Chapter 57: Chapter 57
The reason Azraeth V’ khorath could speak with such certainty was simple: in ages past, his demon clan ruled the path of body cultivation. Their ancestors walked as titans, flesh like steel, their secrets buried with the fall of Empires. But history had not been kind; the inheritance had splintered and faded.
Even now, among the demon race, true body cultivators were rare as dragon pearls.
Yet, even with bits and pieces remaining, their foundation outstripped the human clans. Most demon cultivators with their physical bodies were outright monsters compared to human experts of the same realm.
That’s why demons were always stronger in direct combat—even if humanity had their own tricks.
So the demon race had never spread these methods. No books, no legacies handed off to outsiders. The less their enemies knew, the longer they kept their edge.
Azraeth stared up at the grey stone above, thinking,
That brat Ethan is probably at his physical cultivation limit. If he can’t ignite the divine fire, he’ll stagnate—and have to stumble around looking for the next step for years.
He snorted quietly. When Ethan used and showed him the ancient body-refining method, Azraeth had worried for a second he was staring at the full inheritance of an ancient era.
Now he could see Ethan was mostly bluff and luck. If so, most of his worry vanished like mist in the sun.
Still, caution lingered. Azraeth had sent the warning out to the Black Demon Sect. From now on, Ethan would be walking with shadows at his back. The moment he left the safety of the Azure Origin Dao Sect, someone would be waiting with a knife.
Maybe even the next time they met would be his last.
"Haha, brat, maybe we won’t speak again," Azraeth called.
But Ethan, having gotten all he could from the conversation, continued silently upward, having learned plenty from just this brief exchange.
He now understood two things.
From what Azraeth said, first, "divine fire" was a gate, a true path.
When Azraeth, a peerless and ancient demon, insisted that even body cultivators must eventually ignite the divine fire, he was speaking from a depth of experience that couldn’t be faked.
Second, Azraeth’s threat was no wild boast. If the Black Demon Sect wanted someone dead, that death would eventually arrive, no matter how far their geography stretched. How would they even know of Ethan, locked away here for ten years? Had Azraeth found some way to spread news, despite his shackles?
Ethan shrugged. Better safe than sorry.
He promised himself he’d move with more caution—no foolish risks, no unnecessary "heroic" ventures. Not anymore.
He reached the exit of the eighteenth floor and touched his master’s ring. Golden light poured out, stripping away the seals set on the stairway, letting fresh demonic energy flood downward.
Of course, this drew instant attention.
A moment later, Elder Azel descended through the atrium and landed with practiced ease.
"Three months, and you’ve gotten stronger again—impressive." Azel’s smile was warmer than Ethan remembered.
"Being Mr. Burn’s favorite, you actually live up to the name."
Ethan waved him off, modest: "Elder’s praise is worth a hundred million points—it’s embarrassing."
With a hearty laugh, Azel added, "Now you’re Burn’s personal disciple; you’re the Empress’s junior brother."
"How do you know so quickly?"
"All eight of us Demon Sealing Cave elders were told before you surfaced," Azel answered.
"Besides us, only the Empress is in the know. When the news of you being the Supreme Elder’s disciple goes to the public—that’s her call."
Ethan only smiled. He didn’t care for status or politics.
As long as he had the Purple Dragon Order, the right to roam was all that mattered.
A deep, new voice interjected, "You’ll want to keep your head down for a while. There are always people willing to strike geniuses in their cradles. Be careful if you go out."
That was Leon, the "old ghost" Azel often mentioned. Another voice rose: "Old Burn should have given you at least one life-saving treasure. Still, if you go traveling, see the Empress for a few more. It never hurts."
Adrian, once peak master of Azure Sky Peak, offered a tight nod. "Introduce myself—I’m Adrian, now an elder here. Used to run with the best."
Then came Daygon, the former master of Voidshade Peak, and so on. One after another, each elder voiced care and advice, their concern a warmth in Ethan’s heart he hadn’t felt since his earliest years.
He thought for the first time: Maybe the sect isn’t all bad, for all its arrogance and hidden knives.
Sure, there were people like Seraphina, who looked down on others, and snakes like Erik who bullied the weak, but favor, loyalty, and grudges all had their place.
And the Empress he didn’t like.
He would remember who stood by him. If chaos ever came, he would save those elders without hesitation—and let the rest burn if they brought disaster upon themselves.
Azel finally let him go. "If trouble comes, you know where we are. But honestly, after today, who would dare?"
Ethan bowed deeply. "Your reminders are precious. I’ll never forget this."
He was halfway to the exit when Azel called, "If you have a chance, bring a few jars of good wine—the ones Mr. Burn likes!"
Ethan grinned. "In a few days, I’ll have it delivered myself!"
He ascended, emerging once more into the sun. Blue sky above, clouds drifting—he filled his lungs with clean air and felt the weight of seclusion leave his shoulders.
Walking the winding path home, Ethan set his jaw with satisfaction—a new life ahead.
But as he crested the last hill and saw his humble courtyard, his brow drew down.
The door was ajar. The formation had been triggered but not broken. Someone was here.
Inside, under the shade of a great tree, a woman rose.
He froze. His heart skipped in his chest. That familiar presence...
It was the Empress herself.
.....
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