Chapter 93: Chapter 93 (Massage chair Extra Chapter)
Ashen arrived at the martial arts field by dawn, veins humming with excitement and anticipation.
Today, the atmosphere was completely different from any ordinary day. The entire sect had been set abuzz by Ethan’s shocking performance; the legend of a "dark horse" transcending odds and tradition had spread like wildfire.
Disciples from every peak and generation squeezed together for a vantage point. Even the normally empty cliffs and high branches lining the arena’s edges overflowed with eager cultivators, all forbidden from using flying swords or bodily flight out of respect for the gathered peak masters and elders.
Ashen swept his gaze over the sea of faces.
The intensity of focus directed toward the arena left no doubt—Ethan had jolted the Azure Origin Dao Sect to its core. The hype, the hope, the jealousy—every eye reflected the hunger to witness the strength of a pure physical cultivator who emerged from the Serene Mirror Lake and toppled a favored prodigy in one move.
The pressure pressed against Ashen’s chest, but it was not fear—it was elation. The stronger Ethan appeared, the greater Ashen’s own future reward. No one in the Black Demon Sect had ever managed to corrupt a genius so celebrated and so scrutinized by the world.
If he succeeded, Ashen’s name would become infamous. He would rise within the sect, stepping on the necks of rivals, his position unshakable.
His musings were interrupted as he strolled the outer edge of the arena. A group of Azure Sky Peak disciples noticed Ashen and offered respectful bows.
"I’ve met Elder Ashen."
He responded with a gentle smile and a nod. His reputation in Azure Sky Peak was great; always friendly, always willing to help, he’d spent decades cultivating trust. The perfect cover.
Ashen made a slow circuit, eyes scanning for Ethan.
Eventually, he spotted his target on the southern viewing platform, sitting with an air of composed disinterest. Beside Ethan sat Flint—silent and sharp as always—and Liana, her gaze bright with respect.
Ashen began weaving his way toward them but paused as they noticed his approach.
"He’s here," Flint remarked, voice steady as a drawn blade.
Ethan glanced at Flint with no surprise. The message was clear: Lyralei had sent Flint to Azure Sky Peak as a hidden watcher, tasked to monitor Ashen.
"How long have you been at Azure Sky Peak, Senior Brother Flint?" Ethan asked casually.
"Just over three years," Flint replied, eyes never leaving Ashen.
"You joined for Elder Ashen then?"
"Smart," Flint admitted, keeping his voice clipped, as if nothing more needed to be said.
Ethan nodded in understanding.
So, the Empress herself had noticed Ashen’s suspicious nature years ago. Flint’s presence was not coincidental, but a calculated strategy: keep the wolf under close watch, and strike only when necessary.
Why nothing had been done yet, Ethan couldn’t guess, but clearly it wasn’t for a lack of awareness.
Ethan let the matter drop. If the highest authorities already had a plan, it was not his place to interfere.
The shifting morning light was replaced by a hush as a presence approached from the horizon—a figure alighted nearby, imperious in demeanor, radiating authority.
Disciples stiffened and bowed low.
"I’ve met the Peak Master."
"I’ve met the Peak Master!"
Ethan remained seated, eyes closed, a model of insouciant composure.
Peak Master Elden frowned. The boy remained icy—not a flicker of effort to curry favor.
It was a message. But rather than cause a scene, Elden maintained the dignity of his status and approached.
The nearby disciples, seeing the direction of Elden’s gaze, quickly stepped aside to provide privacy.
Elden addressed Liana first.
"Liana, how’s your father? Pass him my regards when you have time."
Liana smiled respectfully. "Thank you, Peak Master. I will."
"And you, Flint?" Elden acknowledged, receiving the younger man’s formal salute.
Inside, Elden felt genuine appreciation for Ethan’s poise. "Such calm in front of a peak master... The boy truly is the Empress’s favored disciple. There’s real steel beneath the surface."
Elden cleared his throat, finally addressing Ethan.
Ethan opened his eyes, feigning a smile. "Peak Master Elden. Forgive my lack of formality."
A trace of sarcasm lingered behind the smile—he neither forgot nor forgave the coldness shown to him in the past.
"Excellent performance yesterday," Elden said.
"With your strength, you should have no problem reaching the top three. But be cautious—Allen of Voidshade Peak, Orin of Fire Phoenix Peak, and a few others will not be simple opponents..."
Ethan raised both hands in mock gratitude.
"Many thanks, Peak Master, but I won’t trouble you with my worries."
A twitch of anger flashed across Elden’s face. He bit back a retort, forced to maintain decorum in front of so many witnesses. "Just don’t get careless," he said, then took his leave, leaping away with a complex frown.
As he departed, Elden’s thoughts were a storm.
"This kid... Nothing soft nor hard can sway him. Tonight, I’ll go to the forbidden area myself—I want to know where his confidence comes from."
After Elden left, a wave of whispers rippled through the Azure Sky Peak disciples.
"Ethan’s so arrogant—he dares talk to the peak master like that!"
"Yeah, where does his confidence come from?"
"Do he and the peak master have a feud?"
"If you’re talented enough, you can do as you please!"
Ethan ignored them. He settled back with closed eyes, tuning his mind to the coming battle, clearing away stray thoughts.
A few moments later, Liana nudged him urgently.
"Senior Brother Ethan, look—it’s Kain from yesterday."
Ethan opened his eyes once more. On the adjacent viewing platform, Kain limped painfully to his seat, clearly suffering the lingering aftershocks of Ethan’s devastating blow. The disciples of Serpentwind Peak formed a protective circle around him as he struggled to sit.
Kain stared at Ethan from across the gap, his gaze simmering with humiliation and self-doubt.
But when Ethan’s eyes met his, Kain’s confidence shattered. He turned away, gripping his knees, fighting not to show weakness.
For Kain, the gulf between himself and Ethan was now irrefutable. What pride remained was ground to dust—and he no longer even yearned for revenge.
He knew, deep in his bones, that it would be futile.
That painful truth had not spared him from the whispers of his peers. Serpentwind Peak’s disciples glared daggers at Ethan.
Leading them was Silas, a striking figure clad in yellow, eyes as cold as unsheathed steel.
"Ethan!" Silas spat, "You’ve shamed Serpentwind Peak. I will return that humiliation—mark my words!"
Ethan only smiled, cool and unaffected. "I’ll wait and see."
His indifference riled the Serpentwind crowd. Teeth gnashed; hands clenched. They wanted nothing more than to teach him a lesson here and now.
"Ethan acts so arrogantly—who gave him the right?"
"If not for catching Senior Brother Kain off guard, he could never have won!"
"If I ran into Ethan, I’d risk my life to show him the price of his arrogance!"
Their venom echoed in Kain’s heart. Each barb twisted deeper into his sense of failure.
The rationalizations felt empty—no matter what others claimed, Kain knew the gap was real.
He squeezed his fists until his nails drew blood in his palm, the pain mingling with shame.
But Ethan paid them all no mind. The arena had seen plenty of genius and plenty of falls. The only truth was power.
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
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Thanks for the Massage chair: @Josh776