Although the true first great Ether tide had not yet arrived on Earth, Seraphine knew it was coming.

  The prelude to the Ether recovery had begun a long time ago.

  "Based on the settings of 《Dragonblood》, the Ether between worlds is naturally without attributes. Or rather, it can be divided into infinite attributes."

  Seraphine looked up at the star-filled sky and softly murmured:

  "Practitioners can cultivate by absorbing specific attributes of Ether based on their own understanding and needs."

  "It could be earth, fire, water, wind, light and darkness, yin and yang, sun and moon, or heaven and earth."

  "It could even be chaos, sacredness, evil, void, creation, or destruction. This seems to be connected to the so-called Observer effect."

  She turned her head toward the western horizon.

  There, the White Tiger's Seven Mansions were faintly twinkling in the dim sky.

  Ancient people looked at the heavens and divided the infinite stars into twenty-eight constellations.

  Based on direction, they divided them into four palaces: East, South, West, and North, with seven mansions in each.

  They connected and imagined the seven mansions of each palace as a specific creature or Divine Beast.

  These were the Eastern Azure Dragon, Southern Vermilion Bird, Western White Tiger, and Northern Black Tortoise.

  The ancients believed that only with the Four Spirits in heaven could there be stability on Earth.

  The essence of cultivating Starlit Sword Qi required the practitioner to abandon a modern scientific understanding.

  One had to follow the ancient worldview instead.

  She focused on Eta Andromedae, Beta Arietis, 35 Arietis, Alcyone, Epsilon Tauri, Meissa, and Alnitak of the White Tiger's Seven Mansions, located unknown light-years away.

  A total of fifty-four Star Officials and over seven hundred stars, spanning hundreds of thousands of light-years, had to be visualized as a single, unified entity.

  Then, from that infinite distance, one could absorb the boundless stellar power and condense it into streaks of Starlit Sword Qi.

  Hiss ~

  Seraphine slowly inhaled, settling her restless mind and clearing away chaotic thoughts.

  With a spiritual will as firm as black steel, she began her contemplation.

  Buzz ~

  Her soul stirred.

  Seraphine attempted to communicate with that stellar will, which existed infinitely far away in the void.

  According to the records of the cultivation method, once a practitioner successfully connects with the stellar will, they can summon the power of the White Tiger constellation to descend from the heavens.

  It would then surge into the body to temper the sword qi.

  Buzz buzz ~~

  After a while, Seraphine's calm eyes began to flicker with a strange light.

  She felt as though her thoughts had pierced through the endless universe.

  In the boundless cosmic void, she 'saw' an incomparably massive and majestic white tiger with a white forehead and drooping eyes.

  The beast was incredibly strong, and its forehead bore a large, golden 'King' character.

  Its body was covered in brilliant golden stripes, with white fur across its chest, belly, and limbs.

  Its legs were robust with sharp claws, and its thick tail swayed like a stretching galaxy.

  This cosmic behemoth's entire divine body flickered with infinite starlight.

  Colossal stars constantly drifted across its surface and within its form.

  This was the God of the Western White Tiger.

  Seraphine’s mind shuddered.

  With a single thought, she began to summon the boundless White Tiger stellar power.

  Boom!!

  In an instant, a torrent of energy erupted. It was extremely cold and sharp, filled with an aura of infinite desolation.

  It crossed the infinite distance almost instantly to arrive before Seraphine.

  It poured ruthlessly into her body through her nose and mouth.

  Whoosh ~~

  With Seraphine at the center, starlight suddenly danced and washed across the sky.

  At this moment, Seraphine felt as if a mass of mercury, frozen for ten thousand years in the Arctic seas, had surged into her lungs.

  It carried a biting cold and immense weight.

  Crack! Crack!

  It felt as though her lungs were about to freeze into shards.

  But Seraphine’s face was like iron and her will was like steel.

  She completely ignored the heavy, alien sensation that would have killed an ordinary person.

  With all her might, she compressed the massive amount of Star Essence in her lungs.

  She rapidly transformed it into a streak of pitch-black, solemn sword qi.

  Then, she collapsed the sword qi into a tight sphere, turning it into a Sword Marrow as dark as the night sky and speckled with starlight. She placed it deep within her lungs.

  This was not the end.

  More White Tiger Star Essence descended from the void like a wild tide.

  Seraphine absorbed it all without changing her expression.

  As she adapted to the power of the celestial constellations, her efficiency in transforming Essence into sword qi grew faster.

  One streak of sword qi.

  Ten streaks.

  A hundred streaks.

  In just two hours, Seraphine had filled her lungs with Starlit Sword Qi.

  There were approximately five thousand streaks in total.

  "Hoo ~"

  The task was complete.

  Seraphine exhaled a breath of black-gold air.

  Swish!!

  A deep black sword qi, the size of a door and flickering with starlight, suddenly appeared.

  Tearing through the air, the black blade ruthlessly slashed toward a massive, long-abandoned television tower several kilometers away.

  Boom!!!

  In less than a second, the sword qi struck.

  Under the starlight, the tip of the tower—dozens of meters in diameter—along with its long antenna mast, was instantly severed and shredded.

  Bang bang bang!

  The structure turned into countless fragments of iron, broken glass, and concrete, exploding in all directions.

  "Having felt it personally, I am certain that even an evershield body practitioner cannot withstand this starlit sword qi."

  "Practicing it means certain death."

  "It is only because my physique is inhuman that I can harmlessly bear the star essence."

  Seraphine’s eyes shone with a brilliant light as she spoke with a smile:

  "However, just the primordial ether unification art alone has expanded my attack methods and range by so much."

  "How many more techniques will the martial arts convention provide me?"

  Expectation surged relentlessly within her heart.

  Ending her cultivation, Seraphine’s telekinetic waves swept over her body.

  She shot down toward the hotel and returned to her room.

  A few hours later, the night ended at dawn.

  ...

  Time reached 7 AM.

  Deep within the vast forest on the outskirts of Cloud City, a crowd had grown larger outside a luxurious manor.

  The martial artists present were all powerhouses with robust builds, fierce expressions, and surging vitality.

  Almost none were below the roaring vitalis realm.

  Their steps were as powerful as fierce tigers, crossing a hundred meters in only seven or eight strides.

  Whether it was thick grass, thorns, or pitted ground, nothing could obstruct their pace.

  Yet as soon as they entered the manor's main gate, their fierce aura quickly retracted.

  The reason was simple: strong experts were numerous here.

  Unless one was truly invincible, no one would tolerate the pressure of another's aura.

  This was seen as a blatant provocation.

  Right then, the hearts of many martial artists trembled.

  Numerous burly fighters turned their heads, staring intensely toward the main entrance.

  There, a thin, withered old man with a goatee walked in leisurely.

  He was hunched over with his hands behind his back, dragging a dark spear covered in cloud patterns that clattered against the ground.

  At a glance, he looked extremely ordinary, even ugly.

  Only his emerald-green eyes revealed a sinister aura.

  But as the eccentric old man drew closer, the burly men involuntarily retreated.

  An incredibly tragic, solemn, and chilling aura radiated from him.

  The closer he got, the heavier that sinister feeling became.

  It felt as if hundreds of vengeful souls were wailing, causing nearby spirits to tremble.

  The once-courageous martial artists began to break into cold sweats, their faces turning pale.

  A few with high soul attainments could even faintly 'see' fierce spirits and ghosts swirling around the old man.

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  This was a spiritual phenomenon born when martial arts reach the supreme peak!

  "Hiss..."

  The crowd gasped in shock and awe.

  "It's Dreadlance!"

  "This is Dreadlance Vale!"

  "Evershield body!"

  The veterans of the Emberlight martial world instantly recognized him.

  This old fellow was famous for his brutal methods and sinister martial arts.

  A supreme powerhouse of the spear—Dreadlance Vale.

  While they were marveling, a burst of golden light suddenly flashed before their eyes, as if a true buddha had descended.

  The light flared and then vanished just as quickly.

  It felt like an illusion, but the sound of buddhist sutra chanting soon echoed in their ears.

  "...The heart is without hindrance, without fear... ultimate Nirvana..."

  The experts focused their gaze.

  They saw a robust, bald old monk in a gray robe.

  With his back to the rising sun, he walked with ancient, mystical steps.

  The monk's movements didn't seem forceful, but every step landed on a spiritual rhythm, radiating compassion and righteousness.

  He moved like withered wood, ready to collapse at any moment, yet he also seemed filled with abundant vitality.

  "It is Daijaku-ji's Abbot Veritas!"

  "So this is the legendary prajna mantra!"

  "In an instant, it can sway the mind of others, as if falling into Asura Hell."

  "An evershield body who specializes in spiritual wonders! Simply terrifying!"

  Suddenly, a roar shook the hearts of the many martial artists.

  They looked up and saw a man standing two meters tall.

  His upper body was bare and covered in black demonic dragon tattoos.

  He was a white-skinned giant with an arrogant and domineering aura, charging forward as he smashed the ground with a heavy thud.

  His muscles bulged like a suit of armor; his arms were larger than an ordinary person's thighs.

  Every step caused the earth to shake; even the solid rock pavement was crushed under his feet.

  The gathered experts narrowed their eyes.

  "It is Blackdrake Syndicate's Baek Tyranhold!"

  "This killing star has arrived as well."

  "I heard he is a martial arts all-rounder, proficient in various boxing arts from both East and West."

  "I heard his push-up weight can reach 80 tons! In terms of pure strength, he is number one globally."

  "Hiss! Truly a muscular beast!"

  At that moment, Baek reached out like lightning, as if trying to catch something.

  Bang!!!

  A violent explosion tore through the eardrums of the crowd, forcing many to cover their ears in pain.

  "Hmph!"

  Baek wore a cold sneer as he opened his hand.

  In the center of his palm sat a deformed, copper-colored bullet.

  "Smart. You knew ordinary guns couldn't break my defense, so you used a heavy sniper rifle to try and blow my head off!"

  In the distance, a man shouted with a face full of horror and rage:

  "You executioner! Even that didn't kill you?!"

  He raised the sniper rifle to fire again.

  However, Baek sneered and flicked his massive hand. The bullet shot back like a lightning bolt.

  Bang!

  In a flash, the sniper's arm was shattered by the returning bullet.

  "Ah!!"

  the man screamed in agony, clutching his bloody stump as he stumbled back.

  Before he could take another step, a violent wind whistled in his ears.

  Baek had already charged in front of him with a cold grin. He slapped the back of the man's head.

  Crack! Crunch!

  The skull shattered and blood sprayed.

  The man's head was driven straight into his chest cavity by the force of the strike.

  Dead!

  "Hmph."

  Baek looked down at the corpse with a mocking grin. "Thinking a sniper rifle could kill me. The moment your killing intent flared as you gripped the gun, I had already marked you."

  The onlookers watched in silence.

  Among the martial artists who reached the roaring vitalis realm, few were strangers to death. They were simply marveling at the might of the evershield body.

  With every move possessing tens of thousands of pounds of force, impervious to blades, and untouched by fire or water; these beings wouldn't die even if they swallowed poison. They could take a pistol shot to the forehead without a scratch.

  Truly terrifying.

  And yet, it was a power they all desired.

  Clap! Clap! Clap!

  A sudden burst of applause startled the martial artists in the courtyard.

  Their gazes crossed hundreds of meters to the far end of the square. There, a structure stood like a massive Roman Colosseum. A silver-haired old man with an elegant aura approached, smiling as he clapped.

  "Everyone, I am grateful that you accepted my invitation to this humble village."

  "Not at all, not at all."

  "You are too modest, Elder."

  "You are a contemporary evershield body, the peak of martial arts. Since you are hosting the martial arts convention, how could we not come?"

  The warriors in the square bowed respectfully.

  In the distance, Vale stroked his cold spear and grinned. His voice was hoarse and deep:

  "Caelus, ten years have passed. You’ve aged quite a bit."

  "Hahahaha!"

  Caelus stroked his beard and laughed. "Old Vale, you don't look much better yourself."

  "Amituofo."

  Abbot Veritas fingered his prayer beads and sighed. "Time is swift, yet you laymen retain your grace."

  "You people love talking in circles. In a while, people will be dying, yet you’re still acting like sissies."

  Baek walked over, crossing his massive arms.

  "By the way, I haven't seen that man in a long while. Where is he? Did he die from a cultivation mistake?"

  As soon as he spoke—

  Swish!!

  An ancient bronze sword flew from the air without warning, shooting toward the ground.

  The target was Baek Tyranhold.

  "Hmm?!"

  Baek’s eyes narrowed.

  His hand rose instantly, carrying a massive gale. He slapped the bronze sword with brute force.

  Bang!!

  Palm met steel.

  Explosions rang out in the air.

  The impact kicked up clouds of dark, ominous dust.

  The bronze blade was knocked away, spinning and whistling through the sky.

  But after flying only a few meters, the sword abruptly stopped in mid-air.

  It reversed and took to the sky.

  Tracing a wide arc, it shot toward the stunned crowd.

  "Ah!"

  "What!"

  "Run! It's a flying sword!"

  The martial artists panicked, scrambling away to clear the area.

  This revealed a white-haired taoist who had appeared silently. He stood with his back to the crowd, wearing a green jade crown and a black robe with purple patterns.

  His long eyebrows reached his temples, and his white hair fluttered. His eyes were partially closed as if he were deep in thought.

  At a glance, he seemed to be thirty years old, yet also ninety.

  Vigor and gravity were merged.

  Contradictory, yet harmonious.

  The old taoist was tall but looked thin, as if a breeze could knock him over. However, he did not slouch at all.

  His entire body emitted a majestic aura, as vast as a mountain.

  It felt as though a towering peak lay across the hearts of everyone present.

  Even with his back turned, he felt like a mountain one could only look up to.

  Clang!

  In the next instant, the ancient sword flew into the scabbard on the old taoist's back with perfect accuracy.

  The surrounding warriors finally realized who it was:

  "It is Sword Immortal Xelorian!"

  "The number one person under heaven."

  "As expected, his aura is extraordinary."

  "I was wondering why he wasn't here. It seems we simply couldn't see through his mysterious techniques!"

  "Taoist Xelorian practices profound and strange arts; he is the strongest and most mysterious evershield body of this era."

  Listening to the crowd, Baek curled his lip and laughed:

  "Using some circus tricks... what’s so great about that?

  Xelorian, if you have the guts, face me head-on. I'll fight you with one hand tied!"

  Hearing such arrogant words—

  Xelorian, with hands behind his back, leisurely turned his head. He glanced at the massive white-skinned giant and spoke with a calm, biting contempt:

  "Nothing but a savage ruffian."

  "You!"

  A flash of rage crossed Baek’s face.

  His foot stomped the ground, and as his body lunged forward, he threw a punch fueled by immense force, aimed fiercely at Taoist Xelorian.

  Bang!

  The air swelled violently, exploding with a sharp, piercing sound.

  This punch was so fast it actually punched through the air itself.

  But a second later.

  "Hold on."

  In the distance, Caelus crossed dozens of meters in a heartbeat, arriving in front of Baek. Simultaneously, he manifested several tangible afterimages, seven or eight hands moving together in a blur.

  Smack!!

  The two robust bodies collided, producing a circle of warped air-waves that sent the closer martial artists staggering backward.

  After firmly blocking the iron fist, Caelus revealed a warm smile and said:

  "Baek, give me some face. In a while, there will be a chance for you to spar with Taoist Xelorian."

  Baek’s eyelid twitched, and he grinned, baring shark-like teeth. "Seven-Step Star Gazing, Spirit Shifting and Qi Transfer! Well done, Caelus. We haven't met in years, yet your inner strength has deepened."

  "Hahahaha!"

  Seeing that the giant's emotions had stabilized, Caelus laughed heartily. "It’s alright, it’s alright. Only a slight increase in Vitality cultivation recently."

  As he spoke, the several afterimages around him slowly vanished.

  "Oh?"

  Baek’s expression shifted. "How coincidental. I also had a breakthrough recently."

  "Amituofo."

  Abbot Veritas pressed his palms together. "The poor monk’s six consciousnesses have also become much clearer lately."

  Taoist Xelorian approached, cradling his sword, and said calmly:

  "A few months ago, this humble Taoist sensed a faint change in the aura of this world. My soul and thoughts have also become more active and agile. I suspect something major is about to happen."

  "Heh!"

  Dreadlance Vale strolled over with his hands behind his back, laughing harshly. "This old man is the same. Those petty ghosts and vengeful spirits I could rarely see before—now I see them every day."

  "Truly strange, indeed. These are scenes never recorded even in the ancient texts."

  Watching the five Evershield Body masters conversing leisurely, the many martial artists present were filled with wonder.

  "These are the five strongest people in the world today."

  "What a shame. When will we ever reach the supreme peak?"

  "What kind of dream are you having? At your age, just accept your fate."

  "Hey! Why do you talk so unpleasantly!"

  "What, are you triggered?"

  "You wait. I'll make sure you can't walk off the arena today!"

  "Hah! I came here ready to kill. Adding you to the list won't hurt."

  Ignoring the verbal jousting of the other martial artists, Caelus and the four other Evershield Body masters finished their talk.

  His figure shifted slightly, and he once again moved to the front of the gathered experts.

  Facing the many martial arts masters, Caelus stroked his beard and spoke in a loud voice:

  "More than five years have passed since the conclusion of the last Martial Arts Convention. In these five years, it is inevitable that various sects and families have encountered conflicts and frictions."

  "As the person in charge of the Martial Arts Alliance, I am very grateful for everyone's restraint."

  "But conflicts must be resolved, and the interests of each house must be distributed reasonably."

  "Therefore, we shall follow the old rules: use the martial arts arena to decide."

  "To distinguish superiority, and to decide life and death!"

  The numerous martial artists, including the four Evershield Body masters, looked toward Caelus, listening to his speech.

  But at this moment, Xelorian, who had been standing silently, suddenly narrowed his eyes.

  His powerful spiritual sense abruptly detected an incredibly terrifying life aura racing toward the manor at extreme speed.

  The velocity was extraordinary.

  Taoist Xelorian turned his head slightly, his grayish-white eyebrows twitching as he murmured:

  "Is this... an Evershield Body?!"

  "How did a sixth... Evershield Body suddenly pop up?!"

  Baek, Veritas, and Vale all sensed this aura at the same instant.

  Their expressions shifted simultaneously, and they turned their heads toward the mountain villa entrance.

  Caelus stopped mid-sentence, frowning as he gazed outside the villa.

  The martial artists present did not possess such powerful perception, but after noticing the movements of the five contemporary strongest beings, they also turned their heads in confusion.

  The next moment...

  Buzz!

  A Vitality pressure, blazing like a Great Sun and vast like the boundless ocean, crashed down from the horizon.

  Before the shocked gazes of everyone, a figure, bathed in golden sunlight with a body seemingly forged from immortal gold and Buddha bone, slowly descended to the ground.

  Her hands were clasped behind her back.

  This person was Seraphine.

  "Evershield... Evershield Body!"

  A middle-aged martial artist couldn't help but shout in shock.

  "How... how is this possible?!"

  "Why has a sixth Evershield Body suddenly appeared?!"

  "And... why can she fly?!"

  Many robust martial artists spoke with stammers.

  Caelus and the others wore solemn expressions.

  They discovered that this strange expert's Vitality level seemed... even more powerful than theirs.

  They could not even sense its limit!

  Furthermore... judging by the undisguised, youthful, and fresh aura of the opponent's Vitality, her age certainly did not exceed 20 years.

  This was simply... unrealistic!!

  Among them, the youngest, Baek, was already in his eighties.

  The eldest, Caelus, was one hundred and forty years old.

  Even though an Evershield Body could live for 180 years, the aura of old age was something that absolutely could not be hidden.