Chapter 109: Chapter 109
"Liana will be left to you from now on." Edwin’s words hung in the air like thunder, freezing Ethan in place for a moment. He blinked, caught completely off-guard by the older man’s bluntness.
"Ah?" Ethan stammered, quickly regaining his composure as he cupped his hands in polite respect, maintaining a defensive courtesy.
"Elder Edwin must have misunderstood. I have no such intentions towards Junior Sister Liana. I’ve always treated her as I would a younger sister," Ethan replied, steady and straightforward.
Edwin seemed faintly surprised, an eyebrow arching as he processed Ethan’s reaction.
For his precious daughter, suitors lined up from the top of the mountain to the foot of the mountain, many direct disciples and talented cultivators from every corner of the sect had approached him for her hand.
Yet here was Ethan, refusing the prospect almost absentmindedly.
"You mean... you don’t like Liana?" Edwin asked, half-incredulous.
"That’s not it," Ethan said, voice gentle but firm.
"I grew up alone—an orphan, living off scraps in my village, joined the Azure Origin Dao Sect when I was seven. Since then, cultivation is all I’ve ever known. I never considered the idea of a family, and I really do see Liana as my own blood sister. Nothing beyond that."
Edwin considered this quietly, then gave a slow nod. "Understood."
"Junior Sister Liana is talented, smart, and beautiful. She’ll find someone far better than me one day." Ethan finished, refusing to waver.
Edwin finally broke into laughter, his tone suddenly lighter. "I see. Very well." With a flicker of spiritual light, Edwin soared away.
When he landed, Liana’s cheerful voice cut through the remaining tension. "Dad, what did you say to Ethan?"
Edwin smiled, keeping secrets as fathers do. "Nothing important. Let’s go home, Liana."
Liana peered curiously down the mountain road, searching for Ethan’s silhouette, but he was already gone.
Meanwhile, Ethan, having survived the encounter, exhaled. "That was terrifying," he mumbled, patting his chest.
It felt surreal that Liana’s father had considered entrusting his daughter to him. Ethan knew Liana’s worth—her talent and beauty unmatched in the sect, her future bright with possibility.
But his emotions toward her were steadfastly familial—protective, but not romantic.
Cultivators with no attachments, no loves, no losses—those are the ones truly free and invincible.
At the mountain’s base, Ethan’s journey continued, but another stream of light quickly interrupted him.
Elden, the leader of Azure Sky Peak, appeared before him with formidable presence.
Ethan smirked not bowing. "Master Elden, what a coincidence. I have something to say: please return the Azure Sky Jade Pendant to me. From now on, I’m withdrawing from Azure Sky Peak."
Elden’s composure fractured—he stared at Ethan, baffled. "What did you just say?"
Ethan’s reply was unwavering. "You’ve never wanted me here. I’m honoring your wish by leaving now." With no further words, Ethan strode off, leaving Elden alone on the wind-blown path.
Elden scowled, confusion and pride grappling inside him.
"Is this even necessary? Am I supposed to beg you to stay? Azure Sky Peak isn’t lacking for geniuses," Elden grumbled, waving a dismissive hand and turning away, unwilling to dwell on Ethan’s abrupt exit.
Ethan pressed on, his steps leading him back toward the lonely preparations at Serene Mirror Lake.
But before he could reach the peace he sought, two more figures descended in radiant light.
Elira Snow, peak master of Celestial Lotus Peak, glided down, her purple robes flowing as she leaned into the mountain’s breeze, her every move naturally enchanting. Alongside her landed Althea, Sword Immortal—her aura harmonious but opposite, reserved rather than beguiling.
Elira approached first, her charm skills clearly at play, voice soft and sweet in Ethan’s ear.
"Would you like to join my Celestial Lotus Peak, Ethan?" she whispered.
Ethan’s Heaven-Piercing Mind Eyes warded off all illusions—including charm. Her spell broke on his soul like waves on stone.
"Doesn’t Celestial Lotus Peak only accept female disciples?" Ethan asked calmly, feigning ignorance.
Elira’s eyes widened in surprise. "My charm didn’t affect you?"
Ethan shrugged, innocent. "I don’t know much about charm techniques. Maybe my body’s just resistant."
With the soft approach thwarted, Elira tried again: "It’s true we only take female disciples, but for you, I’ll make an exception. All of my disciples are beautiful. If you join, you’ll have endless resources and no worries for your life."
Tempting, but Ethan’s reply was steady. "It’s generous, but I’m more comfortable at Serene Mirror Lake. Cultivation suits me more than schemes."
Elira pouted, clearly disappointed. "Nothing sways you, does it? If gentle persuasion won’t work, maybe Junior Althea can try."
Althea’s approach was different—pragmatic rather than seductive. "If recruitment fails, there’s another way to connect. Friendship."
Elira blinked, then smiled wryly. "Rare for you to take the initiative, Althea."
Althea looked at Ethan, her gaze serious.
She knew Ethan’s character—steady, immune to manipulation, impossible to move with emotion alone. Recruitment methods wouldn’t work, but forming a genuine bond was worthwhile. This was a person she could trust, a cultivator who might one day reach her own level of strength or even surpass her.
"Junior brother, a word?" Althea asked, walking up to Ethan.
Ethan greeted her with a nod, still expecting a recruiting pitch.
"No need for such formality now. We’re similar in age. Let’s call each other brother and sister," Althea suggested.
"Of course, Senior Sister. What do you need?"
"I just overheard your conversation with Elden. You’ve left Azure Sky Peak. Any plans?"
"Continue my practice," Ethan said simply.
"At Serene Mirror Lake?"
"You’re clever, Senior Sister."
Althea smiled, pleased. "I’m interested in physical cultivation, but I know little. If there’s an opportunity, can I come talk and learn?"
"Absolutely. My residence is on the Serene Mirror Lake’s mountainside. You’re welcome anytime."
Althea’s smile, usually rare and fleeting, blossomed.
Socially reserved and wary of unnecessary conversation, she was surprised by her own openness. Ethan’s presence drew out a sense of camaraderie that felt new and refreshing.
"Definitely," she promised, turning to leave without another word.
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