David Foster was startled; he recognized this young girl as one of the personal maids who served the Holy Maiden of the Blazing Sun.

The girl sneered and walked in as if no one else was present. She shot a vicious glare at Ethan Carter, then turned to face everyone and said indifferently:

“Sorry to disturb the elders. My lady asked me to come and thank you all for your hospitality during this time—she is very satisfied. As for herself, due to an urgent summons from the sect master, she has already returned to Blazing Sun Mountain. Additionally, my lady asked me to clarify one thing: the so-called incident of Ethan Carter peeping at the Holy Maiden while she was bathing is completely fabricated and utterly false!”

Boom!

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire hall was thrown into shock. The elders stared in disbelief.

Especially the Second Elder, David Foster, who felt as if struck by lightning on a clear day. He staggered back several steps, his face filled with utter disbelief.

“How could this happen!”

David Foster cried out in a low voice, his face showing a look of horror.

The matter of deposing Ethan Carter had reached its final stage—only the final decision remained. Now, the Holy Maiden of the Blazing Sun had suddenly sent a maid to make such a statement, which was tantamount to undermining him and tearing down his plans. All his efforts were about to come to nothing.

What baffled David Foster even more was that this matter had clearly been agreed upon by both parties. Deposing Ethan Carter would also benefit the Holy Maiden. Moreover, the reason things had gone so smoothly was in no small part due to her efforts.

Yet, in just a few days, the Holy Maiden’s attitude had changed completely, even to the point of tearing up their agreement. To David Foster, this was utterly incomprehensible—like a bolt from the blue!

“This is a letter personally written by the Holy Maiden, with her seal. Take it! If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.”

The Holy Maiden’s maid tossed down a sheet of white paper and immediately turned to leave, unwilling to stay even a moment longer.

“That’s right, this is the seal of the Holy Maiden of the Blazing Sun Sect!”

The Fourth Elder, Emily Bennett, caught the paper and, after reading it, couldn’t help but frown.

The seal of the Blazing Sun Sect could not be forged; anyone with eyes could see that!

“David Foster, you fabricated false charges and harbored malicious intent. You listed a completely baseless crime and wanted to convene the elders’ council to frame me—what is your true motive? Could it be that you’ve accepted benefits from the Blazing Sun Sect and are colluding with outsiders to bring chaos to our Five Thunder Sect?”

This was exactly what Ethan Carter had been waiting for. As soon as Emily Bennett finished speaking, Ethan Carter immediately pointed at David Foster, slapping him with the heavy accusation of colluding with an outside sect.

“Nonsense! How could I possibly collude with outsiders!”

David Foster was thrown into utter confusion, nearly coughing up blood in anger. He had never expected things to turn out this way, or that Ethan Carter would turn the tables and pin such a grave accusation on him.

“Hmph! If you’re not guilty, why are you so agitated? Clearly, you have a guilty conscience! Elders, Ethan Carter may be young, but he understands right from wrong. I have endured Elder Foster’s oppression again and again, yet he has relentlessly pressed me, even resorting to schemes and slander. There is a limit to what one can endure! Even if it costs me my life, I will fight him to the end. I ask the Grand Elder and all the elders to uphold justice for me!”

Ethan Carter spoke these words with righteous indignation.

He had long seen that the other three elders were of one mind with David Foster. But at this moment, they absolutely could not admit it—and would not admit it. Now, they had no choice but to stand up for Ethan Carter.

“You—”

David Foster glared furiously, his mind in complete chaos. All his plans had been thrown into disarray by Ethan Carter’s sudden move.

“Xier—”

Grace Carter was visibly moved, her face full of joy. She had not expected such a dramatic turn of events.

The other elders were also shocked, looking at Ethan Carter’s calm demeanor before and after, clearly realizing he had been prepared all along. But no matter what, they couldn’t figure out how Ethan Carter had managed it.

With the Holy Maiden’s power, crushing Ethan Carter would be as easy as squashing an ant. Besides, she was proud by nature and would never cooperate with Ethan Carter.

“Hmph! Ethan Carter! You useless wretch, stop using flowery words to frame my father. Do you know who my father is? How could he possibly stoop so low as to frame you? Speak! What trick did you use to make the Holy Maiden change her mind?”

At this moment, a voice interrupted—it was Charles Foster, unable to stand seeing his father suffer, who stepped forward.

“You’re calling me useless?!”

Ethan Carter turned to look at Charles Foster, his eyes turning cold.

“Hmph! That’s right, I’m calling you useless. So what? What can you do to me? With your pathetic skills, you can’t even beat me, yet you dream of becoming the next leader of the Five Thunder Sect. What a joke! The elders should have deposed you long ago!”

Charles Foster wore an expression of arrogance, showing no respect for Ethan Carter even at the elders’ council.

“Is that so? In that case, let’s have a match and see who the real useless one is! Let’s see what I can do to you!” Ethan Carter stared coldly at Charles Foster.

“Xier, come back, you’re no match for him.”

Grace Carter grew anxious. She hadn’t expected Ethan Carter to suddenly act so impulsively and challenge Charles Foster.

“Don’t worry, Aunt. I know what I’m doing,” Ethan Carter replied calmly.