Mrs. and Mr. Smith

Chapter 1044: Chapter 1044: Return to the Demon City! Chapter 1044: Chapter 1044: Return to the Demon City! “What!”

Already furious, Luke Fraley’s rage immediately surged to a new height!

He glared at Star with an unyielding fury, gritting his teeth as he said, “You were captured by Ethan Smith and even lost the Soul Bell? Do you have any idea what that Soul Bell means to the Second Secret Realm?”

Star spoke with a hint of guilt, “I’m sorry, but… the Soul Bell was taken by people from the Halcroen Sect.”

After speaking, Star recounted the sequence of events to Luke Fraley.

Luke Fraley listened intently and remained silent for a long time after hearing everything.

“I will take the punishment willingly.” Star stood up and then struck fiercely toward his own chest!

However, at that moment, a beam of light flashed and deflected Star’s hand.

“Enough,” Luke Fraley said coldly. “What’s lost is lost. It’s not entirely your fault. You’re already injured, so stop punishing yourself and go rest.”

Star’s guilt deepened instantly. He cupped his hands respectfully and said, “I will make amends for the loss.”

After saying this, Star turned and left.

Meanwhile, Ethan Smith was slowly cultivating while awaiting news regarding the Second Secret Realm.

After stepping into the Martial Saint stage, every advancement required an immense amount of resources.

*Even though Ethan Smith possessed the powers of creation, various herbs, and other resources, it was like a drop in the bucket, utterly insufficient.*

Ethan Smith’s stockpile was completely depleted.

He got up and exited the Secret Chamber, heading straight to the Great Hall.

“Well? Any news?” Ethan Smith asked, looking toward Conrad Schroeder.

Conrad Schroeder shook his head and replied, “No.”

Ethan Smith stroked his chin and muttered, “Star lost the Soul Bell, and yet Luke Fraley isn’t suspicious?”

Conrad Schroeder stood silently at the side. He no longer had a voice in these matters.

*If not for Ethan Smith considering their past ties and giving him a position, he wouldn’t even qualify to join Heaven Gate.*
“If you intend to drive a wedge between them, it’s not going to be that easy.” At that moment, Jackson Harris walked in from outside.

Ethan Smith sighed softly and said, “True. Since Star is so loyal to Luke Fraley, it’s clear that Luke Fraley highly values him as well.”

“Forget it,” Jackson Harris said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “Instead of wasting time on such schemes, focus on building your forces and launching a direct assault.”

Ethan Smith chuckled. “These two goals are not mutually exclusive. Trust always has limits, and besides, Star was once captured by me.”

A cold smile crept across Ethan Smith’s lips.

“Star. I *will* make you mine!” Ethan Smith sneered coldly.

Seeing this, Jackson Harris chose not to say more.

Ethan Smith then stood and looked toward Jackson Harris, saying, “Senior Jackson, I plan to delegate the authority of Heaven Gate entirely to you. You will lead all the disciples.”

Jackson Harris frowned at this and asked, “Why?”

Ethan Smith offered a bitter smile in response. “You know as well as I do that my interests don’t lie here. Moreover… I will inevitably leave this land someday.”

*If I want to find Emily Taylor, leaving here is unavoidable.*
“With your high esteem and being the person I trust most, you are undoubtedly the best suited to take over,” Ethan Smith added.

Hearing this, Jackson Harris fell into silence.

“Please, Senior Jackson!” Ethan Smith stood up and bowed deeply.

Jackson Harris, seeing this, could only nod reluctantly and say, “Fine. I’ll agree.”

“Thank you!” Ethan Smith breathed a sigh of relief.

Ethan Smith knew he couldn’t afford to spend too much time managing the sect.

*For him, the priority was still enhancing his strength, stepping into the Mighty Realm, experiencing a broader world, and reuniting with the one who haunted his dreams.*
“Senior Jackson, prepare yourself. In one week, we will attack the Second Secret Realm,” Ethan Smith said, rising to his feet.

“So soon?” Jackson Harris’s face showed clear shock.

“You should realize that with our current strength, an attack on the Second Secret Realm is destined to fail. Besides…”

“I know.” Ethan Smith interrupted Jackson Harris.

“But my goal is not to conquer the Second Secret Realm; it’s to meet Star.”

“What do you mean?” Jackson Harris asked.

Ethan Smith smirked faintly. “Star’s injuries were treated by me. In other words, only I can heal his wounds.”

“This time, during the attack on the Second Secret Realm, Star will undoubtedly make an appearance. When the time comes, I’ll bring him a Pill.”

“Whether he accepts it or not, it will unquestionably arouse Luke Fraley’s suspicion.”

Here, Ethan Smith paused for a moment before standing and saying, “Over the next week, I plan to enlist the help of two individuals.”

“One is the Pavilion Master of the Divine Alchemist Pavilion, and the other is the City Lord of the demon city, Crane.”

The Divine Alchemist Pavilion’s alchemists could provide support in the rear.

As for Crane of the demon city, she possessed extraordinarily powerful abilities.

With their assistance, conquering the Second Secret Realm would simply be a matter of time.

“I will set out now. I’ll leave everything here to you. If anything comes up, you can discuss it with Conrad Schroeder and the others,” Ethan Smith said.

After issuing his instructions, Ethan Smith departed that very day.

There was no question that the Pavilion Master of the Divine Alchemist Pavilion would help him, so his first destination was the demon city.

The demon city was incredibly far from Pyro, located in a desolate and unpopulated area.

Ethan Smith changed transportation several times and spent three days traveling before finally reaching the vast desert.

This desert stretched endlessly, its enormity beyond imagination.

Fortunately, after stepping into the Martial Saint stage, Ethan Smith’s divine sense had become unimaginably powerful, instantly covering most of the desert.

Soon, he detected the location of the demon city.

“Hmm? The demon city has deployed formations?” Ethan Smith was surprised to discover that even with his divine sense, he could only faintly perceive traces of life.

*If it were an ordinary Martial Saint coming here, they probably wouldn’t be able to locate the demon city at all.*
Ethan Smith gave it little thought; after all, Crane disliked being disturbed.

He immediately followed the faint trace of life energy, heading in the direction of the demon city.