In the Demon Realm.
It was an upper realm akin to the Immortal Realm for humans, except the environment was drastically different.
The sky was dark red. Even the sun shared the same hue. Volcanoes dotted the landscape endlessly, and not a single drop of water could be found.
The trees were pitch black.
The Demon Realm had ten layers. In the lowest layer resided only the lower demons—an infinite number of them. When a lower demon evolved into a middle-tier demon, it could ascend to the second layer.
Lower demons had similar strength to martial warrior to martial emperor realm. The middle tier demons were planetary realm level.
The higher demons were similar to the star realm martial artists. The next realms were also similar.
Higher demons occupied the third layer.
Demon Lords ruled the fourth layer.
The fifth layer was home to Demon Kings.
Demon Emperors reigned in the sixth layer.
The seventh belonged to the Demon Sovereigns.
Archdemons controlled the eighth.
Cardinal Sin Demons held dominion over the ninth.
As for the tenth layer, it was reserved for the one who had reached the absolute pinnacle of evolution in the universe—the Origin Demon.
The Demon Ancestor was an Origin Demon, and he was the only origin demon the universe had ever produced. But somehow, he died. Not just him, but the Primordial Sage of the Immortal Realm and all beings of the same level mysteriously perished ten billion years ago.
No one knew the exact cause. From that moment onward, the world was cast into a curse. No one could reach that pinnacle level again.
The pinnacle realm of this universe was at least two levels higher than the Universe Supreme Realm in Ethan’s world.
So, a Cardinal Sin Demon was a level above Grand Supreme Odin.
Beelzebub was a Cardinal Sin Demon, and Ethan had just killed one of his incarnations—without even knowing the proper power scale.
Even if he had known, with his arrogance, he might have still said, "Who the fuck cares? I could play football with the heads of Cardinal Sin Demons in a while. Just need some time."
In the ninth layer of the Demon Realm, inside the grand palace of Beelzebub.
He sat on a magnificent throne, his eyes almost radiating molten lava.
He looked in the direction of the lower realm. "Ethan Hunt, huh? Let’s see how long you can survive my grasp. Best of luck. It was too boring, but now I have a little mouse to play with. Hahahahaha."
In the Overlord Sect.
Ethan sneezed. "Who the heck is cursing me? I’m sure Beelzebub is probably sending me his greetings. Eh. I don’t know how powerful you are. I’ll be sure to visit your Demon Realm someday. I hope you’ll be able to welcome me then." Ethan’s eyes turned cold.
He knew Beelzebub would probably send forces after him. He could always leave this world, but the world might not survive the aftermath.
He needed to become even more powerful so that his clones could handle any threat that might arise in the future.
Ethan looked at the kneeling crowd in front of him.
He said, "You may all rise."
Zerelith spoke in a very nervous tone, "Senior, may I dare to inquire... where is that thing?"
He was even afraid to utter the word "demon."
Ethan replied, "It was an incarnation of a Demon Ruler. I’ve killed it, but I don’t think it’ll end here. Do you have any means to communicate with other powerful sects? If so, inform them of everything. I’ll stay here for a few days. Let them come. I have some things to discuss with them."
"As you wish, Senior," Zerelith bowed and left with the other ancestors.
Ethan looked at Alex and said, "This child has a fate with me. I hope you treat him well."
Ethan didn’t reveal that Ryan was actually a clone of himself. He would soon leave this world, and there was no need for others to know the details.
Zerelith, who had been walking away to contact the other sects, froze mid-step. His heart began pounding like a drum.
He immediately announced, "From today onward, Alex shall become one of the Holy Sons of the sect."
No one objected. In fact, everyone was glad their ancestor was so quick-witted. No wonder he was the ancestor.
Ethan was speechless. "Good grief. These guys are distributing Holy Son positions like vegetables in the market." First he became a divine son,then Rudi became a holy son and now Alex also became a holy son.
Anyway,he didn’t care much about that.He vanished from there and appeared before Rose.
As soon as he did, someone jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly.
Ethan caught the sweet scent that lingered from her.
He smiled and hugged her back.
Rose was crying. She had been terrified. Now that Ethan was back, she didn’t want to let go of him.
They stood like that for quite a while.
"Rose, come. I’ll help you break through to the King Realm now. Once you reach the Emperor Realm, I’ll help you comprehend the laws."
Rose nodded and sat cross-legged. Ethan sat behind her and placed his hand on her back.
Immediately, pure energy began pouring into her from Ethan. Rose could not learn the Primordial Breathing Technique. Ethan had tried to infuse it into her brain, but it just wouldn’t stay in her brain. That’s why her cultivation had progressed so slowly.
Still, Ethan could help her break through faster. But that might cause instability in her foundation. He was only helping now because she had reached the peak of the Grandmaster Realm and was preparing for a breakthrough soon.
In the forbidden zone of the World of the Ancients.
There was a small bamboo hut nestled deep in a dense forest. The hut was very simple.
Inside, a middle-aged man sat cross-legged. He suddenly opened his eyes.
"So, a Cardinal Demon descended into this lower realm with his incarnation and already died. Who is that little guy? Even I can’t sense him. Looks like I need to go to the upper realm and warn those bastards not to send anyone into my domain again. Or else..."
His eyes turned cold. He summoned someone with his mind.
Soon, a beautiful woman appeared before him and bowed. "Master."
"Melissa, go to this place and try to find out more about this boy."
He showed her Ethan’s image along with the coordinates of the Overlord Sect.
"As you command, Master."
She disappeared.
This man was one of the key reasons why Cardinal Demons and other beings of similar level didn’t dare to approach this world with their main bodies.
He stood up and went to the kitchen to brew some tea for himself. He enjoyed tea that he brewed personally.
While doing so, he muttered, "The apocalypse has gotten even closer. We don’t have much time. When it descends upon this universe, no lower realm, upper realm, immortal realm, or demon realm will be spared. This time it will be even more terrifying than the one ten billion years ago. There’s a chance that "He" will awaken from his slumber this time. We don’t know what’s going to happen. Sigh!"
He took the tea and went to sit in the front garden of his hut.
He looked at the dog that was lazily lying nearby.
If Ethan had seen it, his heart might have stopped. That damn dog was even stronger than Grand Supreme Odin himself.
The man threw a biscuit. The dog leapt from the ground, caught the biscuit mid-air, then lay back down and closed its eyes again to rest.