden aura. Silent. Patient. Watching.
Ever since earlier, that sneaky shadow had been following them from afar.
But curiously, the mont Ethan separated from the group, the hidden presence left as well.
Which ant only one thing—
The mysterious stalker had co specifically for Ethan.
Ethan’s expression remained unchanged. "I know."
The aura had followed him since the battle’s early monts. Whoever it was, their concealnt was formidable—even for a Supre.
Asher folded his arms. "Now that you’re here, why hide your head and show your tail?"
His voice echoed across the barren hills.
Silence.
Not a single leaf rustled in response.
Ethan and Asher exchanged a look—both gazing east.
Co out. Let’s see if you dare.
Minutes passed.
Finally, a figure erged from behind a large boulder.
A man in a black cloak, face shaded beneath a wide hat.
"Ha... hahaha!" The man laughed harshly.
"I didn’t expect to be found so easily. As expected of one of the Nine Guardians of the Blood Tavern—the Blood Marquis!"
Asher snorted. "Since you recognize , why bother hiding?"
Before the man could reply, Asher waved his palm.
A violent gust blasted across the hill, knocking the hat clean off.
But even with the hat gone, the man’s face remained hidden behind—
A black ghost mask.
Ethan’s breath caught.
His pupils shrank violently. His chest tightened.
That aura—
That mask—
That unmistakable presence—
Onyx Orchid.
Ethan’s heart roared in disbelief.
What was happening?
This aura was identical to the one he knew. Identical to the entity that lived in his consciousness.
Identical to— Onyx Orchid himself.
Why?
Was there a second Onyx Orchid in this world?
Did they co from the sa origin?
Was the mask a relic? A disguise?
Or...
Sothing else?
Ethan clenched his fists.
"Onyx Orchid!" he called sharply.
Within his sea of consciousness, a small figure sat cross-legged. Onyx Orchid slowly opened his eyes, brows furrowed.
"My mind is a bit itchy," he muttered.
"It feels like my old mories are about to resurface... Give a mont."
Ethan exhaled but didn’t press him.
Instead— "Alicia. Holographic Eyes."
A chanical chi sounded in his mind.
Holographic Eyes — Activated
[Na: Thousand Faces]
[Race: Human]
[Realm: Upper Supre - Interdiate Stage]
Ethan’s mind froze for a split second.
Then his expression turned solemn.
"Thousand Faces..."
The infamous escaped criminal.
The man whose na was the Blood Tavern’s Bloody Killing Order.
The only target the Tavern owner personally demanded be captured.
Soone even the Blood Tavern’s full force had failed to capture for years.
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
If the Tavern owner couldn’t keep him... How could he?
A being like this wasn’t soone Ethan could face head-on.
Moreover, Thousand Faces was renowned for his ability to escape and disguise. To survive this long, he definitely possessed more than just strength.
But then—
"Why follow ?" Ethan wondered aloud.
"Our paths should have never crossed."
Had Thousand Faces co for the artifact?
Or for the Divine weapon?
Or for—
"Iris...?" Ethan muttered.
Asher’s sudden voice cut in.
"Quin Gavel... that is your real na, isn’t it?"
The masked man chuckled. "Keke, seems Myriad Treasure Pavilion isn’t as perfect as it pretends. So much for privacy."
"No one told you to plant tracking marks on auction items," Asher sneered.
"It’s your own fault you’ve been exposed."
"Though," he added, "the buyer is already dead."
Ethan frowned.
Buyer?
Tracking marker?
He rembered now—
Iris bought two items at the treasure conference.
The Supre corpse.
And an incomplete stone tablet.
The corpse was presented by the Pavilion itself.
Which ant—
The tablet.
Thousand Faces’ original item.
He had tracked it.
Followed Iris.
Followed Ethan.
And now...
Everything clicked into place.
Ethan’s eyes sharpened.
"This Thousand Faces is baiting!"
A/N:
Extra Chapters
100 power stones - 1 Extra Chapters
200 power stones - 2 Extra Chapters
Massage Chair - 1 Extra Chapters
Luxury Car - 2 Extra Chapters
Dragon - 5 Extra Chapters
Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters
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