Chapter 88: Chapter 88
"Ethan?"
The name rang out from Elder Dorian’s mouth, cutting through the expectant silence that now filled the martial arts arena.
The announcement stirred a sudden wave of murmurs and whispers among the gathered disciples and onlookers.
"Ethan... Does that name sound familiar to you?"
"I’ve never heard of him before," one voice chimed.
"I know! Ten years ago, Her Highness the Saint caught this guy red-handed, peeping at a female disciple bathing," another disciple recounted with a tone tinged in curiosity and disdain.
"He lost the qualification to become the Saint’s Protector and was imprisoned in the Serene Mirror Lake for meditative punishment for fifty years. Recently, he was released early due to good behavior. But who could imagine he joined Azure Sky Peak afterward?"
"Yes, yes, that Ethan," another remarked solemnly.
"If those trivial matters hadn’t been exposed back then, he might have become well known by now."
"Honestly, watching female disciples play in the water is hardly a big deal," a voice scoffed lightly, eliciting chuckles from some disciples nearby.
At that moment, seated prominently on the viewing platform, Seraphina narrowed her beautiful eyes upon hearing Ethan’s name.
The coincidence surprised her—Jork choosing to abstain from fighting meant the final match of the first-round confrontation had fallen to Ethan and Kain. It was an arrangement fraught with consequences.
Yet, with Kain’s current cultivated strength, the odds heavily favored him.
Even if Mr. Stone praised Ethan’s progress today, Seraphina did not believe Ethan could stand against Kain’s might.
Ten years spent in meditation at Serene Mirror Lake were hardly conducive to improvement, especially with the harsh surroundings suppressing cultivation breakthroughs.
For someone as ambitious as Ethan, the loss of a decade was a mortal blow.
As Seraphina knew well, in the outer sect, Kain had challenged Ethan thrice.
Though he had not won, the battles had been tense—Kain lost by no more than half a move. So she heard from Kain, Back then, their strength had been matched, with victories influenced by fate’s fickle hand.
After that, Ethan was confined to Serene Mirror Lake, where he remained secluded. Meanwhile, Kain’s tributes to Serpentwind Peak in the inner sect bore fruit: he flourished in swordsmanship, becoming the direct disciple of the Great Elder and ascending into the early stage of the Soul Formation Realm.
How could Ethan possibly hope to defeat Kain now?
Beside Seraphina, Lilith whispered softly, her voice like a breeze across the starlit valley,
"Why did Ethan suddenly join Azure Sky Peak?"
Seraphina’s gaze flickered toward Lilith with a spark of interest. "Aunt Lilith, how many moves can Ethan withstand against Kain?"
Lilith’s smiled. "How many moves Ethan can endure? Your Highness, it’s more reasonable to ask how many moves Kain can withstand in Ethan’s hands."
This counterintuitive response made Seraphina’s eyes narrow, betraying doubt.
"You believe Ethan is stronger?"
"Stronger, yes," Lilith nodded.
"Though Kain’s strength is formidable, Ethan’s abilities surpass in certain ways."
"But Ethan lost ten years to meditation," Seraphina reminded her gently but skeptically.
"Kain’s talents and sword skills are well-honed and renowned. How could Ethan possibly contend?"
Lilith sighed, recalling her long observation under the Empress’s orders. The Saint was unaware of Ethan’s true progress.
"Your Highness is right to question. Ethan cultivates the physical path, lacking spiritual energy fluctuations. His true strength defies conventional measurement—it cannot be detected by ordinary methods or comprehended through typical theory."
"As for comparing Ethan and Kain directly," Lilith continued cautiously, "Ethan may not surpass Your Highness, but I believe he is marginally stronger than Kain. I predict Ethan will defeat Kain within thirty moves."
Her tone was measured, cautious.
She believed twenty moves were more likely but dared not overreach. After all, if Kain held a hidden trump card, it could all change.
Seraphina scoffed, her voice cold and resolute.
"Aunt Lilith and I have opposing views. In my eyes, Ethan’s eccentric ways and questionably virtuous nature mean he may not even overcome Kain had he not lost ten years. I side with Kain."
"Thirty moves... no—twenty moves. Ethan will be defeated!" Her declaration hung in the air.
Among the other four peak masters seated nearby, their expressions betrayed varying mixtures of surprise upon seeing Ethan.
Yet Elden’s reaction was unique: surprise born of the courage a physical practitioner like Ethan dared to step into a tournament packed with elites was not common. Physical cultivators were often overlooked and ridiculed; Ethan’s audacity was remarkable.
He remembered the realm test the previous day, he had appeared to show his face and then left because of some undisclosed matter. How had he passed the realm test despite lacking spiritual energy?
"If I’m not mistaken," One of the Peak Master mused quietly, "Ethan is that physical cultivator the Empress favored ten years ago. I hadn’t expected his early release or that he would join Azure Sky Peak."
Another Elder nearby touched his beard thoughtfully. "Although Ethan is a physical cultivator, there must be something extraordinary to account for the Empress’s favor. It seems we missed a chance this time by overlooking him."
Elden chuckled lowly.
"You exaggerate. Let’s not dredge up Ethan’s youthful misdeeds. Ten years lost to meditation; his talent and nature should have been extinguished. If he hadn’t been given the Azure Sky Jade Pendant, I wouldn’t pay him mind."
"But if Ethan is special, why not claim him for yourself?"
The Fire Phoenix Peak Master smiled. "Fire Phoenix Peak isn’t lacking disciples."
A middle-aged man interjected: "How did this kid pass the first level of the test anyway?"
It was Adyr, leader of Voidshade Peak.
Crimson Pine, master of Fire Phoenix Peak, stroked his beard and replied, "It seems most of us left early yesterday and missed how this kid passed. But since he passed, he obviously possesses Core Formation strength."
"Even Core Formation strength is no guarantee," Gale Reed, master of Serpentwind Peak, added, "against Kain—a splendid sword cultivator in the early Soul Formation Realm. Even a mid-stage Soul Formation expert might hesitate against him."
Adyr smirked, feigning indifference. "Except for my inept young disciple Allen, few dare claim victory against Kain here."
Crimson Pine chuckled, voice heavy with sarcasm. "Peak Master Elden may indeed face a significant loss with this error."
Elden merely sneered and glanced toward Ethan. In his heart, he thought, "You better have something real, and if you lose, lose with dignity — or face my wrath."
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