Ethan Brooks's excitement gradually calmed down. He gazed at the azure sky, feeling an incomparable sense of clarity and emptiness within.

A crystal-clear river wound its way through the mountains. After descending from the peak, Ethan Brooks felt an intense heat all over his body. He dove headfirst into the river, using his family's secret breathing technique to hold his breath, and drifted downstream with the current. He had no idea how much time had passed when he noticed the current slowing, even coming to a stop. Opening his eyes, he saw the river continuing to wind through the mountains into the distance, but he himself had been carried by the water to a clear pool at the riverbank.

Suddenly, a splash erupted from the pool, and an incredibly beautiful scene appeared before Ethan Brooks's eyes. A girl stood up from the water, her long, jet-black hair wet and draped over her shoulders, her jade-like cheeks dotted with water droplets, as pure and elegant as a lotus emerging from the water. Perhaps "girl" was more accurate than "woman"—she looked only sixteen or seventeen. Her peerless face, lively eyes, long lashes, straight and delicate nose, and rosy lips made her look as beautiful as a fairy, as pure as an angel.

Looking further down, Ethan Brooks almost had a nosebleed. The girl's proud, shapely breasts had just emerged above the water's surface, glistening with a seductive sheen, stirring the most primal desires.

At the same time, the girl also saw Ethan Brooks. Her lively eyes instantly filled with terror. She let out a piercing scream: "Ah... someone... pervert..."

Ethan Brooks was shocked. He hadn't expected such a clichéd scene to happen to him. Without a doubt, he was now branded a lecher and a scoundrel, a reputation impossible to clear. In his panic, he leapt from the water, pulled the girl into his arms, and covered her mouth. The soft, smooth body in his embrace made his blood race.

Suddenly, a powerful force surged from the girl, sending Ethan Brooks flying. At the same time, her graceful figure soared from the pool like a nimble swallow, landing on the shore, where she quickly threw on the clothes waiting there.

When that force struck Ethan Brooks, he knew he was in big trouble. This beautiful and pure-looking girl was actually a highly skilled martial artist. He sensed that her cultivation was far superior to his own; if he hadn't silently drifted close to her in the water, he would never have gotten near her.

A dozen or so figures flew over from the nearby woods. At the same time, a ripple passed through the air, and a wave of light emanated from the trees, forming a pale blue barrier that protected the girl. The dozen or so people who had rushed over now surrounded the girl, shielding her in the center.

By now, Ethan Brooks was already a qualified resident of the Tianyuan Continent. He immediately recognized that the wave of light was a spell cast by a mage, and also noticed that the dozen or so people present were all skilled martial artists. His head began to ache—such a formation meant this girl was no ordinary person. She was either a noble lady or the daughter of a prestigious family. He had provoked someone he absolutely shouldn't have.

Three mages walked over from not far away, all of them young. One of them muttered something, then waved his hand, and the protective barrier around the girl vanished.

As soon as the magical shield disappeared, the girl shouted angrily, "Kill that man for me, now!"

Ethan Brooks hurriedly called out, "Beautiful miss, please listen to me—"

"Shut up! What are you all standing around for? Get him!"

At this moment, the stunning girl's face was filled with murderous intent, as if she wished she could tear Ethan Brooks to pieces on the spot.

"It's a misunderstanding..."

The three mages were the first to act. One of them chanted, "Water spirits roaming between heaven and earth, heed my call—Water Dragon Wave!"

A ripple passed through the air, the water's surface surged, and a water dragon rose from the river, charging at Ethan Brooks.

At first, Ethan Brooks didn't pay much attention, but as the water dragon was about to hit him, he realized the immense force hidden within. He quickly dodged to the side.

"Thump!"

The water dragon struck the surface, sending up a huge wave that pushed Ethan Brooks toward the shore where the girl stood.

"If I faint, I'll be torn apart by that girl as soon as I get ashore." Ethan Brooks quickly swam in the opposite direction.

Just then, the mage who had cast Water Dragon Wave began chanting again. The water, which had just calmed, rippled once more, and wave after wave surged toward Ethan Brooks, forcing him onto the shore. The people guarding the girl immediately stepped forward and surrounded him.

Ethan Brooks stood up from the water, forcing a grim smile. "This really is a misunderstanding..."

"Shut up! Get him, beat him down and drag him over here," the girl shouted.

There were both men and women among the dozen or so people, all young, but none of them weak. At this moment, every one of them looked at Ethan Brooks with pity, as if he were already meat on the chopping block.

Ethan Brooks knew this fight was unavoidable. He struck first, pushing his palms outward and sending out wave after wave of palm shadows. Then he leapt into the air, trying to vault over their heads and break out. Clearly, no one was going to give him the chance. Two of them easily neutralized his palm attacks, then leapt up and forced him back down.