"On behalf of our clansmen, we deeply thank Young Master Ethan for lending a hand this time. Without you, the entire Far North Ice Field would likely have plunged into chaos and panic," the crowd chimed in, cupping their hands.

"There is no need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank the Great Verdant's Princess Liora and Aaron Verdant."

"However, do you really think the matter ends here so simply?" Ethan turned his head, scanning Boren and the others. His tone was faint, and a light smile hung on his face.

"Young Master Ethan, what do you mean by that?" Boren asked.

"Very simple. Although the Moonfall Clan's operation failed this time, their ambitions will not be crushed so easily."

"Do you really think that after a plan they plotted for so many years failed just like that, they will honestly and obediently sit still for three hundred years?"

"Do you actually believe they will just let this matter go?" Ethan asked, the smile on his face looking as if he had seen through everything.

"Young Master Ethan means to say the Moonfall Clan will make a comeback?!" Boren asked.

"Exactly. However, they definitely won't launch a massive attack against a single faction like they did today. But they will absolutely continue to plot something in secret."

"Although the Moonfall Clan lost over a third of their combat strength tonight, as long as their Emperor Realm expert is still around, it's like a massive boulder pressing down on all of you."

"There is only one way to prevent tonight's events from happening again." Ethan held up a single finger.

"Please speak, Young Master Ethan."

"Very simple. If you can't beat them in a one-on-one, then just call more people," Ethan smiled, then vanished into the night sky.

Hearing this, Boren frowned slightly, then looked at the members of the other clan factions.

After a few breaths of thought, he spoke up. "I believe none of us here are fools. Young Master Ethan's words should be very clear."

"The Moonfall Clan's ambitions are not so easily broken."

"We need to be constantly vigilant and prepared to deal with their covert actions. There is only one way to completely keep the Moonfall Clan in check, and that is to unite!"

"All of our Ancient Clans must unite, and pull in the other deeply rooted sect factions of the Far North Ice Field to form an alliance to deal with the Moonfall Clan together!"

Hearing this, the crowd fell silent for a moment before cupping their hands. "We understand Senior Boren's meaning."

"As long as you understand."

"Everyone, return and inform your respective clans of what transpired here. I hope that in one month, the Clan Heads of all clans can gather to jointly discuss the matter of an alliance," Boren added.

The crowd nodded, then turned and departed.

Meanwhile, Ethan landed beside Zeon.

"Brother Ethan, you are simply too strong now!"

"I completely can't see through you anymore. I'm afraid you've already reached the level of being invincible below the Emperor Realm," Zeon said, a hint of envy in his tone.

"You can do it too, Brother Zeon. Compared to you, I just had a little more luck," Ethan smiled.

"Are you sure it's just a little and not a whole lot?" Zeon questioned skeptically.

Liora walked over gracefully and smiled. "Young Master Ethan, the dust has settled on this matter. Where do you plan to go now?"

"I will stay with the Riverborn Clan for a while, and then go check out those Ice Field Demon Caverns. Since I'm here, there's no reason not to take a look at such a bizarre secret realm," Ethan replied.

"The Ice Field Demon Caverns? That truly is a coincidence. Zeon and I also plan to venture into the Ice Field Demon Caverns to see if we can reap any harvests."

"My master performed a divination a few days ago. The window for the Ice Field Demon Caverns might open very soon, a year or two earlier than usual."

"We will be heading deep into the Far North Ice Field in a few days to wait for the window to open."

"Would Young Master Ethan like to travel with Zeon and me? The Ice Field Demon Caverns are treacherous and unpredictable. It would be good for the three of us to travel together and look out for one another." Liora sincerely invited Ethan to join their group.

"Many thanks to the Eldest Princess for the gracious invitation. However, I still have important matters to attend to in the Riverborn Clan. Once I've finished, I will head to the Demon Caverns to rendezvous with the Princess," Ethan smiled.

At this moment, Zeon leaned in close to his sister's ear and whispered, "Sis, the Eldest Miss of the Riverborn Clan is Brother Ethan's..."

"..."

Hearing this, Liora's slender brows twitched slightly, followed by sudden realization.

She smiled and cupped her hands. "Since Young Master Ethan has pressing matters, we will not disturb you any longer. We part ways here. See you at the Ice Field Demon Caverns."

After Liora finished speaking, she took a few steps back, then leaped into the air, departing with Zeon and the others.

"Brother Ethan, we will wait for you at the Ice Field Demon Caverns!" Zeon waved his hand, his voice and figure growing increasingly blurry.

Ethan smiled toward the direction Zeon disappeared in, then his expression returned to normal. With a flash of his figure, he descended into the valley below.

At this time, the Riverborn Clan members were tending to the wounded and beginning repair work.

Tiberan and the others landed in the center of the valley, on a massive circular stone platform.

This was the Riverborn Clan's altar. In the center stood a colossal stone stele engraved with densely packed names, all clearly belonging to members of the Riverborn Clan.

The material of this stele was extraordinary. A rare type of stone Ethan had never seen before.

The engraving technique was also quite formidable. Every name was permeated with sharp sword intent and divine power.

When this powerful sword intent detected Ethan's gaze and perception, it instantly became restless, surging toward him like a tidal wave.

Ethan's expression remained calm. A cyan radiance emanated from his body, isolating the sword intent.

"To think these names were all carved by a Perfect Supreme expert using a sword," Ethan mused inwardly.

There were distinct differences in the technique used, as well as the characteristics and intensity of the residual sword intent, across different sections of names on the stele.