Chapter 160: Chapter 160
The current situation in Skyreach Territory was a razor’s edge, strained beyond measure.
Tensions between the Wisteria Cloud Valley and the Azure Origin Dao Sect had reached unprecedented heights, simmering just beneath the fragile calm. The looming specter of looming conflict hung heavy, promising chaos and bloodshed in the not-so-distant future.
Althea, the Peak Master of Sword Peak, was acutely aware of the storm ready to erupt.
In the face of this gathering tempest, she was driven by a fierce urgency to strengthen herself—to be ready for the inevitable.
More than that, she knew the stakes: If she failed to grow stronger, she risked becoming obsolete in Ethan’s eyes.
The gap between them could widen too far, and one day, she might be cast aside like a shadow forgotten.
"I understand. I will go check it out in a few days," Althea answered, her voice steady with resolve.
"Black Forest Mountain is treacherous," the elder warned, eyes flickering with concern. "There roam many high-level monsters. Peak Master, be careful."
Althea’s gaze hardened, and with a confident wave of her hand, she said, "I know. Let us go."
The elder bowed his hands in surrender and left the hall.
Yet as he departed, the corners of his mouth twitched into a cold smile.
.....
Late that night, under the cloak of darkness, Ethan sat cross-legged on his futon.
Around him floated treasures of heaven and earth, casting faint golden glows that shimmered like embers of ancient fires.
With focused mind, he activated the Celestial Jade Physique Scripture.
The eight trigrams formation beneath him began to hum softly, lines of arcane energy slowly unfolding in intricate patterns.
The treasures suspended above released golden elemental power, which flowed like molten sunlight along invisible veins to the back of his head.
At the same moment, the blood pills within his body stirred.
Essence and blood began to ripple, rushing through channels, converging at the acupoint at the nape.
The dual energies melded and pulsed relentlessly, striking the hidden point with unyielding force.
Time stretched infinitesimally slow.
Every breath, every heartbeat measured the moments as Ethan pushed toward transcendence.
Ten days passed.
The medicinal power, elemental energy, and essence within the treasures had been fully absorbed.
Then, inexplicably, Ethan’s body began to wither and turn to ashes, dissipating like smoke on the wind.
A final radiance gathered at his Dantian, colliding with the power of essence and blood beside it.
A surge erupted—the breakthrough had come!
Buzz!
Ethan’s eyes snapped open, alert and luminous.
He had ascended to the middle stage of the 4th level.
Below him, the formation patterns spun rapidly, a vortex of energy spiraling around his form.
From his body swirled clouds of white mist, rising steadily into the sky like smoke from a sacred flame.
Then, as if summoned by his newly awakened power, the night sky darkened abruptly.
A shaft of brilliant white light shot from the heavens, enveloping Ethan in radiant brilliance.
Miraculous power surged through his limbs and bones like a torrential flood, igniting every fiber with celestial vitality.
The Celestial Jade Physique Scripture had propelled him into a new realm.
At the middle stage of the 4th level, he could now draw upon the energy of heaven and earth, refine his spirit, and awaken profound enlightenment.
His senses sharpened. His perception deepened into realms previously unreachable.
The condensed energy flowed from his head to the Dantian, merging with the wondrous power therein, coursing along his meridians like living rivers of force.
Eighteen weeks slipped by.
Suddenly, the power poured fiercely into his consciousness.
Divine fire blazed anew.
It roared with the strength of winds fanning flames.
Within Ethan’s boundless consciousness, Onyx Orchid stirred.
His form coalesced from the mist, brows raised in surprise.
"Just call me stupid," Onyx muttered, blinking at the scene.
"You brat, what did you do?"
"Don’t make noise, I’m cultivating!" Ethan reminded him sharply.
"Cultivation... this magnificent power holds the energy of the Great Dao!"
"Is this a breakthrough to Nirvana?"
"No..." Onyx shook his head. "No Nirvana Tribulation yet, so it’s not Nirvana."
"Breaking through to the Supreme Realm? that’s even more impossbile."
Onyx’s gaze deepened as he considered the celestial spectacle.
"The heavens and earth are blocked by strange forces—yet you still attract their power?"
"Though only a sliver, it is enough to elevate this child’s strength dramatically."
Despite accumulated knowledge, Onyx remained awestruck by Ethan’s rare fortune.
Suddenly a purple-black light shimmered in Onyx’s eyes.
He peered through layers of obstruction, gazing skyward.
The starry sky was veiled by thick iron chains, woven like a colossal net suspended above.
An immense network of two layers barred the celestial energy flows.
The first layer sealed away the energy of heavenly veins and earthly veins.
The second, more inflexible layer, blocked the power of the Great Dao itself.
The first layer could be torn apart with effort, drawing some heavenly and earthly energies for cultivation.
Yet the second layer was impenetrable—even the Supreme Realm cultivator cannot breach it.
Mastery of the Great Dao’s power was crucial for ascending to the Emperor realm.
The iron net of shackles had trapped countless Supreme Realm cultivators, preventing their passage.
Only a rare few, through monumental opportunities, shattered the chains and ascended.
Consequently, the Emperor realm cultivators of this era were shadows of their ancestors—false emperors at best.
Onyx’s gaze flicked to the eight trigrams diagram beneath Ethan.
"This formation... resembles the methods attributed to one of the Emperors from the End of Dharma Age. Could this be his inheritance?"
Onyx paused, rubbing his head.
His memory, worn and fragmented, reached back eons.
He recalled ancient epochs: the Old Century, the End of the Dharma Era, Twilight of the Gods, the New Era, the Ancient Era—and now, the Present Day.
He dimly remembered the Divine Statue Emperor—superlative genius of the End of Dharma Era.
The Divine Statue Emperor mastered the Great Dao laws and reached the Emperor realm pinnacle.
No one in the world surpassed him.
"I can’t recall exactly, but whether or not this body-training method comes directly from the Divine Statue Emperor, it’s certainly closely linked to his legacy."
"In that case, it makes sense Ethan is able to tear through the shackles."
Onyx shook his head in bewilderment. "Where did this kid find such fortune to obtain this skill?"
"No wonder Old Boy Ebon Azure said he has the makings of an emperor," he murmured softly.
Settling down cross-legged within Ethan’s consciousness, Onyx felt quiet amusement.
"To think I’d enjoy the fortunes of a junior. This is amusing."
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