With Jackson guiding the way, Javon’s journey became much easier. The desert that once seemed endless gradually began to change.Before long, a long-lost shade of green appeared ahead. In the distance, a dense forest stood like a boundary between the sea of sand and a new land.“Sir, that’s the entrance to Ciderion. If we go a few hundred miles further, we’ll reach the border. There’s a small town there,” Jackson said, pointing forward.Javon nodded and handed over the promised Aetherstones. “Thanks. We’ll part here.”As soon as he finished speaking, his figure shot into the distance.In midair, Javon took out a map and checked his position. He had no intention of heading directly to the Hernandez family. His strength was still insufficient. He needed time to grow quietly.The nearest city was about five hundred miles away, Highvale, a small town on the southern border of Ciderion.The city gate was quiet. A guard leaned against a wooden table, half asleep.“Fifty Aetherstones.”After

All eyes immediately focused on the group that had stepped forward. The pressure from their auras alone tightened the air, every one of them was at the Celestial Stage. The doubts that had circulated moments ago gradually faded, replaced by admiration that was hard to conceal. Many stared at Javon in disbelief.Meanwhile, Tristan’s face flushed, yet he still sneered. “Fine, kid. If you’re really that brave, go ahead and try.”After throwing out those words, he turned and returned to the Hernandez family ranks.An elder frowned. “Third Clan Leader, are we really letting that opportunity fall into that boy’s hands?”Tristan snorted lazily. “You think that formation is easy to break? Raw strength won’t work. If they can’t find its weak points, even a hundred Celestial cultivators won’t be able to force it down.”To him, it was obvious. A formation left behind by an Overhaul expert couldn’t collapse so easily. He was simply waiting for Javon to fail, suffer backlash, and lose face in fron

“Back off!” Garron roared. Massive fists shot forward in rapid succession.Javon smiled faintly. “Nine Dragon Palm.”The air suddenly turned cold. Frost particles fell as a massive bluish palm shadow surged forward, shattering Garron’s attacks before continuing without slowing.Garron’s expression changed. That strike gave him a deadly sense of danger.“Heaven-Slaying Sword Technique!”A blood-red sword flashed. Hundreds of sword shadows flooded toward the icy palm.SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!Continuous explosions shook the air. The energy palm gradually faded and vanished.“Haha! Is that all—”His words froze.A cold flash appeared behind him.SLASH!Garron’s right arm was severed.“AAARGH!”He retreated hundreds of meters, face pale. That artifact… he hadn’t even noticed it.“Overhaul artifact?” he whispered, trembling.Javon sneered. “Correct. Your reward, death.”The dagger shot forward again. Garron panicked.“Relan! Help me!”Relan leapt forward, raising a massive sword.CLANG!He was

This time, no trap appeared. The stone door opened smoothly.As they entered the palace, Javon froze in surprise. The lake water didn’t seep inside at all. The hall shimmered with piles of Aetherstones, weapons, and technique scrolls scattered like cheap goods.“Strange… someone should have arrived earlier. Why wasn’t everything taken?”Even as he spoke, his hands moved swiftly, sweeping up the treasures.Raviel thought for a moment. “Maybe they couldn’t defeat that puppet. Also, the inner world probably has more than one entrance.”Javon nodded, continuing to collect. After a quick inventory, over four hundred thousand Aetherstones, several Great Grand Master artifacts, and dozens of techniques. The best was a low-tier Overhaul technique called Crackflow Slash.Soon, Raviel called out, “The formation to the inner world is here!”Everyone stepped into the teleportation array. The scenery changed instantly.Spiritual energy in the new area was so dense it felt almost liquid. Misty moun

Crack!His arm was torn off, and the following kick slammed him into the crater below.The entire crowd froze.The young man floated in the air. “I am the Devourer.”Magnus’s expression changed drastically. That name was infamous, a demonic cultivator rumored to have died three hundred years ago.The youth laughed softly. He explained how he had faked his death and built these ruins as a trap to absorb cultivators’ energy.Fear spread among everyone.With a casual gesture, he dragged two elders forward and drained their energy within seconds.“Run!” someone shouted.The crowd scattered.The youth smiled coldly. “No one can leave.”Suddenly he turned toward the bushes. “There are still three rats.”A terrifying pressure pulled Raviel and Morric toward him.“It’s over…” they muttered in despair.But a cold voice echoed.“You dare touch my people?”A surge of energy shattered the pressure. Javon appeared.“That kid…” the clan leaders murmured.Javon exhaled slowly. “It’s time to end this