CHAPTER 208: CHAPTER 208

"Aether?" Michael’s face darkened sharply at the mention of the name.

"Michael, you will come with me to the center of Sun Moon Lake. The others will surround the valley. Don’t let even a mouse escape!" Oswin’s command rang out with unyielding authority.

"Yes!" His subordinates echoed in unison.

That night, the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets mobilized their full might.

One by one, powerful cultivators emerged from the shadows, converging toward Sun Moon Lake.

Soon after, Oswin and Michael arrived at the now-dried lakebed.

Beneath the barren expanse lay the massive stone slab, its formation flickering weakly—a remnant of dormant power waiting to be awakened.

On the shore stood figures from the three great aristocratic families.

The head of the Silkrain family frowned deeply, clearly unfamiliar with the secrets beneath the lake.

The awe-inspiring aura radiating from the slab was unlike any ordinary formation—it bore the signature of an immortal-level formation.

Ario Emberveil and the Stormjade family head knitted their brows.

They understood only too well that the strange visions above were caused by the opening of the sealing formation.

Yet curiously, there was no one present.

Someone had already ventured inside without their knowledge.

"Three heads of the families! What occurred here?" Oswin and Michael descended from the sky, eyes sharp.

The Stormjade family head’s expression soured.

He offered little courtesy, his tone clipped. "Your Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets claims omniscience. Do you really not know what lies beneath?"

Oswin chuckled dryly in response. "It seems your Stormjade family knows more than they let on."

"So what if we do?" The Stormjade head’s ire simmered just under the surface.

"Regardless, I’ll remind you—within a hundred miles of Sun Moon City, everything belongs to my Pavilion. That includes this lake and everything under it."

As his words died, four Mahayana realm experts appeared behind Oswin and Michael, standing tall and resolute.

In total, six Mahayana realm cultivators were present—enough to engage with any forces from the three families if needed.

The secret had been discovered, and Oswin no longer sought to conceal control.

He needed to enter the ancient ruins beneath the lake quickly before others did.

"Head of the house! Head of the house!" a frantic voice called behind the Silkrain family head.

"What happened?" the Silkrain family head barked, turning sharply.

"The Third Young Master has used secret methods to send word! He and Aether have entered the ruins safely, so the family need not search for him!" the messenger declared breathlessly.

Shock rippled through the assembled nobles.

Entered the ruins? The ancient, sunken ruins beneath Sun Moon Lake?

Aether—they had heard of this name again.

This man was still at large!

"Aether, you deserve death!" The fury in Oswin’s eyes burned cold and unrelenting.

He now vowed to skin Ethan alive.

The Stormjade family head’s face darkened in anger.

The secret he had guarded for decades had been exposed by an outsider.

"Master," a low voice whispered in his ear.

"The youngest lady seems to have left before. Mr. Aether was looking for her."

"Aether?" The elder’s eyes narrowed sharply.

"This man..."

Though surprised, the Stormjade family head’s gaze grew grave.

Aether had come seeking his daughter, evidently to exploit the Stormjade bloodline.

According to the secret inheritance, their bloodline power was the key to activating the sealing formation.

Yet questions gnawed at the Stormjade family head.

How did Aether—an individual who had surfaced only recently—know the secrets beneath Sun Moon City and within their family?

The Stormjade family was notoriously secretive.

Even the supposedly all-knowing Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets had no clue about this.

If the Pavilion knew how to open the sealing formation, they would have forcibly done so long ago.

Ario Emberveil shared these doubts.

His heart weighed with confusion.

How could Aether bypass ancient protections and unlock this formation?

As everyone’s thoughts churned, Oswin approached the Stormjade family leader, wearing a cunning smile.

"Stormjade family head, since you know the secrets beneath Sun Moon Lake, surely you know how to open the sealing formation?"

"Speak now. It’s too late to descend alone, but my Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets will not let your efforts be wasted. We will grant you rewards for your cooperation."

Oswin’s tone was iced with certainty.

He believed the Stormjade family had the key to the formation.

Though the Pavilion’s own research had failed to crack it, old rumors spoke of Sun Moon City and the three families shared glorious past—intimately tied to the secrets here.

Despite decades of investigation, the Emberveil, Silkrain, and Stormjade families had kept their lips sealed.

Still, that silence did not prove ignorance.

The Stormjade family leader remained silent, weighing his options.

"Stormjade family head, those who reveal the truth become heroes. Don’t provoke me, or..." Oswin’s threat hung in the air like a blade.

He then turned his sharp gaze to Ario Emberveil and Aaron Silkrain.

"You two, cease your idle watching! What I said applies to you as well."

"If you know anything, speak now. The Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets will quell the arrogant Aether and share spoils accordingly."

"Otherwise, you know better than I that the consequences will be dire."

Ario and the Stormjade head fell deep into thought, carefully balancing the pros and cons.

Aaron Silkrain, unfamiliar with the full secrets, remained skeptical of Oswin’s words.

He chose to observe the sealing formation silently, withholding judgment.

"My son Chrome is with Aether. Given Aether’s true strength is likely at fifth turn Mahayana level."

"Chrome’s messages suggest Aether has treated him leniently, implying Chrome may gain opportunities through him. Our Silkrain family might benefit."

"But this places me at odds with the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets..."

Aaron pondered cautiously.

Now was time to choose sides wisely.

Siding with the Pavilion was akin to embracing a tiger’s skin, yet opposing them outright guaranteed death.

Best to watch and wait.

Though shameful, Aaron resolved to endure as a wallflower for the family’s survival and gain.

After a long pause, Ario Emberveil raised his head to meet Oswin’s gaze.

"My Emberveil family is willing to share the secret. We trust that the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets will honor its promise."

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