Chapter 66: Chapter 66 (Inspiration capsule Extra Chapter)
Allen ignored Liana’s cold rebuke, his gaze flicking with a cruel fire as he deliberately threw a barb meant to irritate Ethan.
Men, Allen mused silently, always eager to display bravado before women.
Even if strength faltered, they dared to puff themselves up.
As soon as he touched Ethan’s temper, he knew a storm was coming. A heated quarrel, a sham sparring fight—that would be the perfect pretext to bring this kid down and make him beg.
Let him learn that some are beyond his reach.
But.
Ethan merely smiled and said nothing.
A small ego-rousing ploy; nothing more. He was on the verge of teaching Allen a lesson when Liana stepped forward, her voice a low whisper.
"Senior Brother Ethan, Allen is no ordinary junior. He’s a direct disciple of Voidshade Peak, rumored already at the middle stage of the Soul Formation Realm."
She glanced nervously around.
"What’s more, his master is the peak master of Voidshade Peak. He’s no ordinary direct disciple."
Ethan’s hand to his chin revealed his sudden curiosity.
"So, he’s one of Voidshade Peak’s direct disciples?"
He turned his gaze to Allen. "Who is this Sam, Is he your senior brother?"
Allen sneered at the question, the name stirring something fierce in him.
"Sam’s my brother, yes. Chief among Voidshade’s direct disciples. Since you know of him, you must know our master as well. No need to say more."
He crossed his arms arrogantly, mistaking Ethan’s calm for fear.
After admitting his identity, Allen thought Ethan would beg forgiveness and grovel. Instead, he was sure Ethan would show nothing but submission.
By nature, Allen preferred peace over strife, but he wouldn’t tolerate disrespect.
Ethan frowned deeply, remembering the near-assassination.
According to Jake from the Law Enforcement Hall, the mastermind behind his attack was Sam—or at least closely linked to him.
Allen’s heedless question brought a raised eyebrow.
"Scared?"
Ethan laughed, a low, surprised chuckle.
"Not one bit. It’s too soon for that."
He moved past Liana and stopped within ten feet of Allen. Their eyes locked, electric with tension.
Allen had grossly miscalculated: Ethan was not weak nor intimidated; his arrogance drew out a comparable fury.
A smile spread across Ethan’s face, igniting a blaze of defiance deep in Allen’s heart.
"You asked for it," Allen hissed, clenching his fists and preparing to unleash his strongest technique.
The air rippled with his spiritual energy, a tempest of power that sent bamboo leaves swirling and crackling around them.
The combatants tensed, as if the mountain itself held its breath.
Then, a sharp voice sliced across the charged atmosphere.
From the stone path came a mature man in Taoist robes, his bearing immediate authority. It was clear from his attire and bearing that he was no mere disciple — he was a peak elder.
"I am Elder Ashwind."
The moment the name landed, Allen bowed with practiced respect.
"Uncle Ashwind."
Liana’s own voice softened, a respectful note threading her tone.
"It’s Allen, the boy from Voidshade Peak. What brings you here in search of elixirs?"
Allen bowed again, now fully composed and respectful—his arrogance stripped away by the elder’s presence.
"You know how to pretend," Ethan narrowed his eyes.
Liana sneered at Allen, "Always presenting a different face to the world; pretending in front of elders, yet ruthless behind backs."
"Liana, mind your tongue and language," Ashwind chided gently.
"Of course," she responded, masking her scorn.
This was a dynamic Ethan was now familiar with—no matter how strongly one spoke against certain disciples, elders would often dismiss it as youthful quarrel.
Ashwind’s gaze shifted to Ethan, scrutinizing.
"Which peak do you hail from? Your robes is not one of the inner disciples, It is not even from any peak, and you carry none of the expected spiritual energy."
Noticing Ethan’s aura was as plain as any commoner’s, Ashwind’s suspicion grew.
Ethan’s reply came steady, "Just an ordinary inner sect disciple."
Ashwind’s eyes darkened, disapproval clear. "Ordinary? I find that hard to believe. In all my years in the Dao Sect, I have never met such a rude disciple as you—disrespectful before your elders."
"Didn’t your master teach you the basics of sect etiquette? Identify yourself fully—your name, your sect heritage. How could you be so bold as to show no regard?"
His tone grew severe.
Ethan chuckled, unfazed. "Ask all you want about my master—but even the peak master himself wouldn’t dare demand my obeisance."
"That’s your arrogance—presumptuousness beyond reason!" Ashwind’s voice boomed.
Before the tension could ripple further, Liana swiftly grabbed Ethan’s arm, pulling him away to avoid open conflict.
Allen watched, sneering internally.
"This Ethan has really angered the elders this time. What will he do now?"
But even Allen had to admit with reluctant respect—Ethan’s impertinence was remarkable. Few dared openly challenge elders, especially with such calm confidence.
Allen mulled over tactics and risks, mindful this was no ordinary opponent.
Liana smiled as she followed Ethan away.
"Senior Brother Ethan, you were amazing just now."
Though her standing was high on the peak, even she dared not challenge elders like Ashwind recklessly — a reprimand from her father or the elders would follow swiftly.
"I wish I could be as cool as you," she confessed.
"And Allen? Don’t pay much attention. He’s a fool," she added, lips curling.
Ethan steered the conversation back on course.
"I’m here about what I promised—to take the accept the fire-attributed herbal spiritual plants."
"I’ve found some that may suit your needs, though I’m unsure."
Liana sighed. "It’s a pity I’m not a disciple of Voidshade or the other peaks — otherwise I’d compete for that beast fire myself."
No one would dare to challenge her directly here.
The days of studying alone, refining medicine in solitude had grown dull.
"Beast fire," Ethan whispered thoughtfully. "That could nourish Blue Flame, help it reach growth swiftly—and evolve into a middle-grade innate spiritual fire."
He pondered the martial arts competition—Voidshade Peak, Fire Phoenix Peak, Serpentwind Peak, and Azure Sky Peak.
The name Azure Sky Peak felt oddly familiar, as though whispered in a half-remembered conversation or a dream.
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
....
Thanks for the Inspiration capsule: @Achillios