Chapter 48: Chapter 48
Ethan paused, watching as the female figure approached him slowly through the swirling mist.
Each step was slow, measured and graceful, and the air itself seemed to thicken in anticipation of her mere presence. The distance between them closed steadily until, at last, he could see her clearly.
She was draped in a flowing purple gauze skirt that swayed gently with her slow movement, her eyes shimmering like water veiled by light mist, and her brows were delicately arched like distant mountains etched against the dusk. Her voluptuous figure moved with captivating charm, each motion a dance of enchantment and allure.
As she made her way toward Ethan, she nodded with a bashful smile, her slender palms covering her ruby lips, as if shyly greeting a long-awaited beloved.
"Sir, do you remember still me?" she whispered.
Ethan’s heart skipped a beat as realization dawned—was this... the Empress? The sect leader of the Azure Origin Dao Sect? The delicate mask of femininity was instantly recognizable, yet something was slightly off.
Though strikingly beautiful and regal, the woman before him was not the Empress he saw when he just transmigrated into this world.
Still, the allure was undeniable, and a warmth stirred deep within Ethan’s chest, momentarily distracting him with its intoxicating tease.
Then, without warning, she began to slowly remove her robe, the fabric falling slowly from her shoulders to the ground, revealing porcelain-white jade like skin that glistened like the first snow. Her eyes fluttered with moisture, cheeks flushed, and the scent of her skin wafted toward him—inviting and wild.
Spark surged through Ethan, a primal yearning ignited, and for a fleeting instant he imagined tossing aside all restraint, joining her in a tempest of fire and flesh.
The woman’s laughter tinkled like bells as she took another step closer.
"Ethan, why do your eyes stare so pointedly?" she teased sweetly, tugging at the silk cloth that remained.
Her gentle pull slipped the fabric entirely from her slender form, exposing flawless shoulders and the curve of her decolletage.
The rhythmic sway of her hips stirred desire so potent it threatened to shatter Ethan’s discipline.
Her gaze met his as she reached out, tracing the line of his sharp jaw with feathered fingers, seeking to enthrall him utterly.
But the moment their skin touched, a chill shot through Ethan’s spine, breaking the spell.
"Hmph! What’s with this pink-skull nonsense?" he snapped, seizing her wrist firmly.
Distressed, she struggled, whispering, "Young master, please release me. You’re hurting—"
Still gripping her hand, Ethan’s eyes blazed with cold fury.
"Heaven-piercing Mind Eye—open!"
A brilliant blue light ignited behind his eyelids as radiant spiritual power surged outward.
The surrounding mist swirled violently, torn apart by his piercing mental gaze.
Suddenly, clarity returned—Heaven-piercing Mind Eye revealed all, exposing the illusion for what it was.
Everything around him shimmered, revealing the vast circular atrium of the septagon — stone corridors bathed in spectral light, but this woman, this vision, was naught but smoke and vanity.
"Hah! An illusion!" Ethan scoffed loudly.
If not for his heightened mental strength and the Heaven piercing mind eye, he might have been fooled entirely.
Moments later, Ethan’s eyes tracked movement behind an iron railing.
There, standing in shadow beneath the swirling mists, was another figure—a woman, but unlike the ethereal vision, this one wore a mask concealing her face.
Her skin was a deep shade of midnight blue, smooth and unyielding.
Two elongated ears—like those of a fabled dark elf—projected from beneath her dark hair cascading to her waist.
A slender, mysterious tail swayed behind her, betraying her non-human heritage.
Her voice was sharp, questioning, the subtle menace of a predator poised for the kill.
"How is it possible you broke through my charm in five breaths." The figure demanded
"Who are you?" Ethan asked.
"A practitioner without spiritual fluctuations?" she spoke, eyes luminous with suspicion and shock.
Her power was undeniable—hovering at the threshold of the Tribulation Transcendence realm—a rare and fearsome elite of the Black Demon Sect.
Someone continued, his tone laced with disdain, "To think such prideful charm failed against a mere physical cultivator. You possess neither spirit nor soul to entangle."
The womens alluring illusion was a tool to snare the mind, crafted to enfeeble the strongest wills, reducing them to marionettes.
Had Ethan not mastered his Heaven-piercing Mind Eye, he might have fallen under her spell—rendered helpless and destroyed.
But he remained resolute, the icy fire burning in his eyes.
"Reveal yourself. Declare your name!" she demanded, unable to hide her agitation.
Ethan’s voice dripped with sardonic amusement, "My name is no concern to you."
His very presence defied her arts, his mind unfaltering.
His secret weapons—his mental resilience and the system’s grace—left her charms feeble, inadequate against his will.
"Come forward, or continue hiding behind your illusions," Ethan threatened softly.
The woman’s composure shattered momentarily, anger flaring, her eyes narrow slits.
"You are bold indeed... but remember this: I’ve felled cultivators of the highest ranks with my arts. No one mocks me!"
Ethan chuckled, disengaging gently.
"It is your loss if you believe your charms can best me. Men bound to flesh and blood can overcome deceit with strength of their minds."
Without another word, Ethan turned toward Azel, who awaited silently ahead.
"Remarkable," Azel nodded approvingly.
"You’ve broken the bloodline charm of the demon clan’s trickery with ease."
Ethan smirked, "The spirits and demons may conspire, but fate favors those with clear vision."
Suddenly, laughter echoed up the corridor.
Voices, sharp and jocular, rang down from darker depths.
Elders, spectators to the day’s events, taunted, "Look at that! This junior bests demons and unravels illusions!"
"But Elders, do you remember who underestimated him before?" one mockingly whispered.
The proud murmurs were heated, but interrupted by a growled warning from Azel.
"Ahem, cough, cough... I take it back, take it back, I’m was looking down on this little guy."
"Hahaha, it’s rare for this old ghost to take the initiative to admit his mistakes." Someone spoke again.