Nine Suns Sect!
“Ethan, Ethan, are you alright?”
A voice rang out urgently, dragging Ethan Collins back to consciousness. As he opened his eyes, he saw a middle-aged man in a wheelchair.
“Father?” he murmured. Just as the word slipped out, a sharp pain struck his head and a torrent of memories surged in.
Moments later, he glanced around, stunned, a thought flashing through his mind: “So... I’ve been reborn.”
In his past life, he was a Saint of the Four Realms, pursuing the legendary Imperial Realm. He had ventured into the Chaos Domain of the Fourth Heaven in search of the Nine-Leaf Golden Lotus—but it was a trap. Betrayed, his soul was shattered.
Never had he imagined it would cross into another world, taking over the body of someone who shared his name, Ethan Collins.
This Ethan was a member of the Collins family in Cangyun City. The man in the wheelchair was the current patriarch—Thomas Collins.
“So this is my father in this life...”
In his previous life, he’d walked alone, envying others who had real family bonds. Now, Heaven had granted him what he longed for. He’d cherish it.
Wiping the blood from his mouth, Ethan stepped forward and said, “I’m fine, Father.”
“Good, good…” Thomas finally let out a breath, the worry on his face easing.
But then, a sneering voice cut in, sharp and mocking. “Fine? What’s fine about a waste like him? Miss Andrews is a core disciple of the Seven Stars Sect. You think she needs to look at scum like him? Hah. A useless elder from my Nine Suns Sect raising a useless son. Get lost, both of you!”
“Waste, huh?”
Ethan glanced at the speaker—an old man. His memories quickly identified him: Hugh Reed, Grand Elder of the Nine Suns Sect. Beside him stood a young man—Leo Reed.
A surge of fury rose in Ethan’s chest.
Leo, Hugh’s grandson, had bullied him since the day he joined the sect. Just now, he’d even beaten him to death. The hatred couldn’t run deeper.
But that wasn’t the worst of it. The real punch came when Leo stole the spot Ethan’s father had traded his life for.
Three months ago, the Seven Stars Sect had posted a high-risk mission. The reward wasn't just generous—it included the right to recommend someone for direct entry into the sect. A golden ticket.
Wanting to preserve their own strength, the Nine Suns Sect found a pawn—Thomas.
They promised that if Thomas completed the mission, his son would be given the entry slot. In return, they’d keep the resource rewards and offer Thomas a guest elder title.
Believing them, Thomas went. For his son, he’d walked through fire without hesitation.
The mission succeeded. But Thomas paid the price—shattered meridians, no cultivation, legs ruined.Now that the envoy from Seven Star Sect had arrived to take someone back, Nine Sun Sect suddenly changed their tune, insisting Leo Reed was the one going.
That’s what set off Ethan’s predecessor. Furious, he tried to fight Leo, which ended in disaster.
“Heh, guess you and I got screwed the same way,” Ethan muttered to himself. “Don’t worry, from today on, I’m you. I’ll get revenge for you, take care of your father, and make those bastards pay.”
As the vow echoed in his heart, a strange lightness spread through his body. The soul merge was complete.
Ethan took a deep breath and looked over the body he now occupied. “Sixteen years old, just awakened a single Sky-Piercing Spirit Vein… damn, that’s useless.”
But with him in control, even trash could become a genius. First, he had a more pressing problem to deal with.
Lifting his head and scanning the area, his eyes landed on a woman clad in white. She was stunning—flawless white skin, delicate features like they’d been carved by a master, her whole being radiant, like a goddess stepping out of a painting.
Even with his past as a Saint Lord, Ethan’s eyes lit up when he saw Sophie Andrews.
“Blood Fusion Realm, Eighth Level… for her age, that’s impressive.”
Still… Ethan’s brows tightened briefly before he schooled his expression.
“Elder Collins,” Sophie said, clearly, “you of all people should know that the sect exists to supply top talent to those above. Your son, Ethan Collins, is already sixteen and still only at Body Refining Realm, Third Level.”
“Look at Leo Reed. He’s just a year older, and already at Body Refining Realm, Seventh Level. He’s the most gifted youth in Nine Sun Sect. This spot rightfully belongs to him—it’s all for the good of Seven Star Sect.”
Faron Baker, the sect leader, spoke with a flattering smile, eyes fixed on Sophie.
“Yes, yes, of course—can’t waste a spot on someone worthless,” the others chimed in quickly.
Ethan looked at these hypocrites and sneered inwardly. Pretend saints with no shame, just pigs in robes.
Thomas Collins wasn’t ready to give up, his voice sharp with restrained anger. “Miss Andrews, the mission from three months back was issued by Seven Star Sect. They promised, whoever completed it could recommend someone. I did it. Why can’t my son be the one?”
Sophie had already taken stock of the situation since arriving. She understood what had happened here. But a woman like her—peerless beauty, incredible talent—she wouldn’t bother to meddle in the dirty squabbles of a lesser sect.
Her job was to bring back one disciple. As for who? She didn’t care in the slightest.
She spoke, voice as soft as windchimes, face cold and unreadable. “Apologies. Whatever mess you Nine Sun people have going on isn’t my concern. If the name’s decided, we’ll leave now for Seven Star Sect.”As a core disciple of the Seven Star Sect, Sophie Andrews really had no interest in wasting her time standing around listening to these petty arguments. If Faron Baker hadn’t personally asked her, she wouldn’t have bothered showing up at all.
“Yes, yes, Leo, your senior sister’s time is precious. Hurry up and go with her,” Hugh Reed said hurriedly.
“Yes, Grandpa!” Leo Reed stepped forward, tossing Ethan Collins a mocking grin before turning to Sophie. “Senior Sister Sophie, I’m all set. We can leave whenever you like.”
His gaze was bold, brimming with ambition as he looked at the icy beauty before him. He believed that if he just spent more time with her, he might have a shot at winning her over.
“Miss Sophie,” Thomas Collins suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse. He struggled to slide off his wheelchair, trying to crawl over to her. “Please, for the sake of the task I completed for the Seven Star Sect with all I had, take my son, Ethan, with you.”
But with crippled legs, how could he stand?
Dragging himself forward step by step over the ground, Thomas tried to block Sophie’s path, giving his son one last chance.
“Useless cripple, get the hell out of the way!” Leo shouted, kicking Thomas hard. He tumbled back to his wheelchair, the effort he made to crawl over completely wasted.
Ethan clenched his fists tightly, veins bulging on the back of his hand. His father had degraded himself like this, just to give him a shot. And Leo... dared kick him like trash?
He finally understood why his predecessor went crazy. Even now, he was struggling to hold back.
In the world of cultivators, power ruled, but breaking your word — like the Nine Sun Sect just did — was the ultimate disgrace. It showed the true face of a sect.
And Sophie’s cold indifference made his anger boil even more.
“Stop right there,” Ethan said, voice cold as ice.
Something about his tone made Sophie suddenly pause, as if a force beyond her will commanded her feet.
The Nine Sun Sect disciples stiffened, thinking Sophie might explode at the insult. They rushed to smooth things over. “Miss Sophie, from now on, these two aren’t part of our Nine Sun Sect anymore. Do what you like with them.”
To them, facing Sophie was like facing a mountain. Every word was cautious, afraid to anger her.
Leo immediately flashed forward, stopping in front of Ethan. “You dare talk to Senior Sister like that? Kneel! Apologize right now!”
Kneel? Apologize?
Ever since Ethan picked up a sword, he’d never bent a knee, never bowed to anyone. He smiled, calmly walking over to Sophie.
Everyone thought he was about to apologize. Instead, he stopped in front of her, gave her a long, serious look, then said flatly, “Miss, you’ve got a problem.”